People have blogs for various reasons. For me it's an online diary to share with folks what I have been up to and what I plan on doing. For other's it's a way of earning an income. For other's they want to help with various causes and this is a way of getting the word out. For what ever reason you do decide to blog you do it because it interests you first and foremost.
People ask how do you get more comments and traffic to your blog. There is no magic formula to do that but a couple of things do help.
Visit other people's blogs and comment on them and if you like what they are talking about follow their blog. The more you comment the more likely people will comment on your blog. HOWEVER, I will say I have left comments and followed a number of blogs for a while now and they do not comment on my blog. BUT what they write about does interest me, so I'll carry on commenting regardless.
I will say I have become a little more picky about commenting on everything I read about, as every blogger writes posts that sometimes you have no interest in, so why would I leave a comment?
I follow a blog and have done for a while, and it has changed over the last few months, as the lady's life has changed (as everyones does). I don't like the way she is writing now and what she is writing about, so although I still follow her I rarely comment; as I would rather have something positive to say than negative. That happens to us all.
There are trolls that are out there, who love nothing more than leaving negative comments. That is why I moderate all comments, you don't need to see what these idiots write.
Having a blog is a commitment, but how big a commitment depends on you. Some people blog once a week, some every day. Some of the blogs out there are fancy dancy, other's are as basic as they come (mine!) At the end of the day it's as good as you want to make it.
If you look at the left hand side of my blog page you will see list of popular posts. As you can see they are all recipe posts. My blog is not an overly busy blog as I only average around 250 visitors a day. Some people attract thousands of visitors per day and hundreds of comments. I probably average about a dozen comments per day.
A blog is also as personal and intimate as you want it to be, as remember everyone is reading it. I have thought about making mine private as then I would be able to write more things but have decided to keep it open and only write what I don't mind the world knowing.
I have been blogging for nearly 7 years......wow 7 years, time sure has flown by. Here is a link to my first post. The one thing that is priceless about blogging are the friends I have made over the years. One of the first people I "met" through blogging was Denise, she started blogging around a similar time, if I remember rightly and here we both are still blogging. You can find a link to her blog here; An English Girl Rambles.
Do I ever regret starting a blog; no as the older I get I love looking back at older posts seeing what I did when. Certain things I have posted have been used against me and members of my family by vindictive people, so that is why I am careful on how much I write. I am a naturally open person and would write more openly about things, but once burnt, twice shy as they say.
At the end of the day, I love my blog and to the people who read it thank you. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to spend a few minutes reading what I have to say that day. I appreciate your advice, as we all know we all need advice from time to time. I try to comment back on your blog that day if I can as I love reading what other people have to say and see what they are up too. Gosh there are some really creative people out there and I have learned a lot from them over the years. Overall I have to say that blogging has been a positive experience.
Now it's your turn. Do you blog? If you do, how long for? Any advice for the newbie bloggers out there?
Oh and what would you like to see more of on my blog???? What would you like to see less of?
(P.S. still bloody sick with this cold, I swear it's hanging on like a bad smell)
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50 comments:
You poor thing. I hope that cold goes away soon. Great blog comments. I feel much the same. Thanks for visiting me.
Blessings,
Betsy
Hi Gill!
I blogged for five years then took a break and have now been back blogging since March. When my last blog was at it's peak, I had over 1,000 followers and used to get contacted by companies to blog about products.
But I missed writing the blog for its original purpose: as a daily (ish) diary and reminder of happy things.
So that's what I have returned to do.
I write for me and if someone else likes it, that makes me happy for them :-)
Like you, I read any comments before publishing them to avoid 'trolls'.
I enjoy reading your blog, and love getting your comments.
Take care!
Tracey x
Great post Gill. Thank you for your blog which I like very much and visit every day.
