I was naive when I started blogging.
Early on, when I still was in the Facebook world, I got a lot of views. In fact, sometimes hundreds of views a day. I figured that starting off with such popularity was a sure ticket to my success. After all, my writing was still pretty rocky at first. I had a long way to go and a lot of improvements to make. Nevertheless, deep down, I truly believed one of my posts would one day go viral and I would have an easy path to becoming a famous writer.
Call me a quitter.
Call me a pessimist.
Call me impatient.
But I’m loosing all desire to blog for numbers.
In fact, new followers mean very little to me. Unless, of course, I get to know them through their blogs and comments. In that case, there’s nothing that delights me more than a person who actually reads and responds thoughtfully to my posts. I love reading the posts of these authors as they seem to have a depth that much of the blogging world is missing.
So the question is why, in a mostly positive community of writers, would I feel a lack of passion and drive to keep growing my readers?
I guess you can say I’m realizing a lot about WordPress. Somethings are good. Some are not so good.
Good, like for instance, I have never once had a negative comment on one of my posts. In fact, I believe every single comment on WordPress has been encouraging, uplifting and positive. It’s as if this world of blogging still believes in the magical words we used to all try to live by: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
I definitely can’t say the same for the comments I got on Facebook.
But there are still some things that are frustrating to me. Am I wrong in noticing that the people with the most followers on WordPress aren’t the best writers? They are merely the writers with the most quantity? Multiple, mindless posts a day, just to gain more, more, and more followers.
As a lover of good writing, this saddens me.
There also seem to be far too many people who scroll down and follow everyone, just to gain more followers themselves. Who click “like” on every post without reading a single one. It makes me feel as if all my readers have hidden motivates, only reading and commenting to boost their own popularity.
It’s kind of a depressing thought. I don’t really want a part in that side of blogging. So the question is why am I still posting on WordPress?
Because I love writing.
I want to grow in my abilities.
I want to make connections through my writing.
I wish to receive feedback.
And I long to encourage others as well.
I’m not here to become famous. I’m just here to write.
Today, I needed to remind myself of this again. And I wonder if possibly, someone else out there needed the reminder too.
You mean who mass follow and unfollow everyone that follows them back. I agree with everything you’ve said here. It’s definitely a sad thought but if you enjoy blogging, you should just concentrate on that and producing quality content 🙂
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Exactly! I intend to do just that, but sometimes I do feel like I’m wasting my time. Maybe I should’ve stuck to journaling? Oh well. Everyone starts somewhere!
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Thanks for sharing, Heather. I am a new blogger (started this past September) and I agree. I’m the type of person who will only “like” if I have actually read it. I love writing and it’s a deep part of me. I will write even if no one reads, but like you, I long for connection through my writing. I love learning from people and broadening my perspective on life. Keep up the great work! 😊
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Thanks for sharing this Alison! Welcome to blogging 😃 I’m glad there are still people out there who actually read posts, and often it’s the people who are just starting off that I connect with the best, because they do take time to read posts!
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I’m reading. I feel you.
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Thanks Crystal!
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You’re totally right. I got burned out with the whole blogging world. The fun went away. I’m toying with the idea of posting tonight. We shall see. I hope you’re doing well.
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It’s so hard to “keep up” with everything on WordPress. It can be discouraging trying to encourage others in a setting where many just want to get ahead and I’ve thought of stopping many times!
On that note, I’m glad to see you back. I have missed your posts and meaningful comments! There are always a few bloggers that seem to be genuine and you are definitely one of them 😃
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Thanks, Heather! I’ve missed it. I thought my blog would be gone once I didn’t renew the domain, but it’s still available with the old free domain. I’ve always enjoyed our interaction and your honesty about where you are in life.
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It’s so hard NOT to get caught up in the idea of numbers, views, likes etc. I’ve been saying for ages that I just want to write for my own pleasure and just to see if I can stick to it, but what writer/blogger out there doesn’t want to have some sort of recognition? I think even if you say you don’t, you do!
I hope you carry on going – it’s easy to become disillusioned with it, especially if you don’t have a “niche” topic such as lifestyle, travel etc. and just write what you like to write. It’s very tough so I hope you get some rewards even if they’re just a little bit of self-recognition!
