The blogosphere has changed since I started writing. In 2004, this was my private (for the whole world to see) journal. I was anonymous and it was easy to write what I thought and felt and how things were for me. I didn’t realize how funny I was until I read this post by Jamison Koehler. I read it and thought “Ha! That’s funny. Who wrote that?” Drue read it and said “you know that first post is all me, right? I am the one who said those funny things” Sure Drue, you get all the credit. I think Jamison is too kind, though. My grammar is frequently poor and I spell things wrong on occasion. I haven’t been all that great at keeping up my blogroll or paying it forward. My blog was just for me, but I’m glad that at least 6 people have gotten a kick out of it over the years. My issue now is how to turn the blog into a marketing tool, or even if that’s something I should do. I feel like not guilty is me, that should be enough of a marketing tool, right?
But more about me. Scott Greenfield at Simple Justice also including me in a little list of new and not so new, but maybe noteworthy, blogs. He has a caveat that states that not all of the blogs he lists are his ‘cup of tea’, which makes me a little nervous. It’s like saying “those pants make your ass look small” – but otherwise you have a huge ass. Maybe I am his cup of tea. Now I can stay up nights wondering if maybe Mr. Greenfield is my seventh reader.
If I get into double digit readership I’ll feel the pressure that Jamison is talking about. I’ll have to watch my grammar, and maybe my language. I’ll feel the need to be wittier and to make all sorts of deep remarks, maybe even write about THE LAW every once in a while. We’ll see.
For now, I’m happy that some people are happy with what I’ve been doing, just cause I like doing it.
Blog well, enjoy it, and the money may follow. Blog for profit, and you'll be relegated to the marketing backwaters of the blawgosphere.
DON'T DO IT!
Don't try to turn your blog into a marketing tool. Keep writing well about things you care about, and participate in the conversation, and you'll get all the attention you can stand.
-Reader #8
Seventh is good.
Don't sweat it. I'm with Bennett. Just have fun blogging, participate in the conversation and enjoy.
FYI, I'm sure you have plenty of followers who just don't comment. I've checked out your blog for years . . even when you NEVER posted anything (lame). Beats the hell out of Facebook.
CDH