Y’all, I’m “in a quandary,” as my Daddy would say. I’m trying hard to keep you updated on Share A Square and still blog about other things that interest me (and hopefully you). I’ve been trying to consider all the possibilities so I can do both.
There are a lot of things to consider:
On the one hand, it’s crucial to keep the Share A Square program visible. I’m so proud of what we are doing! I first posted about this on June 14th. In 25 days, we have accumulated 260 afghan squares (that’s 6 1/2 afghans!). Those have come from all over the United States AND Saskatchewan, Canada and Taiwan! We are “international!” I appreciate all of you kind hearted folks who are working on this, and I don’t want to lose the momentum and enthusiasm.
On the other hand, some of my regular readers don’t crochet! Though they applaud those of us who do, and our efforts to make afghans for the Camp Sanguinity [tag]Cancer[/tag] Camp, they just aren’t interested in reading about it every other day. I can’t say I blame ‘em for that. I don’t want to lose them either!
On the one hand, if I put reminders on the post every day, I run the risk of you “going blind” to those reminders (just like you are blind to Google ads—you know you are!). On the other hand, I want to be sure that newcomers to my blog know about the program.
On the one hand, I use the posts to “reward” participants with links. I don’t want to stop doing that! Link love is all I have to give you for your wonderful efforts. On the other hand—-there is no other hand!
So, I’m considering a compromise, and I would love to have your input. What if I post a Share A Square Update Post that just grows and grows? I can just type a date, add new pictures or people to thank, tell you any new happenings all on the same post. I could also put the SASS blogroll on that page [right now, it is on a separate page, and I've discovered that this isn't giving you the Technorati links I want you to have].
I can put an icon in the sidebar, and a small icon on each post (for those who read my blog in feed readers). Those would link to this new update post. Just by clicking on the icon, you could find out what’s going on in the project. If you aren’t interested, you don’t have to click!
Tell me what you think. Will that work? Does anyone have better suggestions (and does anyone know if I will have to “ping” the post every time I add links and updates?)? I’m willing to take advice.
However, don’t anyone tell me that Share A Square needs its own domain! I did indeed check into that, but I would have to form it as a non-profit entity so it could be a legitimate charity, it would need a board, and well that’s just crazy. On top of that, “Share A Square dot com” has been bought by someone for speculation purposes. Perhaps they are thinking that they can sell it to one of those folks who want to save the planet by advocating sharing squares of toilet paper! Yes! Those investors are just “sitting on it”—-so to speak.
(how did y’all know that I would find a way to try to get potty humor into this post?)
[EDITOR'S NOTE: The Share A Square project has ended, and the afghans were delivered on July 7th, 2008. Although we will not continue that project, an exciting NEW endeavor, called the Good Medicine Project is in progress for summer camp 2009. We hope you will join us.]
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I checked on non-profit for something else. Oh well.
(What about SASS instead of Share a Square as the blog URL? That might get you some interesting visitors, but I really think having it on your blog will work just fine.)
I like your idea for keeping us up-to-date. Doesn’t your blog ping automatically?
CONGRATS ON THE FIRST 6 1/2 AFGHANS!!!!!! You make a great Texas wrangler, herding all those squares your way and toward the Sanguinity corral!
Update: I am stopping by the craft store Wednesday during their knitting/crocheting session- keep your fingers and toes crossed that they came through! I hate to throw a childish tantrum in the only craft store within 45 minutes! I’m mailing mine with theirs.
Hi Shell,
I think just updating the one post should work well for those wanting updates on the who, what’s and where’s of Share a Square.
I have 10 ready to go and got tags today. I spend the day teaching my mom who has crocheted all her life to make these squares. She was having a difficult time with it. Believe it or not I was very patient with her and the day went well, left her working at it.
Another friend, Gloria, from Pa will be mailing her 11 or 12 squares shortly.
Keep up the good work how ever you choose to do it..
Hey, Shelly!! I think one page that grow and pings on updates should work. I’ve got 8 squares done, I want a witches dozen before I send them.
Hi Shelly,
I think it’s just fine how you are doing it right now! Share a Square is a big part of what you are doing with your time right now and I like to hear how it’s going. I wouldn’t worry about making other pages and all of that stuff…really. Make afghans instead!!!!
Jessica
Hi Shelly!! It’s actually been harder than I thought to get WiFi. But I’m here, and glad to see that progress is going so well for the share a square.
Oh girl, just you wait!!! Got a little something heading your way if I can just get out of work early. Thinking that tomorrow I may just head out no matter what is hitting the fan.
What works for you will be fine for us. We are just happy hookers after all.