As for why I blog; I think I like to share my thoughts and personal finance issues. I initially started blogging in my own language about personal finance but, not many people were interested about it. I like comments and feedback so, I stopped blogging in Turkish and switched to English. I don't get many comments for this one either. I now understand that my life and what I think is not so interesting for other people. Lol! I like to write and I will continue to do so even if just for me. Take care!
Oh, BTW I love your munchkin posts the best.
First of all, sorry you still have your cold, I do hope you feel better soon.
I've been blogging a few years now and have had a couple of breaks, mainly because I wasn't getting any comments, and it's discouraging that no one can be bothered to reply, I don't think I was that boring ! I don't get many now, but appreciate the ones I do get. I comment on as many as I can because we all need a little encouragement to carry on.
I followed a lovely blog about a young couple and their journey to a simpler life and hoping to move into the country, then she was pregnant and the whole blog turned to 'babytalk' and still is, which is fine if that is what you are looking for, but I won't go there again.
Things, life, blogs and people change, so I guess our blog list change too.
I admit that I read far more blogs than I actually comment on regularly - sorry! I am blessed that you come visit me regularly. Thank you. I blog for fun, to keep a record of what has happened, and to connect with other people who share my values and interests. There aren't many people in real life that I connect with as well as I have with some other bloggers - talking about saving money with friends somehow doesn't go down as well!
This is a very inspiring post for a newbie. I started in October last. It was intended as a journal of a journey but morphed as I found my voice. I blog as it's a creative outlet for me. I read blogs as I'm interested in lives that are so different from mine. I hope my life is interesting to others. I'm wanting to make blogging friends and have a sharing of news via blogging.
I started blogging to record the renovations when we moved here 4 years ago,and other stuff got added in along the way; the things I have found at carboot sales and charity shops, days out, cooking, gardening,crafting, living on a low income, and the occasional rant. I've attracted some less than nice comments over the years, and these days anyone leaving stuff like that gets short shrift from me. I've found having a blog really useful for being able to look back at what was planted when in each year.
I think I wrote my first post in around 2007. It was so I could go back and see what I planted and how it turned out. As I was very self sufficient. But as I became ill and the kids left home. I changed my blog and now I post whenever I can. I enjoy reading about people's lives around the world and I too have made many friends. Like you. Thank you for being part of my cyber family
Im commenting, Im commenting, Im commenting .
Funny, i was going to write a similar post today. I passed 100,000 views today but some of the air is taken out of it because i didnt write it for the numbers.
I did it to connections with like minded friends from all over the world, like you. Im interested in others. I learn from you. Im entertained by you and so i hope i do the same. Its a conversation, back and forth. My comments are so low that for all i know it could be a computer viewing my posts.
Like you, i'm intelligent enough to be able to change my style and what i write about to up the numbers, even to make money but then it would no longer be mine and i couldnt count my few followers as friends. Friends are so much more important than $$ or numbers.
Cheers. Lynda
I don't blog but love following yours Gill, you are the only blog I follow regularly.
I hope my blog isn't the one that has changed and you don't like any more! lol
I moderate my comments too...because of the trolls. I will say though, it is soooo hard not to engage them sometimes. They can say some very nasty things and it is hard not to defend yourself and just hit delete.
Feel better!
Awesome post. I have found I haven't had the time to read all the blogs I used to at one time, however that said I always appreciate anyone who leaves a comment on any of my posts of interest to them. I hope you are not feeling under the weather much longer with the nicer weather arriving. xx
I started blogging in 2011; it began as a way to record recipes for my daughter and to keep the family current with my medical 'stuff'.
Now it's about whatever happens to cross my mind, lol. I cherish the friendships I've made, and enjoy keeping up with their blogs. I always smile when I come here.
Feel better soon!
OH, good question, Gill!
When I started our blogging my goal was to improve my photography and to see the beauty in common things. When I look at my early posts I can see that I've indeed done that but that I still have a long way to go!!
I continue to blog because I have met people online whom I like and want to continue knowing. (Yep, I am nosy, too.) Also, I LOVE taking photos and sharing them.
