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Just kidding :). I think that this is a great summary of the life of a blogger, as I've shared many of these same feelings during the time that I've been at it. I agree that taking a break form blogging helps sometimes, and also, remembering that it's just a blog, and with anonymity comes bravery (for commenters, not myself). If you can stick with it though, I'd say that the rewards definitely out weight the downsides. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for visiting and commenting!
And, that is good advice about writing blog posts in advance. I am finally beginning to use Wordpress as a text editor and write articles even when I don't immediately plan on publishing them. They are saved into the "Draft" list. It can be soul destroying to have the "blank page" day after day - so with several drafts on the go it eases the pressure, and they might only need a few tweaks to get them ready. If I'm really daring, I'll write an article, time-stamp it, and hit "Publish" even when it's in its incomplete form. I find in psychologically uplifting to know an article is going on on that day.
Thanks again.
Equally frustrating is that we receive very few comments even during high traffic times.
But I guess the blogging and webmastering stuff is as much for my own gratification as anything else, so I do still enjoy it. I just wish more people would notice my efforts...
Thanks for visiting and commenting!
It's worth remembering that even if you have a fair number of readers the percentage that actually comment is low.
But hey I'll help you in your goal to get more folks noticing your efforts by subscribing to your feed...!
1. Delete the "you suck" comments. They serve absolutely no useful purpose. With that said, comments that are respectful but critical - leave alone, or respond politely and explain your stance and/or the reason for it.
2. For bloggers who cover specific topics, don't go overboard w/ 'personal' posts. If you write a tech blog, your subscribers probably don't care what you had for lunch that day. Create a 2nd, "personal" blog, and use it for those kind of posts. I've unsubscribed from countless RSS feeds because for every one good/on topic post, the blogger has 20 posts about what he/she did last night.
3. Acknowledge your comments, to an extent. If someone puts together a 'helpful' or well thought out comment, respond to it. Which you (webomatic) already do :) It helps build readership because folks know that you're paying attention to them (ego..).
For #2: I have found using Twitter a good way to offload those personal thoughts.
I agree with everything you say except about the nasty comments -- the ones that provide nothing but invective. I drop them faster than a hot rock -- here's why: I'm the editor of my site and treat comments like a "Letter to the Editor (and other readers)" deal. I see it as my responsibility to maintain the quality of the reading experience for my readers. They don't benefit from worthless comments, so they're edited out.
Can't wait to see the Prisoner posts -- I'm a big fan from way back. Number 6 rules!
Heh, as for the Prisoner I got stuck on the fourth episode, but did posts for the first three, if you haven't read them already. Yet another series of posts I want to write but haven't had the time!
Quizzical Demon - the time committment is definitely more than I estimated as well. I nearly forgot about all the technical tweaking. I guess it's because I found that aspect rather entertaining.
I must be doing something wrong. I have only had one "I disagree with you?" and one "do you have some kind of disorder?", never a "you suck". But I did almost throw in the towel in the beginning. Never having even read blogs before I started mine, I didn't know anything about blogging or finding readers, or even finding blogs writing about topics of interest to me.
Fortunately, writing daily has proved to be fun, maybe too much fun. And thankfully it isn't about the money, because I'm not making any!
It seems many of us didn't realize how much work this would eventually entail when we just started out. But I'm finding the motivation to continue in all kinds of unexpected ways. At this very moment, it's how this one particular post has garnered some attention! More comments than "Who's a Cylon?"...
Noemi that is a good point, as I still try to juggle several subjects (tech, movies, music, television) and I think if I were to start all over I would just pick one and focus on that niche.
Thanks for visiting and commenting!
I've been running my blog for a year.
I now mostly just repost content from Digg on kokyunage.net. I find my content interesting, but apparently no one else does.
I assume the value of the content is its unique arrangement. You can read lots and lots of story's on Digg, but my website is like a collage using Digg stories as my medium. I'm like the Michaelangelo of Digg, I suppose. I just need to help others see that... or maybe change my style.
I have thought about calling it quits, but I just can't get myself to do that... plus I signed up for hosting for a long time; it would be a bad business decision.
I flat do not have time to read blogs where the author doesn't respond at all!
Rebecca, obviously I am reading all the comments! So far I haven't had a prohibitive number so I can still do the personal approach.
Bulut thanks for the comment, and I'll check out some other Decemberists albums - I know where to get some.
Lifuchi, if you're just starting out it can get better fast with effort. I should do another post with what I did last september to gain momentum.
Anyhow, thanks to everyone for visiting and commenting!
I'm quite new to writing, and english is not my native language, - so I feel I sometimes use to much time on details then I write anything, - but hopefully I can increase my number of posts to almost once a day in future.
I already know lots of my friends and also ppl I dont know enjoys my travelstories and photoes on my travel site of Asia (http://www.meihack.org) , and that feedback gives me stamina to now start writing more again, after comming back home to little old Norway.
And I also plan to write more on a new blog (http://www.meihack.com) about economy, which is kind of a intrest/philosofy of me as well - although I was very hessitationg about using time on this one before I just told meself : "Go"
Reading your post really help me wanting to put in some effort...
thanks
Mark, that is pretty amazing. I was trying to do three posts a day and I felt that was pushing it. I can imagine 5 a day would be overwhelming!
Thanks for the comments and giving me some new blogs to check out.
Thanks for being transparent...
However, whatever happened to "art for art's sake"? Have we become a society of immediate gratification, only caring if we get stroked?
Matisse directed his assistant to put up "shapes" on the wall when Matisse was bedridden and could not longer draw.
Great post. You are a good writer and have some good insights into blogging and the emotional content of it all.
The truth is, the more I stick with blogging, I find I'm really doing it because of the interaction with readers via comments or what they write on their own blogs. That might sound a little cheesy like some singer saying "I do it for the fans". But really, the Internet is a communications medium.
It's different from gratification since some comments I get are critical of what I write or disagree with me. It's more like putting your ideas out there and seeing what people think of them.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
In your case, you are a good writer and have proven with your links others find you worthy. So, you don't need to worry about comments. They will come. Continue to be yourself and you will be successful. Put out your message with the honesty you have demonstrated.
No Way!
Ahahaha... just kidding ;)
I like "Please Comment" text above this comment box. Really. But more than that, I really enjoy your wonderful post. So inspiring to me. Motivating me to keep blogging 'till the time is trough... :)
James Henley