Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sunday Best - Guaranteed: Ten Faithful Readers

Since beginning blogging, I've taken an interest in this whole new world of the blogosphere that didn't exist for me before. It's such a new world, and feels so strange to know that this hidden world  had been going on and I knew only snippets about it. There has been a lot to learn; technically, aesthetically, new jargon, time budgeting, blogiquette, so much.

From what I've read about blogs, a main division arises when the talk goes to people's reasons for blogging. From there, it seems to become an issue of purpose. There is the side of those who blog for love of the written word, and there is the side of those who blog with an interest in numbers, counts, audience, exposure. Some with earnest hopes of making money.

At last count, there were 15 million active blogs worldwide. This number still does nothing to deter the daily addition of new blogs entering this realm of blogging. With this number, it is estimated that there are 10 faithful readers for every active blog. Faithful being defined as readers returning daily to your blog. Surveys have estimated that obtaining this level of LOYAL readership may take at least 9 months to develop. 

On the opposite end of this incredible 15 million number of worldwide blogs, there is the fact that if a blogger is going to quit blogging, it'll occur at the 3 month mark.
3 months.
At 3 months, those that quit blogging and close up shop, have decided that having a blog is beginning to feel like a chore, that there is no longer a passion to have their voice out there, and it has begun to make them feel trapped--even dreading post time. I'm at the 2 month mark, and I still look forward to posting time.

The genesis of a blog can come in 2 forms: those that began blogging first, and then those that began to blog after following, and being loyal, to a specific blog. What seems to have caught the ones who began to blog first- by surprise- is that they then became blog readers. Many are simply astounded by the amount of time that they now spend reading other blogs, when they initially set out to be the author of a blog, only, and not a  reader.

What I've learned about blogging on my own, are the reasons that I have become one of someone's "faithful ten."
The Faithful Ten that return on a daily basis to a blog.
I know my reason for returning to a blog, and that is quality of content. If I see that the author has written something that I feel they have sincerely developed and thought of, then I return.  I return because I feel that they have a respect for the reader. Whether it is one paragraph long or an entire page with text, it can be humorous, poignant, or a sweet memory, even just a carefully chosen picture. But if I can feel that it's been put out there with me in mind, and for me, because they know I'll be back for the next post, then I return.
I return, with no expectation of a comment back, or a visit back. Their words and the experience there enrich me, and that is enough for me to be a "Loyal Ten" at their place.

I began blogging as a way to see my printed words in front of me. Something I could keep, and go back to. There is also the thrill, for me, of pushing "Publish Post" and seeing my story right there, in front of me. That is something I haven't grown tired of yet.
I began to blog because I have always wanted to write, and notebooks just weren't enough anymore. What has absolutely become the icing on a delicious cake for me, which was a place to write publicly,  is the fantastic, interesting, generous, talented people I've met because of blogging. That, that right there, I never saw coming. Talk about sweet. The connections.

With that feeling, of blogging for the pure love of writing, I figure you'd have a guaranteed audience size of one: the one you write for, yourself. Anything beyond that? A gift.
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This guest post was originally written last April, after I had been blogging for only 2 months, for Not To Brag, a very, very lovely blogger. I hope you click over and check her out. She was so kind to accept my guest post at her place, when I was such a newbie-it was exciting for me. Thanks, MEP!


63 comments:

  1. This is a great post! Thanks for republishing. I started blogging for the "write" reason, then got caught up in other people's priorities. Now, I'm back to basics. And pressing publish is the biggest thrill!

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  2. Pressing "publish" is still one of my greatest thrills.

    An even bigger thrill?

    When I can go back in my blog and find a post that shows proof positive that I'm right in a disagreement with my husband over where we went on vacation or who we met at the lake or how much our children weighed as six months.

    That's gold.

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  4. I first started writing, so that I could keep my blog as sort of like a journal. I wanted to keep funny instances in my life and write them down so that in a few years, I could look back and be like, yeah, I remember that one time...