I very much enjoy reading your blog because you seem so honest. What a pity there are trolls out there. Do they really find JOY in spreading unhappiness? Grrr!
HI I just read this post today from the link from EG and enjoyed it and found it interesting. I am just blogging 2 years but my blog is mostly NAUTRE related (sometimes loosely!) but it has evolved over the 2 years. I had not a clue when I wrote my first blog but have been helped and do now help other bloggers in a variety of ways(blog wise) I have learned so mush throuhg blogging. All the best to you.
www.birdingforpleasure.blogspot.com
I've had the wind knocked out of me where blogging is concerned,but I'm trying to 'get back in the groove'!
Jane x
I started blogging because I quit scrapbooking so much and I love pictures of my family. I wanted a way to keep the pictures without developing them all. I do still develop some of them though. I used to spend more time blogging and keeping up with others blogs. But since my MIL took ill, and we started building this house, I feel as though life is out of control. Seriously do. Right now I should be getting ready to go look at fireplaces with my SHug, but I'm enjoying some morning coffee and blog. I read blogs instead of the paper now! I hope you get rid of that darn cold. If it's a head cold, those "sinus rinse" things are a bit nasty, but work really well in clearing the head. Take care and rest.
Cindy Bee
Here by way of John brushing his dog's teeth today. I love visiting John because I rarely leave without a laugh, a smile or an "ahhhh".
I have been blogging seven years. The best part is the interaction with people.
I also know Denise. It's a small world.
My time is limited since I live on a working farm but blogging is enjoyable. I don't comment as much as I should but try to reply to every one personally that visits...if they have an address.
My blog is a mix of many things. I hope it's never boring.
Hi!!! I'm finally getting caught up a little!
I've been blogging now for almost 6.5 years. For a while, my main focus was to get more readers and followers. Now tho, I've made bloggy friends and I love to stay in touch with the ones that interest me. If I meet a new blogger that I like, I'll add them to my favorites list. Like you!
I have dropped a few over the years as their interests changed too and my interests didn't match up to theirs anymore.
I hope you feel better soon! I love your analogy of it hanging on like a bad smell... VERY descriptive!
I love your blog :) I blog for similar reasons, though have been a bit hit and miss recently (sometimes I think I'm too boring and slink away). Hope your cold goes soon xx
I have often thought about starting a blog but not being terribly computer literate i am rather hesitant. I enjoy your blog very much. Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for visiting. I don't drink either. I think "stump water" referred to a badly brewed drink.
Hi Gill, thanks for the shout-out. You know, I think you were the first person to ever comment on my blog and I was so shocked because I didn't realize it was an open blog lol. Shocked but happy to 'chat'. And visit, and I have always enjoyed my visits here. My blog started as a journal for our son and that is still paramount. But it evolved, in that it opened up the world to me and meeting nice people such as yourself. As for advice on blogging, my only advice is just to enjoy it. I don't worry how many visitors I get or how many comments are left. Our blogs are like our signatures, no two are alike, and they evolve all the time. Into something we can still enjoy even after all these years. Sometimes I am amazed that I am still blogging.
Gill, I hope you feel better soon! I will answer your challenge in length later on my blog but I have to say that I love reading blogs and I follow several on a daily basis. I don't have much of a following but I value my few readers and love when they stop by. Even if I don't comment on each post, I read your blog every day and find it very interesting and informative. Why if it wasn't for you I would never have learned about Swagbucks!
I've been blogging for about 4 years. I took almost a year off during 2014 cause I felt burnout. I'm back at it now and loving it again. I like how it makes me stop and think about my life and it keeps me using my camera to capture life's little moments. So glad you frequent my blog. I enjoy doing the same for you!
I started to blog for as many reasons as things that I write about, mainly as another conversation, I do like to chat. I read most of my blog list as they publish but sometimes it is just a skim through. Then again some days I go "walkabout" and spend an hour buzzing round the world. Most of my writing is to do with my activities, some is completely random, at the moment I am trying hard not to bore every body with gardening posts.
