There are a lot of reasons why I follow blogs. I subscribe to those that exhibit excellent writing or inspiring photographs which take me along on adventures around the world. Other times, because I can relate to the writer, the posts are informative or I want to make a connection with one of my own followers.
I just checked and have subscribed to 270 blogs. That is crazy! I seldom follow those that blog every day or more than once a day since that is a lot to read. I try to comment or at least “Like” everyone’s blog sometime during the week. It’s how I get to know everyone!
So I have to ask the question. Why do so many subscribe, but never come by to read again? I am not getting a thousand views every time I post a story. I realize that some accounts are no longer active, but where are the majority of you guys? (((ECHO))) ((Echo)) (echo)
It’s a long way to the top
Some sly bloggers comment consistently and as soon as I follow back, they never stop by again… “Hey! Where did you go???”
Do the beginner bloggers freak out when email alerts start coming and they suddenly realize the consequence of hitting the follow button on 100 blogs in one day?
Do they follow and then turn off the email alerts? I know. Why bother.
Are they trolling for followers?
Do they think numbers are the most important part of blogging?
I have never followed random people with the hope of having them reciprocate just to build my numbers. To me, that is such a strange way to build a community.
A few bloggers stand on mountaintops built on their accomplishments. They expound knowledge or give us a slice of their life with very little interaction and good on them. I may always trudge along the rocky path.
Jenny Lawson – AKA – The Bloggess
She sneezes and gets 1000’s of views.
If I ever reach the summit, I wouldn’t want my own voice to echo back to me from the empty abyss. Everyone wants their voice to be heard. Right?
Hello out there! (((Out There))) ((out there))
Lecturing keeps distance between a writer and their readers. Many have a small clique of those to which they will respond. I HATE CLIQUES. Hate is a pretty strong word. Okay. Dislike…
There are many types of readers. I have family and friends who click over from Facebook or email. Many loyal bloggers stop by and comment almost every time I post. There are the skimmers who may be in a hurry and hit, “Like” to let me know they stopped by my place and those who press “Like, Like, Like,” on all the blogs they follow through the reader and hopefully click over to read once in a while. I love all of you! Really!
The blogosphere and specifically WordPress is an amazing community of people from around the world. I have made a lot of real friendships through the interaction of comments. I plan to meet up with more of you over the summer! Get ready!
Two years ago, I was told that if I planned to publish a book, I needed to blog in order to build a writer’s platform. I wondered what the heck that was. It is the group of people that follow you over a period of time that will be interested in buying your book (crosses fingers) when it is published (crosses fingers again). I learned that a rickety platform built with straw-like hits or views and can be worthless. One created through communication, connection, and relationships built with mutual respect is rock solid or at least a lot more solid than straw. Cue wind machine…
Once a month, my blog becomes a house party. Readers have the opportunity to meet my friends and build their own community. The next Use Me and Abuse Me Party starts April 25th. Yep. It’s official. It is no longer one day. The last one was a rager and lasted nearly a week!
I will continue to construct my community brick by brick and hope that others will keep stopping by my Wild Ride, if not to comment or like a post, at least to peruse my latest adventures for a few minutes.
It’s my dream that someday, I’ll shout from my own mountaintop and a crowd will respond, “FOR GOD’S SAKE, WE’RE RIGHT HERE. STOP SHOUTING!”
Now that’s what I call a following! Woo! Woo! Woo!
Are you selective when subscribing to blogs? Do numbers matter to you?
You are such a whiner… you have 134 people ‘liking’ your blog, and a bunch making comments that don’t bother to click like in their rush to comment. I would suspect many read and don’t bother to either, but just enjoy your writing. Send some my way!
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I did include that I am grateful for everyone that comments and Likes and views my posts, but that’s not what I am “whining” about Ted. I am getting tons of new followers, but I don’t think a lot of them stop by again to even view my posts. I was just wondering if anyone else experienced that. Judging by all of the comments, it hit a nerve and almost everyone wondered the same thing.
Thanks for weighing in…
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Hi Susie,
I read a few of your articles – good for you! Keep on writing! : )
Two of my favorite books about writing, are “Zen and the Art of Writing” by Ray Bradbury and I also love “Martin Eden” by Jack London.
Hope all’s well with the family.
Best,
Eric
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Thanks so much Eric! Great to “see” you!
Those are great choices. 🙂
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Hey Susie! I really enjoyed this post and am a new follower. You are a rare breed and your blog is fantastic. I will be stopping by whenever I can. For the record, numbers don’t matter to me. It is the quality of connections that I make, not the quantity! Have a fantastic weekend….Tim
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Thanks so much Tim! Sorry I missed your comment.
I think I got caught up in my Use Me and Abuse Me Days which are a big blog party. I felt like I should follow those that came by and I got a little over my head!
I agree about the connections. I have made a lot of real friends here and I am very glad to meet you!
Thanks again!
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You are more than welcome Susie! Enjoy the week ahead 🙂
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You too Tim!
