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JenG Feeling a bit defeated tonight. I was just reading about the Blogging Bootcamp at Write to Done, and the testimonials that discuss how to increase readership. I was feeling pretty happy my views had gone up to around 30/day recently, but after reading the Word to Done site, it just seems so puny! How do you deal with the "I'm not worthy" issues that come with beginning blogging?

99 weeks ago from Brazen Bloggers

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Cameron Plommer: Dude, I feel you. But blogging is a long-term thing, sometimes very long-term in the way of consistent readership. I think what you have to do ...MoreDude, I feel you. But blogging is a long-term thing, sometimes very long-term in the way of consistent readership. I think what you have to do is to really figure out why you are blogging. Is it really to have a bunch of readers? Or is it to become a better writer, communicator, a place to hash out your thoughts, a place to express yourself. For me its the latter.
99 weeks ago

Jessica Schanberg: Jen, I'm sorry that you're feeling kind of down about your blog's views. I get that way sometimes, but I am grateful for all of the readers that I ...MoreJen, I'm sorry that you're feeling kind of down about your blog's views. I get that way sometimes, but I am grateful for all of the readers that I get and it isn't a competition. Plus, my friend, if it's any compilation, I've read your blog and you're a great writer. Believe it!
99 weeks ago

Andrea V. Lewis: Keep your head up Jen. It's sorta like survival of the fittest. The longer you blog the more readers u will inevitably garner. Focus more on ...MoreKeep your head up Jen. It's sorta like survival of the fittest. The longer you blog the more readers u will inevitably garner. Focus more on content, less on #s and the blogosphere will work itself out. I promise!
99 weeks ago

paulmacp: You also have to ask yourself how much time have you spent promoting your site?

Commenting on similar blogs to yours? But not "nice" comments, ...MoreYou also have to ask yourself how much time have you spent promoting your site?

Commenting on similar blogs to yours? But not "nice" comments, provocative, value added comments... that leave someone asking, what else does this person have to say?

If you don’t make a person curios they are not going to click back to your blog.

Headlines (to your post) are also key, people read content, but share headlines. If your headlines won’t win a person cool points with their (not your) target audience, they tend not to share. Twitter, and email are how most people share things… no content. Just a link with your headline.

I have been blogging on my paulmacp.com now for 2 weeks…. And I may have started promoting it a little early, there still is not enough compelling content on the site to make people stick around. I am a few weeks away from that point myself. I only have 13 posts, you have 15. You also have picked a topic area where it’s difficult to stand out and create a niche that sets you apart.

My niche is personal branding using social media for gen-x. The key is gen-x not gen-y. Most blogs in this space are written for and by gen-y. I go to gen-y blogs and well say things (in the comments) that make the other gen-x readers on their blog hopefully take a swing by mine (I have only picked on two blogs so far and picked up 24 RSS subscribers in 3 days). If gen-y types do swing by I won’t kick them off my blog, but they are not who I am talking to.

Why am I telling you this… it’s because when I read your blog, I did not see how you are setting yourself apart. You where not telling me story about you and how your post’s represented how you where finding happiness through the experiences you where talking about.

Your lead post on chicken soup for the cubicle put no skin in the game.
--
If you lead your piece with more of a personal investment like: I am went to a course the other day and left it feeling like crap. We had this exercise where I had to draw a pie chart that depicted the balance in their life between work, family, and community. I made a slim slice for community because I was too embarrassed to leave it out entirely. I left feeling selfish for not devoting more time to my community… then I talked to a friend.. and he made me feel better…. If you’re like me, you need to sometimes take a step back and not judge yourself so narrowly or to someone else’s yard stick.

Your blog is about being happy, but your posts should start sad, angry, grouchy and talk about how you went from bad back to good and happy. Now that is something I can learn from. Just my 2 cents, I reserve the right to be wrong, but people read blogs to connect with the writer on a personal level, to be educated or entertained. You have about 3 seconds to accomplish this before they click away.

I think I read somewhere that 60% of all blogs go silent within 90ty days of launch. The blogger gives up. Probably feeling what you’re feeling. If you start a blog your making a commitment to put at least part of yourself out there. So I suggest, putting a little more out there. The more you invest, the more you will get out of it.

99 weeks ago

Ty Unglebower: I would disregard all of the articles and advice you have come across, actually. Including that from this site. All of the articles are going to ...MoreI would disregard all of the articles and advice you have come across, actually. Including that from this site. All of the articles are going to come down to the same thing, (and after blogging for 6 years I can assure you of that.) That singular thing is basically to understand what makes people with insect like attention spans want, and remake everything about the way you write, respond and blog, and even think into something that will catch the attention of many bugs over time.

The reason you should ignore this is that it doesn't prove anything. 30 views a day is plenty to be proud of, because you did it, and it made you feel good. There is a lot of hype out there about marketing, personal branding, finding the flash, and any number of rather trendy ways of putting it, but it all comes down to whether or not you want to be yourself when you write. If you are, that will be all that you need.