I've been blogging 10 years made many friends and met them in the flesh too.
I please myself when I blog. Some of my posts create a lot of steam, others fall flat I think, but when I question the flat my readers, most silent, start emailing me directly to tell me "fine job".
so please yourself :) Right now I'm posting solid for 30 days. My normal post rate is once every 3 days.
XO
WWW
Great Post - thank you. I started blogging about 6 years ago - writing about saving money and getting by with little of it. I think blogs evolve over the years as to people. I don't get the time to comment as I would like - working full time, some days just can't look at the computer anymore. I used to love blogging, but running out of steam/wind these days with all the extra volunteer work I've been doing. Hope your cold gets better soon.
I started blogging years ago to promote tourism in the area where I live. (East of Algonquin Park). Then I got invovled in knitting and quilting and had lots to say about that.
Then I had some people close to me say some really bad things about my blog, which had me decide to kill it entirely. I deleted about half of it, then had second thoughts! I'm going to change direction.
I enjoy reading about your changing home. It's very brave of you to pack up house and change location.
Yes your thoughts echo mine Gill. I value all my blogging friends but I've noticed that since everyone uses an IPad these days, the comments have lessened. I suppose with Facebook etc. people spread themselves further.
You asked what we liked. Well I like a varied blog, like yours, that gives me news of how Brits abroad are coping and living away from Blighty; recipes now and then, especially using every day ingredients; news of family's comings and goings, pics of grandchildren etc.; pictures of the local countryside and/or environment. I also love arty blogs, crafty blogs and blogs which take me to fantasy land, lol
I wish there was something to be done for these colds like this...Roger and I have had a couple or three over the past 2 or 3 years that we just could hardly get rid of.
I started blogging in 2007...I don't have many followers...or all that many hits...but I enjoy it. The people I do follow, I tend to go back and see what I have missed when I am away from blogging for a few days. Or even a month or more as in this past Christmas.
We all love to look back at posts about Lorelei...
First off, I hope the cold leaves you very soon. (Like today soon)
I started blogging as a way to share recipes with some of my family members. In the beginning I had little anecdotal stories that they either remembered or knew bits about. Later the tales disappeared and it morphed into pretty much recipe sharing.
I find I really love blogs that amuse me somehow. I don't have to share the same interests as the blogger to enjoy it, but I love different people's writing styles.
I have so few comments that I leave it open to whatever. About the worst a troll could tell me is they hate some ingredient or a recipe is crap. That just doesn't bother me at all!
hi Gill, i have read your for a while and just comment every once in a while but like to read. I have been blogging nearly four years and love it and don't do it for the money. to old to write patterns and stuff like that
I have only been blogging a short time. I have enjoyed reading so many others blogs and after I retired decided I could do it too. I am enjoying connecting with people outside my little corner of the world. Hope you are feeling better soon and thank you for visiting my blog.
I started my writer's blog some years ago, and my photoblog a bit over a year and a half ago. I like the expressive platform, and like you, I comment a lot on other blogs. It does bring traffic back. And like you, I do comment on some blogs that I don't ever hear from, but simply because I like the content.
I have blogged since 2006 and do so in diary form....
I have noted that i have followed you the " British Woman" for almost as long....
I wish i could comment on blogs more, real life gets in the way.....but i do enjoy reading blogs like yours almost every day......
Blogs like yours and mine discusses the " normality" of life
Thats why i love em
Jxxxx
I found your blog via PomPom's blog. I've wondered sometimes exactly why I blog. It's been almost 2 years now. I started in order to be more in touch with my sisters ( 1500 miles away) and my BF ( 600 miles away). They read but I think because they themselves don't blog they don't realize that comments are needed so we know we're not nattering on to ourselves. In any case I'm sure I'll be checking back here as often as I can. In Spring and Summer that is on rainy days
( which we get a LOT of here in southwestern B.C.) Sunny days find me outside!!
