I have been loving being part of the blogging world. For those readers who only read my blog because you know me, you are truly missing out on a fascinating world. A world where people spill their guts about their thoughts, and feelings, along with their hopes and dreams. It’s a world that makes everyone feel so much closer, and it’s a world that allows us to share experiences so you don’t feel so alone. But in this world…like in any other place, there are those who are successful, and those who WANT to be successful. Sometimes, I feel like the blog world is like high school in that you are just hoping to be noticed, and hoping to be popular…I mean who didn’t want to be popular in high school?
On a basic level every blogger hopes to have readers. It’s great to get your thoughts written down, but it’s even better when people reach out and relate to what you are saying. We all hope that the popular bloggers might notice us, because if we are associated with them…then maybe the other “cool kids” will want to check us out. Then there is Twitter..a place where you can easily share your most random thoughts. But as you write…you just hope that someone will read what you said and want to respond. Slowly but surely you build Twitter friends….but how do you make them like you?
On a more advanced level there are those who make money from their blog. These people have enough other people reading their thoughts that PR Companies and advertisers use them to sell products. You can sit there with your hand raised yelling “pick me!” “pick me!” all you want…but until you are popular….you just blend in with the rest.
So what do you think it takes to become popular in this high school I call the blogging world? Is it luck? Is it skill? Is it hard work? Are you pigeonholed as a wanna be forever? Or is there a chance you can meet the captain of the football team and he alone can change your status forever? Personally, I think it’s all of the above. So for now, I am left to wander the halls hoping to be noticed, and hoping that someone wants to read what I have to say.
This song ran through my head during this post!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_uM8bUnlGQ[/youtube]
Totally have felt this before. Many, many times. You can beat yourself up. The fact is there will always be a “more popular” blogger who gets more stuff, better stuff, more attention, more readers.
Trust me, write well and let the rest go. Otherwise you start to write for the wrong reasons, lose your voice and readers in the process. Just like high school the best advice is to stay true to yourself ?
Great advice! Thank you! (it’s still nice to be popular though ? ) Don’t worry! I will keep my rambling voice!
Completely agree with The Diaper Diaries… Just stay true to yourself!
I began writing for me and only for me, and have simply found so many friends along the way, sometimes i think that i could try to become “more popular” but i the end, this is for me and my child… anyone else who i help along the way is just an added bonus!
And plus, i was a nerd in high school, so how could i possibly hope to be popular on line!!! :p
just write from your heart, you have an avid reader here!
Don’t worry everyone! I always blog for myself. As I have mentioned it’s a great outlet for me…like therapy! But I have come to love the interaction! The more the better! ?
I agree with the Diaper Diaries as well. And I think you came up with a great analogy in blog world. Definitely true…just trying to be noticed. But by who???? I’ve wrestled a little w/ some of that…who am I writing for – me or them? I think your followers are right…write well, from your heart, and the rest will happen. I think we can all tell when someone is trying too hard! Which, sometimes, is me! ?
Not all posts can be genious I guess! lol I figure as long as I am being honest and telling the story that I want then I’m good…I guess I too sometimes try too hard!
i relaunched my blog today, and let me assure you that all of these things have been on my mind: why do i do this? will anyone notice? what is the real goal here?
in the end, diaper diaries said it best. but it doesn’t mean the thoughts won’t creep up sometimes.
You are right…the thoughts certainly do creep up, even if you go into every day writing with the best intentions…who’s going to read this? will I touch anyone today? Will they like this??
I checked out your blog and loved it! can’t wait to read more
I think I blogged for nearly eight months before I ever got a comment. But at the time it was more of a journal type thing for me. In the last two years I have found what I love to blog about and now FINALLY make money at it. But it took so much consistency and so much comment making on my part (hours every day) It became my job in a way. But I cannot say I have made the popular crowd yet. ? Great POST!
oh man. it’s totally like high school. also. pick me!
