This is a screen capture of the stats for this blog over the last two weeks. For a while I was posting every day, even going so far as to write posts ahead and schedule them to post at a certain hour every day. I started that about Oct 31, which was after that slight spike the blog got from someone linking to an older post. As you can see, during the time that I actually posted a post a day, the readership was going down. Then I stopped, and the readership goes back up again!
It's not cause and effect -- and unless I'm inversely susceptible to "mysterious internet activity energies," my posting and visits to the blog aren't related at all. The truth is, eying that last number on the bottom there -- returning visits -- the blog really only has about a half dozen readers. The vast majority of the rest are people who come after a search for an image or a term that directs them here. These people rarely stay more than a second or two.
It took me a little while to figure out that almost all the people who are counted as visitors aren't actually reading the blog. I have pondered ever since what I should actually do -- is it worth it to keep writing something like this when it entertains so few people?
You have probably heard that writers write because they have to, not because they are rewarded for it. And I know that this is true. But it's also true that keeping a blog uses some of your energy, which you might spend elsewhere. And it smarts to do something and realize that you have come to be like the crazy person on the street corner shouting at the passersby who do their best to avoid making eye contact.
I don't need to be that guy..
Write what you want when you feel the urge to do so. Don't worry about visits or timetables. I'm sure you realize that your subject matter is not going to be something with a mass appeal. I don't mean that in a negative context at all. It is written intelligently and requires a certain amount of effort, intellect, and thoughtfulness on the part of the reader. Simply, most in today's society do not want to put forth that sort of effort. It is what it is.
ReplyDeleteGet your thoughts out there when you feel the desire to do so. Don't put pressure on yourself to keep up a schedule. There are probably more of us out here that enjoy reading your thoughts than you might suspect. We'll still enjoy reading them whether you write once a day or once a month.
My best.
Don't stop! Surely you don't think your case is so different from a million other bloggers... you know most of the visitors to even the high profile blogs (don't ask me which ones those would be...)aren't pondering the depths. And to be honest most of them don't have depths to ponder. Skimming the surface is all there is...
ReplyDeleteYou however have a lot of stuff here... and there is depth... to ponder.
You have probably heard that writers write because they have to, not because they are rewarded for it. And I know that this is true. But it's also true that keeping a blog uses some of your energy, which you might spend elsewhere. And it smarts to do something and realize that you have come to be like the crazy person on the street corner shouting at the passersby who do their best to avoid making eye contact.
Well all that's true. What makes the passersby so wonderful... do you really think the energy you spend here is misplaced? I am sure I am not the only one to think it is not... Well there is Mike too!
DB - I dig your topics, thoughts and writing style.
ReplyDeleteCouple things - first all those 1 second and no second visits ARE staying for longer - the way most of these stats things are done - UNLESS a person goes to a second page in your blog - the seconds count stays at zero. So, they are looking around.
Next, don't give up writing and do a bit of promotion at times for your posts - sending them to folks who seem to like your writing and who link to it - even if once before.
I wish I had thought of you when I was contributing to an upcoming book being put together here in Atlanta. Duensing gave my name and I gave another writer of The C Influence. I know you could have contributed.
Finally, it is hard to get a real following with the material as it is not mainstream in general (thankfully) and folks only have so much time to give to the internet and paranormal/esoteric reading material. I'd also be happy to let you provide occasional posts to my UFO blog if you'd like to.
Rick Phillips
Always enjoy your stuff, been cyber stalking you off and on for a few years now. The old site was one of my favorites, I check in here when I can. Do what you can do, but do it FOR you. And remember that the journey is the reward.
ReplyDeleteKen
Been a fan since your Blogsquatcher days. Listen to your heart. I hope you'll keep the faith. But remember that the interweb isn't like a newspaper--something you write tomorrow might be linked to 5 years from now.
ReplyDelete