Maintenance Blog Cancel The title field is required!

1. Daniel Mausolf

   

   0 posts
   
   12/18/2012 5:12 PM

   Has anyone done the benefit/drawback chart for starting a maintenance blog? I have some bullets for and against. Looking for help.
   Thanks
   Dan

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   12/18/2012 6:12 PM

   I can only think of positives. Care sharing your cons?

   
   
   
   
3. Daniel Mausolf

   

   0 posts
   
   12/18/2012 6:12 PM

   Thanks Andy. My cons are: people leaving negative comments, time involved posting in peak season. How bout some positives Andy?

   
   
   
   
4. Andrew Cross

   

   5 posts
   
   12/18/2012 7:12 PM

   You can set it up so you control what feedback is displayed (ie you must approve all comments)
   You control all the content
   
   Once you get the hang of it a brief post with pictures can be put up in 10 minutes if you really take your time, it does not take long at all.

   
   
   
   
5. Hardy Andrew

   
   12/18/2012 7:12 PM

   I have had a blog for two years now. I initially worried about "writers block" but I have been able to keep churning out posts. The positives are that you have an open line of communication, a hard copy of your maintenance practices, a great tool for educating and if you choose to (I have) you can add some personal touches to the blog to show your members that you are a human being and have a life outside of the course.
   
   The negatives so far have been few and far between. I find that you can write reactionary posts to issues on the course (vandalism, course care etc...) and I would implore you to sit on them for 24 hours before you post it.
   
   How often you post will be up to you but you may want to remain somewhat consistent. There are weeks when a lot may be occurring and I may post a couple of times. But there are other times where things are really busy and time may lapse without posting. Unless your employer wants a predetermined time-frame you can always be flexible.
   
   The blogging community among other turf manager's is amazing as well. My blog is likely 60% member/club views and 40% turf manager views.

   
   
   
   
6. Daniel Mausolf

   

   0 posts
   
   12/18/2012 9:12 PM

   Andrew
   What is the age brackets of your membership if I could ask?

   
   
   
   
7. Daniel Mausolf

   

   0 posts
   
   12/18/2012 9:12 PM

   Can I see a name of people that view then blog?

   
   
   
   
8. Hardy Andrew

   
   12/18/2012 9:12 PM

   I have had member's from 13 to 90 who have said they are regular readers and they will comment when they see me on the course often. Main demographic would be 40-50yrs old though. I use Wordpress and can't see who is viewing unless they leave a comment, and all comments are approved by me before being posted. I can get a breakdown by country who's viewing but beyond that I don't worry too much.

   
   
   
   
9. Neidhardt John J

   
   12/19/2012 5:12 AM

   We use a Google blog for Jekyll Island Golf Course Maintenance
   
   It is linked to our website
   Also on our Audubon A/V Scroll in the clubhouse
   
   and GCM picked it up also at http://gcmbloggingworld.blogspot.com/
   
   Its easy, and pictures with short explanations is my routine.
   
   It also let's your Peak season guests see whats going on when they are back up North

   
   
   
   
10. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    12/19/2012 5:12 AM

    Daniel Mausolf said: Thanks Andy. My cons are: people leaving negative comments, time involved posting in peak season. How bout some positives Andy?

    
    
    Ability to update info on the fly, post pictures, especially before and after, provide timely data, provide information about issues, links to articles, short videos. I also know some that use it for frost delays and cart path only situations.
    
    There are many blogs out there that I follow. Other than the link that was posted for the GCM blog listing, TurfNet and Golf Course Industry magazine also have listings of Superintendent blogs. I have a list of about 20 that I follow weekly. Some are better than others. The one I like the best is the one at TPC Sawgrass (http://www.tpcsawgrassagronomy.com/). They post a lot of pictures and videos with brief explanations, and update it practically everyday. They include the Assistants in the blog and allow them to post and contribute information regularly.
    
    As with anything though, don't put anything in writing that can be used against you. I try to steer clear of giving specific dates for when projects, etc., will be completed, and usually just give general timeframes.
    
    I have learned a lot from reading Superintendent blogs and have gained ideas and information that I have incorporated into our program here. It's also nice to see that Superintendent's put their egos aside and do actually post problems and issues with their course. Let's the rest of us learn and allows you to be up front and honest with the membership so no surprises are found.

