Why Do You Read This?
I need help figuring out why this blog exists. I need your help figuring out what I should be posting. I want you to tell me why you read this blog.
I started this blog as a place to discuss the stuff that was either too ephemeral or just not ready to go on Petopia — like PTR news or unfinished research results. Since then, however, I’ve branched out in various ways that I didn’t really plan — like the series about Kaet, or highlighting interesting items from other WoW blogs, or sharing minor tips and tricks. But I have to wonder if in doing so I’ve diluted the useful stuff too much. Or is it that this new stuff is the useful stuff?
To some extent, this is also about how often I post. Real hunter pet news is pretty rare and there’s only so much time I can devote to original research — or to upgrades to Petopia, for that matter. But I often feel like I need to provide interesting content each and every day. I think I’m just being silly about that, but … I worry that if I don’t post enough, my tiny community of readers will wither up and blow away.
So here’s what I need to know: Why do you read this blog? Why do you come here? Which categories of information are most valuable to you: game news, Petopia news, community news, Kaet’s adventures, tips and tricks? If I cut back to just pet news and that means that I am only posting once or twice a week, will you be disappointed or rejoice?
Lemme know in the comments what you think, or e-mail me if you’re prefer. And hey — thanks for reading. *grin*
49 Comments
Well, looks like I get to be first, in more ways than one. I found Petopia… somehow. Love it. Then I found out you had a blog. You’re bookmarked on both my computers for both sites.
Why? Because it’s enjoyable. I like the wide range of topics and discussion. It’s about the fun that can be had, and not just constant whining and complaining.
In summary, I read this blog because I enjoy it. It makes me smile. And that’s why I keep coming back.
I read your blog because it’s informative. I read your blog because I trust you on all things to do with WoW hunters. I would read your blog if you only posted once a week, 5 times a day, or once a month.
I do have a suggestion, and not many would probably agree with me, but I really think you should be a blogger on WoWInsider. Especially if you’re thinking about cutting the amount of posts. Without you and Petopia, I;d be a horrible hunter and lost in WoW. Now I’m just a horrible hunter :P
Seriously though I’d like to see you on WoWInsider. I think it would boost exposure for Petopia, and if you decided to do random everyday posts on this blog, I’d still read it.
I like reading about Kaet. Had similar experiences myself :)
And the summarizes you do about the hunter news are very nice.
If you want to write more than you do I will not stop you!
…but the current pace of posts are good enough for me.
I have your blog rss:ed so I know “instantly” when you post something new :D
cheers
Mattias
I love your blog Mania! It’s my favorite one to read because of the information and all the other little tidbits and stories you post. I have so much fun following Kaet through her adventures. I also rss:ed your blog and I also think you should be a blogger for WoWInsider.
I would read your blog no matter how many times you updated it but I would be sad if it was only once a week or so. But I don’t think you should feel forced to write in it, because then it won’t be fun for you any more.
2. said it very well.
Keep it up. :)
Besides the pet news, anything you feel like writing is great. I even enjoyed your rant about the Brewfest quests 8-). Don’t feel forced to put up something new every day just to have content, but put up whatever you think is cool. I like hearing about what “Our Lady of Petopia” is up to. 8-)
Yup, i think everyone has said what needs to be said, your an insparation to all Hunters, you know why i think so.. cause you care about the game, not the raids, not the pvp, not the whatevereveryoneelseisdoing, which i really admire and tend to follow also, so please keep it up. Your the voice of the Hunters.. no no.. the roar :P
as for Wowinsider… am slowly begining to hate Wowinsider it just seems a bit like a moan-fest.. which doesnt help me when am feeling down or whatever, kinda another reason i like this blog.. its cheery.
I just like the……. wackyness?…….the stories, how you point out other blogs, sources of great info I may have missed, or didn’t even know I needed until i get a snippet of it from you. Post less or post more is up to you, as long as you enjoy it. I have no doubt, just about everyone that visits will enjoy it. Ya, i got you rss:ed also.
It’s all about the pets!!!……Keep the Roar loud and strong!!!
Petopia is now a household name. All you have to do is be a n00b and ask one question about hunters and their pets and you’ll easily get 25-30 whispers with the URL, not too mention a few “I hate n00bs” in the General channel. LOL
I was fortunate enough to do a Google search and found Petopia as a result of that search. Petopia then landed me here.
I predominantly read Mania’s Arcania from work because it is one of the few WoW sites I can access. LOL - But the site has grown on me and I enjoy commenting on the well-written articles. Kudos.
