After almost five years of blogging every week I feel like I have blogged about everything I know.
Then something new happens (like a serial sperm squirter).
Sometimes it isn’t quite new but different from what happened before.
I recently wrote a post (Pulitzer Prize winning of course). After I finished it I had this nagging feeling of familiarity (the same feeling I get when a purchase a book I already have). I know what that means.
Using the search feature on my own blog, I found that I had written about it before. It was different but the same if that makes any sense.
Sometimes there is a new slant or perspective. Sometimes it’s too similar and I delete or revise it. Many times I lose interest and have a beer. Then the cycle starts again.
I try to keep post-it notes with ideas or thoughts. When I read them I have no idea what I meant. Currently I am using complete sentences instead of a word. It’s only slightly more successful.
Here is some advice for other bloggers. Don’t get caught up in the statistics. Readership depends on many things. Start with quality writing. Don’t write crap so you can post every day. You lose readers.
Statistics are reflective of your niche. If you are eclectic (or eccentric like me), people are never sure what you will post. Every day will be a disappointment to some readers and a joy to others. (Seriously, there are people who don’t enjoy my adorable cat photos. So hard to believe.)
Views don’t always equate to readers either. You can use intriguing tags to draw the more questionable readers to your site. Using a tag like “sex toys” may attract but you better deliver!
Right now if your blog posts (in the US) includes politics with a pinch of satire, you are enjoying sky-high numbers. What’s not to love about our presidential race from a comedy standpoint?
Statistics never make sense. I get the most clicks on the inane. Despite the adorable pictures I post, my biggest clicks are the photos of toe cleavage, frog laying on back and an airplane clip art.
(Morgan, the cat, is seriously annoyed about this. She doesn’t like playing second fiddle to a stupid frog and wants to know why I would ever post toe cleavage. Whaaat?)
While writing this post, I got three new ideas. Two flew out of my head as soon as they landed. (My brain is a practice area where ideas land and immediately take off.) The third is represented by a two-word post-it. I better put a whole paragraph there before I forget.
Now what was I going to do?
I am definitely with Morgan on the toe cleavage thing and Roxie wants more cat photos. It’s almost my first year anniversary a s a blogger and I usually post every week. I never know what I’m going to write about until the weekend arrives. But I have to say, five years has me in awe.I was going to say something about your memory issues, but I’ve forgotten what it is. Now on to another of your posts. I have five years of them to catch up on.
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Roxie and Morgan…..bad company for sure! Most of the time I don’t know what I’m going to write about even when I’ve finished the first sentence (which often gets trashed).
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I’ve actually written 2 posts that I ended up keeping private because they’d make better short stories than posts. I’ve trashed only 1 post so far. I really wonder if I have what it takes to post for five years, though??
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Only time will tell. My plan wasn’t to blog forever. It was to establish a “business” following to get gigs after I retired. I trashed that idea before I pressed “publish” the first time. Almost all the bloggers I met then are gone. Too many bloggers try to blog daily or too often and it becomes too hard to sustain. I keep wondering when I’ll run dry but not enough to worry about it.
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I think if we don’t let our blogs run us and we run them, we could keep going for a long time. Your blog is very refreshing – like a spring breeze.
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I love your writing style. Very addictive.
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Like you, I’ve found that the freedom to write about anything and everything is great. I began the blog writing about my exploits as a newly published writer, and ended up writing about adventures and places we travel, about Roxie D, and of course, musing on paper. The musing has set off some great discussions and has helped me immensely in staying open-minded and listening to other opinions. Your blog is also addictive and makes me smile whenever I read a post. Your comments are a hoot, too.
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This was a funny post! On the flip side, I hate those kinds of shoes. XD
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I can’t wear them anymore. That pair looks painful.
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Yeah, it does. >.<
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Well I try not to write about the same things all the time. But if I do, I try my best to make them weird and unusual. I think beer always helps, though, no matter what. And I won’t say I’ve lost interest in stats, and views, but I peek occasionally—but Debra alluded to it being all a bit confusing, and I agree. Toe cleavage photos, huh? Hmmm. Well a woman’s toes can be very sexy, but I doubt my wife will let me photograph her feet in heels—and guys, women don’t think their feet are sexy. But, who am I to argue with success. By the way, Kate, I like your new photo. :O)
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“Many times I lose interest and have a beer.” I love that line, Kate. You do make me laugh! I couldn’t agree more about statistics and all that goes with being too focused on creating readership. I rarely even check my stats any more, but when I do, they are hard to understand. I have never really understood the tally of “views.” I think the main thing is to have some fun with it! 🙂
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There are bloggers who are very focused on stats. They post about them often. When I started I was happy to average 20 views a day (and most were people I knew). If you write, they will come as you have found out. You (and Woman in the Middle) make me want to move to California (except for that drought thing).
