August 28, 2009
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A Call to the Xanga Community
Okay, so we all know that Xanga is in trouble; they are short on staff, people are talking about leaving (and lots have been), and for the most part, there haven’t been many new bloggers coming around. I know that Dan Theologian has made numerous suggestions to TheXangaTeam on ways they can increase traffic, and Dan has even recently compared Xanga’s situation to the Titanic. Nephyo then said, what’s the purpose of Xanga loyalty?
I’ve thought about it, and I think that we shouldn’t really call it Xanga loyalty, but being loyal ourselves. What I mean is, a lot of us have made some really great connections here, and overall it’s just a really great community. Sure, there’s Xanga drama and some hating constantly going on, but that’s what makes us NOT boring! So if for no other reason than keeping our connections, drama, and community, I think we should stick around.
With that being said, maybe others have done it either publicly or in a private forum, but I reach out to TheXangaTeam. What can I do to help you? Is there anything I can do to help Xanga continue to exist on the interwebz? Other than linking my Xanga to my Facebook, which I simply cannot do because I’ve made too many posts here complaining about my mother, and it would be disastrous for her to read any of it. So, what can I do?
[On a side note, I'm at work, so I might not be able to read many blogs/respond to comments until later...sorry guys!!]
Comments (38)
Xanga needs to advertise. Maybe you could make topless posters that link people back to Xanga.
The Xanga Team used to feel like a big part of the community. Especially during summer last year when they did XTV twice a week. I think they just need to come out and explain the situation. Well, I don’t want to say they need to, but I’d like for them (as part of this community) to let us in on what’s going on. With the number of people on Xanga, there’s gotta be someone who can possibly help them out. The users are what make the site what it is. Why can’t we be the ones to help it in it’s time on need?
hopefully, when i have developed album 1 of the series, becoming… i will deliver this to xanga.
i intend on giving xanga the full rights to distribute the music however they see pleased. i know that i am not in a position currently to be taken seriously, but when i show up with an Indy Album that appeals to most groups in the distribution chain, developed by the eccletic nature of the relationships i have with musicians around the country that i will record with, hopefully then, Xanga will have prepared the way (some kind of distribution medium, electronic or not) to profit from those that appreciate the art form. in turn, it is my hope that Xanga can use the proceeds to begin growing another “chapter” in the cycle of this site.
Xanga needs to research why people are leaving, where they are moving, and what news things need to be implemented. If it’s just a community issue, I suppose the resolution will be more complicated.
I like your approach of just asking xanga what we can do. I wonder if people who are premium would be willing to just add the ads back on their site.
If nothing else, I think Paul may be on to something.
I talk about my xanga wherever I go. I recommend it offline.
I’ve been trying to do my part in the news/politics blogging niche on here, but I know I can do more, so I will. =o
I’m sure if we all pull together and put in various creative efforts, we can help xanga limp through this.
Well, I will follow up on your suggestion of offering help to the Xanga team…
@Paul_Partisan - Haha I like it! Except it’s difficult for me to make graphics because I don’t have any good software…damnit! lol
@Lithium98 - Exactly! They did used to be more involved with the community. I hope there’s a lot of people who want to help in some way. If everyone on the site did something or donated or contributed, I think we would be very successful.
@bobjallen - I know! When I replied to Dan’s post about the Titanic, I said I would work for Xanga! I’m sure there are others that would say the same.
@Complexitii - I agree. I don’t think it will be an easy solution no matter what, really, because there’s a whole bunch of little problems and a couple/few big ones. But they do need to figure out where people are going and how to keep them here.
@TheTheologiansCafe - Really, I don’t mind ads because I have AdSense anyway. It’s a good idea because ads are good revenue..plus making some of their OWN ads to spread around the internet. Haha and whoever said Paul was thinking topless females? …Unless you don’t mind looking at moobs as well…
He never did specify, lol.
I think it’s just the format and scope of how it works. It is time-consuming and you really have to just enjoy writing or socializing with a more literary crowd. In terms of general web trends, it doesn’t fit but it has some ways to adapt to help keep in the modern loop–the staff just has to figure it out for themselves.
