Gavin Baker

Making the move from WordPress to Tumblr. I’ve always been a big fan of the simplicity of Fred Wilson and Bijan Sabet’s blogs and I have always loved Tumblrs posting UI, so I figured this was a good time to revamp my blogging and make the switch.

My first step was to migrate my blog content at gbake.com to Tumblr. I’ve got a hosted WordPress, so I figured a quick export and import and I’d be ready to rock and roll. Au contraire my friends, it was not a simple process.

Step 1) I followed Jon Thornton’s instructions here to export and import. A good script I’m sure, but since I know barely anything about Python and even less about XML, the time I spent in Coda editing the XML when it hung on the import to tumblr was not well spent. Hours of time not well spent.

Step 2) Google “import wordpress to tumblr” and I found Mark Pike’s post here on the same topic in which he recommended using Tumblrize. It’s a plugin you install on your WordPress blog which will automatically create posts on Tumblr as you post. Seemed like it would be a bit clunky so I shelved it.

Step 3) I went back to running the Python script on my mac and hoping it would go through. Another 30 minutes and I was about to give up.

Step 4) I went back to Tumblrize. While I’ve been blogging for over four years, I’m not exactly what you’d call prolific. The best option (which was not seemless) was to open every blog post, click “update” then close the page. Clicking update would export the blog post (and correct metadata) to tumblr.

Step 5) Success! Content is migrated.

Making the move from WordPress to Tumblr. I’ve always been a big fan of the simplicity of Fred Wilson and Bijan Sabet’s blogs and I have always loved Tumblrs posting UI, so I figured this was a good time to revamp my blogging and make the switch.

My first step was to migrate my blog content at gbake.com to Tumblr. I’ve got a hosted WordPress, so I figured a quick export and import and I’d be ready to rock and roll. Au contraire my friends, it was not a simple process.

Step 1) I followed Jon Thornton’s instructions here to export and import. A good script I’m sure, but since I know barely anything about Python and even less about XML, the time I spent in Coda editing the XML when it hung on the import to tumblr was not well spent. Hours of time not well spent.

Step 2) Google “import wordpress to tumblr” and I found Mark Pike’s post here on the same topic in which he recommended using Tumblrize. It’s a plugin you install on your WordPress blog which will automatically create posts on Tumblr as you post. Seemed like it would be a bit clunky so I shelved it.

Step 3) I went back to running the Python script on my mac and hoping it would go through. Another 30 minutes and I was about to give up.

Step 4) I went back to Tumblrize. While I’ve been blogging for over four years, I’m not exactly what you’d call prolific. The best option (which was not seemless) was to open every blog post, click “update” then close the page. Clicking update would export the blog post (and correct metadata) to tumblr.

Step 5) Success! Content is migrated.

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My friend Mark Schaefer tweeted over the weekend that his awesome blog {grow} has been added to the Advertising Age Power 150 marketing blogs at number 148!  He joins other luminaries such Brian Clark at Copyblogger, Dave Armano at Logic+Emotion, Chris Brogan, Seth Godin, Jason Falls and many others (full list).  They are lucky to have him and if you’ve come across his blog you knew that his skill would be noticed.

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I came across this blog post recently where a waiter was fired for twittering while on the job.  This wasn’t a case where they were fired just for twittering, it’s because who the tweets were about which is a whole new kind of fail whale.

Let’s cut to the chase, if you work in a field where you work with other people, about 99% of the people reading this, you need to watch who you tweet about.

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image credit: Mr. Cardinal

So it’s been a long while since I’ve blogged at all. But don’t call it a comeback I’ve been using twitter like a maniac, but have steered clear of blogging.  The reason was two fold, first I didn’t have the time.  I was rapidly adapting to learning how to transition to the CEO of Abunga.  This was the first time I’ve had that much responsibility, and I was taking a crash course in learning how to be CEO, COO and CFO at once – needless to say, better men then me have done that (and more) and blogged their entire experience.  I on the other hand was so thrashed some days leaving the office I could barely have a normal conversation, much less write intelligent and witty posts to delight, challenge and amuse you.

Second, I had a change in communication preference.  I began to detest writing (typing). My inbox seemed to have turned into an endless sea of messages all needing thoughtful responses. Now of course I know that I’m not alone here, but this was a new thing for me.  I started grow weary at the thought of writing anything mildly longer than 140 characters.  Of course I responded to the emails that needed messages to be longer then that, but even though I took a typing class in high school, and Mavis Beacon and I rocked out a computer lab like you wouldn’t believe – I wouldn’t place a dime on my keyboarding skills in any type of contest.

Needless to say, I  began to twitter a lot and call people more often.  Those direct forms helped me out to no end.

But now I’m back.  Primarily because I’m starting to notice things and think about writing about it.  My desire is back and I’m excited to get back in the game.

I look forward to learning from you guys.

- Gavin