Unfortunately, I lost the account with my lvl 70 hunter and had to start fresh. I chose a Druid and now he is lvl 70. I have a hunter, but he is twinked at lvl 29 on the Horde side. There are some times where I cannot relate as much to some of the things discussed on here because my hunter is *stuck*, but I do the best I can in relation to my 70 druid. In short, I make do. LOL
In any case, I ask that you keep writing and I’ll keep up my end of the bargain and keep commenting. ;-)
I read this blog because I enjoy the variety of topics you discuss, and I enjoy the comments, and I’m stuck in work nine hours a day and can’t play WoW aaaargh and need a fix. I don’t follow WoW blogs save this one and BigRedKitty, so the fact that you talk about various subjects besides pets alerts me to stuff I might otherwise miss. Finally, let us not forget, your writing is fun to read. There, are those enough reasons? :D
I have been using Petopia since I first started playing as a Hunter. I was so amazed at the amount of information and how easy it was to access. So, when I found out that the creator of Petopia had a blog, I had to read it. I’ve been reading your blog for about 5 months now. You seem to get all the scoops about pets before anyone else in the wow universe. In short, I read because I find what you say to be interesting and informative. Please keep on posting!
People will read your blog if they like it, if they don’t — you shouldn’t care about them. Write whatever you feel like writing, they will either read it or they won’t.
Petopia is an awesome site and something you should be very proud of, I feel your blog, whatever you have to post in it,is a great companion piece, so I would keep doing what you are doing and as long as you are enjoying it, us readers should too.
I read to keep up to date on any hunter news that may come up, namely anything with pets.
So any new info on pets is why I read the blog, I have not really read anything else except that, I know you have some other articles like a leveling one (I think) that I may have to look at it.
~Zuty
Honestly, I like pretty much all of the articles you post. I just put it in my feed reader though so if you update frequently, then good for me, but if you need to take some time off posting for playing or living (gasp!), that’s cool too. I’ve wasted no time checking for an update, and you’ve been able to do what you want to do :)
I would say community news type stuff in relation to both pets and hunters is what I find most interesting, but sometimes the Kaet stories even tell me something I didn’t realize previously, so that’s fine with me.
I would say don’t worry about feeling like you have to update. It’s a blog. It’s ok for it to go awhile without updating :) I know my blogging sometimes goes a month or more without a post, then suddenly I do a post every day for awhile. You run a great site and now a great blog too, don’t let that feel like pressure to you though. All you have to do is look at the hunter class forums to realize how much respect our whole class gives Petopia (it’s recommended EVERY time a pet question comes up, and I know in game I constantly make sure new/ish hunters I come across know the site exists).
Write as much as you want to, Mania. I enjoy reading whatever you write. It’s a nice change to hear from a casual player like myself who enjoys exploring and seeing new things rather than hard-core raiding or PVP.
There are plenty of people who write about minmaxing shot rotations and which build does slightly more DPS, but not many who write about what I find fun about playing a hunter. Keep up the good work.
I read this blog for two reasons.
A) Your blog is enjoyable and some of the things you talk about on it are very interesting.
B) You are a player who does not focus on “beating” the game, but instead on enjoying your experiance. Unlike most other sources your actually very relatable and what you say is not over the average Joe’s head.
I read your blog because you’re a great and witty writer, and you know way more about hunters than I do. I also prefer your blog over others because you often write from the perspective of a 1-70 hunter, not a 70’s let’s-respec-for-the-latest-raid hunter. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but we’re not all there yet, and there’s lots to see and learn and do beforehand.
You understand about the vanity pets — the pets you stayed up all night to tame because you just HAD to have that skin, the pets you got because they matched the color of your hunter’s hair, the pets you ghost ran your dwarf all the way to the Eversong Woods for, the pets you keep because you can’t help but laughing whenever they do their idle animation, and the pets you tamed because they were the first thing you saw after you got your level 10 quest and you’ve just stuck with them ever since. Until I read your blog, I hadn’t seen that attitude anywhere, and I was feeling awfully lonely among the vast crowd of “YOU MUST GET A CAT FOR THE DPS ALL OTHER PETS ARE TEH SUCK!”
Your mixing your hunter posts up with anything that strikes your fancy just adds to the fun. I love reading about Kaet, and I’m always interested in the tips, tricks, and yes, even the off-topic miscellania you throw in from time to time. Heck, I just moved from San Diego to Virgina myself, so I really felt for your cross-country trek!