If it is short on staff, why pay ridiculous property $$$ in NYC?
I’m sure they know what they’re doing, though.
@MyFreedomWings - I agree! I knew people would be willing to help the effort instead of bashing the xanga team. That’s really great that you’ve been advertising Xanga all over, that really helps.
@RogierFvV - That’s great!
So, are you saying that linking to Facebook is a good thing? I would think that it would be, but then sometimes Xangans give each other crap about having accounts else where. Honestly I have been trying to work on Facebook all day so that I can link my posts there, and my computer just kicks me off the internet. Is that a sign?
@tjordanm - While it’s true that social networking sites are like that and they don’t last, blogging is different. Just look at Livejournal…they’ve been around forever. If you google “blog”, that site is still on the first page, after all these years. I think the short on staff has been a recent happening, but Dan knows more about it than I do, so I’m not sure.
I’ve heard about this so much from my friend Casey. It really does suck to see such an amazing website going down hill. Personally, even though I ahven’t been here that long, and still don’t have many friends, I find Xanga a way to relive stress and yet still hear from postitive people about negative posts.
@crazy2love - I think their sales and marketing model is just flawed and doesn’t take into account modern developments in internet marketing. I also think that there are barriers they need to overcome in their approach and understanding to be able to accomplish that. (Online and other marketing things is what I do for $$ so I just spotted those things initially, as well as having been a member for 5 years.)
@tjordanm - I agree, they need more and better advertising. I don’t think ever even had a marketing strategy, but they need to develop one.
@kidzandK9z - I think it’s a good idea, except if you write things in your blog you don’t want some to see. Anything that brings traffic to the site is good, no matter what site you’re linking from.
@evanglene - Welcome! I hope you’re enjoying everything so far!
@crazy2love - Not so much a way of marketing, but they need that, too. They need to learn how to better sell themselves.
@crazy2love - still not clear lol…I mean how they sell advertising space on xanga.
nOoO!! if xanga becomes big, I’ll lose all my privacy. Lots of my friends/family/coworkers don’t know about xanga, so i can vent and blog whatever i’m thinking/feel… this would mean the end of my online diary…
hahah
Totally. I want to help too, lol. I offer my services as an unpaid intern!!!
I just hope Xanga doesn’t REALLY die.
I don’t post any of my blogs outside of Xanga. This is my community and I would like to see it grow.
Just keep breathing Xanga!
*CLEAR*
I don’t put posts on facebook, but I do link to my site on there. Do people do that? I hardly ever see links to xanga.
I tell people about Xanga. Some of them have joined the community recently. I only post on Xanga. No facebook.
Dear if you have complaints about your mother you should communicate it with her. LIVE LONG XANGA. Xanga will remain till the Sun & Moon is there.
@FreeeVerse - i know, me too.
@SerenaDante - Lol I would too =]
@StrokeofThought - You probably don’t see it because Xanga’s traffic is declining.
@Jaynebug - That’s awesome.
@PeaceSearcher - haha oh booiiii you don’t know my mother. She lives in her own world full of denial. You don’t tell my mom anything.
Oh baby than better to be silent
I am surprised nothing has been done to incorporate the pulse with Twitter.
The thing I have half expected to see one day are the applications like Facebook and Myspace have.
I’d like to help too!
I like xanga precisely because it seems it is not the “omgz” cool site that everyone talks about. So, I don’t want it to become too big. But I also don’t want it to dissappear. I guess I’d take the former as opposed to the latter.
I do think there’s a lot that we can do to help. I may try posting links to my site in more places and maybe that will get the word out there.
I think I should make a post like this too. I would love to hear what others have to say.
lets make it a better Xangaworld… XD
@Paul_Partisan - That’d do it.
i wonder what the ppl on the xanga staff really do all day
i actually think that xanga should be just the way it is. why change something that is already great ? i kno that not many people come on here , but so what ? i mean .. we all kno how great it is so why do we need to go around fixing it ? the xanga team should kno that there is a decent following to xanga and if this site ever shut down, it would be really disappointing, especially since it has been around for yeaarssssss. longer than facebook and myspace can say. again, why fix something that isnt broken ?