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And Nuka Cola is drunk!..... oh hang on that's your thread! silly me :-)

Arakasi wrote:Gitsplitta's blog is a perfect example of a good P&M blog - 76 of those 271 pages you see are just his own posts! 2 pages of those were in the first 2 weeks - ie an average of two posts per day!

And he wasn't the awesome modeller and painter he is today back then either!

Not to mention contributing to many other blogs and community projects. Anyone would do very well to follow his example...

(edit because I realised I tallied up those posts over 2 weeks, not 4 - even more impressive!)

In the simplest of terms, Gits' blog is a good blog because it makes us WANT to comment and help. The fact that he often takes our ideas, or has little teasers (see his latest GMS marine and the shoulder script) that keep us guessing...

Alf wrote:

So Gits, I'm about to start a P&M Blog, and I was like "I saw a thread on Dakka about 'what makes a good P&M blog.'" So, I was curious about the advice I saw there, in comparison to what you and a few other threads I subscribe to have." According to some of the advice I saw, they were talking about the OP containing lots of painted images (no one is going to want to read about the painting you plan on doing blah blah blah)... So I noticed you didn't have any painted minis on the first post (updates to that post obviously have since fixed that), but you didn't have anything painted on the first page either... So I did some digging, and found you didn't have any painting until page 4 of your blog. Then it got me thinking about the longevity of this blog, and the community aspect centered around it. Obviously this is just more than your Mantis Warriors, but their development as a community influenced project.

Hey Alf, thanks for the comments and compliments... I really appreciate it.

Keep in mind I'm still a relative newbie to the whole blog game. This was only the second blog (or thread) I'd ever done... the first being the thread about my son's Doom Eagle army started a month before this one. So keep in mind that in spite of the size of this particular thread... I'm still pretty much learning as I go.


Generally, my comments have very little to do with content as there are virtually infinite ways of structuring a blog that is interesting, vibrant and engaging. I will however, make a number of comments about things that I think are important as far as content goes.

1) Title: The title of the blog is very important as it is the first, and perhaps only thing that 100% of potential readers will see. Make it as detailed and specific as you can without making it too lengthy. You want to leave room for update announcements. Also, if you can leave a bit of a question in people's minds without being obtuse, or use language that adds a bit of flair... it may pique their curiosity. Make sure to note key updates in the title with a date and brief description.

2) OP: Provide a little information about yourself. Doesn't have to be personal, mainly your gaming/modeling background so people have some context to view your work.

3) OP: Briefly lay out the scope of what you're trying to accomplish and why. Look for a "hook"... something interesting or unique about your project that may cause people to care about following you. For me (I think), it was a combination of the era that I started 40k (i.e. my age) and the fact that at the time I began the blog, the Mantis Warriors were a forgotten chapter along with the entire Badab War. As a reader, you probably know better than I what first attracts folks to this blog.

4) OP: A picture is worth a thousand words. In spite of how I started this blog, I agree with the advice you cite 100%. I don't care what skill level you are, just show me a pic so I can start helping you (or oooh & aaah if you're better than I am). I just got lucky in having an engaging topic... I also started by asking for people's opinions on my background, ideas I had for modeling, etc... at least that's my recollection, that goes back to the hook I mentioned earlier. Note* a blurry pic, is a useless pic.

5) Body: What keeps a blog going is your audience... you're just kind a catalyst that throws fuel on the fire once in a while. It's their ideas, their interest, their willingness to comment & contribute that not only grows the blog but keeps it up near the top of the "recent threads" list, which ultimately gets you more eyeballs. It's also what makes YOU better... so never think that your blog is about you... it's about them. Community is everything with this type of blog.

6) Body: #5 applies unless you are a P&M god... in which case you can just throw your stuff up and let it ride on it's own merits.

7) Body: Engage you listeners as often as possible. Ask opinions on figures *early* in the process, ask questions about painting techniques. BE SPECIFIC!! Don't waste people time by asking questions so broad that they'd need to write a novel to answer them. Questions like: Should I try glowing eyes or clear lens style eyes? Does anyone know of a good OSL tutorial? What's the best way to make rocks for a base? Does this pose look natural or forced? Can someone point me to somewhere to learn about wet blending? Etc. etc.

8) Body: If you're going to ask for CnC, you'd damn well be willing to take it. Nothing is dumber than someone asking for comments and suggestions and then arguing with everyone who makes them. I've seen this more often than you'd imagine.

