The internet has changed the ways most of us do things. Now, you're probably much like me when you need help with something or need a question answered. When I'm seeking solutions for just about anything, I turn to Google, YouTube, or some other internet source. Often I'll find great solutions for things that might have been vexing me by reading blogs. Bloggers sometimes offer wonderful solutions that I haven't thought about before.
There are some blogs that specialize in solutions. You can find blogs helping to answer questions about writing, crafting, travel, personal issues, or what have you. Answers to what you want to know are all over blog land. Don't worry about any saturation point if you're considering starting a blog that offers solutions since there is always a need for new perspective and knowledge. Solution blogs are valuable and if you're interested in finding a topic that is easily monetized then this might be a blogging specialty that you might want to look into.
This can tie in with the topic for "R", "research", since oftentimes solutions are found as the result of research. A blog post can act as a research source for finding solutions to specific problems or questions. Solutions relating to money management --saving or spending can also be developed into fine blogging themes which again lends itself well to monetizing (hmm--maybe I'm dabbling in some word play here--sorry).
Do you ever offer solutions on your blog? What kinds of things do you think people might be trying to find solutions for? When you need help doing something or answering a question where do you usually go first?
Battle of the Band Results!
My recent Battle of the Bands contest was another close one. I wasn't sure which way this contest between Michael McDonald and the Strokes would go McDonald's version of "Mercy Mercy Me" was closer to the sound of the original recording by Marvin Gaye while the Strokes put a harder rock edge to the tune.
For my own tastes I did enjoy the laid back jazzy sound and smooth vocal by Michael McDonald. Nothing too wrong with this version other that the fact that it didn't really add much to the original version. This was a good copy of the song.
I thought The Strokes added a nice modern touch to the song giving it more energy. I especially liked the guitar solo toward the end that cleverly mimicked the sax in the Gaye version. It was mostly that guitar solo and the upbeat sound that earns my vote for the Strokes.
And my vote makes this face-off a tie. It was a tight race throughout with fans on both sides
Final Tally
Michael McDonald 16 votes
The Strokes 16 votes
With the end of April comes the end of Blogging from A to Z for another year. In May I revert back to my regular Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule. Next Battle of the Bands post will be on Friday May 1st. The song in my next Battle will be a nod to an A to Z theme used by a few bloggers this year as well in past Challenges and also to one of the other Battle of the Bands participants who likewise shows an interest in this topic.
Wonderful post Lee, I'm afraid I can't offer solutions as I am always in need of them myself.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to BOTB I like that section of your blog.
Yvonne.
I'm always looking for solutions and often cannot find them.
DeleteLee
Well...I think that encouragement is a solution to a problem - that of flagging belief in ourselves or what we're trying to do. So I think I do offer that when I post. I guess it is the therapist in me! I look to lots of solutions in blogs and web pages - answers to questions, new ways to do things - whether it is hand-quilting or where to put those pesky commas. I think the one I use the most in my writing life is The Writers Knowledge Base that Elizabeth Spann Craig started up a few years ago - it is jam-packed with solutions.
ReplyDeleteSo true--solutions come in many forms and they can all be found on different blogs..
DeleteLee
Wow, a tie - doesn't happen often.
ReplyDeleteThe IWSG offers solutions. Plus tips and information.
I've been having a few ties it seems. Yes, IWSG does offer a lot of helpful info.
DeleteLee
Google is always my go to for everything, and then Wikipedia is generally the first 'solution' that comes up in google. I know some people don't like Wikipedia because I guess anyone can edit pages and write what they want, but I have never found any facts/info to be egregiously incorrect.
ReplyDeleteI've found some questionable things on Wiki but with further research I usually find that they are pretty accurate. There are too many people watching over what appears on the site so I think that helps keep it more accurate.
DeleteLee
I really offer just information or imagery of things I find interesting, entertaining or silly. If any one can get something more, than I think that is awesome.
ReplyDeleteJeremy
There is something for everybody on the internet.
DeleteLee
I sometimes offer solutions that I learned either from my own research or study. If I have a question that needs quick answers then I find it a cinch to snatch a few nibbles to satisfy my immediate curiosity of the topic at hand. I'm not sure what I did before the internet. Oh yeah, I had to look it up in books! lol What a bummer your BoTB ended in a stale mate! I'll declare my winner tomorrow, so watch for it!
ReplyDeleteI really don't mind the ties. It tells me that I picked two worthy versions that had fans on both sides. I'd rather have a tie then see one song version royally trounced.
DeleteLee
Yes, I do sometimes find help, google a writing question and someone's blog pops up and always pleased and inclined to follow.
ReplyDeleteIt's cool when a blog comes up high in a search result--especially if it's my blog!
DeleteLee
I do try to connect my "Hero tales" post with other resources to help the reader make this tale work in the classroom or in the library, such as, art activities, pinterest posts on that topic, lesson plans, or further reading. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWhen we start achieving credibility as a blogger I think we've attained a good status. That's partly what building platform is all about.
DeleteLee
Solutions. I think I have a Questions blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm not at all surprised by the vote tally on this battle. A nice tight race. Good job, Lee!
I tend to raise a lot of questions too. We can both see that in some of our comment discussions.
DeleteThanks re BOTB. I was pleased with the outcome.
