Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Blogging.......

Last July, Cindy suggested I start writing a blog.  To be honest with you, I wasn't completely sure what a blog was.  Oh, I had a general idea, but I had not fully explored the subject.  So, I did a little homework and decided it might be fun and recreational.

But first, I had to decide what format to use, and what to call my blog, and how to navigate around the blog site itself.  Actually, the learning curve is rather steep at first, then levels off---but in reality it never ends, because new apps and techniques are always appearing.

But, after I set up my site and got the name of my blog settled, I started writing.  I must say it was fun, and I looked forward to deciding what my daily topic would be and how I would approach each day's posting.  Of course, the more you do of something, the better you become, and after about two months, I was on a roll.

When I started my blog, I did not care if anyone followed me or not---I just thought it was a great way to express myself and talk about things I found interesting.  But, after a couple of months, I began to get followers, and I found that I liked knowing someone cared enough about what I was doing to actually read my posts.  Of course, now I love getting new followers and encourage folks to read my musings.

I have noticed some odd things, however, about my blogging:

---By far, most of my followers are folks I have never met.  I have neighbors and many friends who read my blog but have not become followers, even when I have asked them to do so.  It is odd that, of all the people I know in Plano, Texas, only one has become a follower...and she is someone I never asked to do so (I am thrilled that she decided to follow me on her own).  What are the reasons for this?  My wife has noticed the same thing in her blog.  This may sound crazy, but the only thing we can figure out is that many folks are envious, and do not want to acknowledge the success and happiness of one of their peers.  I would really like some feedback on this.

---My brother and my mother refuse to even read my blog (if you can believe that).  The reasons they give is that 1) they might get a virus because it is widely believed that blogs can promote infections and 2) they don't have time.  Again, this sounds funny to say, but I can't help thinking that there is an envy factor here, at least on the part of my brother.  Quien sabe?

---Both of my daughters are followers, as is one of my cousins, which I appreciate.  I often write about family members---in a positive way, of course---so I am at a loss as to why anyone in my family would not want to read my thoughts.

---Most blogs are themed---that is, they deal with a particular pursuit, like cooking, artwork, photography, poetry, spirituality, etc.  My blog is all over the place---whatever I feel like writing about on a particular day.  I don't have a specific theme, but I will never get bored with just one topic.

---I notice that Europeans in general are very friendly on the blog, and seem to be very supportive in their commentary.  I have more American followers, but those from other countries probably comment more.

---I have learned that it is important to be as accurate as possible about blog topics.  I often do quite a bit of research to get a posting down correctly.  This is good, because it means I am actually learning about things every day.

What are some of your observations about blogging?  What benefits does your blog provide?  What do you like about blogging?  Not like?

18 comments:

  1. Dear Clint,

    I find your blog really interesting, because I get insight into the culture and history of your country and get in the way the people of the big wide world better learn. My sister also blogging. My family and friends are only interested in part of this. I just have to accept Sun I also love to read English texts to brush up my language skills. Sense of humor I find refreshing. Now I just need to find even Cindy's blog. Can you tell me his name or send the link again?

    Greetings Sabine

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  2. Sabine---Thank you. I love your blog, too! And I appreciate the work you put into it.

    Cindy's blog is located at http://cindyellison.blogspot.com/

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  3. I love your blog. Don't worry about others being envious. If that's the case there is nothing you can do about it anyway. Most people feel that becoming a follower means making a commitment they don't have the time or desire to make. The important thing is that you are read and that the number of folks who read you grows. Have a great dat, Clint. Blessings...Mary

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  4. Funny thing, my friends also do not follow my blog. Only one does. I blame that on the fact they really are not interested in self sufficiency or what I write about. That's ok. My Mom has no computer so I use Blog to Print and have my blog mailed to her to read, which she likes. I have also made friends with people far away I would never have otherwise. We chat on the phone or meet each other half way. That is the best part of blogging. Finding like minds and learning from others.

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  5. I had to get over my 'hurt' when a lot of my family and friends didn't follow me. I don't know if some actually read but don't publicly follow or if they don't have any interest or time. One of my earliest following friends started having trouble getting her comments to post, then simply said she lost interest in my blog when she couldn't comment - like it was not a fun game if she couldn't participate. Which I can understand, but that meant that my simple country life, photos, whatever I can share was not really interesting to her in the first place.

    But as you said, the majority of followers and frequent commenters I have are people I've never met, but I've come to bond with and share life with on a daily basis. And I love this blogging community of what I call "cross-bloggers". If some of my family and friends are not interested, I'm okay with that. I enjoy blogging anyway.

    God bless!