9) Body: That being said, that doesn't mean you need to accept every suggestion made. Stand up for yourself from time to time and you'll earn your readers respect. However... be nice. Recognize the validity of the suggestion, kick it around a bit, discuss it... even if you don't intend to take the advice, let the reader know that you appreciate the suggestion and will keep it in mind for later projects.

10) Body: Relating to 8 and 9... be honest with your readers. If you're really just showing off a figure or build with no intention of changing it... just post it and say something like "hope you like it!". It's OK to state non-negotiables to your readers... but it helps if you can also state things that your undecided about and are looking for ideas about at the same time. If you read the first few pages of my blog, you've seen me lay out a few non-negotiables right from the onset. They didn't seem to hamper the discussion however, because they were plenty of negotiables for people to chew on.

11) Etiquette: Be polite. Answer your readers posts by name. Don't always quote them, it's cumbersome... just do the "@Alf:" thing and you'll be fine most of the time. Save quotes for when time has passed between post and reply, or if what you say might be of interest to more than just the questioner. Thank people for their contributions. Show them that you're heeding their advice. Welcome new posters warmly and try to give them a bit of insight (in a sentence or two) to help them get caught up.

12) Reciprocate in Kind: Visit other peoples blogs and comment honestly and genuinely on their work. Try to be helpful rather than just "wow" posts (though I admit I do too many of these myself... there's just too many amazingly talented artists on Dakka). I often find that when I post on someone else's blog, they post on mine in return. More importantly it's the give-and-take between blogs that allows you to develop relationships with other Dakkanaughts, which is really what keeps the whole thing humming along.

And finally, lucky number 13...
13) Edit, edit, edit!: I am constantly going back and adjusting my language, adding thoughts, correcting verbage. In a written medium, being clear and concise in expressing your ideas is absolutely critical. Become a wordsmith, it will serve you well on Dakka and in life.

I could go on for hours... (actually I did I guess)... but that's the meat of it from my perspective.


I'd welcome anyone else's comments. They don't have to pertain to MY blog... just things in general that you find really work well or that you really like in a blog.

Interesting to read this. Well put.

The only thing I can add is to agree with some of the comments earlier; this is a really good p&m blog

Keep going.

Hey Gits, looking forward to seeing the 'purdy tank' all stuck together. The airbrushing is look great (as per).

That post about P&M blog is a treasure and should be put as a guide to everyone that want to start a blog for Himself, thank You.

I would add one thing: don't get frustrated if your blog doesn't run fast as You would like, there's plenty of people that looks your job and take inspiration, but don't leave any comment. That's should be enough to keep going anyway!

Some very wise words regarding blogging. I had a look at your front page:

This message was edited 370 times. Last update was at 2012/03/14 10:08:18

370 times since 2010/04/17 quite impressive

Although I think I may be an edit junky

This message was edited 374 times. Last update was at 2012/03/13 17:07:12

374 times since 2011/02/25, I think I may have a problem there.

Not me, I just say "neener neener, it's my blog and I can do what I want to!"

@TaWaaagh: Thank you sir! I certainly will.

@Hits: Soon my friend... will get some work done on it tonight & hopefully will have it assembled in a day or two. The whole zenithal lighting thing is much easier than it looks & if you do it when disassembled, you don't have to mask off anything... which is huge.

@SelvaggioSaky: I'm glad you liked it Selvaggio, I did add it to my OP (just in time for Knightley to give me crap about it! )

@Knightley: LOL! I thought you were kidding... then I double-checked my OP. Ah well, perfection takes practice. In my defense, since I started using my OP as a type of index, it gets lots of edits that do contribute to the overall happiness of the blog.

@dsteingass: You certainly do!

And I quote...

dsteingass wrote:That would cost $100 in plastic dood, it would be a huge waste, with repeatative stuff for what benefit? I'm just not building a power plant or whatever it is.

That's a b**ch slapping if I've ever seen one! (and it was directed at ME)

oh no, just messin bro, sorry!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh man, I sounded bitchy, I am really sorry.

LOL! It's cool dstein. My problem was that I thought it was you who'd posted the original pics of the power plant, so I was a bit confused when you reacted so negatively. I went back and checked and discovered they were someone else's idea... which put your comments into proper perspective.

So, no worries man... it's all good.


