Please allow me to be a rebel and break some rules, y’all. I need to blog about blogging. Specifically this blog. Because writing commentary about anyone else’s would be in bad taste.
Basically, I need to say that this is hard.
Sometimes, really hard.
Before going to BlogHer last year, I thought I was on the verge of something big. Huge. I didn’t know what that something was, but I felt it. I knew that greatness was out there, waiting for me. I was incredibly hopeful for the “next step.” Whatever that next step was supposed to be.
And then I found out I was Surprise Pregnant and got all locked up inside my own mind for a time and weeks would go by before I’d open the dashboard and sit down to clickety-clack on my keyboard and talk to y’all. All of my hope was…gone? Dormant? Buried under a metric ton of FREAKING THE FREAK OUT.
This year, I went to BlogHer with virtually no expectations for my blog. I really went to see my people and New York City and if I learned a thing or two, cool. And now I’ve been home for almost a month and what I realized I learned is that I want to take this seriously. And I want to be taken seriously.
The trouble is I don’t know how and I’m finding out that there’s a whole lot I don’t know about this blogging thing that I thought I knew. But beyond that, I want this place to grow and I don’t know how to make that happen.
I want people to read what I have to write here on this blog of mine.
It feels…wrong…somehow to admit that, but I have a desire to have people read my words. But I do.
But I don’t want people–my community–y’all–to think I’ve somehow sold myself out to grow in this space. But I feel like I need to grow. I need to challenge myself to be better. To see what I can be.
I want to tell stories here. I want to get up on my soap box here. I want to use my voice for good here.
I want to share my life here.
And the word “share” means that there are two (or more) parties involved. If I’m sharing, someone’s receiving, right?
Here I am. Where are you?
I want to grow this blog without losing my readers. Is that even possible?
A blog about blogging, part two
Thursday 30th of August 2012
[...] Miranda on August 30, 2012 I blogged about blogging and y’all didn’t run away! [...]
Kristi
Thursday 30th of August 2012
Here is my take... I read a lot more blogs. Meaning, I blog too but most the people I read don't even know I have a blog or take the time to comment. I don't post all the time. And I don't read very many blogs when the author posts every day. I just get tired of reading and find them repeating things and posting about things people have already discussed. The people I read the most, the ones I crave to read, are relevant, inspiring, real and most days leave me smiling, crying or laughing at my screen. I think the balance is hard...How do you grow your blog but stay true to who you are as a writer without fear of people not liking what they read? For me, time is the deciding factor...so I write when I can and I hope to be better. But for you, I say go for it. Challenge yourself to be great and see who comes along for the ride!
Jenn
Thursday 30th of August 2012
It's a fine line, for sure. I quit blogging a loooong time ago, but I can speak as a blog reader. I am the reason it's such a fine line. I enjoy a blog with lots of content, quality content. I love reading along as blogs grow and my favorite voices are gaining more of a following...and then there always seems to be that point. The point that I feel like it's pointless to comment, because my thoughts would just get lost, the point when I feel like posts start to be more and more about giveaways (and I love a good giveaway, but not ALL the time!) and promoting products instead of about writing, entertaining, and informing. Eventually, as a reader, I start to feel like nobody would notice if I stopped reading. There's no point to entering any contests at that point, either, because millions of people are competing. Once blogs don't feel "homey" to me anymore, I stop reading them. There is most definitely such a thing as TOO big. The goal should not be to grow things in any way possible. The goal should be to grow the right way. Very, very fine line.
Miranda
Thursday 30th of August 2012
That's the thing. I always want to provide relevant, real content. But I don't want to get to THAT point. I don't want my readers to feel that they don't matter. Because they DO matter.
But that "right way to grow" thing is hard.
Lenore
Wednesday 29th of August 2012
Honestly, I've assumed since I started reading/following you that you were already doing fantastically in the blogging world. I am in a similar position, although on a larger (smaller?) scale because I am seriously behind you. This is the third time I've started my blog over again because I just haven't known what I wanted to write about. Now, I've decided to quit trying to pigeonhole myself and just....write what I want to write about. In exchange, though, I do want readers, as you do. And you are right, the comments are like crack...I just keep wanting more, and they motivate me to continue posting.
But enough about me. You write with an actual voice, and I think that is so, so important in the blogging world. Your personality comes out in your words, and it can be seen even after reading just one or two posts, which has to have huge value in drawing people in.
As far as selling out goes....if you have the readers already, they'll stick with you as long as you keep writing about what you love, even if some of those posts are about sponsors. I feel like you're only selling out when you start blogging for anyone that'll sponsor you or trying to use your blog solely to get free stuff. That isn't to say that making a living from your blog isn't awesome, though...I'm insanely jealous of those that do that!
I'm rambling now. The end!
Miranda
Thursday 30th of August 2012
I don't think I'm doing terribly, but I always wonder if I could be doing better, you know?
I'm glad people can hear my voice and know my words are my words. That's actually quite reassuring. I want to sound like Miranda and not like Miranda-trying-to-sound-like-someone-else.
Delfin Joaquin Paris III
Wednesday 29th of August 2012
I used to fret about readership - total waste of time.
The problem isn't will my readers stay. Either they will or won't. You have NO control over that (pageviews, comments, etc).
Now, if you need more readers it's very simple. Get in front of more eyeballs. Your tribe will find you. My traffic exploded after I realized I just needed to get in front of more people who like funny memoir-style stories.
And clearly with 16 comments thus far on this post, you're doing GREAT. So ease up on yourself! This is a marathon, NOT a sprint.
Miranda
Wednesday 29th of August 2012
True, true. You make good points. I can't will people to read and get them to stay here. But it's the getting in front of more eyeballs that I'm struggling with, I think. Short of being all "HELLO WORLD! LOOK AT ME" I'm just not sure how to go about getting the views. And that's where I'm stumped.
But yes, marathon. Not sprint. However, I'm no runner so the metaphor is more like "7 course meal, not hot dog eating competition."