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I totally agree! All writers DO want some sort of recognition, otherwise they’d just stick to private journals. Yet, I want REAL recognition. I don’t want to just prop myself up with followers that don’t read my posts. That sort of recognition seems false and shallow. I just entered in a local contest to get published this week in our city newspaper… maybe I’ll win??
Thanks for actually reading and taking the time to comment! I appreciate it!
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Yes, real recognition please! I only use Twitter as a form of social media and networking and it’s full of people with thousands more followers than following and it’s clear they’re only in it for numbers. It’s twisted but it’s just reality, unfortunately. Most of my posts are just “liked” without actually being viewed in the hope it draws some attention back to their blog. Sad really.
I hope you get the recognition you deserve from your paper publication – do it for yourself!
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Thank you! You bet I’ll be sharing it on my blog if I do get into the paper 😁
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I really enjoy your writing. I have definitely felt blogging is a journey. We probably all have different reasons why we write and why we like posts and why we follow people. Just stay focused on your path. You never know what God will do with your efforts.
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Thank you Elizabeth! I appreciate the encouragement. You are so right in saying that God can do so much with what we offer him.
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I feel you, Heather. I’ve been blogging on WP for ten years and I don’t have as many followers as you do. Why? Because I only post when I feel I have something to say and I only follow the bloggers whose posts I actually want to read. I tried experimenting with Twitter during NaNoWriMo, tweeting everyday to see if I could engage with the community and build my following. It was exhausting and yielded very little. I enjoy the way I choose to do WP much more. And I appreciate WP bloggers like you!
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Good for you! Yours are definitely the types of blogs I enjoy reading. Writing is best when it is done with purpose in mind. I’m glad you’re still on WP!
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Great post, Heather. I have similar thoughts and even second guess why am I here on WP. I’m in the process of unfollowing many blogs. And, frankly, I’m quite happy if others unfollow me if we’re only clicking for the numbers. Truthfully, if this was a serious writers-only platform, it would have a fraction of subscribers. I applaud your integrity and for sharing.
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Smart man. I’ve been thinking of doing this myself. You’re absolutely right in saying that it’s better to have these people unfollow than to stay and mindlessly click “like”. I appreciate the way you and others have shared your thoughts and to know that there are others feeling this way too. For what it’s worth, I enjoy your unique style of poetic writing. Definitely stands out on WP.
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Thanks, Heather. Stay connected. I appreciate what you’re saying and posting.
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I feel the same way! I was literally just talking to my husband about bloggers who blog for likes and page views only. I told him I would love to make money from blogging because I enjoy blogging but that I have no desire to just pedal out ridiculousness every day. To be honest, a lot of my posts are ridiculous. Ha! But I mean, posts like “Ten ways to get a man” or “Ten tips for how to clean your house.” Even though I have appreciated some of those types of posts. I keep blogging because I really do enjoy the connections I make with other people – real connections. And YES to the more positive comments on WordPress than Facebook. I’ve been writing a lot lately about how I’m just not in love with Facebook anymore. It’s like a cesspool of negativity now. Anyhow, glad I stumbled on to your blog! Take care!
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Oh the joys of trying to make a living with our passions! I’ve given up hope on this blog being a lucrative career for me 😜
If my book fails, maybe I’ll be a janitor. Low stress, I can work at my own pace and listen to tunes while I do so. Seems almost appealing!
Glad you have also found encouragement on WP. There are always a few who seem to brighten my day. Thanks for being one of them!
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I wrote a fiction book and am working on another one, but I don’t expect to have a career from that either. It’s awful to say but much of what I touch as a career falls apart. lol. The only one who didn’t was reporting for newspapers and I have a feeling I could have done that until I was old and gray, if it hadn’t sucked my soul dry so fast.
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Wow! Good for you! Writing a book is a HUGE task and everyone who does it deserves a trophy of some sort.
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It’s much more mentally and emotinally exhausted than I ever realized.
