Yay! Noah and I survived the move mostly intact.
With a new home, fewer expenses, less stress, and a general new beginning in place for us, I’ve decided it’s time to step it up as a blogger.
So, I’ve made some goals. And I’ve read enough motivational books to know that a goal isn’t a real goal unless it’s written down and shared with others.
So, I’m going to do just that, and over the next few afternoons I’m going to share some of my better blogger goals with you all. I hope you’ll give me feedback as to whether or not those goals will make this blog a better experience for you!
GOAL #1: Respond to more of your awesome comments.
I know that I suck at responding to comments most of the time.
When you have a blog this big, it’s really easy to fade into the background and believe that the comments will come whether I interact on a regular basis or not.
Well, that’s stupid of me. Yes, sometimes I receive hundreds of comments (sometimes thousands) in a single day. I can’t reply to every one of them, but I sure as heck can reply to some of them.
And I’m going to do just that. Please forgive me for being a lame blogger (most of the time) in that regard.
What I could use from you: Please understand that on some posts, it’s just awkward for me to reply to comments. Especially introspective posts where I share something super personal. On those posts I love your comments more than on any other posts, but I like to just read them. I hope that’s okay.
Anyway, comments are the lifeblood of any blog. I really believe that. I may not always be able to respond. Just running a blog like this sometimes takes more time than I have, but I sure as heck always read as many as I can.
Your comments keep me going. Thank you for them. So much.
Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing
I admit I like it when bloggers take the time to respond back to commenters. There are a few (very small) blogs that I read that do that, and I've finally started doing it with my own. I figure if I want people to comment, I should probably indicate that I am reading them and am happy for them...which I am, having had to put out calls for "is anyone actually reading me anymore?" posts. :)
@tigger62077 I gave up blogging for a while because I wasn't getting ANY response. It wa depressing and disheartening but lately I decided that even if I reach a person or two that it is worth the effort. Quality over quantity? Ok, I know I am kidding myself. I want to reach THE world!
@Mr. Darcy I've been tempted to lately. I've been blogging in the same space for 6 years and...only a few times has the comments on a post topped 10. Most of the time it's been 1-2, or none (as of late). I had a post I wanted to write and couldn't, because I was so angry with my readers for not commenting on the really important things. I finally had to post about that before I could write anything more. :) I try to keep in mind that yes, my reason for blogging is mostly to get my thoughts out, that what I say might help someone down the road at some future date. But it's still nice to know that someone hears me, that I'm not shouting into the void.
@tigger62077 I understand your concern, after all we are all to one degree or another putting ourselves out there and it can be scary knowing that others will be judging us based upon our words. I have to say though less people will find you than you think. I was worried about being overwhelmed, now I'm just hoping to be whelmed. Lol.
Nevertheless I digress, the story that you tell on your blog is important because it is about you. Your trials, your tribulations, your hopes and dreams. We can touch others like never before in the history of the world. I mean consider how fast your blog can reach around the world! If you are worried about names/information being disclosed I would recommend changing their names or asking them permission to use it in your blog. Many will be flattered that you would want to include them. Good luck! You have another subscriber!
@Mr. Darcy For a long time I belonged to one area of the blogosphere. I am considering making myself a little more known these days, but it's worrisome. It's a personal blog, so there's names in there and information that I might not want found by everyone under the sun. I have some work to do on it before I do that...but http://atiggerslife.wordpress.com is where I can be found. :)
@tigger62077 Here is a link to one of Dan's other posts that might help you: http://bigblogsecrets.danoah.com/todays-newspapers-will-line-tomorrows-rubbish-bins/
@tigger62077 Can I let you in on a secret, you have to be able to be found. I just looked for your blog to check it out and I couldn't find it. I looked on your livefyre profile and couldn't find it, then I went to your twitter page (I just followed you on Twitter) and I couldn't find it. A lot of people will give up looking if they can't find you. SEO will only get you so far, you need people (like myself) who are intrigued by your comments to be able to find your blog easily. Just my .02
Personally, I would rather have a REAL reply back from you, than a fluffy one because you felt like you HAD to respond. I also read blogs that way. I comment on one or two a week, just the ones that hit a chord or I feel like I have something to add to the conversation. I think it's smart to blog that way too. My blog is on a MUCH SMALLER scale than yours and I can't always respond back, and that's to 5 or less commenters on the blog and 10 on Facebook. However, when I do respond it's real and I mean it.
Woo Hoo! :)
Glad the move went well! Moving is exhausting. Also, great goal! I think...That sounds a bit potentially overwhelming but it's also understandable to stay connected with your glorious readers. Just make sure it stays fun! :D
@Sparrowchild That's just it, it would be overwhelming to always try and reply to every comment. But I read almost all the comments that come in on new posts, so it wouldn't be overwhelming at all to reply to some of them as I go.
@Single Dad Laughing @Sparrowchild Good plan, in my lil opinion. :) Don't want your brain to melt away. Then you wouldn't be able to blog. And then what would I read?!
Dan, for awhile, I couldn't comment on your blog (technical issues). Now, that I can, sometimes I find it difficult to comment. Not that I don't want to respond, its just I'm afraid I'll sound like a dork responding.
I guess that means if you're making an effort, I should too.
This is my first effort. I hope its not too dorky.
@crusherbevdr My dorkymeter is not beeping at all. I think you're good! And welcome to the party. :)
@Single Dad Laughing @crusherbevdr Thanks Dan! I'll try to post more.
@crusherbevdr I fear that, as well. Guess it's good to know I'm not the only one. ~.^
LOL @sarah.naumcheff If you sent him a message he does get back to you though. I will definitely give him props for that.
I comment on comments on your blog all the time, and I do feel weird about it, since there doesn't seem to be much of a feeling of conversation going on, but sometimes I just like to put my 2 cents in (or 2 dollars depending on the day lol).
Awaiting a reply in.... Three.... Two..... One....... :P
@sarah.naumcheff Haha, maybe I can give you my login and you can stir the pot on my behalf. Hehe.
That's awesome! Good goal. One of your readers has commented on a couple of my posts! I can't tell you how happy that made me! Glad to hear that the move went well.
@Mr. Darcy That's awesome! What goes around comes around! :)
How about we make that goal #2. Goal number one should be appreciating what an awesome blogger you ARE. (Hmmmm where did I get that from... appreciate your own awesomeness... oh yeah.................................YOU.)
Luckily "nice" and "accurate" are not mutually exclusive. You inspire. I sent you a note on this, but several of us who "met" by responding to posts on your "I'm a Christian Unless You're Gay" post started a blog called evoL= at evolequals.com. We just had a piece by a SDL responder go viral and we are approaching 300K reads on our material there. I personally was picked up by Huffington Post and my article that is on there from yesterday "10 Reasons Born Again Christians Should Support Gay Marriage" has 1000 likes and had been shared 900 times. Evol= is on facebook at www.facebook.com/evolequals and has over 1800 Likes already.
So yeah...nice is nice... but the fact is you ARE awesome and you ARE an inspiration.
@Rob W You just gained another like. :) And I agree that Dan is awesome!
@Rob W Haha, you're too nice Rob.