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I'll try and keep this short and sweet.

So I've been wanting to start a P&M blog up but I find the prospect a little daunting, if you will. I've previously run a Dakka blog, but it stalled after two pages because I kept jumping from one thing to another and I felt it was all over the place and had no consistency.
I believe this stems from three issues.
1. My desire to be as neat and orderly as much as possible.
2. A wicked ability to procrastinate.
3. A short project related attention span.

Now number 1 and 3 are kinda related. I have a range of different projects for a few armies going at any one time (and more ideas for even more armies are always coming to me). But I tend to flit from thing to thing like a hummingbird in a florist. This in turn made posting in my previous at a blog messy and seemingly disorganised.
The obvious solution to this is to run a blog for each project, or at least a blog for a group of related projects (or have less projects, but where's the fun in that?). This helps with issue 1 by keeping everything neat and tidy. No cross-project posting and other nonsense.
Of course the counter point to this is that with multiple blogs anyone who might take an interest in my work has to follow multiple threads to keep up with it all, where as with one big thread, it's all contained and easy to find.
It would also takes more effort to maintain them all and if one was hard enough for me, I can only imagine that 4 or 5 might do me in completely. But then maybe it'd be the opposite and i'd have an easier time keeping a few threads going because they wouldn't be cluttered and what not

I know there are other points in favour and against that I haven't thought of, but i've been thinking about this too much at the moment and it's just becoming a jumble in my head.

So to anyone who runs a blog, or multiple blogs or has done one and switched to the other, what are your thoughts on my predicament?
If anyone has been in the same situation as this or a problem similar, how did you deal with it? I'd be glad to hear what you have to think.

If you've read this far, thanks. Hopefully it wasn't too difficult to understand.

The first thing I'd say about getting a P&M blog running is to keep at it: My first blog (for my "army") was going for about 4 pages before I had any "regulars" showing up (rather than sporadic visitors every 5th post), and I probably didn't find a flow to the whole thing until pages after that.

Related to that, don't get caught up worrying about how many responses you get to each and every post. Sometimes DDakka is just quiet. We all lurk from time to time, and I (and I'm sure many other's) often think "I'll come back and comment here when I have time"... and then forget. *The reason I'm commenting now, on this thread, now*

If you manage to post regularly, and often, you'll get more responses. I've found that leaving a gap of only a few days, compared to posting every day, can dramatically drop the number of comments you get (and then you may get a burst of comments after your next post).

I now view my blogs as a broadcast of my work/thoughts. I put it out there and if people want to comment, then all the better.
I update when I can and don't worry about pleasing the crowd, or neglecting them.

Also, stay visible about DDakka and comment in other people's blogs when you can. This will occasionally prompt them to visit and comment in your blog (or blogs).
Together with that, if someone comments in your blog, take some time to visit their's and return the favour. If everyone did this we'd all have a lot more comments. *

*but not everything is for everyone. Some people like their Chaos armies, for example, Other's have no interest in it; it may be nicely painted, but they can't get excited about it.

To combat the neatness feelings, focus on your OP of the thread.
I've seen some people create a showcase of the work throughout the blog, and others (like me) have turned it into a contents page with links to all relevant and/or important posts through the blog.
You're not going to be able to keep updates and comments neat and ordered on a page to page level.
Maintaining the OP may well keep you happy enough. And there's no need to trawl through pages of mess to find something if you have a handy link in the OP.

Multiple blogs:
I did think of recommending that to you as I was only half way through reading your post, and then found that you had thought of it.
I'd say, don't go too mad with how many you have. I have 2 and find that that is enough for me (I wouldn't want any more to deal with).
I've split it into personal work (for me) and professional work (for others as gifts or sales). But you could go with "large projects" vs "small projects", or "Terrain" vs "armies"...
It depends on how you work if you can split your work evenly(ish).

While multiple blogs can solve the problem of putting someone off with work they're not interested in, you have another problem by splitting your audience; some people may only find one of your blogs and follow that blissfully unaware you have another blog (or 2).
You don't need to cross-post, but regularly mention that you have other blogs that people may want to visit.

As to following multiple blogs. I have no problem with it as a follower. When it updates it is flagged up in my subscriptions. I often click on an updated thread before even reading which blog it is that has been updated. This has sometimes confused me.

Git's has a tutorial of sorts for how he approached blog running and I think there's a link in the OP of his mega-blog.

I'd say, get one running, find how it goes, keep at it, build an audience, see what works for you, and use as many commas as possible...

One blog to rule them all... Or maybe two. One for painting and one for terrain, scratch-building etc. Update the title when you do a significant update to the blog. Make sure the title tells people what to expect.

Shameless self-promotion. Put a link to your blog in your sig. You'll note a fair number of P&M regulars do this. Mention your blog often when you post elsewhere. When appropriate, of course.

Participate. You get what you give. Offer comments on other P&M blogs.

Post work, not just plans for work.

A big thank you for the replies! It's given me a bit to think on.

We all lurk from time to time, and I (and I'm sure many other's) often think "I'll come back and comment here when I have time"... and then forget.