    Just recently I became a reader of others' blogs. I've become addicted!

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  5. Love this blast from the past.

    And I had no idea you'd only been blogging since last February - you know that's when I started my blog, too? For some reason I thought you were more of an "old timer"... maybe because you're so good at it.

    Love to you, fellow February 2010 blog initiate (there's quite a few of us, I've discovered).

    So that means... Happy (Almost) Blogaversary!

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  6. Ooh I love the publish button too! What a great piece -- and I will click over too!

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  7. I loved this post Alexandra.

    I remember when I began blogging. There was no one to read back then and because of that I started blogging for the wrong reason... just for follower's sake. I was obsessed for my blog and i wanted it to become famous. Now, I am over all of that. Now I write for myself, to bring out what I have to say and what I feel... Now I look for people who would love to read a post even if it is a page long because I know these are the people who would come back... it is a great feeling to see committed friends who read us. Now, I am with the right people and in the right space. You are right, blogging comes with little pieces of sunshine that change our life one day at a time.

    Great post again. :-)

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  8. nice. for me i read for a couple reasons...a majority i read for the people behind them...and then there are a few i read just for the written word...

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  9. Hi Empress-it didn't know you had only been blogging since last April-you are such a whiz, I thought you mut have been at it for awhile. Congratulations for being pegged for the Listen to Your Mom cast. That's fantastic-I can't think of a better choice!

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  10. You were so, so kind and generous to guest post for me back in April! That kindness and generosity--in addition to an awesome sense of humor and way with words--is what makes you such a blogging force! I feel honored to have known you at the start.

    I still love this post. I blog for me and on my terms. I have made some wonderful friends in the blogosphere and am so grateful for my ten (maybe there are twenty!) faithful readers. The only things that frustrate me are finding time to write all the posts I want and finding time to get to know all the bloggers I would like to . . .

    So, so happy that our paths have crossed in this big, wide world wide web!

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  11. You, my dear, have way more than ten faithful readers!
    We all come back for your wisdom, your kindness and your grace ...

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  12. I blog for the same reason I eat - I'm addicted to it and it makes me feel good.

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  13. I completely agree with your reason for blogging. For me it's almost an exorcism. I need to get whatever it is, out of me and I somehow feel better. I am my own best audience (with you following closely behind - thank you).

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  14. I blog to write and I blog to learn. I too am thrilled with the people I have discovered online. People are so supportive and helpful. This is a wonderful post.

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  15. I think I am just all around addicted to the blogging. The writing (I still get that thrill when I hit publish) the reading, the relationships, the connections...I love it all!

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  16. I blogged for three years with my only "faithful" readers being maybe two of my IRL friends. I had no idea the blog "world" existed.

    Now that I am in it, so to speak, I too read blogs that I love...not that I expect anything in return from. And I put out content that I want to...and that I think my faithful readers would enjoy.

    this post is so wonderful, my friend.

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  17. I am faithful, Me Lady, in that I come by every day, I just don't comment everytime. But I am here.

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  18. I think that Facebook and Twitter have killed blogging. I have a lot of readers, but my comments are WAY down from a year ago, and from several recent blog posts I've read, I'm not alone.

    I don't think I'll blog forever, but I am so grateful for the many real relationships I have made through blogging.

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  19. I'm going to pull out the cliched "I could have written this post" - especially because I'm almost 2 months in.

    I, too, thought you had been blogging longer. You obviously found your niche!

    I didn't have any idea this blog world existed either. But it's lovely :)

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  20. Sometimes I get panicky about posting. But I'm weird and neurotic like that about most things in my life. I started blogging because I wanted to write and most of my friends enjoyed my emails more than my short stories. I am stupid in love with many of the people I've met. I also started blogging partially to feel less guilty about reading blogs -- before I was blogging it felt like wasting time; once I was a blogger, it was participating in a community. :)

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  21. It was good of you to repost this as I only recently 'found' you. Much of this post... all of it?... I can relate to. I've written so many why do I blog posts that it makes me sick. But I keep on keeping on for ME... well, that's about the only loyal follower I have, ME, but it is enough.

    I love this line: "I blog to see my printed words in front of me". That sent a zing to my heart. (Not a weird zing... Just a 'oh, yeah, I get that' zing.)

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  22. Love this post--so true and a fun glimpse at you as a baby blogger! (aww!)

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  23. I love this post, Alexandra! And a good timed one as well as I'm trying to organize myself and get my sea legs again, so to speak. What's great about the "Faithful Ten" -- is that they are there without hesitation even when you take a creative break for a few months...and that is a gift in itself! xo

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  24. This is so great, Empress, and you definitely have more than 10 peeps!

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  25. This is a great post. People who blog for the numbers, stats, exposure, money, etc will feel let down when they don't get the results they want/expect but if you write for yourself then you don't have those feelings. You feel good about your blog because it is what you want to write. Thank you for reposting this blast from the past.

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  26. Interesting ideas about blogging. I had no idea there were 15 million blogs out there. That's amazing. And many people quit three months into blogging. That's sad. Blogging has opened my world. Don't know what I'd go without it...well maybe the dishes. ;)

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  27. So before I got the part about this being a guest post from a while ago, I was in utter shock. "She's only been blogging for two months!?!?!" That's interesting fact about the burn out. I'm at the 4 month mark and going strong. I feel like that's a good sign. I really enjoy it! And I love reading others' blogs.

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  28. Great post. So glad you put a link up to send ppl back to it!! Youve become something special in the blight world and I am so grateful to u

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  29. You most certainly have more than a Faithful Ten, Alexandra...and I am blessed to be one of them.

    Keep on blogging, babe, and we will keep on visiting.

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  30. I was so asked to update the Hannah blog by my co-worker, who started it to update customers. Turns out, as her mom, I was the best one to do the posts! I found out, that I really love it. The support helps so much, but I am forever grateful to have documented memory of this time.
    What I also found out was that other people have blogs and write from scratch! With no set agenda! It is so impressive. I have no idea how you come up with great material so often. You got skills, girl! :-)

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  31. Ah! Where is the edit button? I didn't mean for that "so" to be in the first line of my comment.

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  32. I can't believe you wrote this only two months in! You were a blogging expert from the beginning! And guesting so early too? You talented lady, you.

    Yes, I blog because I love to write -first and foremost - but I wonder if, in the future, the divisions of purpose can meld? We'll see.

    As for the Faithful Ten? I am certainly one of yours. Or one of your Faithful Thousand, I'm not sure which. :)

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  33. Like Nina, I, too, had a moment of "Huh? She's only been blogging for two months? How could that be, since I've been reading her blog for at least four or five?"

    I've always know my math skills were weak, but not THAT tragic.

    Then I realized it was a guest post. Ha! It doesn't take a building to fall on me!

    Well. Unless algebra is involved.

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  34. I blog because in real life I talk too much. Why not type too much too?

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  35. Am I visiting you every day? Does that make me a loyal follower or a stalker?

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  36. So I'm curious -- how do you feel about it now? I think most of us can relate to that fresh perspective of a newbie. We all felt that rush of excitement and dedication at the beginning. But has it stayed with you? I'm guessing it has. I'm hoping it has!

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  37. Haha, until I read the end I was like "What?! I've read her blog for much longer than two months!"

    So glad that you did continue - I just love reading your words. <3 Heading to check out Not to Brag now!

    Linds

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  38. You were prescient when you wrote this.

    Truer now than when you penned it, right?

    Excellent words, all. You were one of my first Faithful 10 and I think I, yours.

    And so it shall always be :)

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  39. There is something about putting your words out there and having the opportunity for others to read them.

    There's no other feeling quite like it, is there?

