Limbo: Any status where a person or project is held up, and nothing can be done until another action happens. This may also be called “the lurch”. Wikipedia
We’ve all written blog posts which are really good. But as we write more, these posts slip onto page two and then slowly sink into what we like to call Archive Limbo. It is a place where posts are forgotten until someone rediscovers them or gets them out of the lurch. Here are a ten tips on how to keep your old blog posts out of limbo.
1. Repost them. It seems radical, we know, and there is probably some rule that says not to do it but we’ve done it. We’re stlll allowed to blog. New bloggers should consider this as they get more readers. To keep the blog police off your back add an update or commentary on the repost.
2. Relink to your old posts via text links in a new post.
3. Put “Related Posts” links at the end of a new post. You’d be surprised how many posts are related.
4. Create a “Most Popular” or “Most Commented On” or even “Worst Posts That Were Really Good” in your sidebar.
5. Create a Table of Contents on the sidebar (maybe have it blink so someone notices it’s there) & categorize lists of your posts there, with links of course. This works like the Categories section but it contains much more information for a reader, such as the title and commentary you might ad—sort of like a TV guide listing.
6. Create a Filmloop as a visual archive of posts using images. We use images from the post. Rolling over the images will reveal the title and a link to the post. We list this even though we have no idea how many people have looked at our filmloop.
7. Have interesting or specific Categories on your sidebar.
8. When commenting on blogs posting on a subject you have already covered, hopefully in a different way, add your old blog post link and explain why it adds to the conversation. Don’t just put up the link as it will probably be construed as spam. (blogger tip: to avoid being accused of self-promotion which has become a naughty word on the net (though perfectly fine if you’re on TV ) just add an apology for your “shameless self-promotion”. This magic phrase has been used many times by bloggers without fail.
9. Do a Post Series. Perfect for posting the older posts in the series for reference and completeness.
10. In the works:. Sellsius’ idea for a blog tool to help keep your blog posts out of archive limbo forever, increase your page views and keep readers on your site, is being created with a fellow blogger near and dear to us. Stay tuned.
I have looked at your Filmloop and clicked through for info on how you did it… “6. Create a Filmloop as a visual archive of posts using images. We use images from the post. Rolling over the images will reveal the title and a link to the post. We list this even though we have no idea how many people have looked at our filmloop. ” I will have to look at the Filmloop again…
Limbo is where the unbapitised babies went if they died. The nuns said so back in grade school. The concept made me weepy as a child, so it is good Limbo is no longer used for that purpose but instead my blog entries end up there. It’s a much better use of the space!
A newer blogger made a comment about recycling of posts (ones own blog entries) on Active Rain yesterday, seems like some bloggers there could use your message… she did not mention names.
We don’t want old blog posts to be lost & forgotten.
Here is a post from our archive limbo on how to use film loop.
http://blog.sellsiusrealestate.com/?p=573
Brad Nix of Atlanta 575 blog uses it also (his version may be newer than ours)
http://www.atlanta575realestate.com/
re: limbo—I had the same nuns in grade school–you know the ones who couldn’t even show their hair. I think there is still a religious limbo (actually 2): limbus patrum & limbus infantium, though I don’t hear about it much. There is also the dance limbo, which is quite pleasant :).
-jf