When people come to your site and feel you have not "given them enough incentive" to come back, you don't want them back. Your passionate content will speak. Articles on MSN don't know that. But I do, and trust me, just blogging what you know, in the way that makes you feel good about what you have accomplished is far more satisfying.

To sum up, consider this; You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.But you can catch even more flies with a pile of shit. So maybe it's time people stop trying to catch flies, and start doing thing their own way.

You'll do fine. I'll come by your blog soon.
99 weeks ago

Mehul Kar: stick it to the man Jen. The only reason I'm still blogging is because it's another monster to conquer.
And you already know this, but don't do ...Morestick it to the man Jen. The only reason I'm still blogging is because it's another monster to conquer.
And you already know this, but don't do it for the views. Do it to define your character.
99 weeks ago

Isao Kato: Name three readers who told you they liked your blog or a particular post. They are what fuels your passion and writing habit, not numbers. Well, ...MoreName three readers who told you they liked your blog or a particular post. They are what fuels your passion and writing habit, not numbers. Well, that's what I do when I fall into the same trap, which happens almost every time I write.
99 weeks ago

Ty Unglebower: Actually I should clarify one thing...I didn't mean disregard every single thing said on here. Just people who seem less worried about content and ...MoreActually I should clarify one thing...I didn't mean disregard every single thing said on here. Just people who seem less worried about content and more worried about the numbers and such. The traditional, "How To" look of things is what I tend to reject in most cases. Most people in this thread, however, have made a lot of sense.
99 weeks ago

Neeraj Bhushan: Blog about this also. Blogging is all about the state of mind - good or bad. Blogging is all about what you see, what you feel, what you wanna ...MoreBlog about this also. Blogging is all about the state of mind - good or bad. Blogging is all about what you see, what you feel, what you wanna say. Just say it. And see the magic. Best.
99 weeks ago

Melissa Breau: 30 a day is significant! Especially if it continues to go up.
99 weeks ago

JenG: Thank you guys SO much. As my mother always used to tell me, a good night's rest cures a lot! I started this blog because I wanted a ...MoreThank you guys SO much. As my mother always used to tell me, a good night's rest cures a lot! I started this blog because I wanted a non-threatening way to explore writing non-fiction. I've been a poet for almost 20 years--this is a big change for me! So you're right, the writing is much more important to me than the marketing. That said, Paul, you made some good points about simple things I could do to increase value for my readers. I appreciate that.

Thanks to those of you who stopped by and left a comment. I really appreciate the support I've gotten here!!

Jen
99 weeks ago

Eric S. Mueller: 30 views a day? You have lots of traffic compared to what I tend to get.

Like others said, it's important to remind yourself of why you're ...More30 views a day? You have lots of traffic compared to what I tend to get.

Like others said, it's important to remind yourself of why you're blogging in the first place. Though I'd love to get lots of readership (and some income) from my blog, I'm not yet willing to do the work to figure out which niche I fit in and write toward it. I've been blogging 5 years, and it gives me a chance to hone my writing skills. I write what I want to when I want to write it. My readership reflects that. It gets discouraging though. I can't even get my family to read my blog.
99 weeks ago

Jeffrey Hulten: Remember that any single number in business is less important to the change in that number over time. Experiment, measure, revise and repeat. Try ...MoreRemember that any single number in business is less important to the change in that number over time. Experiment, measure, revise and repeat. Try new things, find blog aggregators that cover the subjects you write about.

One of my most view posts is about my daily routine. I posted a link to it on 43things.com and I get a far amount of traffic as a result.

But most of all, keep writing!
99 weeks ago

JenG: Jeff,
I'm still learning so much about blogging. For example, I don't know how to get my work in blog aggregators. I actually subscribe to a ...MoreJeff,
I'm still learning so much about blogging. For example, I don't know how to get my work in blog aggregators. I actually subscribe to a few, but it's still a mystery to me how they select their posts. Any help is much appreciated!
99 weeks ago

Mehul Kar: Blog aggregators? Do you mean RSS? If you're on wordpress, they have RSS widgets that you can add to the blog.
99 weeks ago

JenG: No, I mean blogs that use posts taken from other blogs. 3quarksdaily is an example.
99 weeks ago

Annabel Candy: I think they just pick up on you. I asked alltop to add me. A few have done it spontaneously. It's just about time and getting your name out ...MoreI think they just pick up on you. I asked alltop to add me. A few have done it spontaneously. It's just about time and getting your name out there. We all get down about our blogs from time to time. My hubby calls my stats graph my mood indicator:) Don't let it be. There will be ups and downs and periods of no change. Keep at it and keep honing your writing. I think guest posts are the only way to go and that's my top tip! Go sister:)
99 weeks ago

Jeffrey Hulten: There are (at least in software development) some aggros that allow you to register your RSS feed and they pick up on your posts as you make them ...MoreThere are (at least in software development) some aggros that allow you to register your RSS feed and they pick up on your posts as you make them (ie. http://javablogs.com/) Others will allow you to submit your feed after you have some content for them to review (to limit spam).
99 weeks ago

JenG: Annabel: Yes, you are right on the guest posts. I realize I can't really do that until I leave my job. Barely enough time to keep up my own blog ...MoreAnnabel: Yes, you are right on the guest posts. I realize I can't really do that until I leave my job. Barely enough time to keep up my own blog at the moment. But it won't be long until I have more time to write (new life starts in July!). Just have to be patient.

