Comments on: My status updates – what can I improve? http://theunfocused.net/2010/02/24/my-status-updates-improving/ And Other Unfocused Things Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:12:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Robert Accettura http://theunfocused.net/2010/02/24/my-status-updates-improving/#comment-6525 Robert Accettura Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:48:07 +0000 http://theunfocused.net/?p=407#comment-6525 We (the planet team) should really put together a "tips" blog post or something on what we've seen works best for folks who want to use a blog as part of their communication. Some things I've personally noted over the years: 1. Repetitive titles stink as noted by other comments. Theming titles, or prefixing with "status update:" work better. Mention what it's about in the title. People scan those to decide if they will read or skip in their feed reader or on planet. 2. Include links to bugs, wiki's, and other places for folks to join/participate/feedback when applicable. It goes a long way. 3. Avoid just mentioning a bug # without mentioning what it is in context. Also avoid mentioning a bug and not giving the bug # (or link to bug). Don't tease ;-) . 4. Some more technical discussion can sometimes be much more engaging and encourage readership. Robert O'Callahan demonstrates this more than anyone these days. 5. Pictures get folks attention. Screenshots, mockups, wireframes, cats (preferably in humorous situations with captions). 6. Demo's get peoples attention (see hacks.m.o, aza's blog has that tendency). I read virtually every mozilla dev blog for the past several years. I've also noticed on my own that the above really makes a distinction between what gets passed over and what gets read/commented on. Just my $0.02 We (the planet team) should really put together a “tips” blog post or something on what we’ve seen works best for folks who want to use a blog as part of their communication.

Some things I’ve personally noted over the years:

1. Repetitive titles stink as noted by other comments. Theming titles, or prefixing with “status update:” work better. Mention what it’s about in the title. People scan those to decide if they will read or skip in their feed reader or on planet.
2. Include links to bugs, wiki’s, and other places for folks to join/participate/feedback when applicable. It goes a long way.
3. Avoid just mentioning a bug # without mentioning what it is in context. Also avoid mentioning a bug and not giving the bug # (or link to bug). Don’t tease ;-) .
4. Some more technical discussion can sometimes be much more engaging and encourage readership. Robert O’Callahan demonstrates this more than anyone these days.
5. Pictures get folks attention. Screenshots, mockups, wireframes, cats (preferably in humorous situations with captions).
6. Demo’s get peoples attention (see hacks.m.o, aza’s blog has that tendency).

I read virtually every mozilla dev blog for the past several years. I’ve also noticed on my own that the above really makes a distinction between what gets passed over and what gets read/commented on.

Just my $0.02

]]> By: Brian King http://theunfocused.net/2010/02/24/my-status-updates-improving/#comment-6523 Brian King Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:08:02 +0000 http://theunfocused.net/?p=407#comment-6523 Mitcho's suggestion is spot-on. Perhaps the date in the title, instead of/as well as keywords. Mitcho’s suggestion is spot-on. Perhaps the date in the title, instead of/as well as keywords.

]]> By: shadowbat http://theunfocused.net/2010/02/24/my-status-updates-improving/#comment-6522 shadowbat Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:09:12 +0000 http://theunfocused.net/?p=407#comment-6522 I think some more personality to the updates would be nice. Adding what you like or dislike about the project, some more background, things that could change with your work, whether you liked doing it, about working with your teammates, etc. I think some more personality to the updates would be nice. Adding what you like or dislike about the project, some more background, things that could change with your work, whether you liked doing it, about working with your teammates, etc.

]]> By: mitcho http://theunfocused.net/2010/02/24/my-status-updates-improving/#comment-6521 mitcho Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:35:41 +0000 http://theunfocused.net/?p=407#comment-6521 I always see your status updates on twitter, but the post title is always so generic... just look at it, even your website says "related posts: status update, status update." Maybe you could add a few key words to the title? :) Thanks. I always see your status updates on twitter, but the post title is always so generic… just look at it, even your website says “related posts: status update, status update.” Maybe you could add a few key words to the title? :) Thanks.

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