Wednesday, May 11, 2011

What I've Learned in a Year of Blogging

Here is what I've learned about blogging in the last year:
  1. Blogs take a LOT of your time.   This first one was a bit of a surprise.  I didn't think it would take up quite so much time.  
  2. All the work involved in photography for the blog is as time-consuming if not more so than the writing.  This was also a surprise.  I had no idea how long it would take to get the photos--sun, neat place in the house-- or tweak them in some editing program.  I don't know about the rest of the world, but it also takes a while for my photos to upload on Blogspot.  That's not so bad for a photo or two, but for tutorials and such, it can seem like forever.
  3. You start to feel guilty if you don't do something blog-worthy to post about. This was a total shock.  I thought this would be fun.  I figured I would post when I had something to say which would be about weekly.  Instead, I started listening to all the advice of semi-professional bloggers who insist that one should to have a specific area of interest, not write too many off-topic posts, include some but not too many near-professional quality photographs, post often, keep paragraphs short, keep posts short, and on and on.  The pressure!
  4. Approximately one-half of one percent of people who visit my blog will comment.  Okay, to be honest I'm exaggerating.  It's actually less than that.  It's one-fifth of one percent.  I did the calculations.  In addition, most of the comments turn out to be from people saying thanks for commenting on their blog or joining their link party rather than actual comments on the post. As a commenter, I just assumed others left comments as well and that blogging would be a sharing experience. When I read someone's blog post, I read the comments, too.  People often share additional ideas that expand on the content, offer alternate suggestions, provide new sources, bring up points I've missed or even misunderstood.  Comments are opportunities for the writer and readers to learn and grow. 
  5. Some people view blogging as, well, crap.  This  fifth bit of enlightenment came through a few conversations with people about blogs.  This usually begins with me saying I like reading blogs and, in fact, have one.  For some reason people who I normally consider polite seem to feel that insulting blogging is perfectly acceptable.  I have zero interest in sports.  When the topic comes up in conversation, however, I don't say sports are nonsense and a waste of time.  One anti-blogger particularly zeroed in on mommy blogs which is ironic in that she reads mommy blogs to get ideas for her online business relating to children.  Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!  
  6. If you move away from your original intent in blogging, it will become too much of a chore.  So for my second year of blogging I shall be blogging about what I want when I want!  To that end, the following photo is here because I feel like sharing it not because a post SHOULD have a photo.  It is my  lovely husband at one of the many beautiful hiking spots he finds for us.  If this task were left to me, we would be hiking up and down the aisles of a  fabric store.  He is away on business for a few days and, even after 27 years of marriage, he is dearly missed.   

(Love you tons, Mr. Easton!)

8 comments:

  1. Aww, love that you included the picture and note about your husband. And I agree 100% with everything you said. It amuses me that you did the math on the commenting but that number doesn't surprise me in the least. I wouldn't say I don't still enjoy blogging but it has turned out to be more work and stress than I imagined, and I tend to overthink things before I start them and predict the worst. I thought I knew what I was getting into.

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  2. :) well i agree with most of your views and pray that you meet with your hubby soon :)

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  3. I have to admit that most of my "problems" with blogging were of my own making. The advice I read applied more to people who were trying to use their blogs for more serious purposes.

    And, the hubster is home!

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  4. My husband happens to be one of those that view blogging as "crap". Boo hiss. I don't care what he thinks!

    Not getting comments sucks. But clicks count, too. It just amazes me that I can post the same type of thing as one of the "big" bloggers, and they get hundreds of comments while I get 5 if I'm lucky.

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  5. I think you've come to the right conclusion - blog what YOU want, WHEN you want - that way it stays enjoyable. And yah-boo-sucks to the blog insulters. I'll certainly keep popping over from time to time to see what you're up to and I always look forward to your comments over at Thesockgarden.

    Hehe, love your walk down the fabric aisle comment - that's where I'd go too! Looks like your dear hubby certainly has a knack for finding beautiful places. x

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  6. Great post! I've often read that you should not start a post with "I'm sorry I've been away". I think I agree with that.
    I think you have some very valid points about blogging. My "friends" just don't get it. That is why yesterday I talked to a blog friend (phone) from MN, CA and NY. I'm in KY. :) They GET me, and the ins and outs and challenges of blogging. My friends and family are clueless.
    I think you MUST blog what YOU want. Or else it's not your blog anymore.
    I find that I rarely have time to visit the hundreds of blogs I use to due to working on projects, pictures, blogging, and answering emails.
    However, do I really need to read 200 blogs? :)
    have a great day!
    gail

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  7. Great Post. I am a new google friend follower of yours, thanks for popping by my blog.

    I only started blogging this year, I too tried to follow the advice: post regularly (daily!) and short posts. I managed posts daily for about a month, then about 4/5 times a week, now I only manage about 2/3 times a week now because I prefer to post about something more of interest to me, rather than posting just to hit a target!
    Karima xx
    www.karimascrafts.com
    and
    www.karimasblogs.blogspot.com

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