I think a better indication of interest in a blog is probably view over replies. Getting more views and less replies shows you at least have a few repeat lurkers who interested enough to keep coming back. Just getting the blow-ins who comment once and are never seen again is nice, but isn't useful for long term blog growth. Although it can be discouraging not getting any relies at all.

If you manage to post regularly, and often, you'll get more responses.

While an update every day or every second day would be great, I feel if I did that i'd just be almost spam levels of "here's another layer of paint and no actual appreciable progress". Which I think would just get tedious after a while for both me and those viewing the blog.

I now view my blogs as a broadcast of my work/thoughts.

This struck me as being a much better mindset to have over the "Gotta post to see if people like my stuff" line of thinking. Which actually makes my above point about spam kinda moot.

In regards to staying visible and commenting on peoples work. I've been posting in the hobby motivation thread as a bit of lead up to potentially restarting a blog and it's been quite good. A few basic posts of "here's where i'm up to" helps keep the impetus going.Sure i've only done a marine and a half so far but it's still something. But yeah, sometimes it's hard to comment on someone else's stuff when it hold little interest too you. I'd struggle to comment on any WM&H stuff. Not because it's painted badly or anything. I just don't like the models. They don't excite me aesthetically. I might muster a "Hey awesome paint job." But I wouldn't be able to offer a comment of any real substance. Which in the end means I generally don't comment at all. Same goes for Stormcast or Primaris marines. I don't like either. (Except those stormcast done up as statues i've seen around. Those are brilliant.).

Having the OP as a contents page is good idea and speaks to my sense of orderliness. I know GItsplitta used to update his OP like that and then every 50 pages or something would do a round up of the stuff he'd worked on.
With the multiple blogs, I was running a separate one for when I dabbled with terrain. So i'll certainly keep that one going along side. But my initial thoughts of a blog for every army is looking more and more unrealistic. Straight from the off i'd have at least 4 (DA, IG, Knights and Ad-mech.), with another two for DG and GSC quickly following. Then it'd be another for my Afterlife models, and one for the LotR.
I think the better solution would be a single blog and just learn to format my posts better if I have multiple things to post at once.

So yeah I think for now at the very least, get a single blog up and running, as you say, just to see how it goes. I can always create another if need be! Also, yes, much check out Gits thoughts on running a blog. It will undoubtedly be insightful.

And yes, I totally, agree!, ALL, TH,E, C,,O,,M,,,M,,,A,,,,S,,,,!,,

One blog to rule them all... Or maybe two. One for painting and one for terrain, scratch-building etc. Update the title when you do a significant update to the blog. Make sure the title tells people what to expect.

Shameless self-promotion. Put a link to your blog in your sig. You'll note a fair number of P&M regulars do this. Mention your blog often when you post elsewhere. When appropriate, of course.

Participate. You get what you give. Offer comments on other P&M blogs.

Post work, not just plans for work.

All solid pieces of advice. Thanks!
I did have links in my sig to my old blog and my terrain blog as well a link to a tutorial. But it appears I've removed them somehow.
I have trouble with self-promotion (shameless or otherwise), It makes me feel awkward and narcissistic. It's a valuable when used correctly (and appropriately), sure, but it's something I struggle with.

Dude, just make one PM blog.

Worse case, you can use the initial post as Table of Contents to link to individual posts

 Snrub wrote:
I think a better indication of interest in a blog is probably view over replies. Getting more views and less replies shows you at least have a few repeat lurkers who interested enough to keep coming back. Just getting the blow-ins who comment once and are never seen again is nice, but isn't useful for long term blog growth. Although it can be discouraging not getting any relies at all.

Very much this. Particularly if you post a lot of WIP updates, or a wide range of things, people who might be checking the thread periodically will simply not have anything meaningful to comment a lot of the time. So I treat comments as a bonus, and assume as long as the thread is getting looked at occasionally that someone is getting some value out of it, even if they're not saying so.

It's certainly much better for the ol' motivation to get some occasional feedback, though

 Snrub wrote:
I think a better indication of interest in a blog is probably view over replies...

Yeah, certainly early on, views are a good way to keep track.

While an update every day or every second day would be great, I feel if I did that i'd just be almost spam levels of "here's another layer of paint and no actual appreciable progress". Which I think would just get tedious after a while for both me and those viewing the blog.

Oh yeah, make sure you have something to show when you update.
Each layer of paint can be useful to show as it demonstrates your particular process for achieving your results. I've learnt a lot more from seeing every layer of an "average" paint job, than just a final moneyshot of a "beautiful" model.

Although, green layer #10 on guardsman #40 might not hold as much interest as it did for the first.

But progress is progress.
As you say, you flutter from one project to another, so I don't think people are going to get bored with seeing the same thing over and over.

I do sometimes think that people get bored with my incremental updates, but I do at least have a variety of projects so at least it's not "blue marine", "blue marine", "blue marine", "blue marine", ...

So only update if you feel that you have something to update. Which leads to the "broadcasting" method I adopt.