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Kate it is a fascinating world this blogging gig and I am amazed at how many posts you do. I read but don’t comment on all of them. But you do consistently entertain and crack me up. Morgan is gorgeous by the way.
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Morgan is a beautiful and very photogenic cat. Full of sass too.
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Five years of blogging is pretty impressive, Kate. Sometimes it’s difficult to come up with ideas but then a presidential election year like this one comes up and you find there are more possible ideas than your mind can handle. Until you realize that writing about it just depresses you even more. That’s why toe cleavage is so important to bloggers.😊
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You made me smile. I’m expecting penis articles to show up soon. Or was that a hand comment? Whatever!
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Lol
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Toe cleavage? Really? I like the cat photos.
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I could have made a fortune on the toe cleavage shot only it wasn’t mine. I never heard of it until I wrote a whiny blog about shoes.
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I am too lazy to bother looks at stats. But I suspect your point about cat pix is true, but then those people suck. Cats cats cats. That is the meaning of life.
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Exactly what I think. Cats, book and coffee. What else is there?
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We just had the handy man here to help hubby with my broken washing machine (they could not fix it), and he wanted to pet cats more than work haha. Who could blame him?
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I like your handyman. I don’t really trust people who don’t like animals.
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He’s great, and now he’s moving back to Wisconsin :(.
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I never pay any attention to my stats… I’m not even sure if I know how to look them up. You are so right about the struggle to come up with new ideas. I don’t think you need to worry about repeating topics. At least for those of us “at a certain age,” I’m not sure we’d remember. You always write with humor and just the right amount of snark so keep ’em coming!
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Thanks!
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Note to self: hold off on using the sex toys tags. Great advice from you. I definitely agree (and with the others who commented) about quality rather than quantity in publishing posts. I struggled with that at first, but have finally gotten into a groove that I’m comfortable with. And like you point out, most of the effort is coming up with a unique idea. Writing it isn’t as hard as thinking it up first!
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Once you have the idea it just flows. Sometimes it goes places you didn’t intend. Those are the fun rides.
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Love this post ~ such good advice. I don’t pay much attention to the stats, but the comments make it all worthwhile. And keep the cat stuff coming!
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I can’t help the cat stuff. They live here. They know my password.
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Of course they do. They’re not dumb!
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Kate you are not kidding about those ideas leaving as quick as they come. Just imagine how great we would be if they stayed?
I love your blog, photos and sarcasm every day! Write on!
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Thank you! I enjoy your posts too. They are real and snarky at the same time.
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Even if I don’t like WHAT you’re writing about (e.g., shopping for girlie stuff) . . . I like HOW you write. That keeps me coming back.
Keep on Snarkin’ !
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I know! Sometimes I am shocked to see you comment on one of my girlie posts. I picture you rolling your eyes saying, “God she’s on the hair/shoe thing again!” Thanks you!
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I would never roll my eyes at you. 🙄
And guess what? Next weekend I’m going bridal gown shopping with my niece! How’s that for a girlie day out???
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Very girlie indeed! It would be more girlie if you were trying on gowns too.
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Still get the most hits on my “worm on carpet” post about an earthworm who came in during a rainstorm. From this I have learned that a hole lot of people have worms in their carpet. Yuck!!!!
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Very weird indeed.
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That would be “whole” not “hole.” Weird indeed! I have never known anyone to have worms in their carpet. Even worse, it seems to be related to cats. I just don’t think about it and keep vacuuming.
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Maybe it’s a California thing?
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I can relate to a lot of this. But I wouldn’t worry about repeating yourself. Seems to me that no one goes back and reads older stuff of new blog friends, so why not revisit the classics for those of us who haven’t been around from the start? I personally would appreciate that!
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Thanks! I will consider that!
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Kate, the average blogger gives up within a year or two. If you are at five, that’s great. I know what you mean about brain-drain. Sometimes you can take a different approach to a topic you’ve already written about. Go back and read your own stuff and usually you will find something else to say.
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I’ve found that to be true. After the first year I lost many of my fellow bloggers (that translates into readers and followers too). There are only a few left from my early days.
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I don’t have a blog schedule…probably should, but schedules bore me and I rebel against them. Of course, I think cat pictures are wonderful.