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Tell me about it! I “finished” my book a few months ago. While editing I realized that I really wanted to change a big part of the book and now I’m back down to 30,000 words. My mind is like chaos when I write. But I’m still hoping to get it published next year! All the best with your second book. I really hope it takes off for you!
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I am stuck in writer’s block at this point and need to find an editor, but I’ll get there.
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Hey! It is great to stumble upon another Manitoba mom here on WordPress. I loved this post. 😊
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Awesome! We may hibernate for the next five months but at least we connect on the internet 😜 Thanks for stopping by. Stay warm, it’s a cold one out there today!!
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So true! And I just found out our husbands are friends. Small world 😁
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Oh really! Who’s your husband?
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Nathan – from Ryan’s cell!
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That’s awesome! So neat to make connections on WP!
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Thank you for posting this! I’ve only been steadily blogging for about a month and a half now, and it sometimes is discouraging to look at how slowly the numbers change. Thank you for the reminder that blogging is about building our craft and reaching others who need to hear our stories!
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Absolutely! Authentic blogging is much like building relationships…It takes time! Thanks for stopping by and all the best with your writing 😊
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I blog because I enjoy writing too and I’m thankful to have a way to share what God has placed on my heart. It’s also been a blessing to connect with others like you who have a passion for writing. I actually love reading and commenting on blogs so I dislike it when people come in and “like” 20 post back to back and have not read anything. 😔 Thanks Heather for sharing this! 😃
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Yes I’ve really appreciated the people who stop and actually read the posts. I have SO appreciated your blog and the way you share such meaningful thoughts. Quite honestly, I don’t understand why someone would even begin to blog if they didn’t like reading other peoples posts! I think that’s part of how we grow as a writers and learn to appreciate writing in general!
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Thank you! I really appreciate your posts too! I don’t understand either. Reading other blogs is a huge part of it. I cut back recently on my blogging days and I’m enjoying it because I have more time to visit other blogs.
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You’ve hit the nail on the head, and I think it’s something we realize after blogging for a bit. Maybe, if I ever recover time and mental stability, I’ll write a “progression of a blogger” post. 🙂 But, yeah -I’ve gone through these stages as well.
Keep writing when we can and feel like it, and know that so many people love what you write but don’t necessarily show up in your numbers.
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Thanks! I hope you do write that post someday. And I’m not sure, as a mom, if time or mental stability will ever be a part of my life again… well maybe in the nursing home I’ll have time.
But mental stability??? I think that’s in the past for me.
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Yes! That’s part of what depresses me.
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I needed that reminder too. I write because I love it. Writing for me is therapeutic, it is freedom.
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It is for me too.
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You are great at connecting with people, keep up the great work! I am new to blogging on WordPress and I’ve noticed some of the things you addressed in this post and I agree… thanks for sharing!
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Thank you 😊
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Thanks so much! I agree, there’s so many things that blogging is good for!
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Yessss! I used to think I wanted a lot of followers. Now I have a lot and I wish I didn’t because the clutter makes it hard to determine who is “real”,” someone I can connect with, vs. who is essentially spam. It’s rare that I connect with new bloggers nowadays. I just stick with the ones I’ve built some relationship with already.
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Yup. I feel the same way. Sometimes small circles aren’t so bad 😊
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I have been feeling this too. I found that when I am going through the reader, genuinely reading posts I will stumble across someone that I read and liked a post for – who will immediately like 3, 4, or 5 of my posts one after another. I literally say out loud, “Wow, thanks for not reading.” It’s really disappointing. I completely understand where you are coming from.
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Yeah that is disappointing! Especially since we often put our hearts in to what we’ve written.
Realizing this has made me a better reader though! I’m learning to stop and take time to read through other people’s work slowly, pondering their words and giving feedback. This is the whole point of WordPress! Thanks for reading and giving such thoughtful feedback.
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Honestly, I find it disingenuous when someone just goes through and just start liking my posts not to mention it’s irritating. I know that they didn’t make an intentional effort to ready my posts. I believe they either want to seem engaging so you will check out their blog or they are returning the favor after you’ve “liked” their posts.
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Yup, very! But eventually it’s easy to tell who those people are, and who is actually interested in building a relationship and reading what you’ve taken the time to write!
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True!
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