I've lost my MOJO!

I used to be really caught up in the statcounter numbers, then in feedburner.  Now I only rarely look, and I'm much happier for it.

Feedburner, in particular, seems to act like the stock market, and I think it can be really inaccurate at times.  I do like the subscriber number that it provides, and that's the only one I look at now.  Slowly but surely, the number has gone up. 

I do recommend facebook, for many reasons, not just traffic.  I need to write a whole post about this sometime, but it's really miraculous how it's found long lost friends for me and we've so happily gotten back in touch.  On facebook there is an app called "networked blogs" which publishes your feed to your facebook status.  My subscribers shot up when I started using this.  I've also "friended" a few fellow bloggers who have become real friends through our facebook interaction and that has led us to interact more on our blogs.  It's really been a fun experience.

Wow, it looks like people could relate to this post!  LOL.  Erin that's some good advice.  It's not always easy to follow the golden rule of interaction though.  I also think it's much easier here on BlogHer, where most people are alerted when there's another comment on a blog they've already commented on (or is that just me?).  I don't know if most people revisit blogs they've commented on to see if the author replied.  Returning the favor and vsiiting other blogs to comment I think is the most important thing.

Jenna, I know the numbers shouldn't be the primary reason I blog, but it's easy to get sucked into that mindset.  After all writers need readers, or don't they??  

MrsJenna, how do you promote your blog if not on Twitter or Facebook?  I'm not on Facebook, bt I do Tweet my posts.

Desperado, I tried to look at it the same way, as a challenge.  But it's not easy to fnd the silver lining int hese cases.  Although it may push you to crank out bette material. 

-Ambassador for Christ.Wife.Mother.Woman.Writer. I blog at Searching for Freelance Success ( http://www.freelancerforhire.wordpress.com/ ).

I know exactly what you mean ... I am convinced my statcounter is broken because I've gone from 20-30 hits in a day down to zero ... one ... three. It's disheartening but also motivating - I am trying to see it as a challenge: how do I write better?

My Project: 50 Books by 50 authors in one year!

http://desperadopenguin.blogspot.com/

But, for me, it was more like what I should write about and having the time to sit down and write something thoughtful. I went three weeks between posts and posted something new yesterday. Surprisingly, three comments. I don't tweet or FB my posts, so I was quite surprised. I hope you get it back...sounds like you are on your way. :)

One of the most important things you can do is interaction with your readers.  Invite discussion by asking question.  Respond to comments, either by email or inline where they commented.  Visit those who comment on your blog, and comment on theirs.  Have a conversation!  You will probably never have one of those zero days ever again if you take the time to interact.

Erin

My Mobile Adventures *~*~* ( http://MyMobileAdventures.com ) - Mobile/photo blog | @BellTinkR ( http://twitter.com/BellTinkR )

The Single Rider ( http://TheSingleRider.com ) - The fine line between "alone" and "free" | @TheSingleRider ( http://twitter.com/TheSingleRider )

Blogging shouldn't be about the numbers, the hits, the views. I know, in various ways and in different amounts during periods of times, blogging is about those things. And it's not bad to feel good or even bad about those things! The feedback and encouragement we can receive from our readers can be a tool to hone our craft and even change our lives.

But your initial mojo shouldn't be based on numbers. Your initial mojo should be based on your passion, your drive. When I heard Peter Shankman (of Help a Reporter Out, HARO) give a keynote address recently, he really brought home the point: "If you're blogging for free stuff, you're doing it wrong." He went on to say that if you're blogging for anything other than yourself, you're just doing it wrong. If you continue to write real, honest and transparent blog posts on the things on which you are passionate, the numbers will come. The followers will come. The offers will come. Patience is involved and, of course, can be discouraging and frustrating. But he's 100% right.

Your blogging should be about you and not about statistical software. In fact, the statcounter on my Chronicles blog broke a few months ago. And I kept it that way. Why? I needed to have some freedom and space to let my blog change a little bit, to reevaluate my passion without the pressures of numbers. I needed to feel free to create without the fear of, "Oh, they didn't like that one?" I just recently reinstalled my statistical software and my numbers are higher than I expected. I then hid the information from being easily viewed by myself and am continuing to write my passion.

And so, I encourage you: write your passion. Worry less about numbers and more about your craft, what you want to say and the passion driving it all. Be real and honest.

They will come.

@FireMom ( http://twitter.com ) from Stop, Drop and Blog ( http://stopdropandblog.com ) and The Chronicles of Munchkin Land ( http://thechroniclesofmunchkinland.com )