Friends, that is my "let's talk" face. It's not my usual "let's talk" face (D can attest to that), but I can't find a serious looking picture of me anywhere. Probably because my serious face isn't worth photographing. So, you're really getting my "I just won a bottle of wine face" instead. It's much more pleasant, anyway. Today I want to share something that's been weighing on my heart lately. I know that's totally not my fashion...I try to keep things lighthearted and focused on the non-preachy stuff like travel, cooking, wine, oh, and I dunno, weenie dogs. But sometimes things pop into my mind and I just can't shake them off. Like last week, when I had a bit of a meltdown about my blog. I think I tweeted something to the effect of, "I want to stab the crap out of it." Stab the crap out of my blog. Yeah, as if that were possible. I was obviously having a moment there, but it really got me to thinking. About my blog, about the blogging community, and what the heck I was even doing all of this for. What's the allure to blogging? The fancy blog designs? Ehh, no. The money? HA, definitely not. The clout? Maybe a little. But what happens when those follower numbers don't mean as much anymore?
What happens when you've put in 100% and you only get back 50?
When the interaction is lacking? When you keep coming back to that keyboard day after day, but somehow the shimmery blogging allure that once drew you in has suddenly worn off and you've lost sight of who or what you've been writing for?
That, my friends, is when you step back, you reevaluate, and you refocus (and you get a new blog design, because ugh, I can't look at it anymore). You kick it old school and get back to the blogging basics. And if you're anything like me, you let go and let God. Because this whole blog space was never mine to begin with, you know? Then, just as quickly as you got fogged up, the clouds start to part and you remember why you started doing what you're doing. You're centered again and the whole blogging phenomenon comes full circle.
As bloggers, we put ourselves out there for the entire world
to see day in and day out. Sometimes we write about our thoughts and feelings,
opening our hearts to share content that shapes who we are and lets readers
into the innermost workings of our minds. Other days, we write about our trips
to the grocery store or share the to-die-for recipe that earned us the “two
thumbs up” from our husbands; just barely scratching the surface of who we are.
Whatever the blog post, no matter how mundane or thought-provoking it may be,
we all strive for the same thing. To be heard and related to. It’s essentially
why we write. And for all intents and purposes, it's why I write. But what's the point if it seems no one's listening?
I know for me, comments, tweets, and emails are definitely
my blogging currency. Just like a dollar or a euro stimulates the economy,
getting a heartfelt message from a loyal reader fills up my confidence bank and
motivates me to keep writing and sharing my life on the interwebs. In the
beginning, when my blog was just way for me to update our family and friends on
our adventures abroad, comments didn’t mean nearly as much...mostly because I
got very few of them. But as time marched on and my blog grew bigger, comments
became a means to an end. I longed for that interaction and acknowledgement
from my fellow bloggers. I look forward to hearing from the people who take time out of their own busy lives to read about mine. As my comment bank grew larger, I began sharing
the wealth, leaving comments and sincere messages to the bloggers I'd grown
to love and those who helped inspire me to nurture my blog along the way. Everybody needs a little lovin', so I’d
get a little deposit, then I’d give a little back. Over time, I began to feel
embraced by the blogging community, which in turn just fueled my blogging fire. Although lately, I feel my blogging fire slowly burning out.
While commenting and receiving gratification shouldn’t be your sole reason for
writing, it sure doesn’t hurt the process! It’s amazing what a brief word of
encouragement can do for a blogger’s soul! That's why it's sad when I roam around the blog world reading amazing posts by my fellow bloggers (posts that obviously took time, energy, and thought to produce) and I see these posts have very few comments...or worse, the ever un-popular "Great post...please visit my site and return the favor?" comments I think, really? Is that what blogging has come to? Then these "Follow back!" comments started popping up in my inbox and I felt a twinge of hurt. Did you even read my post? No. Not at all. You're trolling for followers. Does that really work for anyone? I doubt it. Those kinds of commenters I want to banish to the land of no internet, because, quite frankly, you're ruining this for me! But leaving a comment that connects with me as a writer, conveying your understanding, praises, or how you relate...well, you can expect a comment back from me. Or even that coveted blog follow, because those are the interactions I strive for. Those are the comments I write for. I don't know any blogger who'd disagree.
I know some of you are thinking, "Now, Casey, while commenting on every single post I love would be ideal, what about those of us who don’t have time to comment? How can you build a rapport without them?" To you I say this: thankfully the
blog world is great about evolving and changing to accommodate those with
tighter schedules and less time to comment. There are infinite ways to support
our fellow bloggers and acknowledge their value in the blogging community! You
can re-tweet your favorite posts (if you're a new blogger and don't have a Twitter account, get on that...it's pretty necessary), share new blog finds via Facebook, pass on
sponsor opportunities to a new blogger, collaborate on projects, email for
advice, snail mail encouragement (my new favorite thing), and host giveaways, just to name a few! But whatever kind of
communication you choose, strive for quality! A half-hearted exchange won’t
facilitate a reply. Nor does it encourage great content from bloggers. Leave the kind of love you'd want to receive. Build up your fellow blogger, because with comments and positive interaction comes courage. The courage to keep writing and putting your voice out there for the entire world to embrace.
I've made it my blogging goal this year to disconnect from the hype-the numbers, the clout- and really get to know the people behind the blogs. That’s why I challenge you, dear blog friends, to make this
the year of meaningful interactions. If comments, emails, and tweets are the
currency of blogging, aren’t they worth more thought? Let the bloggers you
enjoy reading about know that they are appreciated, heard, and understood with
more than a “Hi, love your blog! Follow back, please?” Send emails, build
relationships, and write with purpose. Collectively we should strive to fill up
our blogging banks with supportive interactions, rather than obligatory
one-liners designed to gain followers. You're more likely gain readers from heartfelt dialog and great blog content than thoughtless banter, a process I'm just now embracing. So, why not give back to the blogging community just a fraction of what
it’s given to you? Interact with intent to build friendships, fill courage banks, and inspire blog content. Here’s to spreading the wealth in 2013!
Have you ever needed a blogging re-direction?
What are your favorite ways to interact with your readers and fellow bloggers?
I'd love to hear your suggestions!
Oh and for all you no-reply bloggers...I'm coming for you tomorrow. Stay tuned!