The only spammy updates I'd say are where the "owner" replies to each comment as it happens, just to say "thanks"
After a few "Oh they've updated their blog... Nope, just said thanks to a comment" I'd stop checking that blog every time I see it "updated".

A reply to a question is fine,
Or at least show the next layer of paint,
Give the viewer something to read or look at with each post. A "thanks" can wait until then.

... and then every 50 pages or something would do a round up of the stuff he'd worked on.

Yeah, I started doing occasional roundups of what I've achieved every ~50 pages / yearly. As well as a nice boost to the blog, showing the followers all the pretties they may remember or have missed, it also works to show you how much you have progressed or got done in the past year or so (good for motivation, it's always more than you think).

...But my initial thoughts of a blog for every army is looking more and more unrealistic...

If you are producing models for each army regularly then you might be able to keep a blog per army, but if an army goes untouched for long periods as you work on the other 3, 4, 6... then that blog will go unseen for a long time.

It'll be better to split them into more general themes;
GW and non-GW,
Goodies and Baddies.
etc.
With terrain on the side that's 3 blogs already. How many projects do you keep on the go at any one time, and actually work on (not sit on the shelf of shame for 6 months)?

But yes, get one blog going and then split if you feel like you need it.

I don't have the problem with multiple armies (due to my modelling focus as opposed to gaming), but I did want to keep my "professional" work separate from my "personal" projects. However, I had already started the "pro" stuff in my first blog and then split it off after if became it's own thing.

And Gits' recently combined all his work into one blog as his output has slowed.

There's no "perfect" way to run a blog. Everyone finds their own way of progressing, and that changes with time.

...I have trouble with self-promotion (shameless or otherwise), It makes me feel awkward and narcissistic. It's a valuable when used correctly (and appropriately), sure, but it's something I struggle with.

Yeah, I feel you on that one.
I'm not one to enjoy blowing one's trumpet, but when relevant I will direct people to my threads, tutorials, posts or pictures.
The trick is to not overdo it; don't post links in every comment you leave, don't beg for visits, be humble...

And "relevant" is the key word there. Give a direct link to the important post if you can, rather than "I did something similar in my blog => *link to start of blog* "

And links in your sig' can be a less intrusive way of adding your links to every post.
Simple "word" links are adequate, but consider some eye-catching banners for (unproven) better results. Just don't make them too eye-catching.

Feel free to look over my signature for an example of what can be done... and maybe visit one or two of my links.
I sometimes think that mine is a bit ott, but they are all useful links...

I'm doing multiple blogs - even if some of them have stalled indefinitely - just because I'd rather not highlight how much of a hobby butterfly I truly am. Also, I'd rather have posts condensed in one place. If I'm updating my Tau army, you only have a couple of pages and you're caught up with everything I've done for it. OTOH, if I was running an all in one blog, well, I've seen personal blogs running into the 50+ page range, which is a heck of slog for people to sort through if they're only interested in one fraction of the stuff you're working on.

 John Prins wrote:
I've seen personal blogs running into the 50+ page range, which is a heck of slog for people to sort through if they're only interested in one fraction of the stuff you're working on.

The 'Filter Thread' link in the left margin can help there, as it puts all of that poster's posts into a single blogroll, without any other posts being displayed. You can still wind up with a fair amount to wade through, but it's a handy way of 'catching up' when you come into a long blog late.

Is there anyway to filter for different post titles. The whole Re:new thread title thing. Changing the main title of the thread does not change the 'sub-titles' of the comments already in the thread, just the sub-title of comments made under the new title.

Another bit of advice. No one really wants to see your thumb, so keep it out of the photos you post. (Slightly tongue in cheek, like my shameless self-promotion advice. Of course, I really only do this in the Community Showcase thread in the Infinity sub-forum, usually, " more photos in my P&M blog. Link is in my sig. Do drop in.)

Plus Doc's advice. It's all good.

Thanks everyone, for all of your thoughts on this. It's certainly been helpful. Given me plenty to think on and a few ideas to work with.

 Dr H wrote:
Git's has a tutorial of sorts for how he approached blog running and I think there's a link in the OP of his mega-blog.

I went and read this. It really should be a sticky in the blog forum. Just all over great advice.

Dr H wrote:Feel free to look over my signature for an example of what can be done... and maybe visit one or two of my links.

Oh i'm sure I could see my way to maybe doing that.

Red Harvest wrote:Link is in my sig. Do drop in.

I did. You're terrain is fething insanely good.

Two things I struggle with:
- Poor photography skills. Try and work on getting a set up that works. If your photos look like ass people will not be as interested in what you are doing. I am currently downgraded to using my phone, and the drop off in attention for the blog is noticeable.

- "dropping out". Sometimes life gets too hectic for me to keep my blog up, other times I am very productive and it is almost too much to keep up with. Remember that your blog does not need to be "up to date", you can update it at your leisure, and you can let it lie fallow for months if you are busy. You will have to build it up a bit again on return, but that is a lot better than letting it die permanently.