Now he isn't the first person to tell me this, the Vernacular Curate said something very similar to me recently, as did my boyfriend. In fact I got the distinct impression that my boyfriend was finding my blog a bit dull, which is possibly the worst insult you could throw at me. I suppose when I read a text or found a video that I liked then I thought it was obvious why I liked it and just posted it for others to enjoy. But clearly I was mistaken and also doing so is a bit lazy.
So, I have tried to stop putting so many videos and bits of text in, and put more of myself into it. I am finding that I am enjoying it more as a result. The other thing that I am doing is only looking to put one (hopefully good) post on my blog each day, and then add other things that I feel are newsworthy. Unfortunately, I seem to be breaking this one and on occasion still end up with four posts in a day!
In addition, I have added the Wednesday Round Up, which I noticed Clayboy had as a New Year's Resolution. I've enjoyed collecting the posts over the weeks and sharing them. I also mentioned before that I've stripped away as many of the gadgets as I can, although I've left the tabs and extra pages as they were. I do very much appreciate the feedback and the encouragement that I have received, please keep it coming!
I do feel like a fraud because I still feel like I have no idea how blogging really works - how the statistics counters know which pages have received views and where you find out if someone has linked to you. I also can't get that excited about tricks of the trade that get people to come to the blog. Still, its just for fun, so why do I think I need to be an expert?
9 comments:
M'dear - forget the stats, forget the 'how and the why', forget the technology and the measuring sticks, just write. Less quotes, more you. I am quite sure that our readers don't give a flying fig what our Wikio ranking is, but do care about how we can make their dawn just a shade brighter. That is what you do, and you do it well. The rest is cloud and fog, mate!
This speaks of what blogs are when at their best. Testimony. Nothing else. If I want to know what Fred Bloggs thinks, I can use Google like you do, but I can only come here to learn about what Lesley thinks.
Here endeth the sermon.
Wish I knew how to blog better!
I'm new to your blog and blogging - I was drawn to your blog because it honest and real. You discuss subjects from your perspective, which challenges me to work out whether I agree or disagree with you! I came across your blog by leaping from another blog I was looking at. I have no idea about statistics - but I would like to know how to find other blogs. Am I missing a search engine somewhere?
Hi Curate's Wife--Wikio.co.uk has religious blog rankings.
The best way to find blogs that appeal to you is probably to look at the blog roll of a blog you really like, find those you like best, look at their blog rolls etc. And then compile a private blog list of those you really follow, which may not be the same as the blogroll.
Anita
I notice the religious angst is creeping in again. You're not a fraud, you're a novice, as are most non-professional bloggers. In bettering your blogging, including taking the advice of your journalist friend, you are still being yourself - read your Sunday post again :)
And yes, stop worrying about stats. You're not being examined, you're sharing your thoughts and feelings, because you want to, and as such they are on offer to be taken or dismissed as readers please.
On the other hand, if you're preaching then the stats will tell you how crowded your internet pews are. Does this obsession with bums on seats come with the job?
I do have spats of being personal on my blog, but I'm always wary as I'm not necessarily erm 'normal' and so I worry about alienating folk.
Funny enough I tend to be more personal in my commenting on other blogs, but even then I worry about coming over as weird.
I have managed to stop my 'traffic lust' and opt for a simple 'no thrills' layout.
I too thoroughly enjoy this blog and your thoughts on matters....
See, I'm a conversation stopper. It happens all the time. I make a comment and then the conversation stops.
I'm only half joking :)
I've been told that in general my comments are unanswerable and I'm not sure that's a compliment.
I think I'll return to being the 'one liner king' after this comment.
I took the decision to moderate comments on my blog as I was pretty much overwhelmed with anti-Christian rhetoric.
Christian commentators were withdrawing due to this, which in the end, I simply couldn't tolerate further.
I never imagined I'd censor and most of the commentators have withdrawn now, and consequently traffic has suffered.
But in truth, I don't care, as folks have many platforms to vent their anti-christian sentiments.
If Christian blogs are not a safe and friendly environment for Christians, then where would be?
I think that often Christians (and I'm included in ths) don't want to enter into continual confrontation.
Personally, if I've nothing positive to say, then I tend to say nothing, but not all - including Christians - are like this.
Sorry to ramble, it's not like me.
I wouldn't worry too much about including some non-original content occasionally, though you might need to watch the balance. Although I could use Google (as Fr. David suggested) to find out what Fred or Freda Bloggs said, the chances are I won't unless they are already on my blog roll or I spot them on someone else's. The fact that you found it interesting tells me something about what you think.
That said, I seem to remember that a couple of weeks ago you specified 10 points about what makes a Lesley-friendly blog - among which was a preference against extended quotes and in favour of links and summarising in your own words?
Yeah - I wasn't really worrying about stats, more noting my ignorance.. which isn't religious angst, I guess I feel irritated with myself for not finding out.
Wikio is excellent for finding blogs, if you click on the Wikio badge on the rhs of this blog you will go through to the religion and belief section. And Anita is right about other people's blog rolls.
I am trying to promote more blogs these days too, having had my hand slapped by the MadPriest and it was pointed out to me that blogs get found by recommendation on other blogs.
Stuart - glad you found your voice - ramble away! Sorry you are having issues with comments though. It might just be a phase. Robert, how long have you been blogging for? It takes a while to find your voice.
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