Blog for awhile (say, ten years, for example!) and you’ll start to notice some overall trends and truths that generally seem to apply to life in the blogosphere. Just for fun, I’ve gathered several of the observations I’ve made about my own experiences as a blogger – both the joys and the frustrations – and thought I’d share them with you.
What can you add to the list?
Random observations on life in the blogosphere
- Every real (i.e., non-spammy) comment on a blog post is gold. Receiving one is like being handed a small, perfectly-wrapped gift… and it never, never gets old!
- Inspiration for a new post usually strikes at the most inconvenient time possible. (For me, it’s most often while I’m in the shower, driving, or just as I’m about to fall asleep. Figures!)
- The very time you have the time to actually write a really good post turns out to be the very time no one seems to have the time to read your blog.
- Your biggest sources of support often come from the most unexpected places and people.
- People you thought would become avid readers turn out to be not particularly interested or engaged.
- Self-promotion is HARD. It feels phony and contrived and you always wonder and worry about how much you might be irritating your friends and family.
- Weekends (at least in my blog world) seem to be a black hole where hardly anyone writes and even fewer people read blogs. Save your best or favourite posts for early in the week!
- The posts you felt you threw together often garner a bigger or better response than something into which you poured your heart and soul.
- Spammers are getting really good! When it comes to blog comments, it can be a real challenge to differentiate between what’s legitimate and what’s spam.
- Obsessively refreshing your statcounter or repeatedly checking for new subscribers will NOT, surprisingly, bring visitors to your blog. (Go figure!)
- There will always be someone doing it better than you.
- There will always be someone doing it worse than you.
- Your voice is your own. Comparison with others is more often dangerous than helpful.
- Do it first and foremost for your own satisfaction. Everything else – comments, page views, subscribers – is gravy.
So, what have YOU observed about life in the blogosphere?
Please share!
The spam! It’s so true. I get some spam comments that are so inadvertently funny that I almost want to publish them.
So far, I’ve resisted.
beckycochrane recently posted… Photo Friday, No. 381
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 8, 2014
I’ve often been tempted to do a roundup post that includes all the most funny/creative spam comments I’ve received that month. I might still do it! 😉
Laurel Regan recently posted… How do you answer the hometown question?
Um, first random observation thing that popped in my head is there is something satisfying to me about having my blog exist even though I rarely write anything for it anymore. It just feels cool that it is there if I want to pursue it but is happy to sit doing nothing if I don’t.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 8, 2014
That is cool! Very nice to know it’s there. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… How do you answer the hometown question?
Twitter: zombiekstoners
February 7, 2014
Spam still sounds weird. There are always grammar and syntax errors, and the content is always really specific. On my pilates blog they can “fit” better, but on the zombie book blog the spam comments are always irrelevant.
Prof. B.T. Mienoré recently posted… What Type of Stoner Are You?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 8, 2014
Some of them are so incredibly bizarre and hilarious!
Laurel Regan recently posted… How do you answer the hometown question?
Twitter: lyndalippin
February 7, 2014
I have noticed the same thing about weekends. Even on the blog challenge groups there is suddenly a lack of comments. Always seems strange to me, because I write more on the weekends.
Lynda Lippin recently posted… Pilates Kneeling Side Kicks
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 8, 2014
Same here – I have more time (especially in the winter) to write on weekends.
Laurel Regan recently posted… How do you answer the hometown question?
Twitter: SensualSierra
February 7, 2014
You are so right! If you are blogging on the weekends, it really does feel like a black hole! Spamming, I giggle at the name, makes me think of that canned stuff lol. As well, spammers are always evolving and changing, its like we get one step ahead and then they figure it out lol!
Great post!
Sierra recently posted… National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 8, 2014
At least the spammers can be amusing at times!
Laurel Regan recently posted… How do you answer the hometown question?
Twitter: lieslgarner
February 8, 2014
So true! I wish it was easier to develop an audience just by writing. Just write, and the readers will appear. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Liesl Garner recently posted… The World at our Fingertips and the Challenge of Brevity
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 8, 2014
Oh, that would be the best!
Laurel Regan recently posted… How do you answer the hometown question?
I wish I could add to your list but you’ve not only named everything I’ve noticed but you’ve added a few I hadn’t thought about. Congrats on your 10th year! This is my 5th.
Sabrina recently posted… A Little Closer to Done
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 10, 2014
Thanks, Sabrina, and congrats on your 5th! 🙂
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