Hi Gill!
I agree that one of the best things about blogging is the friends you meet around the world, as well as learning from other bloggers! I started my tea blog earlier this year so that I can connect with other fellow tea lovers and share my tea collection with them (and I can stop boring my family and friends in real life with my tea obsession. Heh).
Hope your cold goes away soon!
I'm so sorry you're still sick! I hope you feel normal again very soon.
I blog because of the photos. I like the "set up" of blogging and I want my mom and sisters to see what I'm up to. All the lovely friends are a huge encouragement, too! It's a small little bit of us that we can share, I suppose.
Thanks for stopping by. Irises move easily maybe you can find a start near where you are.
I'm so glad you did pop by my blog. I'm sorry but I am so technologically challenged that I have no idea how to set something up so you could 'follow' me.
Hi Gill. Firstly thank you for popping over to my blog and leaving a comment. I'm so pleased to see you again. I know what you're saying about that miserable cold that hangs around for ages. Petal kindly shared his with me that he brought home from somewhere on the road. I've just read your post and found it very interesting. I think a lot of bloggers have the same feelings as yourself. We do it because we like it and as far as I'm concerned, it isn't a competition. I don't chase followers...I'm grateful for the ones that do pop in and say hello. Imagine having to respond to over 100 comments let alone 2000 or more! I still have a life and don't want to be sitting at a computer all day, every day. Thats why I took break. To reconnect with real life. Hugs xxx
I'm a first time reader of your blog after you left lovely comments on mine.
I agree with you about bloggers changing the way they write. I had one recently I'd been following for a few years. A few months ago she did a post with a photo of how she defrosts her meat. It lead to lots of questions and comments from her followers about it not being safe. She continued to say it was safe and didn't know what the standards are in my country. I did the research and left a polite comment for her to publish for her readers. She refused and ignored me. Such a shame I just hope her readers don't follow her example as they'd get food poisoning.
I'm hoping to come back often to your blog.
Wendy
Great post, I try to keep up with my Fav blogs but don't always have time to make comments sorry :( Times are crazy around our place right now, but I do love your blog :)
These are all the real reasons I blog. I like to have a record or what has happened and I enjoy the creative outlet. I also love the interaction with people. I really enjoy your blog because your life is where I am heading soon. It had been nice to see your transition and know that if you can do it so can I.
Hmmm, why do I blog?!
Same as you I like to blog because it is an online diary of all that I do. As stated at the top of my blog I originally started in order to track the rebuild of my old house but once the house was built it evolved in to a blog about me and what I do.
I also love the blogging community - I love to read other blogs and I get a kick knowing that people all over the world are reading about me here in little 'ol Ireland!!
Thanks for regularly stopping by my blog. I really appreciate it!
I hope you are feeling better soon Gill. I've blogged off an on for a number of years now. This time around I too am being choosy where I comment and how often I post. Just that time in my life where I'm busy and don't have time to waste reading blogs I don't enjoy. I do try to comment on every blog I follow though. It's those I don't follow that I seldom comment on.
Fascinating question isn't it! What I hadn't thought about is how people's blogs evolve as their interests change. I've had my blogs for less than a year and I think I am still finding my own style.
I also blog as a'diary'for myself (my memory) our families and friends, but don't promote it other than letting facebook friends that I have written a post. I am surprised how many people read it, to me it's just ordinary every day stuff. But I don't have time to write much or read a lot of other blogs, which can make me feel a bit guilty sometimes. I really appreciate people's comments and answer them all (not many) but am guilty of not reading and leaving comments myself.
I came over from Pics and Pieces and i agree with what you said here. i have several that i love there blog and never miss it and have never received a return comment, but i don't care because i love what they write about, Animals are my thing. i blog because i love taking photos and telling stories.
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