But the bottom line is, it’s your blog. Post what you want to post, as often as you want to. Otherwise it becomes a job, and not a blog.
For things about my hunter that I didn’t know.
I tend to want to know everything about any class I play — given that my first toon was a Warrior, this really wasn’t that much. Although the use of Improved Slam in a 31/30 build was awesome to discover.
Similarly, there’s so much to know about Hunters (this guy is actually a Hunter / Engineer, which adds a whole other layer of complexity), that I like to keep ontop of things I don’t know.
I feel same as No. 11 Writer. Keep it up, m8. ;) And feel free to continue ur Great work helping us, The Hunters, with your cool Database. ;)
I’m not much for reading blogs, or listening or caring about people opinions, and yet, I read everything on your blog. And why is that? Because you make it fun. Whether it’s reading about the trial and tribulations of a struggling hunter or finding out about the latest patch info concerning hunters, you find the fun and whimsy in it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… you brought back the hunter love. As long as you have fun doing this and WOW it will show in your posts, be it 1 or 30 posts, I’ll still show up and read it, and you’ll probably make me smile. I started this hunter after reading something on petopia about how to get an owl for a new horde character. So I ran over there at lvl 10 tamed an owl and it’s been a whirlwind ever since. We just hit lvl 61 today, same orc, same owl, same hunter love.
Thank You.
Mokk
Tirralay already said some of what I’m going to say, but I read your blog because of a couple of things:
I like your writing style. It’s not teaching or preaching, it’s just - ya know - talking.
I’ve enjoyed reading about Kaet, and part of this rolls into the next one.
You talk about hunters and hunter stuff without the “endgame” in mind. I have a level 70 hunter, but I don’t group much (except with my wife), and I don’t see myself raiding anytime soon (I prefer to play with people I know in person, and they’re in the 30s to 60 range).
PS. I even read and enjoyed the tale of the great hamster round-up and the cross-contry move posts. So yes, I do read everything :) Finished unpacking yet?
Mokk
Well, I must confess first that I didn’t read all the comments above!
I found this blog from Petopia, and it’s one of 5 WoW related blogs I check on a regular basis. I may be cutting down 2 or 3 of the other ones, but at the very least yours and BRKs blog will stay! (I want to cut a bit on non-wow-playing-but-wow-related-time spent!)
As to why I read it: probably because somehow you’re almost as crazy as I am!”
And it’s a nice way to learn some new WoW-Hunter things!
Wow! That’s a little more response than I expected. And I didn’t do this to get an ego boost — you guys don’t have to be so nice to me! *grin*
But all your feedback really does help. For example, the more I read WoW blogs, the more I feel that everyone but me spends all their time raiding — so I am glad to know that my perspective there is useful.
Maybe I should ask this instead: What changes would you like to see me make to this blog?
Much has been covered in the previous posters comments, and I reiterate nearly all of it -
your enjoyable and personable style is a welcome respite. You have very similar tastes and I related quite easily to much you do and say.
I have learned things here, that, given how much time I’ve been in game (since closed beta), I should have figured out - but I have new skills and goals because of both Petopia and the blog. Just yesterday I read the bit on Ghost Travel, and while I *knew* it should be possible, I never figured it out (would try to rez at a close enough spirit healer and nothing would happen. ohhh, relog first! now I know. I have, lessee, 6 links in my toolbar at the top of firefox. two are yours. I have over 800 links in my bookmarks, but 2 of yours are readily handy for me for daily (many times a day) access. That sez something :)
I like that we have a similar attitude about hunters, taming pets, and the game. I’ve *never* been about the PvP or Dualing, or raids, much less instances. Ok, my hunters dont have the UberArmor and weapons, and took forever to level up, but I do it on my own. There is very little to compare to *FINALLY* taming that enraged ravager after dying a dozen times (stoopid knockdown!). Or Rak’Shiri, or one of the others that are both rare, or damn hard to tame. That is fun for me - it’s the tactical challange, and much of my success comes from both your blog and Petopia.
yep, you are a needed resource - feel happy :) The personal touch on your blog entries is wonderful. If you just passed links to others who passed links to yet others, there’d be little or no creative aspect of what you do. Yet, you can both be creative AND pass links - one of the other links in my tool bar is Someones, and I got that through you. I hit both many times a day. I appreciate all of that and more.
if you are discouraged - don’t be. you are solid with us.
if you are in pain over blogging for some reason, let us know - we might be able to help. Who knows, we have an interesting slice of society in this world here - globally.
besides, I like to hear someone elses take on this. I have often decided to just drop wow, but sometimes I hear something that keeps me in the game. You provide more of that impetus than any other single source.
that help? :)
shibumi
Well, I began to read the blog from our brief conversations. Now it’s more or less about anything I haven’t heard, but I’d really like to see more about hunter tricks (or things like Scorpid Poison, Lightning Breath, etc before they’re found out).
indeed - some compilation of ‘tricks of the trade’ is a good idea. Like my not finding out about how handy sticky glue is for the horde type hunter. duh.
that would be an interesting thread.