    
    
    
    
11. Justin VanLanduit

    

    0 posts
    
    12/19/2012 9:12 AM

    Dan,
    
    I find that the blog is a great tool as everyone has stated above. I'm not really sure of how many of my members really read it but I know some do and they like the information we put on it. It gives me the opportunity to get into more detail about things rather than inlcuding that in an email blast out to the whole membership. If I send an informative email to my members I usually end it with "more detailed information is on the blog for those interested" and insert a direct link. Initially I had members tell me my emails were too long that they'd get bored half way through. I can now inform my members of things and then intriques those minds whom are interested and go further with my blog. You have to commit, and I find myself at times getting into periods where I don't post. I think the more consistent you are the more the members/audience will become more consistent with reading. Like AH said, it also provides yourself of a great record with what you are doing on the golf course. Gives you project photos, descriptions, and timelines as those are things you'd be placing in the blog otherwise you may just end up with a bunch of photos from the project and ask yourself, "why did I take this photo". I've utilized my application from blogger on my iphone as well as ipad more often as well instead of having to sit at the office to get a post out. This has allowed me to be out in the "field" observing a project, taking photos, and right there put a small post about what is taking place.
    As a blog reader I really enjoy seeing the other Super's blogs with what they doing, how they are doing it etc... I think it really helps everyone out with ideas and remedies.
    
    Best of Luck,
    Justin

    
    
    
    
12. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    12/19/2012 9:12 AM

    My question to those blogging what are the most useful tools you use to keep the blog updated?
    
    For example Justin you said you can take pictures out in the field and post to your blog from out there, you also mention using your iphone and ipad? Not knowing a lot about the technology and not having a smart phone yet, about the only thing I can do is take a picture with my phone of my pet turkeys and post it on my facebook page, otherwise I'm taking photos with my digital camara, then I have to download to the computer and then upload to a blog? If you use your ipad, (which I understand have really decent cameras now) how do you post to your blog in the field, or even in your office? Do you have access to wifi? make your phone a hot spot? What cost does that add to my plan (which is hard to afford now) and can I write it off on taxes?
    
    Curious what other tools people use as well. I think sometimes I would like to blog, but I can take photos in the field and with good intentions download back at the office, but we sometimes know how that goes, plus working at a municipality sometimes trying to get access to certain sites might require jumping trough a bunch of hoops, (I can't even access my yahoo e-mail account, which is probably an ok thing) so I would have to wait until I got home, good luck fighting for some computer time there.
    
    Thanks, Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
13. Brent Stephenson

    

    0 posts
    
    12/19/2012 10:12 AM

    I have have managed a blog for a few years now. I am at a public course so the feedback and participation are not as involved as a private club may be. I use an android application to upload from the course with photos and it is simple to keep updated. I only see positives as communication is so important in our business. Good luck.
    
    View my blog at.
    http://www.deercreekmaintenance.blogspot.com/

    
    
    
    
14. Justin VanLanduit

    

    0 posts
    
    12/19/2012 11:12 AM

    Mel,
    
    There is an application for Blogger available for both Iphone and Ipad. Normally use my Iphone to update stuff out in the field as it requires the ability to connect to the internet to add and makes changes and the phone allows that. I do not have service for my Ipad outside of WiFi range, didn't spend that extra money. I do utilize my Ipad though when at home and feel like doing an updated post, at times I will take pictures with my Iphone and email to myself so I can access on my Ipad or I can take the photo with my Ipad so it's stored and then use for a post at a later time when I have WiFi access.

    
    
    
    
15. Daniel Mausolf

    

    0 posts
    
    12/19/2012 12:12 PM

    Justin,
    What website does the Blogger app work with?

    
    
    
    
16. Brent Stephenson

    

    0 posts
    
    12/19/2012 1:12 PM

    Daniel Mausolf said: Justin,
    What website does the Blogger app work with?

    
    
    For my android phone and android tablet I use Bloggerdroid and it works with blogspot.com

    
    
    
    
17. Keith Lamb

    

    3 posts
    
    12/19/2012 1:12 PM

    Tried the blog thing and it didn't work for me. I could not get but a couple of my members to follow it. I switched to using a Facebook page and many of my members use it. Geez, everybody has FB nowadays.

    
    
    
    
18. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    12/19/2012 3:12 PM

    Keith Lamb said: Tried the blog thing and it didn't work for me. I could not get but a couple of my members to follow it. I switched to using a Facebook page and many of my members use it. Geez, everybody has FB nowadays.