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And I think Teddy and Jack are wonderful too.
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I love your take on blogging Kate! Last night I had an idea for the title of a photo. This morning the title flew away. Ideas for posts come and go as quickly as they arrive. Sometimes (most often) I think my life is too boring to write about. Maybe so. Maybe so. But even though I am not a cat person, I love reading about your kitty adventures.
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The best suggestion I’ve heard about ideas is to write it down as soon as it pops in your head on whatever is available, even if it is a dinner napkin or a grocery store receipt. I hate it when I have a good idea and it escapes.
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I really need a tape recorder hanging around me neck. Even then I would miss some.
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I have those same landing and take-off patterns with new ideas. Sometimes I can’t even get to a pen and paper before it’s gone.
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Hahaha! This is truly “me.” Great ideas come and go like “gone with the wind.”
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I need a recorder around my neck.
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I haven’t noticed repeats on your blog yet! Maybe if the marauding deer comes back this spring.
I guess that’s the nice thing about having a memoir blog — it’s mostly linear, and so it’s hard to tell the same story twice. Although sometimes I feel like I AM telling the same story: my in-laws are impossible and I want to throw things at them.
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Your in-laws are hilarious as long as they belong to you and not me.
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Morgan has the sweetest face. I always enjoy your cat pictures… and your sense of humor!
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Awww thanks!
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The picture of Morgan right outta the gate, made me smile. The perpetual wink. As far as repeating a theme, so what. It’s still fresh content. You continue to be prolific, and that’s what matters.
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PS Look at your fan base. Sure doesn’t seem as if anyone cares if you repeat yourself 🙂
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It works if the original was from the days when I had 5 followers but I like to be fresh even if it’s just a perspective. Morgan continues to be the model of the family. Hard to take a bad picture of her even with only one eye. Hazel however, is the challenge. Mollie, who was the former model, just looks grumpy on pictures these days. You know how models get all moody.
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Blogging is tough! Coming up with topics…if it’s something I found amusing it’s usually easy to write but then there are times I can’t come up with anything. I’ve learned to ignore stats, likes, and number of comments, because there seems to be no rhyme or reason to any of them. You get an impressive number of likes and comments. Mostly I keep blogging because my mom calls and yells at me if I don’t. And for the record, I love love love your cat posts and pics, and especially Morgan’s sweet little face!
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Thank God for your mother! I love your writing. You are an inspiration. You took a long break. I have found that readers have a shelf life of sorts so when you take a break some are gone when you come back. When people find your snarky posts, they will flock.
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Thanks for all the encouragement Kate. Non-bloggers don’t realize how difficult it is sometimes to just throw ourselves out there and hope for the best. Not for the faint of heart!
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Nope! You need a thick skin. I’ve started submitting my work for publication. Yikes! Talk about rejection! My Starbucks bill is getting steep from all the medicating.
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Oh yes. I have an entire spreadsheet tracking all the rejections I got for my book. Good times.
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Your book is great. It should be given out to any woman who gets a breast cancer diagnosis!
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Oh no! You found the end of the internet my friend? Perhaps you need some inspiration – like a pig snorting and sending you hogs and snout kisses? XOXO – Bacon
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You did not post about your camp experience. Hope you were loved and spoiled. Oh wait, that’s what happens at the Hotel Thompson too. PS: Morgan says pig kisses are sloppy!
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Snorts with piggy laughter. Mommy tells me the same thing about my slobbery smooches. Camp was fun. I kind of liked being in the barn and running with my fellow piggies. But then again do you know they don’t have television or a decent bed? The shame huh? XOXO – Bacon
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No TV! If the camp doesn’t say Hilton, don’t go!
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Amen to that my friend. And no room service – did I mention that? What kind of camp is that with NO room service? Don’t they know that a pig has needs. XOXO – Bacon
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Good photo of Morgan. You’re getting much sharper images!
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I was happy with this one. Morgan is so much easier to photograph than Hazel but I did a post on Hazel for tomorrow with some of the best pics of her I could get. A better camera does help but I’m not quite up to your quality.
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I have a year’s head start on you. You’ll catch up!
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Not sure about that but I’ll keep on working on it.
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Well, I personally love your cat pictures, which is how I discovered your blog (searching cats). But I stayed because your other posts are great! I’m new to WP — been blogging for a little over a month now. And I have to admit, I find myself looking at the stats page. I also think it’s partly because I want to see which posts do well. But as you point out, that might not mean anything anyway! Here’s to your next 5 years of blogging!
