It's Tough to Be a Blogger

I was with my family this weekend and my blog and it's sudden increase in readership came up with my family.  I should back up.  I blogged for about 2 years, pretty much with them as my only readers before other people started to find me and stick around.  So I think they are kind of split on the shift.

One half of them seems to think it's great and fun and exciting.  The other half?  Wonders why in the world I would describe writing the blog as one of my passions.

www.thesnyder5.com ( http://www.thesnyder5.com )

Your first sentence made me LOL!

You blog to educate - and I bet you have become a support as well! That's awesome.

Jenny Ingram writes at Jenny On The Spot ( http://www.jennyonthespot.com ) and wears glitter everyday. She also digresses over there on the Twitter @jennyonthespot ( http://twitter.com/jennyonthespot ).

And clearly, you do not have 2 heads ;)

Jenny Ingram writes at Jenny On The Spot ( http://www.jennyonthespot.com ) and wears glitter everyday. She also digresses over there on the Twitter @jennyonthespot ( http://twitter.com/jennyonthespot ).

Yep... I am trying to get out of the habit of saying, "I was a history teacher." Looks like you are a busy lady!

Jenny Ingram writes at Jenny On The Spot ( http://www.jennyonthespot.com ) and wears glitter everyday. She also digresses over there on the Twitter @jennyonthespot ( http://twitter.com/jennyonthespot ).

I have found I cannot conform for the purpose of profit making. The more I watch who is working with you (businesses with bloggers), it seems certain tones and voices are being sought out.

I think the trick is finding the fit for your voice if you are looking to monetize. As more businesses are dicovering the power of reaching out to bloggers, more opportunities come to fruit.

And I DEFINITELY agree about conforming. Our word/space is our brand and our reputation... and trust is based on that.

Jenny Ingram writes at Jenny On The Spot ( http://www.jennyonthespot.com ) and wears glitter everyday. She also digresses over there on the Twitter @jennyonthespot ( http://twitter.com/jennyonthespot ).

I really is their problem! I find the more I admit it, the less nervous I feel about sharing... and the more practiced I get at explaining this world to people who have no clue :)

Jenny Ingram writes at Jenny On The Spot ( http://www.jennyonthespot.com ) and wears glitter everyday. She also digresses over there on the Twitter @jennyonthespot ( http://twitter.com/jennyonthespot ).

I never open forwards... unless it's from who really never forwards, then I check it out :)

P.S. Family can be so funny!

Jenny Ingram writes at Jenny On The Spot ( http://www.jennyonthespot.com ) and wears glitter everyday. She also digresses over there on the Twitter @jennyonthespot ( http://twitter.com/jennyonthespot ).

I blog for reasons 1 through 4. Honestly, I blog because I get tired of being asked the same questions about being a dwarf who is a mother, wife, sister, friend ,etc. My purpose is to educate people that size doesn't matter and yes I go to the bathroom the same way you do!

www.thejerseyshort.com ( http://www.thejerseyshort.com )

Boy, it's like you read my mind.

I totally understand.  Not only do I blog, but I also Squidoo and dabble with *gasps* GPT sites.  I've really learned not to open my mouth at all about my online ventures.  I'm tired of being looked at like I have 2 heads.

I enjoyed your post.

Thriving Mom ( http://www.blogher.com/RtfXX9riDa )

I totally relate! When someone asks me what I do the first thing I hear myself saying is "I was a travel agent for American Express for 17 years.)

I quit right after 9/11 !!

Then I mention my cookbook and maybe the newspaper column - depending on the vibes I toss in my 4 blogs at the end - and kind of cringe.

Nancy

http://teachingsundayschool.blogspot.com
http://www.abridescookbook.com/blog
http://www.givitup.com
http://onlinestoregivitup.blogspot.com
http://thenestempties.blogspot.com

It's tough to be a popular blogger. I struggle with conforming creative expression into a potential profit center. Still working at it. If anyone would like to share some tips, I'm all ears!  

Fawn (a.k.a the amoeba) www.fawnmcmanigal.com ( http://www.fawnmcmanigal.com )

Yes, I DO know!  It is tough to be a blogger. 

I initially created our blog, for our distant families. I was so excited, but it turns out they didn't have time to visit our blog. (I chuckle.) Our blog audience has vastly expanded worldwide at this.  (Although not enough comment! lol)  A couple relatives do regularly visit now too. But they are no longer my target audience, per sey.  A friend and I re-built it, and it's a whole new place now.

But one family member, who the blog was especially created for, mentioned one time (after I had just got done talking about our blog), 'Have you seen the blogs out there?  Everyone is keeping these blogs! I don't understand. Who has time to type about all of this stuff going on in their life?'  Hmmm.  It was hard not to take offesne. But what amused me, is that that person seems to 'FWD' to us, every single 'FWD' they receive, because they read them all, and think they are all so good, it's worth forwarding!

My question is, who has time to read all of these FWDS, and FWD them to everyone they know?  I just delete, delete, delete, without even opening.  I'd rather read a blog, and leave a comment for the blogger, and make their day.  : )

~ Laura (a.k.a. LLR) www.ourhouseofjoyfulnoise.com ( http://www.ourhouseofjoyfulnoise.com )

Maybe it's because I've been blogging for 2 years now, but I don't care anymore. I'm a blogger - it's what I do - and if anyone IRL has a problem with that, it's their problem, not mine.

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Vered DeLeeuw

Professional Blogger ( http://momgrind.com/hire-me/ ) and Social Media Consultant ( http://www.socialmediamarketingexpert.net/ )