Pets are the best thing for valuable Hunters! Pets are great! I come to Petopia 1ST, for pet-related information! I love the pet information on your main web site.
You have NOT “diluted” the information at all. Most of your stuff is, for a fact, very useful.
I like how often you post. You should not have “questioned” that. I understand, about your wanting to post things each and every day. You really don’t “have to” though. Really. I wouldn’t leave you, believe me. For real.
I read this ’cause I know I’ll get my pet information here. I love pets. The categories that I like are game news, Petopia news, and tips and tricks. And if you cut back to posting once or twice a week, I wont be disappointed.
I originally came for the pet info, and I stayed for things like Kaet’s adventures. I like seeing how other people experience the game, and I still learn things from others (even though I’ve been playing for nearly three years and I’m probably more than a little jaded by now.) Hell, BigRedKitty doesn’t even focus on all hunter stuff all the time, and I like reading his stuff too. Keep posting whatever you like to read, I’d say, and the rest of it will shake out fine.
I honestly can’t remember when I first stumbles across this fab site but ever since that fateful day I’ve been an avid follower. I too used to keep a blog for a while and ended up wondering what the deal with it all was but I think every blogger has the same p[roblem at some point in time. I love reading your blog though, its a very friendly approach to playing a hunter, its not all about how “l33t” you need to be to raid, its about fun and those little personal touches you add to your blog just give it that feeling of reality, you don’t preach, you explore and discuss and you respond to your readers and that just makes it all the more fun to read, your enthusiasm really shines through your writing and I think everyone can relate at some point to your experiences with playing a hunter. I have to say that were it not for this site I would never have developed the obcessive compulsive desire to try and tame every rare pet in the game, it took me bloody ages to find Mongress, thank got for engineering trinkets and the Shatt portal to Darnassus is all I can say. As for changes, I think the blog rocks as it is, maybe a bit extra graphical clarity for the categories or a few minor layout changes but for the most part I think it’s great as it is :)
Because we love you mania ^^
Your blog is the main piece that petopia was missing, a place to present your research and discovery about the wow Pet.
and as many reader of this blog, i love wow pet and the all aspect of the hunter class related to them. Petopia and on his extend this blog is clearly the reference on that subject.
Good article on a good subject make me comme back everyday :D
Out of all the WoW related blogs I have come across so far, yours is my favorite. I like your writing style and the pleasant personality your words convey. I play the game much like you, which is a huge draw for me to keep returning as I identify the most (vs. other blogs) with your perspective of the game. Here, at Mania’s Arcania, I do not feel like a fish out of water due to the fact that I don’t aspire to keep up with the Joneses ingame. There’s enough of that in the real world!
I would recommend you change nothing. There isn’t anything I can think of that would make your blog better than it already is.
Thank you for this wonderful service you so freely provide your loyal readers!
I read your blog because i’ve been playing a huunter for about a year and 4 months. Hes only lvl 57, but I can easily hold me own ageinst other lvl 60 chars in battlegrounds.
The infomation I’ve learned off petopia has been amazing, but I’ve stopped paying for my account in september so I can work on my studies.
The main reason I read your blog is because I can keep intouch wiht the game now wihtout playing it. Also if I can find anything about pets that I don’t see on your sight, I’ll email you. As the commet above me said, don’t change a thing!
I come here because I like World of Warcraft and it’s obvious you do too. ^_~ I like reading your posts about Kaet’s adventures the best, though I do find all your posts enjoyable.
I agree with everyone … your blog is really good !
Keep on blogging ! =)
I have to admit I’m a little embarrassed — I really didn’t start this thread just to fish for complements. But I really, really appreciate everything you guys have said. And you’ve given me a lot to think about.
Thank you.
Dang…almost too late. But I’m going to throw my 2 coppers in here anyway. Although…zball in #1 said almost exactly what I was thinking as I read the post. So I’ll juat echo him.