Lee
well i certainly tried to..and am glad i started in a small way but i still dont know if its starting to work ;)
ReplyDeleteKeep trying.
DeleteLee
The only solution I provide on my blog is "What is annoying Jeffrey today".
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your readers are just dying to know.
DeleteLee
Google is my friend for all things I want to look up! ☺ Much easier than going to the library, which is what I used to do.
ReplyDeleteMy blog is more about writing and music, but occasionally, I'll write a post offering some advice, either about blogging or health/ageing related issues.The sleep study report garnered some interest.
Is that your first tie on BOTB? I preferred the Strokes version and thought it would win. Oh well...
Visits to the library could be very time-consuming and often frustrating. Even my trusty Funk and Wagnalls encyclopedia didn't help me with everything.
DeleteThis was not my first BOTB tie. Many of them have been fairly close. I wasn't sure who would win, but I thought the Strokes version was more original.
Lee
I've stumbled about solutions as much as I've searched for them.
ReplyDeleteThey are not always easy or exact.
DeleteLee
I like solutions particularly if I can drink them.
ReplyDeleteIf they are not poisonous solutions which can be deadly.
DeleteLee
Arlee - a good post - very true for all solutions we turn to the net and most of the times we get some..
ReplyDeleteI want correct solutions with easy access--the web is the closest to providing that.
DeleteLee
Wasted my entire life ( since early childhood,) reading and researching (A time before Computers and the Internet) thousands of non-fiction books... ( we did enjoy some horror fiction from time to time as well)...
ReplyDeleteWe use these accumulated facts and bits of info as part of how we figure out "Solutions" to most things... a very informative post good Sir ....
A great Mid-Week to you as well...
Well, I hope all that research wasn't too much of a waste. I've spent a lot of time on research and often it was just for the purpose of recreational education. I wish I had read more non-fiction when I was younger.
DeleteLee
When we were a kid and would ask an Adult a question... and they could not give us an a "acceptable" answer.... We looked the answers for ourself....
Delete.... Learned Many things that way, good Sir...
I don't really offer solutions--occasionally I'll touch on book marketing things I've learned, but mostly I stick to fun, short posts because so much of my day is spent writing more intensive posts for clients.
ReplyDeleteFun entertainment is probably what most readers are looking for anyway.
DeleteLee
Yup, Google and YouTube are my go-to sites for information and instructions, too! Also Pinterest for recipes and gardening stuff. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI find so much good how-to info on the internet. Anything from plumbing problems to fixing computer problems and beyond. It's a great resource.
DeleteLee
A tie on your BOTB Woo Hoo! I think the closer the BATTLE the better it was and you can't get much closer than a tie. Great Battle, lookin' towards May 1.
ReplyDeleteSolutions, Ha, ha, ha! I don't pretend to be a therapist to the blogosphere, nor to I expect it to be mine. I am opinionated though. I bet you never knew that. Ha!
I hope you enjoy my next BOTB installment as you are one of those to which it will be dedicated.
DeleteLee
I don't offer solutions. If someone asks my opinion, then i shall do my best to give it. As for looking for a solution, I go to all my books and read them. I will also ask someone to show mw. If that doesn't work then I go on the internet
ReplyDeleteYes, Birgit, we usually do have various research options available to us.
DeleteLee
These days I more or less always head to Google. They have never let me down yet. I don't offer solutions although sometimes people ask me a cookery question which I answer, to the best of my knowledge, in the comments.
ReplyDeleteJo, Google not only offers resources but they offer various resources so you can cross check them.
DeleteLee
Looks like Battle of the Bands needs a ti breaker. Like a battle to the death!
ReplyDeleteBOTB could have used a few more votes I guess, but then again the choices were pretty equal so it would have stayed pretty close throughout.
DeleteLee
I like to go to credible sources for solutions, and not automatically believe or trust everything on a site like YouTube or Wikipedia. That should be a jumping-off point, not the be-all and end-all of research. I also watch for clickbait and weasel words in a blog title, like GreenCrunchyOffTheGridMama.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Carrie-Anne, everything should be considered according to how important it is. For my posts the standard internet resources usually work, but if I were doing a serious research project I'd probably go a bit deeper. Not to say my blog isn't important.
DeleteLee
It was a tough battle decision for me - I love the tie!
ReplyDeleteI'm searching for solutions to several things at the moment. I may told to my best friend tomorrow - I really have a couple of decisions to make.
I'm happy with the tie because I could actually have gone either way with my vote.
DeleteLet's hope you make the right decision--or the most profitable one for you.
Lee
Yes indeed I keep tries to find solutions for petty/big things almost all the time..Well to be honest who does not :P
ReplyDeleteThanks for wonderful information..
http://serendipityofdreams.blogspot.in/
I tried offering ideas and solutions when I first starting blogging. Somehow I morphed into offering laughs.
ReplyDeleteMy son mentioned recently that he'd spent three hours helping my grandson work through a difficult school assignment. His comment...TGFG. (Thank God for Google.)
Is this the first time there's been a tie? I'm always looking for instant solutions, and it's nice to learn of new ways to get them.
ReplyDeleteJulie
I appreciate people who come up with solution blogs since they are taking the time to post about a solution which makes life easier for the rest of the population. I don't think I have posted on this line before but I would love to give it a try. :) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete