Today, I read a very thought-provoking article on Ronovan Writes. He talks about remembering your reason for blogging instead of getting caught up in blog stats. His post got me thinking about why I blog and what I want to accomplish by blogging.
I’ll admit, there have been times I’ve been caught up in blog stats. How many likes on this post versus that one. Or how many comments and shares. For the most part, I don’t obsess over the numbers, though I do tend to suffer from Blogger’s Guilt when I’ve gone too long between original posts. I worry about how many reblogs I can get away with before I have to write something of my own.
But I shouldn’t think of it that way. I shouldn’t feel like I have to write something. I should want to write. I shouldn’t worry about whether or not my post is well-received. Blogging should be fun. It should enhance my life, not create extra stress.
Why did I start blogging in the first place? I started my first blog because someone told me I had to do it. I belonged to a writer’s meetup group and the leader said we needed to have a blog in case potential agents googled us. I went home and immediately started a blog. Then the blog sat there, daring me to write something dazzling, but I didn’t know what to write about.
As the months went by, I read more and more about blogs and why they are essential for authors. The experts advise authors to blog often, preferably on a schedule. Authors should use their blogs to establish relationships with readers.This is an essential part of branding, they say. There’s tons of advice about blogging for authors. Some say to post excerpts from your book. Others advise against it. Some tell you to talk about your hobbies and your life outside of writing. Others tell you to keep it professional and talk about writing and books exclusively.
So, basically, I started blogging to 1.) attract agents and 2.) target readers.
And how is this working out? Not so great if I look at my original goals. It seems I’m not very good at targeting and branding. I don’t think I really want to target and brand, if truth be told.
Why do I continue to blog? Because I’ve made real and lasting connections with people thanks to blogging. I’ve met so many people in the blogosphere. I wouldn’t trade these friendships for the world.
That’s why I blog. Not for book sales or stats. Not for Twitter followers.
I’m not a brand. I’m a person. I don’t follow brands. I follow people. Real life human beings with thoughts and opinions and stories to tell. If I stop writing books tomorrow, I won’t stop blogging. Blogging is more than a means to an end. Blogging is about learning and connecting and discovering new ideas. It’s about people.
That’s why I blog? How about you?
All I Have to Say 
I began blogging to meet writers and anyone else who cared to talk with me. I admit, I’m a little overwhelmed with the number of bloggers I follow and am working on cutting back. It’s hard though, because some I’ve known for a number or years.
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I follow way too many blogs. I spend more time reading other blogs than I do writing my own, but that’s okay. I enjoy it. It can be overwhelming when I let all those blog notifications stack up in my email for a way days. Then I have to pick and choose which posts to read.
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Thank you. Someone addresses the truth. I am learning to pick and choose which posts to read. Some post m.a.n.y. times a day. Some of those I’ve rationed to the first post of the day. What else can one do? How do you pick and choose? That takes times as well. ❤
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I do the same. I sometimes have to ration posts. I usually prioritize original posts ahead of reblogs. And if a post is reblogged by several of the bloggers I follow, I don’t feel it’s necessary to visit every single one. If all else fails, I only read the posts that interest me. While I do try to keep up, you’re right – it’s time consuming. We can’t do it all.
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It’s taking me a while to find a balance. 😦
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Reblogged this on Maegan Provan, Author and commented:
I love this. I question why I blog from time to time. You should definitely read it!
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Thanks for reblogging, Maegan.
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Great post. This is something we need to remind ourselves about often. I started blogging because I knew it was a great way to get recognized as a writer, but now it’s a hobby. I have met wonderful people on here, made new friends, and have also learned a lot about writing among other topics.
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Me too! I started blogging as part of my author platform, but I continue to do it because I love it. I usually spend more time reading other blogs than I do writing my own, but it’s a lot of fun.
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It’s certainly a great community.
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See? This blog is EXACTLY why writers blog!
I will admit to bloggers’ guilt when I imagine my blog crying in it’s cold, lonely server bed because I haven’t visited in several months. But then something gets to me, either making me cry myself or getting me Irish temper all riled up. THAT’s when the first thing I do is open up my faithful, patient blog and pound away. We may try to write our books on a schedule, but our writers’ blogs shouldn’t have to stick to a one, unless you’re running some sort of promo or training from it. I might always keep one blog that is just for reactionary posts. Now that would be exciting!
Also, in real life, how many days a week do you read the blogs you subscribe to when the writers pound out blog posts daily? I would never get any work done if I did that! And as far as I’m concerned, once a week reblogs are just author-friendly and refreshing for our regular readers! Thank the Good Lord I never got hooked on stats, although I will admit to a giggle or two when a post takes off or gets reblogged.
So thank you, Tricia, for reminding us that our blogs are an extension of our personality, which automatically puts it in the creative realm. All of our blogs will be different, as are we, and as are our books and other scribbles. Let’s start a movement — No More Writing Stress or Guilt! It’s supposed to be fun.
Now I feel much better. — Hugs & Kisses, Linda
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I completely agree! I try to save my self-discipline for writing my books. With limited time, we can only do so much. Like Ronovan Writes pointed out in his post, we shouldn’t let blogging turn into a job where we feel like we have to do it. I think our friends and readers would rather read an occasional authentic post than a bunch of scheduled, lackluster posts that we had to force ourselves to produce.
There are so many “experts” out there who tell us how to blog. There are a few I trust and I try to follow some of their advice (not all). I don’t think blogging is for everyone. I don’t think you have to blog in order to connect with readers. I think authors should have a website or blog as sort of a landing page, but not everyone has the time or inclination to crank out a new blog post every day or every week.
No more guilt for either of us. We do the best we can, when we can!