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At first you do get intrigued with the stats. You try to figure out best time, best day, best topics. I found out the best time/day was connected to when I posted so essentially meaningless. You have a good niche. Animal lovers are loyal and frequent visitors. I follow one cat site that routinely gets over 200 likes on every post. I moved my cat posts to Fridays because I got a few comments from friends that I was posting too much cat stuff. I didn’t want to lose them so they can easily skip Friday posts. Occasionally, like today, I work in a little cat in a post but it’s not the topic.
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Thank you for the tips! I’m trying to keep non-cat related posts to the weekends.
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Hello…I never knew there was a name for it…but toe cleavage is such a sexy feminine thing. I don’t know why either. I think it gives a certain grace and sophistication to the lady wearing the shoe. Unfortunately, bunions make having toe cleavage out of the question! 😦
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Toe cleavage is best left to 20 year olds! However, I would kill to be able to wear those high heels again. Bunion surgery took away the pain but I’ll never wear anything truly high again. Easy Spirit here I come.
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I think I actually found your blog because of the “cats” tag. So, obviously I love your cat photos 🙂 Comments are the life blood of blogging to me. I don’t pay attention to anything else really. I really wonder about the people who post everyday. And especially the ones that post multiple times a day. I feel like the majority of them (I’m not saying all!) take a hit to the quality of their posts. I mean… how do people have so much to say?? I blank just writing 4 times a week lol. It’s insane!
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That is so interesting (cat tag) because you are such an edgy blogger. You don’t come across like a crazy cat woman. I love that you call yourself bat-shit crazy all the time. I agree with all you say. I also post 4 times a week and that is enough.
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I don’t think I’m the stereotypical crazy cat lady. I’m crazy and I’m obsessed with cats though 🙂 I just don’t post about them often lol. I need to start sneaking more pictures of them in my posts!
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Sneak them in!
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Five years. That’s impressive, and I like your cat pics too. Are those toes yours? 🙂
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No (about the toes). Had I known that shot would be so popular, I would have done my own feet and copyrighted it. I love your Maggie pics and stories. She’s such a sweetie.
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Thanks, she is a sweetheart and pretty photogenic. She can also twist us both round her paws.:)
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and that is her job.
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😀
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+ 10
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I am in awe! And you keep it fresh!
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(I probably should just keep it all to myself)
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and deprive us? I think not!
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I cared about stats at first. And then I got Freshly Pressed (for a not terribly good post) and I got 2,000 views in one day. I will never top that, so I rarely even look.
For the record, I like your cat pics very much. I get to oooh and ahhhh and not have to clean the litter box!
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Same thing happened to me when I got Freshly Pressed (for not one of my best either). Funny thing about FP, I got an increase in traffic but some were trying to sell me services and others were begging me to read their post and tell them why they weren’t FP’d. (How the hell do I know? I don’t know why I was selected!) Anytime you want to come to clean the litter just to feel more a part of things, I’m willing.
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Congrats on being around the blogosphere this long! People come and go so often that I adore knowing someone who has stuck it out. I’m not big on stats either. I’m in blogging for many reasons, but primarily to start conversations, not ruminate on numbers.
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Brilliant! For me it’s about the comments. If I can’t get a good number of comments, I know whatever I wrote wasn’t provocative enough. Most of the bloggers I started with are gone. Some really great writers too. If you set your goals too high you can burn out.
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I agree. And if you set your goals too low you’ll write garbage! It’s always finding the happy medium, isn’t it?
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Yes it is and continuing to write. I have weeks when I think everything I write is crap and other times I wonder why I’m not lunching with Stephen King. Or perhaps Spielberg could make a movie out of my post. (Yes, I can be delusional.)
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I’ve never paid attention to my stats, likes, etc. All I care about is the interaction with the readers. What I don’t like are bloggers who don’t respond to their readers comments…how rude!
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Yes there is that. I admit that at first I didn’t understand the importance of that. In the beginning I read everything WordPress wrote on blogging. It was very helpful and one way to get the conversation going is to be a part of it. The other is to comment on other posts if you are touched in some way. Yes, we bloggers are a needy bunch.
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If I have a ‘high views day’, I’m pleased, but these days I’m more interested in the interaction with likes and comments on my blog now.
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There is no doubt you can get a high from a high view day especially when you begin blogging, but it’s the comments. Some of my readers leave really good comments that I wonder why I didn’t incorporate that aspect into the post.
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Likewise, some send me off on a tangent with ideas or memories for other posts, which I think is terrific.
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