When I created this web site a year ago, I had intended it to be a place where I could express myself by sharing my thoughts and ideas with the online world. I quickly realized however how difficult it was to maintain a blogging web site and to write new content consistently.
I’ve read several articles online from successful bloggers that the key to having a popular blog that people visit on a regular basis is to create “quality content”. In my effort to create quality content that I thought people would like to read, I ended up rarely posting anything because I thought what I had written wasn’t good enough.
While I agree that writing quality content is very important for any blogger, writing consistent content is equally important. A blogger that writes one spectacular article a year probably is not going to be very successful either, because people lose interest quickly if you aren’t providing new writing.
I believe now that the key is writing quality content in a timely manner. I’m sure this is difficult to do, but this is what I’m going to aspire to. So, with this thought in mind, I’m going to change the dynamic of how I post new articles on my site.
For the next couple months, I’m going to write my articles in more of a “free-flowing” manner, similar to how I might write in a journal. This should allow me to be able to write more freely and regularly. My only real concern is that I will try to write something relatively decent and worth reading.
After writing this way for a couple months, I’m hoping to increase my web site’s visibility and gain some readers. If it doesn’t work, I’ll try something new. That’s the great thing about owning a web site, if something doesn’t work, it isn’t too hard to change it or try something different.
I look forward to bringing my site back into the swing of things!
Comments are always appreciated.
I know the feeling! I went through a phase were I kept getting great ideas of articles to post on my blog but then a while ago I realized that everybody else was writing about the same things and I didn’t want to be another one of those; I slowed down my posting and concentrated on other things but now I am getting back in the swing of things.
Yeah, it can be difficult at times. I really want to turn my web site into something great, a place to share my ideas to a wide audience of people, but it isn’t easy writing consistently. I’ve jotted down several ideas to write about, so I should be good…for the next month or so…haha
Putting out new, quality content consistently isn’t an easy task, as you’ve discovered, especially if you’ve got a day job and other responsibilities contending for your time like the rest of us.
I think you already realize that there’s nothing highly profound that you can put out there that someone else hasn’t already. At the same time, some of the most popular blogs/websites are not exactly the most original. In other words, it’s all been said and done - why are some people more successful at it than others, right?
The answer to that is… I’m not entirely sure. But do your best to simply share *your* take on things, be it a big topic, little topic, fun, silly or serious - just put it out there with *your* own special touch. In the end, *that* is the only truly unique thing you can offer people that no one else can.
If you like to write, then write. More importantly - PUBLISH. What does it matter how incredible the subject matter is? Flex your writing muscles and share what you’ve got. Give your readers a reason to check back often.
Hitting other sites/blogs and adding your comments on things helps too. Networking is very important. Leave an intelligent comment somewhere else, and people might click on your comment-link to see what you’ve got happening on your own site. That’s why I’m here, right? It works.
I don’t take my own site very seriously and it’s not very well known, but I have fun with it. Sometimes I just force myself to post something for the hell of it. It’s a good exercise in creativity, or often in my case, creative weirdness. It gets the juices flowing and makes new content happen. The quality of that content is up to the audience, but for those who dig *my* style - they’ve got reason to come back and spend some time.
Don’t ever burn out, my friend. Instead get FIRED up! Post it if you got it.
Todd’s last blog post: Lonely Empty Beer Bottle
Great comment Todd, one of the best I’ve received!
I agree with you writing quality content is difficult to do, but I’d like to believe that it is possible to write something original, or have an original take on an old topic. I’m an idealist, and sometimes I aim to high, but isn’t there some quote about aiming too high and landing amongst the stars?…haha
I think that each person is unique in who they are and in their experiences. Because of this, everyone has a different view of reality and life in general. Granted, there may be similar people, but no two are identical (let’s ignore things like cloning, parallel dimensions, and twins…haha).
You have some very good suggestions about networking which was part of the equation I was missing until now d’oh! In blogging, as with life, you have to give in order to get, and I’m now finally getting my word out through blogging peers, and it feels good. It gives a sense of accomplishment to have someone read what you’ve wrote and respond with something genuine and thought-provoking. It motivates me to continue to write, and write better content, which is good.
I will try my best not to burn out! Scratch that. I WILL NOT BURN OUT!
I think a quote from a Dylan Thomas poem sums this up well:
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Thanks again for the terrific comment, I enjoyed replying to it!