If I blog it, they will come…won’t they?
Blogging is fun. Blogging is work. Blogging is cathartic. Blogging is stressful. Blogging is easy. Blogging is hard. Why is blogging such a joy and such a challenge at the same time?
For me, blogging was supposed to be a hobby, a part-time fun thing to do when Hubby wanted to watch some crazy show and I wasn’t interested. I knew there was some money in it…eventually…but I didn’t have any expectations about dollar signs in my eyes or anything because I didn’t intend on blogging as much as I do.
I started out writing silly posts and talking to myself. I wrote a review for a product that I already owned. I joined in with a few blog hops and memes. I even wrote out my family story over a few weeks. I talked to myself essentially for a while until I discovered giveaways.
For the past year, I have been posting giveaways and you all liked them, but you were really reading “me”. I’m done with all that, you know it, and a few of you are sticking around!
I watch my stats (those little tiny stats) and I see that you like to hear about my family fun and those crazy crafts for kids that we do. I see that you like to hear about how I’m finding humor in life through my boy and husband.
Here’s where blogging gets hard:
Can I give up those addictive giveaways and just talk about my family.
Can I keep you all coming – and draw in even more – with my family’s antics?
If I blog it, they will come…right?!
At this point, I’m blogging for myself again. I’m writing stories about my life and sometimes joining in on memes again. This is more relaxing to me and hopefully I’ll stick with it. I have a lot of clean-up to do on the back end of this blog (another annoyingly HARD part of blogging) so while you may only see me once a day, I’m hoping you all will still come around.
Share with me your stories and read my rambles about my life. Once I get on a roll, you’re going to crack up at some of crazy stuff going on over here. I’m in a funk and I’m coming out of it.
I’m linking up today with Tales from the Nursery and I Need a Playdate for “Because Prompts Are Fun”.
The giveaways do call to me, and I am still doing a few little things with those I have relationships with.
I am enjoying this so much more, and I think others are as well.
laura recently posted..Revisiting Harper’s Island
Laura, I’m thinking once or twice a month will be enough for me. I host a group with Planet Weidknecht and I’m not ready to give that up yet. Plus, I usually like to join in on MamaNYC’s hops.
From the looks of it I think you will be just fine! You are a very talented story teller and I know I will paying attention
mryjhnsn recently posted..The Great Big Home & Garden Expo is returning to the @IXCenter! Tickets for the @GreatBigShow can be yours!
Thank you so much!
I’ve never been to your blog before, and I wasn’t going to say anything if I couldn’t work up something better than a mere few sentences. However, if you don’t want to do the giveaways anymore, you shouldn’t. If you just want to blog for yourself, then you should! Blogging isn’t fun anymore when you feel like you have to do it. When you feel as though it’s a necessity, it becomes a chore.
I do giveaways ever so often — I try to for 6birds’ anniversary, and then sometimes my hosts offers to sponsor a giveaway. However, I still blog for me. I blog for me, because blogging helps me relax, relate and connect with people all over the globe. That’s what I really love about it the most, I suppose.
Personally, I enjoy the personal blogs. I dislike the blogs that center around sponsors and making money and such. I want more realness in there. That’s what it takes for me to check back, and possibly keep checking back for new posts. Usually the bloggers whose blogs are more real are the ones who are more likely to attempt a new connection, like a blog readership/friendship/bloggy buddy/etc., thus they seem more friendly to me.
Good luck with your decision.
P.S. I’m from Texas, too.
Liza recently posted..20 Things About Me
Liza, thank you for visiting and for commenting. It has really meant a lot to me to see that others are interested in what I have to say rather than what I have to “sell”. I think I’m sticking with what I love and why I started this and at least I’ll be able to show pride in my work no matter what.
You will always have people who want to work with you for you. And people will want to read you for you. I can’t say I never look at my numbers because I do. I don’t worry about them anymore, though. It’s because I’ve figured that if you stay true to who you are you’ll always have someone who wants to read it. And they’re the ones I’m writing for. I don’t care about the ones who are going to unlike me as soon as they don’t win the prize pack I’m giving away.
