I'm looking through Blogger and noticing the 'blogs of note'. Interesting blogs, certainly eye-catching, some profound. But I can't help wondering, why isn't my blog a "blog of note"? Like everyone else who writes a blog, I want everyone to read mine. I aspire to be a BON.
Is it because:
- I have no idea how to create a fabulous background and instead am using a template?
- I don't have a camera and rely on google images for pictures?
- I haven't imbedded any video from YouTube?
- I'm not interested in pop culture?
- Instead I'm interested in: dependency, depression, death, data?
- I don't demonstrate external consistency?
- I appear to lack a sense of humor?
- I haven't transcended the divide between what I need to say, and what can be heard?
- Few want to hear what I have to say?
- I've inflated the importance of what I have to say?
- I've inflated the importance of being noticed?
- I'm too depressing?
- I'm just full of shit?
So what do you have to do around these parts, to get the old BON nod? Anyone know?
# I have no idea how to create a fabulous background and instead am using a template?
ReplyDelete-Unlikely
# I don't have a camera and rely on google images for pictures?
-Nope, most people use Google or Flickr, very few original photo takers unless that is the focus (ha!) of their blog)
# I haven't imbedded any video from YouTube?
-Gets more attention but not worthy of blog of note.
# I'm not interested in pop culture?
-nah, most blogs are niche anyway
# Instead I'm interested in: dependency, depression, death, data?
-Could be.
# I don't demonstrate external consistency?
-?You mean frequent posting. THis is likely the reason blogs with good writing don't get noticed. Telling everyone about a great blog that may not have a post again for two months, isn't gonna give anyone any credibility for recommendations.
# I appear to lack a sense of humor?
-Nah. It comes through in the writing.
# I haven't transcended the divide between what I need to say, and what can be heard?
-Prolly not.
# Few want to hear what I have to say?
-Their is an audience for every voice.
# I've inflated the importance of what I have to say?
- This may be an illness all bloggers have, but it at least gives us the confidence to put our stuff out there.
# I've inflated the importance of being noticed?
- Lots of passive readers is pretty common. How much do you comment on every other blog you read?
# I'm too depressing?
- Nope, Misery loves company.
# I'm just full of shit?
- I hope not. If you are I know some medicines you should take.
Hope that helps. Keep writing, even if it a weekly frequency, and it doesn't always have to be high quality. When you set to high a standard you never come back to write. It is kind of like exercise. If you limit yourself to exercising when you know you are going to get an intense one hour workout, you may never workout and your bodies lives to reflect that. But several 20 minute workouts and hey good lookin!
Hope this inspires/cheers you.
Your 'blog' is one I check in on and reread often. You have a unique voice with something important to say. Whether it's about driving through the corn fields or assisting a patient to the end, your writing is never boring. In fact it's inspiring, just about always. All the tech stuff, color, bells and whistles and music can come later if you wish. There's no hurry, take your time, build up slowly and see where you are next year at this time. Since you must compare your blog to others I'm glad you're joking about it, you make me laugh too! Scar
ReplyDeleteYou are my Blog of Note, Noted Blog, Best Blog, most inspiring blog, the blog with the bloggest. Please keep on writing. :-}
ReplyDeletemir
Hey Risa,
ReplyDeleteI’ve written before – mainly before your Westward Journey (I put that in caps as it seems as if it was a very significant milestone in your recent life).
I had an active blog for about a year and a half, and like yours, the intent was serious as opposed to happy, newsy and entertaining. I too utilized a standard Blogger layout and rather than post often, only wrote when I had something specific to say.
That said, in answer to your question, here are my thoughts as to why the world is not beating a pathway to your door (or portal). I'll just add my two cents worth to the other comments you have received:
Yup, people notice catchy backgrounds and bright graphics. It’s sort of “advertising 101”.
In order to be picked up by Bloggers algorithms, you need to post regularly – if you keep hitting the “Next Blog” button on the top of the blogger page, you will note you almost always connect to blogs that have just been posted.
A clever and graphic title certainly helps.
Naming each entry with titles or tag lines that contain frequent Google searches will guide readers to your blog. Probably “Ignored and Undesirable” will get more hits than “Blogs of Note”.
Frequenting other peoples blogs and leaving comments also adds to your hit count (and will make you more likely to be a BON girl – sorry, I couldn’t resist). Also, if you offer to “link” to their blog, and they reciprocate, that also increases traffic and moves you higher on the Blogger Hit Parade.
There are also a variety of sites, many free, that will increase your virtual presence in the world of pixel liaisons.
FYI, I continue to enjoy reading about your journey, and I take satisfaction in the new meaning and direction your life has taken since leaving your old haunts.
See, you do have at least a couple of faithful readers! Bob
Your commenters are right. I have been blogging for almost three years now and I have never been a BON. My faithful readers don't care and I don't either. I would rather have comments from those who actually take the time to do so. It's kind of like fan mail!
ReplyDeleteGood reading your post
ReplyDelete