But sometimes that’s not enough – what if someone wants to really get to know you, so that they can pray for you, or support you?  What if they really want to get a feel for your ministry?  If they just flip through the last few posts, they may only see pictures from your last vacation/holiday, or a story about some random event.  No, you need something more – a sneeze page.

The term "sneeze page" was invented by Darren Rowse of Problogger.  Here’s how he describes it’s purpose:  A Sneeze Page is one that simply directs readers in multiple directions at once – back into your archives.

ACHOO.

So what is a sneeze page in practical terms?  It’s basically a page that indexes some of your best content from the past.  Examples?

• 10 best posts on Russian (or Thai or Peruvian…) Culture:  List the titles and maybe a summary of ten posts that show various aspects of the unique culture in the country where you live.
• Changed Lives:  What has God been doing?  List some posts that show growth in people that you interact with.
• Family Adventures:  Have unusual things happened to your family?  List the best posts.
• Chronological:  Top 10 posts from 2010, top 10 from 2009, or from your first term, second term, or something along those lines.
• Popular Posts:  Posts with the most comments, or most views, etc.
• What we do:  Are you involved in a few different ministries?  List some posts that highlight each one, or give people a good glimpse into what happens in each category.
• Devotional:  Thoughts and reflections on your blog over the yeears.

The possibilities are endless, as you can see.

Of course, you could also have multiple sneeze pages, then link them together.

Now, make your list, and again be sure to write a quick summary of the post – something that will draw your readers into each one.

A sneeze page has multiple benefits.  It helps people get to know you and your ministry.  It helps people sift through the posts and see the best of the best.  It even helps you remember things, and maybe see God’s grace over the years.

If you’re a missionary blogger with a sneeze page, leave a comment and show it to us!

Here’s what Darren Rowse has to say about Sneeze Pages.

But it’s the beginning of a new year, and you might be wondering where to go with your blog in the months ahead.  Sure, you have a potentially huge audience, many people who might be interested in being a part of what God is doing in your part of the world.

Not sure what to do with your blog in 2010? Photo courtesy of Rennett Stowe

So how can you make the best use of this medium?  Well, I’m constantly wondering the same thing myself.  So I decided to invest in 31 Ways to Build A Better Blog by Australian Darren Rowse.

Darren hands out practical tips – most of which apply to just about any kind of blog.  A hobby blog.  A ministry blog.  A blog to earn you money.  A blog to inform family and friends.  Whatever you’re looking to do in 2010.

Of course, you don’t need to actually do something every day for 31 days (which missionary blogger out there has time to do that?  I see that hand!  Oh, you were just swatting at a fly?).  You can go at your own pace – but now you have a systematic, practical way to do it.

Every day you not only get a task, you’re also taught how to actually do it.

God has given you a tremendous platform to share about what you’re doing and more importantly what He’s doing.  Let’s make the most of it in 2010.  One great way to do it would be to invest in 31 Ways to Build A Better Blog.

Better yet, if you order in the next few days (until the 19th of January) Darren will give you some extra material.  One is an excellent workbook – 9 Things to Do to Get Your Blog On Track in The New Year, which is a fantastic way to review your blog each year to see how to better fit it into your ministry.  There are also a couple of podcast interviews from other experts.

I know this will be helpful to many of you – do yourself a favour and at least check it out and rejuvenate your blog in this new year!