Today I thought I would do a post without pictures. I know that pictures are always nice to accompany a post but today's post doesn't require photo's.
OK, so here goes some randomness. First off, I wanted to address something that has bothered me for awhile now about blogging; why do some people get so caught up in numbers?
How many people follow me? How many people comment on my posts? How many people a day visit my blog? Where do they visit from? and on and on.
I must confess that I had kind of gotten sucked into such thinking. I would join up with all kinds of linky parties trying to get more people to come to my blog, and it did bring followers my way {which I do appreciate by the way} but I had to stop and really think about my motives. Does having a huge number of people following me define who I am? I guess it could but that is not why I blog. To be honest with you only about a dozen or so of my 'followers' ever leave comments. I even have a few who comment on almost every post and I know they are genuinely interested in what I do and I love them for that. I blog because it is a creative outlet and I have met some pretty terrific women {Beverly, Miss Sissy, Jane, Momza and my daughters bloggy friend Amy) out in blogland that I wouldn't have even known otherwise.
Another terrific reason to blog is to be inspired by someone else, whether it be their stories, beautiful photography or great craft projects. So when it all comes down to it, I blog to share projects I have been working on and I follow blogs that inspire me.
I would love to hear what your thoughts are on blogging.
So, why do you blog?
11 comments:
I hear you. I really got caught up in my numbers to the point where it was out of hand. Now, I join the parties I have time for and the ones I want to. I don't feel the need to grow and grow. If people like what I'm doing, it'll just happen.
It is a little different for me because my blog is an extension of my business, but it still needs to be balanced. Good post.
I love to craft, bake and create...I enjoy blogging because it gives me a way to share what I do with others so they might try it or do something even better...I also love to be inspired by other blogs and enjoy seeing something that causes me to say "Wow what a neat idea, or thought, or comment". I guess I do it for the sharing...
I blog for some of the same reasons you do--it keep sme sane...and also because I am losing my memory and one day I won't remember anything. I mostly write so my kids can remember me too. A mushy reason, but the truth. I've had MRI's and catscans to see what's goin on and they haven't found anything YET...so this is my way of capturing my life and preserving it for my kids, aside from my personal journal. I am ALWAYS amazed that someone thinks enough of my randomness, that they "follow" it! lol And you, dear sister, are a fun blogger--love your crafts! Carry ON!!
Connie,
Maria and I briefly spoke of this the other day. I get lots of hits, but few say a peep. If I blogged worrying about the numbers, I would have quit a long time ago. For me it's a hobby. It also holds me accountable. I tend not to let a project sit, if I want to share it with others. I just love sharing with others,and I feel we can learn so much from each other, and see so many beautiful things we would have otherwise never known.
I appreciate this post thank you! I started a blog when I got married because I wanted to remember all those fun, first year, first time events in our lives together and I'm not very good at keeping a journal. I started my craft blog because it's a hobby for me and I got into crafting because I saw a fellow blogger's page and they inspired me, made me believe that I could do it (since I NEVER believed I was crafty, and still don't most days:) I do it to show my friends and family what I have been up to, see others ideas and share the fun of it:) I have learned countless things from doing this and I guess hoped I might be able to help someone else feel/accomplish the same.
I started blogging because we are Military and this was a way to keep family and friends up to date with our life. It was easier to post pictures and stories in one place for everyone to see and if they wanted a picture they could download it from there. Plus it is a place for me to keep up with our story.
I got caught up in the wanting to be a popular blogger for a few minutes. But, in the end I am just little ol' me. I am a simple Southern girl that loves God, her family, my friends, animals, my home, college football, baseball and life!
I am honored that you mentioned my name. I have loved your blog from my first visit. My only wish would be that we lived closer. You are so warm and inviting, I would love to craft and chat with you.
Now I am back to blogging for me, friends and family. I love comments. I also know there are many family members and friends that have never commented, that is okay. I do hear from them and they tell me how much they love looking at my blog. So... I will continue on with my little corner of the world. I thank God for the friends it has brought me.... and you Connie, are definitely a dear, sweet friend.
Hugs,
Sissy
This is a great post. I read it the other day and have thought about it a lot since. When I first starting blogging, it was just a fun thing to do. I work from home and don't see many people during the week and a blog seemed like a good outlet. Then I discovered other blogs. Especially those decorating ones. The ones with hundreds--if not thousands--of followers. And I had maybe ten. I also made the mistake of putting one of those map widgets on the sidebar. I could see that I was getting lots of hits, but few comments and fewer followers. It really played heck with my self esteem.
So I removed the map. And I've decided to just be me. Sometimes funny, sometimes blue, sometimes crafty.
Your blog is one of my favorites. When I see in my reader that you have a new post, I have to smile and check it out first thing. I just don't always comment. But I'm going to change that, too and start commenting more.
You just keep doing what you're doing. I'll be here!
I try not to get too caught up with the numbers, but sometimes it's hard. ;)
I really do like it when people leave comments though, because I love getting to know my readers a little better.
I do it simply for the numbers. I am as shallow as a puddle! (can you hear the sarcasm in my typing?) :)
I started it as a way to stay sane and because it seemed like fun...it still is! I've only been blogging less than a month, but I want to build up followers to bring them into my Etsy shop, but I don't want to get caught up in the insanity of counting because I would so go overboard! I do wish more people would leave comments though.
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