Well that's not quite the question but close. Why do you blog is the question? I have been pondering this for a few days now. You see a couple of days ago I went to this Big Bloggy Move site. It was cool and there was a place to sign up if you recently started blogging or redesigned your blog. So I signed up. I was lured in by a giveaway. Anyway I noticed some ladies who I have never met posted comments on my site via this Big Bloggy Move site. After I explored their sites I realized I was totally out of my league. These were mega blog sites. Uh, Oh. So then after going off my normal bloggy beaten path I started to see there are a veritable plethora of bloggs out there. Anything ranging from ministry blogs, personal blogs, mega blogs to blogs dedicated to Whitney Houston (OK not one I am going to add to my personal favorite list).So why do I blog? Is it for fame and fortune, just connecting with others or journaling my life experiences? I don't know. I started blogging because I wanted to connect with other women and it turned out to be a great way to journal. So now I ask all of you to answer any or all of the following questions while I continue to wrestle with this ....
- Why did you start blogging?
- Why do you continue?
- What makes a great blog site?
- Do you one day want to achieve bloggy greatness?
- What makes up a favorite blogg?
- Do you like mega blogs or humble personal "Blobs" (ex. Mine)?
14 comments:
Ok...I first started blogging with the purpose of journaling. I've been journaling since high school and quite frankly I now type faster than I write.
Simms then mentioned that this would be a great way for his brother to "keep up" with his nephews since he is all the way in Washington state. And I thought that my extended family might be interested too.
And then I let Natalie link me and I started to meet some other bloggers. Quite frankly there are more non-family readers than family!
I will probably keep blogging because it is a journal to me.
My favorite blogs are not the big mega blogs whose purpose is to promote traffic and maybe earn some revenue. There are a few of those that I peruse periodically (who doesn't like a give-away?) but they aren't the ones that I look forward to reading on a regular basis.
So...all that to say, yes, I like reading your 'blob'.
I am one of those people you don't know commenting on your blog from the Big Bloggy Move. I remember how weird it was the first time someone I did not know commented on my site. How did they find me?
I started blogging as a way to get out my feelings after losing my daughter almost a year ago. It has turned into a great way to journal, learn new things, meet new people, and have fun.
I waffle back and forth on my drive to have more readers and to just return to my original purpose. But those goals have sort of meshed lately. I want be able to use the things I have gone through and learned to help other people learn and grow.
While I participate in some of the carnivals on some of the mega blogs, but I think I like the blops as you call them better. I have come across some great sites with wonderful recipes and tips that help their home run more smoothly...something I really need!
I hope that answers your question. I tend to ramble.
I often ponder that question myself...still waiting for an answer.
I actually posted on this subject see..."To Know and Be Known."
I stared blogging because "Plain and Simple" AKA "Simply Beautiful" twisted my arm. :)
I continue because it is relaxing to me.
A great site...honest, passion for Jesus, funny and encouraging!
"Bloggy greatness" doesn't interest me.
blogs written by ones whose passion for Jesus shows, are my favorites!
I don't even know what a mega blog is.
Have a great day, dear!! :)
I started blogging because I really felt the need to start writing again. Not the great American novel, or anything like that. Just getting words out in a creative and thoughtful venue. And because Natalie "called me out" after I spent months commenting on everyone else's sites :)
I continue blogging because it gives me that creative outlet that I've neglected since I was knee deep in diapers and pacifiers and nap struggles. I continue blogging because it helps me process things I experience. It helps me to see in black and white that HIS blessings and favor are all over me - even if only in the fact that I can write and hone this skill He's given. I continue because it links me with friends I miss dearly. Finally, I continue because I need these opportunities to remember that I am not alone in this journey, and to remind others of the same.
I don't want fame or fortune. I would like more of my family to read. I struggle with equating their frequency of reading with their respect for this new venture of mine, but that's about me not them. I would like to keep blogging and keep pushing to remember that whether I blog or not, whether I blog WELL or not, my Father's approval and affirmation is what matters. It's His gift to me and I need to keep making it my gift to Him.
Finally, I do not frequent the big super blogs. I prefer the community oriented ones, like yours and MIA and TCC, etc. I'm all about the relationships :)
:) Great question.
