You Should Never, Ever Announce a Big Blog Change Like This

Tartitude in its red phase

When you move your blog to a new site, there’s a process one should follow to ease the transition.

1. Let your readers know a relocation is coming. Perhaps even get a few involved in the design. This will build anticipation and buy-in.

2. Set a date in advance.

3. Because any change is disruptive, offer incentive for people to stay connected. Theoretically this could be a lineup of cool guests, a contest, a giveaway, a free ebook, or something that would prove irresistible to your audience.

I know this. I’ve seen it masterfully done. It works.

But I’m afraid, being typical Jan, I’m going to suck at the execution. That’s okay. If I wait to do it perfectly, I’ll never act, and at Tartitude, we’re all about eating the fruit, not the rind. (Unless it’s in marmalade, because without the pretty colors and tartness of citrus peel, marmalade would just be boring jelly now, wouldn’t it?)

So. Without further ado, I’d like to introduce the cause for my recent silence:

http://janohara.net

The blog itself is at http://janohara.net/tartitude

I wanted to use this photo on the new site to symbolically express the three pillars of Tartitude: Art. Attitude. Vitamin C.
Molly told me I can’t. It’s “cheesy” and “looks photoshopped” and “gauche.” Remind me why I was so keen to have children…?

It’s a work in progress. I still have to move my links and repopulate the blogroll, etc., but it’s getting there.

Now what about you?

WordPress.com expressed a willingness to automatically resubscribe email readers. I’m going to take them up on it, and I’m hoping they’ll come through for me. I’m going to presume those of you who’ve subscribed will be willing to check the new place out, and if it doesn’t work for you, I understand. Just unsubscribe. (Though I hope it works for you!) Please note I’m not certain they will automatically move your “subscription”, so if you don’t want to risk it, do pre-emptively follow.

I haven’t figured out what to do for those of you on RSS readers. You’re on your own.

If you’ve linked to cherrytart.wordpress.com, I’m grateful. Please consider updating your links.

If you come visit, let me know if you have technical difficulties or challenges. I want the site to serve you.

This is a bittersweet moment, guys. I’ve been thinking about doing this for more than a year, but a few things have always held me back: the time, the concern about technical challenges, but mostly sentiment. This place is where I conducted my first interview (Laura Kinsale). It’s where I discovered I enjoyed blogging, got connected into the Writer Unboxed world. If not for this blog, I wouldn’t know many of you.

We’ve had good times here and more than a little zaniness. I hope to see you at the new digs, where I’m certain the insanity will continue.

If not, Zesties– if we part ways– be well. Life is all too fleeting. Go after what you want, seize it and make it your bitch.

Just do it in the other room, ’cause some of us are offended by deviant behavior.  ;)

/Tart Out

Posted by Jan O'Hara (Tartitude) on 06/29/2012

http://cherrytart.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/blog-change/