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  40. I'm coming up on 5 years, baby. FIVE. YEARS. I apparently have more free time than I realized...

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  41. Writing has always an will always be a tremendous emotional release for me. That's what matters to me. I know that what I have to say will help others and if people follow...that's swell. But mostly, I write for me ;)
    I always feel that when I read other blogs I look for quality not quantity. If a person writes from a place in their soul that's honest I am instantly hooked.

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  42. I love this post, almost as much as I love hitting that "publish" button. The blogging connections and seeing your writing in front of your eyes? Definitely worth pushing past that 2 month mark. So glad you did.

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  43. I'm loving these "blast from the pasts," too. They've been going over well, and people who aer new to me, are liking them. I like bringing the guest posts home, so "win win situation," as Cookie Monster says.

    xo

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  44. I started blogging without ever intending to let anyone read it. I just wanted to get my son's story down before I lost my mind (shut up). I was and still am surprised that anyone wants to read it. But they do, and FOUR years later, I'm still doing it.

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  46. Had you really only been blogging for two months? Such an insightful post! I'm hoping I can be where you are in a year---you certainly have more than ten loyal readers, Your Highness! :)

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  47. awesome - I love some of the relationships I've built through blogging - and I hope to be counted amongst many people's "ten loyalists" :)

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  48. I had no idea starting out how much time I'd spend reading blogs. I'm compulsive about it.

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  49. So insightful at such a tender blogger age, glad you made it past two months and creeping up on your 1 year.

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  50. I live for my faithful ten. They have helped me get to where I am and why I'm still here.
    And I'm with everyone else: you've got way more than a faithful ten and we are all so fortunate for having you in our bloggy world, my favorite Empress and ambassador.

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  51. Lovely. Really. It's wonderful to remind yourself [and your readers] why they blog.

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  52. I'm pretty sure you have a few more than ten readers. Just a thought.

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  53. I'm amazed at all the insight you had at only two months in. Then again, you are the Empress, after all! With a huge following and words that keep us all coming back again and again.

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  54. I'll always be one of your faithful ten. Your comments have lifted me up and kept me going more times than I can count. And your blog? Makes me smile, every time I read it.

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  55. I am so glad you decided to repost this piece! I am now at the three month mark and I couldn't imagine giving this up. I simply love it. When real life keeps me too busy to read other blogs or to write for mine I find myself missing it all. I really enjoy the connections I've made with other bloggers and I honestly look forward to catching up on their posts.

    I didn't expect to feel this way, I never expected all of the sincere comments people have left on my blog. It is truly touching. People can identify with the words I write, I can identify with the things they describe. I only wish I knew about this world sooner.

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  56. I really enjoyed this post.

    I remember the day I got a comment from a stranger. That was the first time I realized you can actually make connections in this crazy world. I now have some really close friends that I first met through blogging.

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  57. Wonderful words, Alexandra. It's funny, the things we expect to gain from the experience of blogging and the reality that there is so much more than we ever could have anticipated. I'm so glad you are a member of this community. I will always be one of your most devoted followers :)

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  58. Thanks.... It is very much informative for a newbie like me...

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  59. We love blogging, we realized we had been blogging for years, we'd write in notebooks (together, weird, we know, we'd even have mini-word fights on the page) paste things in, add photos and suddenly doing it with a blog was so much easier!

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  60. Hello there and thank you for the comments on my wee blog!!
    I began writing as a way to remember my journey of sobriety and it's quickly becoming a part of my life. I enjoy reading others blogs and am beginning to make online friendships through it.
    I access my blog when my memory fails and other's blogs when my Faith/heart needs a nudge or I need a giggle.

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  61. This is a nice goal to keep and a great reminder that we are all loved and remember to appreciate our most loyal friends.

    Sometimes I get a bit taken aback by people whose blogs I visit often complaining about nobody reading their blogs. I'd be like, "So... I don't count, is that it?"

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