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Friday, July 31, 2009

Forgetful

Sometimes I forget that actual people read what I write here. My blog readership is small and always has been. I like to think that I have quality readers instead of a large quantity of readers.

My average daily visits run anywhere from 20-35 people...and many of those are random hits looking for naked pictures. Reminder to self....never use the phrase "naked pictures", even jokingly, in a blog title. Google sends the wrong kind of traffic here as a result.

Yesterday, after linking to a CNN article, CNN linked back to my blog, sending about 500 people from all over the country to my tiny, little corner of cyberspace. I appreciate the love from CNN, but it's always a little overwhelming when things like that happen unexpectedly.

It reminds me that I need to be thoughtful about the things I write and what I put out into the internet.

I'm a personal blogger. While I will occasionally blog on politics, religion, or other "big" themes, even those posts are from my personal perspective and experiences. I realized a long time ago that the only opinion I can truly represent is my own. I have no notions of trying to influence, or argue people into agreeing with me. I enjoy discussions, but I'm not a crusader.

As a result, when my traffic spikes or my comment threads become involved and long, I often withdraw, because I'm not used to my "voice" reaching quite so far.

I'll try to get over that.

10 comments:

Retriever said...

I've had similar feelings, and after a few CNN links decided to a) never link to CNN again (mine is a v personal blog also) and b) to say no to Blogger's question about letting search engines crawl my posts. Obviously, already having many earlier posts out there, get some random hits. Mostly mine is just a few regular readers and commenters plus visitors from other blogs I comment on.

Assistant Village Idiot said...

Whoa, just the opposite here. I'm going to link to CNN and use the word "naked" in my titles as often as possible. Or maybe "striptease" or something.

Not really. I keep threatening to do stuff like that, but never do. I notice 56 comments under that post. Do I even dare looking at that, or will it just infuriate me.

waca waca said...
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terri said...

Retriver...I like your blog. Very diverse and you put a lot of thought and effort into whatever it is you're writing about.

AVI...um....it will probably infuriate you. There were a few people trying to actually converse and discuss, but I think most people were simply looking to vent about the article. There was very little carryover to reading anything else on the blog.

Retriever said...

Thanks, Terri.

I'm glad that a lot of people found your post, as it was excellent. I was glad for you, as I find that when I write serious and put heart and soul into it, it often sits unread, whereas 120 people will read some funny vapor brained thing somebody sent me at the office...

M. Denise Wilmer Barreto said...

Thanks Terri for stopping by and weighing in on my rant. I love this post - I blog for many reasons and mostly just to get somethings out that I used to have to journal.

It is very humbling and rewarding all the same to see that someone stopped by...

Thanks for the tip on the CNN link - I'll try to remember to never do that :)

Assistant Village Idiot said...

Nice new picture. Sign of confidence?

Retriever said...

Love it! My dead former dog is more photogenic than I am, so I'm keeping mine...You look great, tho! Hope your summer has been a happy one, full of love and blessings...

Anonymous said...

Love the new picture!

terri said...

Thanks everyone!

I just don't look like my old picture anymore....and haven't for a while.

It was time to update.