I started because I read Melissa's blog and realized that there was a place where I could share my love for my family and be able to connect with other people. I have gained so many friends through the blog and it is because of them that I will continue.
What makes a great blog site? Honesty. I will continue to visit honest blogs.
I read a few mega blogs, but I'll tell you, I gain much more through the relationships of my close friends.
I don't really want to achieve bloggy greatness, just to encourage a few people out there whose life may look like mine.
Okay...
I started blogging about a month after Nat started. I love writing, have done it all my life and found a new place to get my thoughts out on "paper." Like TCC, I also found that my typing was faster then my writing it out.
I also started right around the time that we began this journey of moving, school, missions, and ministry. It became a great way of keeping up with friends from back home in PA and also telling the rest of the world what this life was all about.
Do I want to achieve some sort of bloggy greatness? As a born writer, with many generations before me whom have written tons, there is a tiny little part of me, that wouldn't mind making it. But, I am not so sure that is God's plan.
As far as my favorite blogs....well, I'm going to be honest with you. I have a hard time reading, keeping up, and commenting on blogs. I feel bad, as I want to hear from others and I always check my comments, like a million times a day after I've written something. But, I don't have one particular, totally out there, hands down, have to read favorite.
I definetly do plan to keep on blogging. Mostly for my own sake and for the generations to come. I have a desire to print what I've written and put it in a book form, so that my children, grandchilren and so on can read.
My grandmother once started a book about her family, she never finished it or got even real far. But I read it up and loved it.
I want that for the generations to come. A chance to see what CJ and I are doing, pioneering a new life style, instilling Jesus into these genes so that all that come in this lineage, will follow, adore, and love JESUS!
Great questions!
I resisted the blogging world for a long time because I was afraid I would get sucked in and never, ever leave my computer. Now that I have started one, I am enjoying having a space that is mine - I can express (and explore) my personality. Most of my life gets filtered through very specific categories, so this feels very freeing.
I also see it as a way to connect with other moms from church, which has been a big void in my life. I get to see into their lives and they get to see into mine.
I haven't done a huge amount of exploring for blogs; there are a few that are pretty big that I like, but that has more to do with how sincere and how interesting the blogger is than anything else.
* Why did you start blogging?
I read MIA-mom blogs for quite some time, and when I got together with these moms, I felt like I knew them so much better. But relationships are two-way, and I after getting my feet wet by more frequent commenting, I wanted to give others a window into my world as well.
* Why do you continue?
So far, for many of the same reasons I started, but it has only been three months. I still have an anxious hesitation to get too vulnerable (in such a public medium), so I guess it's not a true journal for me, but still a participation in the community.
* What makes a great blog site?
Ironically, it is the ones that are the most vulnerable in their writing. Those willing to share their experiences and their journey
* Do you one day want to achieve bloggy greatness?
Not at all
* What makes up a favorite blog?
My brain is turning to mush. I don't know.
* Do you like mega blogs or humble personal "Blobs" (ex. Mine)?
I much prefer personal blobs. I do keep some mega blogs in my reader, as I appreciate the new ideas they offer, but I usually just glance over their titles, especially if I'm behind in reading.
Well since I'm responsible for leading many of you down this twisted road, I guess I better throw my two cents into the mix.
I started blogging on pure whim because I like to write. No, I love to write. But with kids and life I wasn't doing as much of it as I wanted so this looked like a great way to get started again.
My family blog was simply a way to connect with family, most of whom live all over the country. Many of them do read but they are definitely lurkers. I also like to use that blog as my "scrapbook" and that's why I turned the first year of that blog into a book for my family's Christmas present. When my love affair with blogs ends, I will probably still maintain that one.
The MIA blog was started really to just provide another communication vehicle for that ministry. Quickly I realized I was reaching more women than just MIAers and so I began to broaden my subject matter a bit. Other than those of you with your own blogs, I'm not sure if anyone else in MIA reads it, although every now and then someone will "confess" to being a lurker.
Of course, you all witnessed my leap into crazy with the third blog.
