***
Urgh.
For some reason, I do not feel like blogging today. But I shall, because I'm a good little person and I'm actually starting to like you minions (just kidding, I always liked you). I also have this thing going on called the Big Blogging Bonanza, so I will write words. About blogging.
The internet seems to think it does. I mean, have a look at this - I Googled 'How to Make Your Blog Successful', and here are the results. They all mentioned something to do with popularity (although one then says it isn't everything).
Fluke? I think not. Take a look at a Yahoo search with the same keywords, especially the bottom:
Ask.com:
Aol search (I've scrolled past the ads):
And, after looking at some of these posts, I can see their point. I'll probably be book-marking some for future use, when I want to meet some more fabulous people. The problem is that we seem to have mixed up the words 'successful' and 'popular'. To me, a successful blog makes its blogger and readers happy; it doesn't matter whether those readers are a group of ten or ten thousand.
Of course, we all want as many people as possible to read our stuff, which is why we spend a lot of time publicising and search-engine-optimizing and organising bloggy link-ups. But I think it's important to remember that readers are not the be all and end all. A blog is your thing. A blog should make you happy. That's why, when you see a piece of advice you don't feel like following, because blog memes aren't your thing or pictures make you frustrated or you don't have the money for your own domain name, don't follow it.
If someone else wants to have complete control over a blog, they may as well write their own.
I know that blogging makes us all want to tear our hair out sometimes (see the top of this post, where I basically complain about having to write it) but that shouldn't be because of dwindling pageviews or because you're only fourth up on a keyword search.
If you're having one of those days, when you curl up into a ball and sob because no-one seems to care about the stuff you are ripping your soul out for, don't feel ashamed. I was having one of those days today too. Just try and remember what you started blogging for, what got you excited about it in the first place. Remember that feeling of power and relief when you wrote your first post.
The fact is that somebody does care. You care.
Make sure you keep caring, because I can guarantee that, no matter how few readers your data says you have, there is someone out there who will eventually read your posts. As long as you keep trying, keep commenting on other blogs and meeting new people, it'll happen someday.
A successful blog is the best online presence its blogger can come up with, and publicising is a part of that. It's just not the most important part.
For some reason, I do not feel like blogging today. But I shall, because I'm a good little person and I'm actually starting to like you minions (just kidding, I always liked you). I also have this thing going on called the Big Blogging Bonanza, so I will write words. About blogging.
 |
| Does popularity make a blog successful? |
Fluke? I think not. Take a look at a Yahoo search with the same keywords, especially the bottom:
Ask.com:
Aol search (I've scrolled past the ads):
And, after looking at some of these posts, I can see their point. I'll probably be book-marking some for future use, when I want to meet some more fabulous people. The problem is that we seem to have mixed up the words 'successful' and 'popular'. To me, a successful blog makes its blogger and readers happy; it doesn't matter whether those readers are a group of ten or ten thousand.
Of course, we all want as many people as possible to read our stuff, which is why we spend a lot of time publicising and search-engine-optimizing and organising bloggy link-ups. But I think it's important to remember that readers are not the be all and end all. A blog is your thing. A blog should make you happy. That's why, when you see a piece of advice you don't feel like following, because blog memes aren't your thing or pictures make you frustrated or you don't have the money for your own domain name, don't follow it.
If someone else wants to have complete control over a blog, they may as well write their own.
I know that blogging makes us all want to tear our hair out sometimes (see the top of this post, where I basically complain about having to write it) but that shouldn't be because of dwindling pageviews or because you're only fourth up on a keyword search.
If you're having one of those days, when you curl up into a ball and sob because no-one seems to care about the stuff you are ripping your soul out for, don't feel ashamed. I was having one of those days today too. Just try and remember what you started blogging for, what got you excited about it in the first place. Remember that feeling of power and relief when you wrote your first post.
The fact is that somebody does care. You care.
Make sure you keep caring, because I can guarantee that, no matter how few readers your data says you have, there is someone out there who will eventually read your posts. As long as you keep trying, keep commenting on other blogs and meeting new people, it'll happen someday.
A successful blog is the best online presence its blogger can come up with, and publicising is a part of that. It's just not the most important part.
***
Why did you guys start blogging, if you blog? And non-bloggers - what support do you have for us? We're a sensitive bunch, and sometimes we need it.
Oh yes, I agree that a good blog doesn't have to be a big blog! I think "successful" is very subjective. Like it depends on what YOU want right?! Which can be different for everyone. but, omg, I agree!! A successful blog IS one where your followers are happy and come back for more all the time and like you. :D Definitely!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
Successful is subjective. Precisely. Why couldn't I word it like that?
DeleteI have been blogging for four years now and from what I see, most "blogging tips" around the web assume that we want to start a huge business with our blog. Yeah, I'd like more readers, but it doesn't mean that I'd promote like mad to tons of social medias, attend blogging conference etc. They sound too serious for me and I want my blogging journey to be fun and enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI think popularity is one of many ways to determine success, and since there are many other ways, I'd lose my sleep over it.
Oh, and I start blogging because I'd like to write down my reading journey. After having my first child, I stopped reading altogether and then I decided if I were to rekindle with this old hobby, I might as well write it down. Now I have two children and didn't need to leave books at all like I used to, well because of blogging :)
Oh, I know what you mean about blogging promotion feeling too serious. Sometimes, I just. . .can't. And no-one wants to lose sleep!
DeleteWhat an amazing reason to start blogging, as well. It definitely adds another dimension to reading. :-)
Sometimes I stumble across posts that say exactly what I need to hear. This is one of those. Thank-you so much for posting, it really encouraged me and reminded me of why I blog - for the love of it, not for popularity or 'success'.
ReplyDelete:D
I'm really glad the post was able to help - the day I posted this, I really needed it too. I think, at some point in our lives, we all need it.
DeleteYou also blog for an amazing reason. We should all write for the love of it.