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My Personal Blog – 1st Anniversary

jameswoodcocksblog.jpgWell here we are exactly one year on from when I opened my blog site, but why did it all start?

For most of my Internet life, I have been writing about gaming and when I closed XboxRules.com in February 2005 I had a huge problem. Although I was glad to be taking things much easier as my Xbox site was literally taking over my life, I still had the desire to share my opinions on the hardware and software available. After dabbling a little with blogging on the free alternatives provided by the likes of Microsoft, I wanted something much more customisable with my own domain name to make finding the site easier for people who knew me personally.

Even when I first opened James Woodcock’s Blog, I still wasn’t sure if I would find the time to update the content or whether it was worth the effort so it became an experiment. I often wondered if anyone would be bothered reading my thoughts on various matters that interested me and this became the most important factor of the entire endeavour as I only ever post about items that catch my eye, which seems to also catch the attention of the reader if you can display a genuine enthusiasm for the topic discussed.

Initially I never really considered pushing it to a more mainstream audience and instead kept it more of a random rant or helpful link experience. It soon came apparent though that as I was building up my content with any of the reviews I had written on various sites and with my ScummVM Music Enhancement Project, the site was gaining much more attention.

At this point the slogan ‘technology, gaming and the bizarre’ came about, but even now that is probably inaccurate and will need changing on the new design. Although I like finding ‘bizarre’ items of interest on the Internet and sharing them, the real matters that grab my attention are that of gaming and technology and this is where in the future I will concentrate most of my efforts.

Podcasting was also something I never really considered and had no experience in until the experiment continued by dabbling in this area as well. It is quite interesting to wander back to the earlier podcasts and listen to how it all began and how I have changed my approach. I had appeared on an Internet radio station before as a DJ quite a few times, but having an environment of no break in conversation was at first very daunting. It was a nervous beginning, but as my confidence has grown from experience and with perseverance while learning from mistakes, I have hopefully notably progressed.

Since opening on 2nd January 2006, my blog has had over 360,000 hits and the most people online at any one time on the site is 79. Out of everything though, my proudest achievement has to be the recently gained 9rules membership.

Thanks to all of those who visit again and again to read the content I provide and for all the support that has been offered. This has encouraged me to continue on very happily for the foreseeable future as a blogger.

Amazingly I never really enjoyed writing until I started creating articles for the Internet. Bizarre how your perception changes with the help of an online audience! So I sit here typing this post with great anticipation for 2007 as I consider how my personal website and my Yamaha keyboard and digital piano enthusiast website will evolve over the next twelve months.

THANK JAMES WITH A COFFEE!
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James Woodcock

James is a Freelance Journalist, Copywriter, Author, Blogger & Podcaster specialising in gaming, gadgets and technology, both retro and modern. Ever since he experienced the first controllable pixel movement on the television screen, he has been entranced by the possibilities and rewarding entertainment value generated from these metal and plastic boxes of delight. Writing hundreds of articles, including commentary and reviews on various gaming platforms, whilst also interviewing well-known industry figures for popular online publications. Creator of the ScummVM Music Enhancement Project and host of the Game & Gadget Podcast. View his portfolio here: James Woodcock's Portfolio.

James Woodcock has 1098 posts and counting. See all posts by James Woodcock

3 thoughts on “My Personal Blog – 1st Anniversary

  • Woot woot and a happy anniversary. Here’s to the next year and many after. I am so glad you are getting just a fraction of the goodness you will get from all the hard work you have done.

    Reply
  • Gratz James, may your antics go on forever! :p

    Reply
  • Yes congrats are in order, there is evidence all round to suggest that its very hard to offer something that make people come back to your site instead of just giving in to all the bigger sites and more famous bloggers. I read that blogs are set to boom this year so good luck.

    Reply

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