There’s Not a Speck of Blogging Advice in this Post (So Why Read it?)
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My quirky little blog is not shaping up like any of the blogs I follow. It’s finding its own somewhat disjointed rhythm, sometimes to my frustration but frequently to my amusement and delight.
Re-reading a couple of weeks’ posts, they really run the gamut. There’s a small sprinkling of “daily grind” posts, a wee trickle of inspirational posts, a fitful clump of “ranting and raving” posts and I’m delighted to note, a substantial smattering of chuckle-out-loud funny posts.
There is only the very intermittent “advice post.”
Most of the blogs I read are specifically focused “advice” blogs. Better blogging advice, mastering social media advice, how to earn oodles of money as a freelance writer advice — advice, advice, advice… Dear Abby would be proud!
Clearly, my blog is not an advice blog. I’m a fairly new writer (three years) trying to build her career. Although I stick to the niche of writer/writing career as the focus of this blog, I’m basically exploring my own journey rather than trying to inform anyone else’s.
With this blog, I’m working on liberating my creativity, writing outside the box, and adding some wit, edge or off-the-wall-ness anyplace it feels appropriate. Because I like that kind of stuff.
And humor can be really tricky to write; sometimes I can do it and sometimes I just can’t. I’m not sure if it has to do with the subject matter or my mood — but that’s a good topic to explore further. (Hallelujah — A great idea for tomorrow’s post! Take that, NaBloPoMo!)
What I’m doing flies in the face of conventional blogging wisdom. (I know this because I read so much advice, natch.) Bloggers are recommended to take the focus off themselves and put it onto their readers. They are told to make sure they are giving the reader value, and honestly I think this is great advice. The blogs I read daily provide the tips, tech and encouragement I need to be successful in my career. I rarely read a blog just for fun.
That’s kind of sad, but there are only so many hours in the day and only so much computer my eyes can tolerate.
If by now you’re thinking, what’s the point of this post, lady? I have only so many hours in the day also…
Here it is:
I want to know — why do people follow my blog? Why are you following? After two months of blogging, I have 60 email subscribers and who knows how many RSS subscribers. Why are you taking the time out of your busy day to read what I write?
A heartfelt THANK YOU, by the way!
I could be cynical and suspect people are following in the hope that I will follow their blog in return. That is a fairly common blog marketing strategy, as is leaving comments on someone’s blog so you can link back to your own. I know; I’ve done it.
If you’ve gotten this far reading this post, I’m going to ask you a favor. Tell me why you subscribed, and why you come back. I know what I’m getting from writing it, but what are you getting from reading it?
If it’s a link, that’s fine.
But please tell me — I’m not sure why, but it feels important. I’d like to know what about this blog gives you value, dear readers.
Let’s chat!
Posted on February 26, 2012, in Marketing and Social Media, Writing from the heart and tagged blog, blogging advice, NaBloPoMo, writing career. Bookmark the permalink. 9 Comments.
I read yours for fun and to read about your journey into the writing world. Your writing is very conversational and I like the way it flows. You often have ideas that I can use, and it is is just interesting to watch you grow.
I’m shocked that you have only been blogging for a short time and already are doing well and growing your subscribers well.
Many thanks! I’m glad you find it fun, as one of my goals as a writer is to have fun, and I want that to show. I can’t buy this whole mindset that writing needs to be torture. I can’t buy the whole starving writer thing either. But with my current income, right now I can’t buy much of anything, LOL!!! I think there are very few topics that can’t be addressed in a lighthearted fashion, and this whole internet marketing/blogging/social media thing really needs to be made more fun, and made fun of at the same time.
Interestingly enough, this post has gotten the least amount of comments than any I’ve done in weeks. I wonder what (if anything) I should make of that…I guess my readers don’t want to tell me why they are reading. Hmmm…………………..
I’m shocked also! Appreciate the comment. It’s important to me that this blog be fun to read, although I’m not really sure why. Perhaps I think we all need a little more fun in our lives. I know I do, for sure.
I read your blog simply because you don’t hurt my head! I read about ’5 easy ways to HTML’.. grammatical correctness etc and my head starts to spin. I read your blog and understand it immediately, it connects. It’s not for ‘ping backs’ or traffic, it’s for the eloquence of learning, laughing and saying “I can relate!”
Thanks Claire. That’s high praise indeed. I’ll endeavor to keep writing stuff that connects!
I read your blog because it’s so relatable. In a sense you’re my “blog mentor”. Also, because it’s not the same thing day after day. I love the variety. That how writing is, depending on your mood, inspiration or just the day of the week influences what you write. In all honesty, I have done the comments thing to drive comments to my blog too. But I only return to and comment on the ones that I connect with. Keep up the good work.
Wow, dooverdiva! That’s high praise indeed. Thanks for reading and commenting. I will indeed attempt to keep up the good work…
I read it because I love your sense of humor and your strength to be able to write from you heart. Thank you for the inspiration and sharing the journey.
I suspect my journey will come out more and more in these posts, and become (effortlessly) integrated into everything I do.