A blogger I read recently hit 1100 posts. Another blogger is almost at 800. And another blogger just asked if we think about numbers when we blog. Do we worry about how many comments we get? How many people are following our blog? How many “likes” we get?
I thought about that. And decided that I blog for my pleasure (and that of families or friends – for example in the case of our recent trip blog Lemons to Limoncello) and that I’m not really worried about numbers. Which is true to an extent, in that I don’t try to build my following through other social media platforms. I don’t slavishly count comments or followers or likes. I’m confused by followers, in fact, as I suspect many who “like” and then “follow” are doing so purely so we can return and check out their blog and follow them. So the numbers who follow me seem irrelevant, given that most never comment, and as far as I know never even revisit.
But saying I don’t care about numbers is not entirely true either, in that I blog for connection, for understanding, in a search for enlightenment, and for the wonderful community (however tiny) I might have reading my blog. I blog for the interaction between their blogs and mine, and I can’t do that if I have no numbers. But ultimately, the numbers aren’t important. It’s the people who count most. I have a small core of top commenters, and I love them dearly for that.
Good post. Over the past few months, I have gotten a ton of ‘junk’ followers, i.e. people who are not interested in my blog, but who just click ‘follow’ so I would check out their blogs, in which they are trying to sell goods or services. I understand the motivation behind it, and it’s no any kind of momentous hassle for me, but I kind of resent that. I also blog for connection with like-minded people and have no commercial interests connected to my blogging at all. I’d rather have twenty good blogging ‘buddies’ than 20,000 followers any day. Luckily, I’ve managed to find the former 🙂
LikeLike
I definitely blog for my own pleasure and for connection with others—particularly the original 365 gang. That said, my inconsistency is bad for business. When I do finally post, it takes people a long time to find it. I don’t promote my posts, because frankly, I still want to be anonymous in most circles. I don’t want everyone from high school reading me.
LikeLike
On my private blog, I started noticing the numbers of hits each day–I have about 16 readers–and I’m always happy when a certain post gets 8 or 9 views. But South city? I have over 100 visitors a day, I have no idea who they all are, and it doesn’t matter as much to me. I don’t post them on FB, I don’t mention that I’ve posted. People read or they don’t. But the one that I’ve invited folks to? I’m happy when they read. And for that matter, I’m always happy when someone comments. Because I don’t mean for my blog to be a monologue.
LikeLike
With my last blog, I did get into a thing about upping my readership and hits. But at the moment, I don’t really care. I have a small number of blogs I read because I enjoy them, and I write because I enjoy that too.
Maybe at some other point in time I’ll get into wanting to boost my numbers again, but at the moment, it is enough to have connections and an outlet.
LikeLike
To count or not to count, and if counting, what the heck do those numbers mean? And why do different counters come up with wildly different stats? These are the questions that keep bloggers up at night…
LikeLike
I blogged for three years from 2004-2007 and then stopped because I didn’t think I had the skills of a true writer, but thinking back I think I felt that way because I did not see the numbers I was expecting or hoping I would have.
I started a new blog five or six days ago and this time around I am trying my best to not concern myself with followers – but old habits? I’ll shamefully admit I still care … somewhat. I catch myself “peeking” at my stats page only to be let down. LOL
I’m trying to change my ways. I suspect the numbers will come in time, I just need to be patient and keep reminding myself I just started again and I’m only on post number six! LOL Geesh! 1100 posts? 800 posts? I can’t even imagine that far ahead!
Thanks for the read.
LikeLike
I’ve never quite “gotten” the “follower” thing either??
LikeLike