Wednesday, February 29, 2012

How I Ruined my Blog

There used to be people who read my blog. We had a lot of fun. I posted on random topics, some serious, some silly. I was very relaxed and conversational and I posted daily for the most part.

Then I got on Facebook and a lot of things that I would have blogged about I just put out in micro form on Facebook.

Then, I started reading blogs by people in the publishing business. People who know how things should be done.

They said that blogs should have a focus. All the posts should be on one general topic.
They said that posts shouldn't be more than 500 words.
They said I should be very careful about my headlines in order to attract traffic.
They said I was supposed to "offer" my reader something. Whatever that means.
They said I should be this and be that and there were so many things I needed to do to get this thing right.

So, I pretty much stopped posting. And when I did post, I felt very stilted. I didn't feel relaxed and conversational anymore. I was trying to be professional.

I've learned that when I try to be professional, I lose myself. And I wasn't having fun anymore.

I can't do this thing the right way. When it comes to blogging, I either have to do it the wrong way, or not at all.

So, I'm planning to be back with more frequent posts. They'll be on all kinds of random topics, because that's how I am. I'll be more conversational because I'm writing for you, the three of you who read this, not "they." And if I don't generate as much traffic as I could, well, I don't know. I guess that's just the way it is.

I'll still be on Facebook, but if I come up with something that I could blog about, I will. I can be two places at the same time.

So, let's have fun! I hope you're still with me.

10 comments:

  1. Glad you aren't so professional on your blog. I look forward to reading your various posts here and on FaceBook.

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  2. Yay! Blogging and FB and everything is such a conundrum these days, isn't it? And then there's Twitter, which I refuse to do. And Tricia Goyer got me on Good Reads, and now I'm thinking, "now I post reviews and things here too?!" When do I read and do life!

    Looking forward to hearing your musings!

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  3. Thank, guys. Glad to know you're here!

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  4. That's what people appreciate about you, Kay: you're you. When I read your blog it's so I can enjoy your special personality and your special take on some subject.Keep on writing about whatever spins your wheels!

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  5. When it comes right down to it, my favorite blogs are written by ordinary women writing about thoughts on everyday life. And yours is one of them! :)

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  6. Thanks for the blog list. I enjoy your blog, but have missed several that are on your list.
    Ione

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  7. Make your own rules on blogging. Or have no rules. You are the ruler. I like your blog! Paula

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  8. No one ever said you can't write about what you want. This is like an author blog to me. You are presenting who you are to people and people are getting to know you and like you. That's all an author blog is. It will help you sell books in the end because people will buy from someone they know and like.

    Call it "default marketing."

    And to echo what others have said in the comments, I like your blog too. :D

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  9. I love your posts. They're so "you." Glad you're back to being you.

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