Amy recently posted..My Week In {First World Problems}
Ugh. I hate stats. I have slowed down on giveaways and have had to watch my stats drop by more than I would like to say.
Erica recently posted..Recipe: Grain-Free, Refined-Sugar Free Chocolate Covered Apple Pumpkin Cake Pop Donuts
The stats can be a little depressing but they’ll build again with a new set of readers. I prefer the stories – it’s like a better version of reality tv lol
Darcy recently posted..Why Sex After Kids is Like Dating in High School
I love reading your personal stories, thoughts and ideas. I definitely think that people will continue to love your blog – giveaways or not. Actually, I like it much more now!
Tazim recently posted..Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit and to Create Community
Thank you so much, Tazim!
I also discovered your blog from giveaways. I stayed, bit fell behind with everything when I was pregnant, then with a little one. I started reading your blog again while I have a few moments.
Cheers!
Thanks, Jayme! I will try to talk more about baby stuff when I can. I’m still hoping for number two eventually.
I found you on a contest and subscribed by email. I don’t always visit the site, because, hey – email! But I have enjoyed your stories and with this post, I felt I just needed to visit and tell you that.
I really appreciate you for visiting! I completely understand reading from email, too.I do it every day!
I don’t visit the site often because I subscribe to you by email. I love your posts, especially the ones reviewing children’s books, crafts and how-tos. I teach elementary school use your ideas in my own classroom. Always enjoy reading your reflections. I found your site through a giveaway hop but it’s not what keeps me reading your posts by email.
Deanna, thank you so much! Wow, I had no idea that people were reading and using my ideas! You just absolutely made me day!!!!
I discovered you on my way to entering a contest. And I stayed. And I’ll keep coming back. Your style of writing and the stories you’ve had to tell have brought me back again and again. I signed up for regular emails because I didn’t want to miss any posts. The emails never fail to entice me to jump onto your site and read about what you’ve been up to. Thanks!
Oh my goodness!! You all are making my day today!! Thank you so much…and now I just want to write more and more!!
Yes, they will come. You have so much to offer and your stories of YOU entertain me and make me giggle. I for one can tell you that I’ve stopped by daily to see what you’re up to since the “switch”. I didn’t stop by often with all of the giveaways going on because all of that stuff just makes my head spin. I love the new YOU!
Christy recently posted..Galveston Club Paradise: The Cure
Thank you, Christy! You know that I’m a fan of your site and it just makes my heart smile that you are reading mine as well. <3
Yes! Getting more “real” will bring you the following that you’re looking for – there are so many different people who follow blogs. Those who follow for freebies, those who follow for inspiration, and those who follow for the stories. Incorporating a bit of everything will attract some new faces!
I can’t wait to read more about you!
Emily recently posted..Menu Planning Tips
Thanks, Emily! I am blown away by the response to this post that I just want to sit and write forever now!
I don’t think you could have said it any better. I almost see myself saying it down the line. It’s a hobby for me now, but it’s hard not to get lured into that whole ‘giveaways for stats’ routine. One day I think I’ll get over it and be happier with a select few being truly interested in what I am sharing. I look forward to reading more on your blog to get up to speed.
Tahlia B. recently posted..The Hardest Thing About Blogging…Writing
Yes, it is addicting to get into the stat race (ha, kinda like the “rat race” – oddly similar) and some of that is not so bad. I’m seeing now that people found me from a giveaway, but stick around for the stories!
Umm… DUH! I dig your personal stories and those dreaded numbers WILL come back. The difference this time is they will CARE about you as a person! I assure you when you see my 1 year breakdown you will be inspired to keep up this amazing transformation! I totally dig it.
Mallery Schuplin recently posted..Is Your Man Obsessed with Shaving Brushes?
The funny thing is, I haven’t had a giveaway active since 1/12 and my stats really haven’t gone down much. They aren’t much to look at anyway, but not seeing a decrease has made me more confident.