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I read your article when I read one of blog that I follow, Elena Levon blog, I read over and over this article, Feels I can connect, I not yet subscribe many like U did 270 whew… U must be read a lot! I did follow blog when I read their blog more than one time and curious coming to see more, At first I felt very slow, but then since this my 2nd attempt to blog I don;t wanna feel intimidate anymore by awesome blogger out there. So I just read read read and follow when I can connect. It will be lying if i didn’t happy seeing new friends in my blog, but what matters is more to what I want to share trough my blog and what I can connect when I follow other blog 🙂 Like this article of your, greetings 🙂
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Thanks so much for coming by from Elena’s blog! She is the best. 🙂 Welcome to the Wild Ride!
I think it is intimidating at first. I was very careful about who I followed since we get email notifications. Then it sort of snowballed. I do love to read others and I don’t usually follow those that write every day or more than once a day. Most post 2-3 times a week or less.
Seeing friends stop by to read is the best part of blogging.
Thanks so much Bless my journey!
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Welcome Susie, I’ll come back to look more on your blog. I’ like what U write coz part of what Ur write indeed I feel too and it’s easy to read since my English not so perfect even if my grammar not really awesome please understand 😛
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Hey! I understand you perfectly!! Thank you so much. I will look forward to your visits!
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I agree. I may not get to read every post a blog I have liked publishes, but I try. The reason why I “Like” a blog is because it said something I resonated with. That makes me want to come back and read more, empty/hallow likes and follows don’t do anything. I am writing to share a piece of myself, if you aren’t interested, that is fine, but don’t give a shallow like to boost your own follows.
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I’m guilty of sporadic reading myself…I usually come to the blog world when I need inspiration (which you are a great provider of btw). I think the bigger problem is that, as you’ve pointed out, these are human connections and take time and energy. And truthfully not everyone’s optimizing their communication online either..
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Thanks so much Joe!
We are all motivated differently to read blogs. Some bloggers have become good friends of mine, others I read for entertainment or inspiration like you.
Maybe some do bite off more than they can chew and then pull back a bit. I don’t think they realize that building a blog’s readership takes a lot of time and commitment to reading others. I have found that it is worth the time!
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Totally. One of my favorite phrases in operation here is “It’s like anything else” aka it’s not magic, you get out what you put in
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Exactly! Well said.
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thought you’ll get a laugh – http://frauleinwanderlust.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/how-to-get-16000000-page-views-in-1-5-years-or-dear-lesley-carter/#comments i posted a link to it from my site.
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I was Freshly Pressed a couple of weeks ago. Every day and sometimes a couple times a day, a woman has come by and liked my “Open Letter to My Boobs” post. At first I thought she was having a problem with her “like” button which has happened to me, but after 10 days, I knew she was trying to get attention. I don’t have a problem with that so much, but it became annoying to see her gravatar pop up every day. And no, I didn’t run over and Like one of her posts. It became a stand off on the Wild Ride!!!
I posted about it on Facebook and said that if she kept it up, I’d hit 1000 likes really soon! I have to admit, when she didn’t come by yesterday, I was bummed. I thought she could be following me on Facebook and saw my comment. But I woke up this morning, and there she was! I don’t understand her motivation!!!
I don’t have a problem with people liking to get attention and drawing me to their blogs. I have made friends by checking back to see who the person is.
People pay for blog hits all the time. It’s their choice. Like you, I am here to develop my own community. Lesley is here to make money. I originally started blogging to build a writer’s platform. I never would have dreamed how many REAL friends I would make! I’m heading to Cali and will more of them this week!
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great outlook ! my like is disabled for a reason … trying to figure out why is it that I have over 100 likes on each of my stories if they can’t “like” it anymore.. does this mean over 100 people just “clicking” like on reader ? … where else would they get a “like” button? I only pay attention to those who comment, especially if they did that several times.. clicking a “like” doesn’t get you a response from me… this “like” situation painfully reminds me of facebook and all other social companies that I want nothing to do with…
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ps – with my site if you want exposure, you’re gonna have to actually comment and engage in the conversation.. i love that you have “use me / abuse me” days … )) very cool!
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Very ice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I
hope you write again soon!
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Thanks for finally writing about >I Will Follow You! | Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride <Loved it!
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Great blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress
or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
Any tips? Thanks!
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Great insight on blogging and ghost followers, thanks. I reblogged it on
https://theboldcorsicanflame.wordpress.com/2017/02/03/i-will-follow-you-susie-lindaus-wild-ride/
☺
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This is a fantastic post. I started blogging last June, so I didn’t see this post when it was originally placed on your blog. Reading your words and thoughts about bloggers was a breath of fresh air. I agree one hundred percent…building a solid community of bloggers who are on the same track is key and it’s a really rewarding experience.
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Thanks so much for reading that blast from the past. I don’t really know why bloggers follow and then peace out. With other social media, the followback isn’t as impactful. Blogging is so different!
Another blog party is coming up soon!
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I’ll be there! Yahoooo!
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