The stuff I need is on Petopia. But the fun stuff, the “off the beaten path” (or off the wall) stuff is here. Your style is very readable, and generally, this is a fun place to visit.
So don’t change a thing!
well i think petopia is great and that lead me to this site. think you are doing a great job. wanted to make a comment. since these sites are dedicated to hunter’s pets, have you ever thought of broadening it to include hunter tactics ? including PVP versus other classes, tips on traps, raid gear… i know its east to look up gear (kaliban’s) but it’s always nice to hear dedicated hunter’s tips on AP, agi, weapons, choices in pets for PvE and PvP etc….
thanks !
Similiar reason to the chap above. I got a link from a friend about petopia when i started my hunter and i love the site. So when you started the blog i started reading it. I like that it gives a glimpse of your personality. I’m happy with whatever gets put on here its a nice mix of game info and personal insights.
Keep posting, Si :)
I read this blog because it is fun and you have a good community of commenters. Yes you rant on occasion, those are fun too, but you have good reasons to and tell us readers why. I enjoy the rant since it indicates that you care about what is going on.
You also have a good perspective on what you like to do. There are lots of blogs about pvp and raiding but for the “casual” player you give good insight and information. Letting others know that it is okay if you like levels 1-20 only.
I enjoy whatever is on your mind at the time. If that is news, adventures, or tips it all works for me. If you immediately broke out the “How I cleared Kara with my level 24 cat” post I would be a little concerned. =D
I will say it! I would be sad if you only cut topics to only pet news. At the same time you shouldn’t feel like you MUST post something of “use” everyday. It doesn’t have to be useful to everyone, just what is on your mind. I would miss Keat who was my inspiration to level another toon, not for any particular reason but to enjoy the stories and environment.
There is no need to change a thing. Your blog is fabulous as is. Thanks for all your time. Also thanks for being nice to Iridium on Farstriders I hope I didn’t interrupt your Ram racing!
I actually started reading because I live in San Diego and am also way into Wow - and was really annoyed about not making the last Comic Con - until I read your experience with the lines. Made me feel a bit better about missing out. Also it makes me feel a lot less silly about sneaking off to play my hunter after doing all the group-type things with my lvl 70 priest and druid. Even though my hunter can be just as useful and the pig is a darn nice tank, the hunter is the one character that people never ask me for help on - unless it’s “hey, where’d you get that pet?” Plus I figure you’ll be the one to tip me off when they fix the pet lvling grind - and I can then go get that lvl 9 pink Tallstrider and get it up to 57!
I read your blog because I enjoy it. You are enjoying the journey and aren’t caught up in “level mania”. It comes through in the Petopia site and in everything you post. This seems to be a labor of love and for myself and apparently a whole lot of others, we’re awfully glad you let us share it.
Because it’s both fun and interesting to read (and the comments from others make it an even better read).
Thanks for sharing! =)
Bloggers need the support & although I am out of WoW just now I’ll be heading back in October, so keep writing!!
Okay, I’ll keep it up then and not worry too much about wandering a little! *grin*
nate: Unfortunately, I’m really not qualified to give advice on hunter tactics. Plus, I think Big Red Kitty has that covered pretty well (with ample help from Someone and The Hunter’s Mark, among others).
I read it because I enjoy your writing style and prose, and because after taking a hunter to 61 in just over 18 months, I’m starting a new one “correctly”. I value your input and commitment to bettering the WoW experience for the community at large.
Basically, it’s fun to read. All to often all we get is something from a hardcore raider who wants to moan and cry about a nerf here or a boos here. Basically, you seem like the average joe cassual player and THAT is fun. It’s how I like o play, do this, get side tracked here, my guild might hate it, but it makes the game fun, and thats why we play games right, to have fun?
Within you, you hold the spirit of the fun gamer, and along with that, a well played hunter who alot of us can relate to. It’s something I really like about your Kaet character. So I have to say, in closing, do what you find fun, we won’t hate you if you want to do less o more or single out this or that.
Oh and ps, it’s cool someone looks into the happening of hunters out there.
I love this site! Petopia is the best Hunter’s resource site that I’ve come across and it is a wealth of info. Your blogs are always helpful and fun to read. Yours is really the only blog I read. Never do it (Post to the blog) if it’s like a chore. It would be a real loss to the hunter community if you quit.
I have to say thank you for all you have done and all the help you give. I enjoy the hunter topics as well as the useful game stuff.
Keep your “tame” hand strong!!
I just found out about the blog while looking at Petopia. It’s nice to see a class specific blog from another hunters time in WoW
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