Like On Fire, there is definitely a part of me who would love to have a popular blog. I think that's just natural for people who love to write and dream of writing the new great American novel. But I know I've gained so much more in the way of relationships with all of you. Some of you I've known for a very long time and I'm still amazed when another layer of your life is revealed through your blog. The friendship's that have developed, strengthened and grown are the biggest thrill for me.
Because I spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME blogging, I thought I would try my hand at making some money with my politics blog. It is way too early to know if that is just a pipe dream or not but I'm having fun trying to learn the ropes of blog marketing.
As for the mega bloggers, I do read a few of them. However, out of the 85 blogs I follow on Bloglines, only 25 are "Mommy" blogs and over half of those are friends' blogs. The rest are ministry, marketing, and decorating focused blogs.
I like that I can follow a lot of different interests through the blob.
nat
One more point. Someone said they like the blogs best that are honest. I prefer those blogs also but I'll be the first to admit there is a lot that goes on in my life that doesn't make the blog.
So...I do have a 4th blog that is password protected that I use purely as a place to vent about those life events that you just can't blog about but you still want to get off your chest.
Here's what is written in the sidebar on that blog:
"After you catch the blog bug, you suddenly see your life in a new way. Every day events are transformed into pithy posts meant to inspire, encourage and entertain. Before you know it, you are obsessed and you want everyone in your circle of life to drop by for a read.
That's all fine and dandy, but then you realize one day that your blog is superficial, at best, because now your grandma is reading. Your siblings are reading. Your husband is reading. Your extended family, ex-boyfriends, secret crushes, jilted bus drivers, vindictive sales clerks and wacky neighbors are all reading.
And because they are all reading, you can't say what's really on your mind. You can't tell how infuriated you were when your mom criticized your parenting skills...again. You can't blog about how your neighbor's kids are dressing up as Satan for Halloween. And you sure can't give a commentary on why you are sick and tired of being the family slave.
So that's what this is---simply a place to vent thoughts, feelings and stories that can't be shared anywhere else. It's what we really wanted to say when all we could say was that Thanksgiving was "fine."
As the host of "The Big Bloggy Move" I thought I'd chime in, too. First, I doubt most of the people on that list would consider themselves mega-bloggers, myself included. I know I have way less traffic and commenters than a lot of other mommy bloggers that I read, and I'm fine with that. I'm not out for fame, although it is always fun to pick up new readers. The move was specifically for new bloggers or bloggers who were moving, so you absolutely belonged and weren't out of your element or anything.
I started blogging as an outlet for my thoughts and to build some relationships with people that weren't based on geography, since I am a military wife and move often. Also, I thought it would be helpful when moving to know people all over the country. and it has been! A blogging friend lived here in Mississippi when I moved here and was a great support while my husband was deployed.
To me a great blog either speaks to me in my current life stage, teaches me something, or entertains me. And I don't think that being a "mega-blogger" and being humble or personal are mutually exclusive. Just because you have a lot of readers, it doesn't mean you're only out to make a profit.
Interesting questions :)
Hi - I am another one who just happened on your site just now. I like to blog because it lets me connect with so many interesting people. I am also a writer wannabe and find the experience really helps me to write to the reader. It is fun making it like a scrapbook of your life - only lots funnier.
Come by for a visit. I am excited to see another blogger from PA. I live in the Philly suburbs.
I read this the other day, but did not have time to comment on it until now.
I started reading blogs first before I started my own. I was a little afraid that I would spend too much time on the computer if I started one and I really did not know if I wanted to share things with other people.
When I first started to blog, I kept if password protected b/c I did not know if I wanted it "out there" - that only lasted a few days though, b/c my sister found out about it and encouraged me to let it be public.
I started it originally to keep a sort of journal, and I have to say that it is sort of a journal. I have not gotten too personal or vulnerable about everything in my life b/c I really do not know who is reading it - so, it is more of the fun stuff, some serious stuff, and just some stuff on my mind, but not everything.
I enjoy reading the blogs of people involved in MIA/CCC b/c I have been able to connect with some of them more. I really do not know if any of them read my blog (unless there is a comment on it), but that is ok, it is really for me. I read a few mega blogs - but only if the title catches my eye.
I will never reach bloggy greatness, nor do I care to.
Thanks for the questions and thanks for your "blob" - I do enjoy reading it!
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