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maybe it’s a bit like elementary school, too. we’re all just looking to each other for direction and hoping we don’t catch lice.
There were times I wrote my posts to become popular.. Then I lost my passion – it wasn’t fun anymore. I used to blog every day when I started in 08. Then I barely posted last year… But now I told myself that I will write only for myself and for those who love me. I have made so many great friends through blogging, I’m grateful!!!
Great post!
wow that is a great way to say it. I agree with you. I hope that my blog gets noticed. I have a good crowd of people who visit my blog, however, there are days where I wish I can make it better but then I don’t want to go over board and loss the followers that i have. love your post. you have a great way of writing. keep up the great work. stopping by from sits.
I LOVE your post and your blog but I especially LOVE your choice of photo. My favorite film EVER.
xo B
Gabrielle, at first the only commentors on my blog were friends..lol now I get more comments from people I don’t know which is great since I feel the world becoming smaller. I love interacting! Congrats on now making money doing what you love!
This mamma works it: I have been doing this about a year now. I am hoping I am building steady readers. I know I religiously follow a lot of blogs and love to hear their stories. I am hoping some people feel the same about me. And I think you hit the key word…relatable! If people can relate they read:)
Yes, but at least with blogging you can drop out and there are no grades. Enjoy the ride!
I never thought of it that way… but I can see your point. But perhaps this is a chance to see the world differently… I was a totally nerd in school.. I think.. but I don’t feel like that girl anymore. In the end, blogging is writing, and that is the bit I love.
See I see blogging as writing, but I also see it as interacting. When I comment on someones post I feel like I am interacting with someone. That I am reading their story and telling them that I read it, relate to it, and in turn want to share my thoughts. So as much as I write the posts for me, I also look to share them with others so that they in turn can share with me:)
I see myself as on the team and in the game. It takes work, luck, and determination to keep showing up. It also takes a willingness to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Love your post. Very thought provoking.
What a great answer! being on the team and in the game is a great place to be! ?
I also agree with Diaper Diaries…you have to just be yourself no matter what I guess. Man, I can’t tell you how much I’ve been struggling with this lately.
I think it also depends on what your goals are…if you want to be known or want PR attention..you have to use your skill both writing and marketing to get there…forget the “popular kids” sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason WHY they are popular…so don’t try to understand it…just do what YOU do best!
I love your blog btw…in case I haven’t mentioned that before!
You know, I do sometimes think that there is no rhyme or reason. Did you see the movie Julie and Julia? She just started writing one day and look where she went in a year! Crazy! lol
I am thankful I did not know how much the blogosphere resembled high school before I started blogging…or I may not have.
I love this post! So true!
you are right on,it is sometimes like highschool and one of my latest post fits in to a Tee!
stopping by from SITS
That is such a great analogy. It does feel like high school sometimes. But I surely enjoy reading your blog so keep it up!
Very true post. I think it would have helped us all to have started back in 2001. Then we could have been really cool. Now I think you have to keep up the good writing and all the rest will follow!
Certainly the best way to gain readers is to have really good content that’s worth reading – in whatever subject matter you decide on.
But if you write and comment solely for attention, you’ll never make yourself happy. And if you’re not happy blogging . . . there’s no point in doing it.
Write to express and please yourself. Everything else after that is just gravy.
I like this.
I’m not sure how to become one of the “in” blogs. I think I’m too dorky to be an “in” blog.
Love this post. I think you have read my mind! ? I try not to worry too much whether I’m in or out. I’d be lying though if I didn’t say that I wanted to be liked and wanted readers – but at the end of the day I hope I’m true to myself and attract those who appreciate honestly mixed with a bit of humour and sarcasm.
Also, “Popular”? LOVE! Love Wicked so much!
the answer is: time. It takes time to be popular. go on twitter, you’ll see a quick snapshot of who’s out there and what they’re about.
hey. it’s snowing on this blog. shut the window.