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  6. I started to blog when I was in the depths of despair, I had written some poems putting my thoughts and feelings down and thought perhaps someone else may be going through the same.
    Over time with the help of self help books I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel and my poems became more light hearted, I had a few followers then came the A to Z blog fest last April, I did a poem every day for a month
    and gained many more friends. Blogging has become very important to me as though we may never meet I have many friends I can rely on.

    Yvonne.

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  7. Good morning Clint. I started my blog over a year ago just to see if I could get anyone to respond to God's Word. To my surprise I discovered that there were lots of Christians out there in cyberspace wanting to do the same thing that I was doing...spreading the gospel.

    I did find out however, like you, when I began to write on a particular topic I really had to make sure that I did my homework. In a way this helped me with my walk with the Lord because I began to study and meditate more then I had before I started my blog. Anyways, to make a long story short, I really enjoy the interaction between my blog friends and followers. And, at the same time I get to witness to the Lord. God bless and may our Lord continue to bless you and your blog ministry. Lloyd

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  8. 1. What are some of my observations about blogging?

    People come and go all the time. Don't take it personal.

    I have also experienced a lack of interest from family and friends. Not sure why?

    2. What benefits does my blog provide?

    My blog has become my hobby/ministry. By the grace of God I've been able to share the Gospel, encourage and correspond with people from all over the world...literally thousands! PTL

    3. What do you like about blogging? - #2 ditto :-)

    4. Not like? It's very time consuming.

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  9. One of the reasons I visit blogs is to learn about other people and their customs. etc. I like that. Maybe people in your area don't read your blog because they already know about you and your locality?

    Here in the Northeast, I don't want neighbors reading my blog. These people are NOSY. They would practically stalk my blog (and some have!) to read everything and gossip. So I go by a pen name. I greatly dislike gossip. So, I'm glad my neighbors do not read my blogs. Count your blessings!

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  10. Clint
    I am glad you are blogging.
    I have found the same thing with my friends and distant family. That's quite all right. I started my blog out of loneliness and trying to work through grief. I have found now that ever so often people do come in, even if it is just to snatch a picture. The blogs I write are not as personal as they use to be, although I do include what is going on in my life very often. I look at blogging as a diary. A log of what I am thinking, doing, or going through at the time. As you know mine can be all over the map too. I actually had to add another blog, which is suppose to be for lighter subjects, but they do get mixed.
    Well thank you for being here. Didn't know Cindy had a blog. I will have to follow it.

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  11. ...and thank you for starting blogging. It is always interesting and I love your blog.

    At the beginning I started blogging for friends and family, cause of my moving to Tenerife, and now a lot of mail pals, guests and Tenerife fans are added.

    I love to report about the island and the finca.

    Have a beautiful day and greeting to you
    Petra

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  12. Clint.
    You know that I love your blog.
    I am commenting only when it really interests
    me..
    I like the way that we can communicate so
    easily.
    Yes, my family is not following me also.
    My two daughters are on facebook.

    Wish you have a nice day.
    Greetings,
    Monika

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  13. Hi Clint! I really like your blog. I wouldn't worry about followers (lol I don't have many). I think one of the hang-ups is you have to get a google e-mail address to follow. To do that they ask for your date of birth and all sorts of personal information we are warned not to provide. I'm writing about things that stand out from my daily quiet time, and also a photography blog. It started with my photo business (or the beginnings). I did a first cut of a professional portfolio site, and then realized people would like to know the story behind some of my photos. I plan to do a third with my paintings and drawings. Hope Faith & Life is my quiet time blog. My site and photo blog link off of it. I'm learning a lot about the Bible from blogging and meeting new friends.

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  14. at first I wanted all my family and friends to read my blog...now I'm glad they don't...I can just be myself....and not worry if I say something wrong that might hurt their feelings...I've got so many nice folks that stop by and leave wonderful comments....came to visit from Texwisgirl...

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  15. Such an interesting topic Clint! It's funny you mention the friend/neighbor thing not following as I have thought the exact same thing!!!

    My family reads but only one (and you know her) comments. They ALL support the blog though and I love them for it. Many friends don't even mention it...so whatever.

    I guess my biggest issue w/blogging is finding the time necessary to do quality posts, read and enjoy others blogs, and do the whole "life" thing w/husband/house/KIDDIES/etc... It's hard to find the time but I try because I love it all so much :)

    Great thoughts here...thanks for the post!

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  16. Hi Clint -

    Thank you for this interesting post.

    I did a topic, "BLOG ETIQUETTE" dated October 19, 2010.

    You may be inclined to read it on my blog, LIONS SHARE MAJESTY" at www.lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com.

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  17. Hey Clint,

    I've enjoyed getting to know you and commenting back and forth. I for one am glad that you decided to take up blogging!

    -Greg

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  18. You too?? Well the only consolation I can see is that we are not alone. Seems to be the curse of the blogger.

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