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AMEN!
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Reblogged this on LindaSTaylor and commented:
TO MY READERS: I know a lot of you wonder why writers blog when they write all the time. This blog post by my buddy Tricia Drammeh puts some perspective around it. Catch my comment in her post to read my rant as well!
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Love this! From my brain to your blog! LOL just kidding though you cite so much of why I started blogging (people said, you are a writer, you have to blog). Good thing I did because it literally saved my life thanks to the connections I’ve made. Including you! Sometimes I blog because I feel a loyalty toward people willing to put up with me. Sometimes because some injustice somewhere in the world compels me to. But seldom about my books. They are out there if anyone wants to read them. It is challenging to read everyone I follow but I try to read as much as my eyes will tolerate. So glad you wrote this. Timely reminder and inspiring all in one. Thanks, Tricia. 😊
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Thanks for commenting, Janni. You make a very good point. I follow a lot of blogs, but I only subscribe to some by email. I tend to prioritize bloggers who have supported me and other indies in the past. I do try to make room for new bloggers. You never know when you’ll meet a new friend!. Thanks for your valued friendship in the blogosphere and elsewhere, Janni.
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Yes prioritizing is needed because I have unrealistic expectations that I will be able to read everyone every day. So glad we connected, too, Tricia, grateful for your kindness and friendship. ❤️❤️❤️
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When writers block hit I stopped writing but I carried on blogging.The connection I’d made with other people, authors and readers at that point was amazing and I didn’t want to let go.
I haven’t resumed writing over 2 years later but I still blog and respond to those bloggers I follow probably up to 16 hours a day ( I know, Get a Life)
I’m supposed to be having a week away from the computer and you can see how that’s working out.You can’t easily walk away from friends and connections you’ve made over the years.
My blog is no longer just a means to advertise my books. There’s a page to look at if people are interested. Now I just share my life and whatever cause is on my mind at the time. So much so that a second blog came along and now I’m still a writer but it’s a blogger first and foremost.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Hugs to you too, David! It’s hard to take a break from blogging. It’s such a great community. I don’t think I could stay away for a week. I love blogging and participating on other blogs. That’s why I stick around. It’s been a great experience.
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“I’m not a brand. I’m a person. I don’t follow brands. I follow people.”
I would be very leery of anybody who did prefer brands to people. 🙂
I blog because it’s more fun than not blogging (same reason I write, actually 🙂 ).
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It really is lots of fun!
I’m very leery of anyone who prefers brands to people. 🙂 I’m also a little leery of experts who advise us to be a brand. That’s not fun at all.
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I appreciate your honesty, as always. I do not know what I would do without the friendships I have made through my blogs, including the one I cherish with you, Tricia. ❤
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Oh, thank you, Christy. When I think of the valued friends I’ve made through blogging, your name always rises to the top of the list. Thank you for friendship!
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Wow, thank you. I am honored, Tricia. You made my day brighter!
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i began blogging for pretty much the same reasons as you did, now I just do it because I like it.
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Exactly! That’s why I stick with blogging. Because I love it.
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My first novel (December 2008) was pretty good but it went nowhere. If I couldn’t find an audience, I didn’t see much point in writing, so I didn’t. I’m a freelance editor, so I was still heavily involved with the written word, but I got involved in other things, like singing in a spirituals choir, drumming, training my dog and competing in Rally Obedience. Then, after long avoidance, I joined Facebook in January 2011. Much to my surprise, I loved it, and even more to my surprise, it got me more involved in my local community. I had what I’d been missing for so long: an audience. That led to my starting my first blog, From the Seasonally Occupied Territories, which is about the weird place I live.
And that got me writing again. I’m working on novel #2, and #3 is on the back burner. A year or so ago I started a second blog, Write Through It, about “writing, editing, and how to keep going.” Its main purpose is to keep me going, and if it helps other writers and editors, so much the better.
Mostly I think blogging is writing, period. It’s not just a strategy to promote one’s “real” writing. I follow blogs that introduce me to worlds and places that I don’t know much about. I wish I could follow more, because there are some great ones out there, but I work full-time, I’ve got this novel growing, and I like doing stuff outdoors with my dog.
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You are so right. Blogging shouldn’t only be an extension of your “real” writing or a selling tool. Blogging IS real writing. It is also a give-and-take relationship between bloggers that requires communication. I’ve learned so much through blogging and reading blogs. I wouldn’t give up this experience or this community for the world.
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I blog because I enjoy it. It’s just nice when other people do too, LOL!
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I hit enter and it posted instead of making a new line. Anyway, I enjoy your blogs, Tricia!
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Thank you, Jo. I enjoy your blogs too!
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I started for the same reason so many authors do: to build an audiece, because everyone advice to have a blog. And as it happens to most, I’ve kept blogging because it’s such fun and gives me the possibility to meet so many people.
Mind, if I were forced to choose, I’d choose my novel writing, I’m sorry about that, but because I don’t have to choose, I’m happily doing both 🙂
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I began blogging initially for the same reasons, to widen my reach and my writing’s reach and attract new readers etc. But as I continued, although I do blog very sporadically and not nearly as often as I should, the whole experience of sharing and supporting became the end goal in itself. A cathartic way of connecting with others, sharing my own experiences, advice and ideas, a kind of online diary/stream of consciousness! I find it the perfect medium to expose new poems or short stories, talk about issues that affect writers and re-blog pearls of wisdom from others like you! 😀 xxx My only problem, apart from not blogging often enough, is also getting very far behind with my friends blogs, lol, I’m on a major catching on program today, I’ve missed so much! 😀 xx
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I blog to share, to listen, to hear and to learn. As I write I learn more about myself.
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