Update: Got the metal all blacked out and most of it metalicized (is that a word?? I don't think so.) About one more day of bits painting & lining and I should start the assembly.

Hey Hits, you are constant as the northern star my friend! I really appreciate you showing how you airbrushed the parts pre-assembly, I have been considering that approach for a while not on vehicles and it is encouraging to see.

I used to paint everything on the sprue pretty much, and assemble when done... only later did I really realize I was spending about 40% extra effort painting things that would never be seen... so infantry now gets assembled pre-paint, but I think vehicles will be a different matter. So helpful to minimize masking...

As long as ya dont put a pict up pulling a moonie we all will be happy.

@MajorTom: Really can't say enough about how easy it was to do the separate parts prior to assembly, just had to figure out how to hold them or lay them down for painting, but since I'm either blending light or dark into the mid tone at any time, not both... there was always something to hang on to except on the smallest pieces (self-locking forceps solved that problem). We'll see shortly if it goes together cleanly and stays that way. I suppose I could put it together now, but it's still easier to get the details done with the parts separate, also less handling of the piece in general that way... so I'll hold off for now.

@Dee: Zero possibility of that happening. No worries.

Hey Gits, While browsing (on another forum tsk, Tsk) I came across this Mantis Warriors thread on Bolter and Chainsword
If you haven't seen it before I though it might be instresting to see a different perspective on the Mantis Warriors.

I visit that thread regularly. He's got a nice style, very different from mine, excellent faces. Does good customizing as well. Generates a lot of interest on B&C too, which is good to see. As the BTO song goes... "any love is good love".

Gits, got some Khador up in my new blog I know Warmachine and Hordes aren't your thing, but I've got it up lol... Time to keep it alive

Looks good Alf. Since you're following my advice, if your blog goes belly-up... you can blame me.

One comment. No need to post multiple pics of what is functionally the same view. One pic each works unless your showing the viewer a significantly different view. I wouldn't even recommend showing multiple shots with different lighting... just pick the one you like the best and show that one.

OH... and if you're going to pimp your blog... make sure you give a link in your post. Not nice to make others hunt through your profile for the link.

Just for you...
For the Motherland! A Warmahordes Blog

Gitsplitta wrote:Looks good Alf. Since you're following my advice, if your blog goes belly-up... you can blame me.

One comment. No need to post multiple pics of what is functionally the same view. One pic each works unless your showing the viewer a significantly different view. I wouldn't even recommend showing multiple shots with different lighting... just pick the one you like the best and show that one.

OH... and if you're going to pimp your blog... make sure you give a link in your post. Not nice to make others hunt through your profile for the link.

Just for you...
For the Motherland! A Warmahordes Blog

Yeah, I'll keep the picture count in mind from now on, that way I can show the fronts, and not paint the backs ... I'm actually looking for a banner I can put into my signature to pimp my blog, instead of just a hotlink


Edit: MY blog has been sufficiently pimped (see below), but your blog is swallowing the website with your page rollover issues, and the number of replies and views

Update: Got more painting done last night and started the assembly process. I'm making progress but it is really slow going. Lots of non-gaming related things to do at night and I don't seem to be able to stay up very late. Still, moving along. I'm worried about getting everything done in time, still have a 5-man assault squad to build and paint. Anyway, will have a picture for you tonight.

Try not to rush yourself Git's, I'm sure you will find the time needed to finish the required models.

I just read your post on your guide on Building a better blog. I don't know how I missed it. Its very informative and helpfull.

It makes me want to go back to mine and delete it all!!

Progress on my vindicator, the "Minos". Major problems with gapping due to warped metal plates that I could never get to fit together properly, but I'm not going to stress over it.

Wowza!

looking good. i really like these old models

You know, I've never really thought about it until now...

Does the Rhino Chassis have four engines? Or an engine on each side? And are they built into the corners?

I'm staring at those 4 Exhaust ports going, "Those look good." and then my logic engine tapped me on the shoulder, pointed again, and said, "WTF."

The paint looks good chief. I really like the shock of red on the corners, it adds a lot.

Thew engines are actually on the sides, there are 4 of them, according to one of the Imperial Armor books

Very cool looking Gits!

Excellent work as usual

Is there a giant black and yellow dozer blade missing?

Very nice. looks good even with the gaps. Will blend in well to the overall army.

I'm struggling with how to mount the dozer blade myself. I'd like to magnitize it, but will require super magnets to hold it well enough to the chassis.

SL