    
    
    Keith, what do you do to share a picture on facebook? I know I will send a picture to my personal facebook page, would I just share it to a separate facebook page? (I'll have to check out your facebook page when I get home, we're blocked from work I'm pretty sure, unless it is a facility that has a facebook page like the golf course, but I don't have access there. Maybe I need to talk to the clubhouse guys so I can share the occasional picture with them?
    
    Thanks, Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
19. Samuel Leatherberry

    

    0 posts
    
    12/19/2012 4:12 PM

    We have had our blog for over 2 years now and I really like using it. I try to keep the blog posts short with pictures. I do a monthly newsletter, but try to update the blog every few days with at least a picture or something. I am like another responder on here, probably have just as many turf managers look at it as golfers.
    http://bearsbestatlanta.blogspot.com

    
    
    
    
20. Keith Lamb

    

    3 posts
    
    12/20/2012 3:12 AM

    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said:

    Keith Lamb said: Tried the blog thing and it didn't work for me. I could not get but a couple of my members to follow it. I switched to using a Facebook page and many of my members use it. Geez, everybody has FB nowadays.

    
    
    Keith, what do you do to share a picture on facebook? I know I will send a picture to my personal facebook page, would I just share it to a separate facebook page? (I'll have to check out your facebook page when I get home, we're blocked from work I'm pretty sure, unless it is a facility that has a facebook page like the golf course, but I don't have access there. Maybe I need to talk to the clubhouse guys so I can share the occasional picture with them?
    
    Thanks, Mel

    
    
    I just use the FB app on my iPhone. I can post to the page just as easy as my personal page. I have it set up as a business page. The mistake I see people make is setting up the page like a personal page instead of a business style page.

    
    
    
    
21. Neidhardt John J

    
    12/20/2012 8:12 AM

    I really like the blogspot for additional reasons.
    
    - It cuts down on so many useless meetings. My bosses, who don't get out on the courses very often can keep up with our work, projects, weather events and obstacles through the blog. I include the address in every email I send to them to keep them updated. I think they find it helpful as well as to dedicate their time more effectively as well.
    
    - Also the Blogspot statistics section is very helpful by tracking your number of page views and their sources. Page views far exceed members of the blog. You can read our blog without joining, so page views is a great indicator of use. For instance, we have only 15 "members" but have nearly 6000 page views.
    
    - I also use it to celebrate staff accomplishments and it improves moral. They feel a part of it and submit photos to me all the time
    
    - We also use the blog as part of our Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program's "Outreach and Education" certification requirement.
    
    - It has been well received by all.

    
    
    
    
22. Joe Wachter

    

    5 posts
    
    12/20/2012 11:12 AM

    The only negative of any consequence is you have to post regularly or people will not view. You have to be committed or your readers will be just as uncommitted as you are.
    
    Smart phone posting of a quick photo with a one or two line post is very helpful.
    
    It can still work with just a digital camera and downloading which I do from time to time.
    
    Blogger has a email notification that you can download to your sidebar allowing interested individuals to receive an email of your post. Will usually be sent to them the same day it is posted. I receive most of my member hits from this application. They can also sign up as members on your sidebar as well which is where a lot of the turf pros show up.
    
    Agree comment regarding committee meetings, etc. I don't spend a lot of time each month talking about what we have done or what we will be doing. That is all covered in the blog. Blogger does allow you to assign 10 email address that receives an automatic update when a post is made. This group includes management staff and green committee.
    
    Blogging allows you to show some talent that membership is not always aware that you have. Your writing skills should improve including story telling. Try to keep it business only but a bit of personal is appreciated by the regular readers. It shows some personality that they might not see sometimes since we are somewhat guarded in our working relationships. The true science of our work is explained. Your management skills are also demonstrated through the processes that we use in completing our work. Pictures, pictures and more pictures. The less writing the better but you do have to explain some detail from time to time. I try to include links for those that want more detail so i don't bore to tears the casual viewer. Remember, the ladies will view this as will your non-active golfers. If they don't play, they still like to see where there monthly dues are going. Ornamental and a few home tips adds to the interest. People cannot not say that they do not know what is going on anymore around the club. I've heard a number of members correcting or informing someone about the information that they read on the blog
    
    It is the best tool that I have in communicating the how, what, when, where, and why we do things.

    
    
    
    
23. Daniel Mausolf

    

    0 posts
    
    12/20/2012 12:12 PM

    Thank you for all the thoughts. I hope to get a blog going this winter.
    Dan

    
    
    
    
24. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    12/22/2012 6:12 AM

    Daniel Mausolf said: Thank you for all the thoughts. I hope to get a blog going this winter.
    Dan

    
    It is really easy to do and a big plus for me is that I can go back into the archives to check dates on when things were done in the past. I even post a pic of our tournament scores on the blog and can go back and tell people who won last years and such.

