When I began blogging 12 years ago, I had no idea what it was about but boy oh boy, it was fun.
Maybe blogging was new then, or maybe I was behind the times (a common occurrence in my life). I began looking for other blogs to read, and hoped that one day mine would have as many followers and commenters as The Yarn Harlot, The Pioneer Woman, lively discussions like Stuff Christians Like or maybe a community of regular commenters like the Entreleadership blog when Chris LoCurto was the writer plus the host of the Entreleadership podcast.
Instead, I have a small (microscopic in the blogging world) readership. Whenever it seemed to be growing, something broke and then I lost my subscribers.
My subscribers don’t seem to understand that they can go to my website and click on the Blog button to find the blog if the subscription stops working.
Many of my real life friends don’t read my blog; many of my customers don’t know I have one, if they even know what a blog is.
When I read blogs and articles about blogging, marketing, and promotion, I feel like a loser.
When I learn that people I know are reading my blog and realize that I know or have met most of my readers, I feel quite happy. This isn’t some impersonal marketing gig; this is the real me, connecting with the real yous. (Don’t you think we need a plural for “you”? “Y’all” feels phoney, because I am not Southern, and “all y’all” sounds particularly phoney, but it does work.)
Here are a few more thoughts about comments:
- Sometimes my readers comment which I REALLY appreciate; otherwise I wonder if I am just making noise and no one cares.
- Sometimes my readers email me and then we have a private conversation.
- Many of my readers have no idea how to comment.
- The comments have to be approved by me before they appear, so sometimes people write a comment twice because they think it didn’t work.
And here are some thoughts about blogging:
- My blog has built real life friendships (Hi, Dan!), strengthened other friendships (Hi, Sharon!), made long-distance friendships (Hi, Jennifer and Cheryl!), and provided a way for family to stay current (Hi, Laurie!).
- Blogging has helped strengthen my writing skills.
- Blogging allows me to publicize things, which is useful as a Facebook avoider.
- It keeps me accountable, working steadily, staying focused; all are a little harder when working alone.
12 Comments
Blogs were very big in the 1990s. It seemed everyone who was anyone had one. Then came the big take-over by social media sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, etc. and blogs were shoved into the distant background. They have made somewhat of a comeback for the purpose of, as you mentioned, marketing, promotion, sales, publicity, and such.
I set up a personal blog because “everyone else was doing it” and posted articles now and then. But I had no idea how many people actually read what I wrote (if any) and I let it languish. I still keep my simple, self-designed Blogger account alive—for what purpose, I’m not sure—by throwing in a photo now and then. Old friends are hard to let go. So for now, it remains: music53 dot blogspot dot com (munged for your protection and my success).
Sharon, thank you for this thoughtful and thorough comment. IT FINALLY ARRIVED! (Weird and wonky blog). I’ve never heard or seen the word “munged” – apparently “munge” is a verb.
Love the kitty’s! You should go see the 5 little babies at Jenny’s, they are sooooooooo adorable!!
Melissa, I do NOT want to see Jenny’s kittens, nor do I want to see anyone else’s kittens. It takes all my inner strength to not continually add to our herd! But thank you for thinking of me.
Hi Jana. Keep up the good work? love u everyday! Say hi to u know who.
LAURIE!! Hi. Thanks for commenting. 😎
Just so you know, I enjoy every single one of your posts!! My life would be less rich, without it. I just don’t have time to comment! I take your thoughts and ideas with me, as I go through my week. Enjoy your day! Leah
Leah, you have been nothing but supportive and encouraging from the moment we met. Thank you – I really appreciate your comment!
I’m saying “hi”, and as long as blogging makes you happy, keep blogging! I enjoy your blog
Thank you, Leigh! I enjoy your photos on I’Gram!
I faithfully follow your blog…it always makes me chuckle or gives me a thought with a different twist. Don’t always have time to comment but I am enjoying it immensely!
Sandy, I appreciate you! Thank you for reading, enjoying, and occasionally commenting.
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