Jeff- Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking of. Not sure if there are happiness aggros, but I'll have to look around. Thanks for bringing up that idea--it's a good one!
99 weeks ago

Mehul Kar: Jen, Seth Godin's post this morning pertained to this conversation, so I thought I'd share it. Seth Godin opens my eyes every day:
MoreJen, Seth Godin's post this morning pertained to this conversation, so I thought I'd share it. Seth Godin opens my eyes every day:
http://bit.ly/aDluyL

I hope you read the whole thing!
99 weeks ago

kathleen fasanella: I cannot figure out how to get white space in this post! What is the deal? I've deleted my comment three times because it's one long wall of text! ...MoreI cannot figure out how to get white space in this post! What is the deal? I've deleted my comment three times because it's one long wall of text!

I don't remember who it was who said (paraphrased) "you'd worry less about what others think of you if you knew how little they did" iow, it's not all about you. The investment isn't the same on both sides. You're investing, putting yourself out there, exposure, fear, all that stuff. But people come along and it's all passive, they have no investment in it.

I read a few entries on your blog. It's well written but it doesn't resonate with me, something is missing. Someone else said you had "no skin in the game". How you go about doing that, I don't know. You're too careful, too pleasing, too consumed with offending or alienating a chance reader? I don't know.

I didn't get a feel for your blog's purpose but the thing that struck me was, I'd like to know more about what you do, I'm interested in your job, that which you're permitted to write about it. Then here in comments you wrote "a non-threatening way to explore writing non-fiction", well do that. But what genre? At this point, your blog is almost too personal; it's about exploring and analyzing your own growth process. That will only resonate with people who are on the same path you are and who happen to find you. What kind of non-fiction do you want to write? If it's personal development that's okay. The problem is the conflict of expectations. You're saying to others "this is my journey" but who are you? Why should they care? People want to know what's in it for them (gimme gimme gimme). Blogging is like that, you're the one doing all the heavy lifting and people consume it mostly passively.

I think you're tampering down your passion. Passion is a strong emotion, it can scare you/us. Exposing your passion is an opening of the robe. It is at that juncture you can most set yourself up for rejection. The latter is painful, criticism is painful. Whoever says it doesn't hurt is a sociopath but you can learn from it. You have to make a choice. If you believe your good press, you must also believe your bad; there's a whit of truth in both.

In many ways, I'm the opposite from you. I had *ZERO* desire to write non-fiction but the situation was such (imo) that something needed to be said and done in my industry; it was a critical juncture and nobody was stepping up to the plate. Because I had passion in SPADES and profoundly love my industry, I did it forever changing my life. I've been writing full time now for 12 years, formerly a single mom supporting myself and a disabled kid with no child support. I would much prefer to get back to what I had been doing, writing isn't what I wanted or envisioned for my life so there is an undeniable element of resentment in my writing. I have/had something to say so I did but *writing was never the ends but the means*. And I'm coming from a lot farther back in the pack than you are. I mean, I never even finished high school or had any writing training or experience but I had the audacity to tell Ph.Ds and C-levels just how screwed up their operations were and how to fix it. Believe me, I could write reams about diffidence and exposure -but I never have.

Don't ask for permission, write about your passion Jen.
99 weeks ago

Mehul Kar: Kathleen, (1) I read your post 4 times, because I was emailed it for times, and I loved it every time.
(2) I had the same problem w/ the white ...MoreKathleen, (1) I read your post 4 times, because I was emailed it for times, and I loved it every time.
(2) I had the same problem w/ the white space. when you post the comment, it puts everything together, but the white space comes back later.
99 weeks ago

kathleen fasanella: Ugh, many apologies to all for my errant redundancy. Thanks for the clarification Mehul.
99 weeks ago

JenG: Mehul- THANKS for the Seth article. I do subscribe to his blog, but hadn't read that one yet. Perfect!!

Kathleen- Thanks for taking the time to ...MoreMehul- THANKS for the Seth article. I do subscribe to his blog, but hadn't read that one yet. Perfect!!

Kathleen- Thanks for taking the time to look the blog over and give me some constructive criticism. I'm still finding my way for sure. It's likely too early to be worried about readers because the topic of the blog and how I write about it is clearly evolving.

Speaking of which, I have to go write a post. But truly, thanks for all the great feedback I've gotten here. What a caring group!
99 weeks ago

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