    
    
    
    
25. Daniel Mausolf

    

    0 posts
    
    1/14/2013 9:01 AM

    I have been approved to start my blog. Does anyone have an example of their first posting I could look at?
    Thanks
    Dan

    
    
    
    
26. Joe Wachter

    

    5 posts
    
    1/18/2013 8:01 AM

    Daniel,
    
    I jumped in with both feet when we renovated a tee complex. I had been following a couple of other guys blogs throughout the fall and the timing was right to begin the blog with the construction project. I believe I sent an email blast out to the membership introducing the blog and left it at that.

    
    
    
    
27. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    1/26/2013 4:01 PM

    Anybody know if there will be any resources at the GIS show to look at setting up a blog? Any suggestions on sites to visit to get started?
    
    I think it would seem helpful if there is someone kind of walking one through it. Our family just sat together with our new phones and got them linked up to the cloud, facebook, e-mail and stuff, and the best way we found to do it was walk through it together (although our teenager was a little antsy through it all, since these kids seem to know everything already).
    
    Thanks! Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
28. Hardy Andrew

    
    1/26/2013 5:01 PM

    Mel,
    
    I know they had Chris Tritabaugh from Hazeltine National do a blogging piece in the "Test Drive" area last year. But I don't see anything on blogging there this year. Surprising

    
    
    
    
29. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    1/27/2013 6:01 AM

    Dan, just post a letter to your new followers telling them of your hopes for the blog. ask them to check in regularly for new post.
    
    I have been very busy recently renovating our clubhouse and have not been updating my blog as usual. One thing is that I do not really want to give updates on the clubhouse since my concerns are more for the course. The other thing is I have been working 10-16 hour days, 7 days a week since Thanksgiving in the renovation process and I am just too damn tired to do it.
    
    Blogging tips;
    the GCSAA does a class on social media that is really great.
    
    Try to change the background of your blog at least bi-weekly. It is very easy to do and by changing the background everyone that visits gets the idea that it is changed which keeps them coming back.
    
    Post as often as possible. a blog post needs to only be a few sentences. If you get into a long post which we all need to do from time to time use the link to place most of the post on a separate page (there will be a MORE link at the bottom of the post). this keeps your blog a little cleaner. any picture you use in blogger can be seen in full size by clicking the picture, you need to remind your readers of this in your post. This is actually a great tool because instead of me posting all of the winners in a tournament I simply take a picture of the scores and paste it on the blog.
    
    Readers love the pictures more then any other thing so use this to your advantage.
    
    Don'ts of blogging,
    Try not to get political in your blogs. by this I mean steer away from making post about club politics.
    never make post about things that pisses you off (I started the Must be an idiot thread once about people that do stupid things on the course. While I never placed names I did take after pictures of ruts and things like that. It may cause you to lose a few readers).
    try not to let a week go without some sort of post, if you leave for vacation make sure you let your readers know you will be away for a week or however long you will be away. I actually took a trip to the Grand Canyon and posted pictures of the trip and got a lot of great feed back from my membership that was thrilled that I actually took time away from work to enjoy myself with my family.
    never post about intended work or projects until you are about to start them. you may get feed back about why you did not do the project or negative comments about the intended project.
    
    Good things to add to your blog,
    I have a small section that tells my readers the course conditions which I update daily, this is a great tool.
    some guys use a weather application which is nice.
    Add a counter on your blog, it is a great way to see how many visits you get and allows other readers to see how active it is.
    I have added a google interactive calendar to my blog. It is easy to set up through google and then add to the blog. this is where all of my maintenance program gets placed for readers to check out as well as tournaments schedules. It is interactive because a reader can click on any month of the year to see what is going on.
    
    Have lots of fun with it. Visit as many blogs as you can before and during your set up to get ideas. just try not to copy one exactly because certain Superintendents can get teed off about it. Remember they have spent a lot of time developing theirs the way the want it.
    
    If you have any questions feel free to ask us.

    
    
    
    
30. Ryan Sears

    

    1 posts
    
    1/28/2013 9:01 PM

    I need help with an issue im having with blogger. I cannot get text to post to my blog page. I can get pics posted but not text. I have checked the text background color vs. the text color already.
    Thanks