I think it’s safe to say that deep down, we desire to bank up a ton of comments. There are posts and strategies and e-books about how to have more comments on your blog. As if the higher the number next to your comments is, the more intriguing a person you are.
It’s just math.
More comments=More intriguing.
Right?
Mmmmno.
Something that I’ve learned through this break is the number of comments really doesn’t mean a whole lot.
Let’s look at the post I wrote about Hating Perry Noble. Over 250 comments (all deleted now – I flushed them).
Most of them really mean and argumentative. That’s why they’re gone.
Now, I do realize the conversations had in comments can be worthwhile, but it can also be damaging, and ultimately, the number isn’t important.
My new way of measuring the success of a post?
How did the reader respond personally? Were they encouraged to make a positive change in their life? Were the able to pass a thought on to someone who needed to hear it? Did it help them grow somehow?
All of those things have no way of being measured. At least not numerically. Most of those things go unsaid. Which is just fine by me.
Seth Godin once said something on a video interview.
He said, “I don’t want to have the most popular blog. I want to have my blog. Whatever that means for it in the moment.”
I feel similarly. Sure, selfishly, even the behind-the-scenes introvert that I am, I still want to be famous. We all kind of do. It’s our nature to be known. We all want to be the cool kid and sit at the cool kid table.
But I’m letting that trying to let that go.
Intentionally, day by day.
Thought my thought.
Moment by moment.
So this blog can be what it should be without the pretense of manipulating you into leaving me a lot of comments so my ego will be fed.
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Comments
32 responses to “A Successful Blogger Gets a Ton of Comments, Right?”
though it has not happened yet, i sitll feel the stirrings of a blog within me. i want you to know that your honesty and transparency with this corner of “the Internets” is – in good ways :) – shaping how i will approach that adventure.
your learning is great wisdom when it is shared!
I hate to comment because I don’t want to undo anything good in your life ;)
Steve Lucas?s last blog post..Mirror
So true. It’s it funny how we try to measure success these days? Comments on a blog. Website traffic stats. Number of books sold. Followers on Twitter… friends on Facebook. We can get wrapped up in the stats and lose sight of the WHY.
Everyone seems to be lobbying for their own little kingdom. I see both sides though so I am not bashing the pursuit of a platform or influence that comes with building a following. It’s just an ironic situation that an individual has to constantly keep in check. Self examination, wait… HONEST self examination of motive is key. As Seth Godin said (paraphrasing) “Are you working FOR the Tribe or ON the Tribe?”
I think your honesty shines through Anne. You are seemingly always motivated to be working FOR your Tribe. Sharing thoughts like you just did are a prime example of that authenticity but the difference in you is that you are willing to also talk about the dark side of influence (something many others don?t like to confront or admit).
Daniel Decker?s last blog post..DanielDecker: "Next Generation Leadership = More Collaboration" @bradlomenick
We had a pastor once whose messages were somewhat awkward. In the car on the drive home we would deconstruct the sermon for 20 minutes; trying to determine what he might have done to make is point more efficiently.
We also had a pastor at another church whose sermons were flawless. When the service was over, we would simply get in the car and talk about something else.
Later on, I realized that the somewhat ‘clunky’ sermon style was more beneficial since it caused us to engage the material longer as we drove home. The ‘perfect’ sermons were good, but there was nothing more to add.
So if you say it really well, there shouldn’t be any need for anyone to add anything. And if you leave a few rough edges in your writing, you’ll cause people to think about what you’re saying and offer comments by the truckload.
So really, either way, you win.
I think you make an excellent point. I read so many blogs and often don’t have time to comment on every post. However, the writer’s message was not lost and I admire them from afar. Good for you.
Mandy?s last blog post..What I Know For Sure
Thanks. Really. I feel bad for not consistently posting on my own blog and often feel like if I just invested more time and energy and prioritized it I could be one of those popular bloggers that everyone wants a piece of, but the problem is that’s not me. So thanks for the reminder/encouragement/motivation to simply be me! It certainly takes a load off my shoulders.
Kenyon?s last blog post..Culture: Create v. Dictate
I am working towards not looking at my stats and thinking that they say anything about me or my writing. Not there yet–but working towards it. I keep having to remind myself that the blog is for me. It’s my opportunity to express myself about something or other that I’ve been chewing on for a while. If only three people read it and no one comments, it still gave me an opportunity to make words and sentences out of ideas and feelings. I am trying to remember that if it has an impact on one of my four or five regular readers (they laugh about something, they consider something differently, etc…), then that’s bonus.
Rob?s last blog post..Holy Week
So true Anne. Thanks for sharing.
Rick Apperson?s last blog post..Compassion Art
I’m glad you’re back, and I’m glad your blog reminds us of God’s bigger picture for those living in poverty. The Internet has enough stuff about American Idol, celebrities, etc. — thanks for being a voice that is about something real.
I can’t wait to follow your trip to Kolkata!
— Nancy
Appreciate your thoughts, Anne. Success is not easy to define right now. It’s so easy to get caught pursuing the wrong things with the wrong motives.
Sam.?s last blog post..Easter struggles
I’m glad you’re back. I love your heart for children living in poverty. May God bless you and your ministry efforts.
good thoughts here, Anne. You change my perspective on blogging with every post like this 1
.-= jackalopekid?s last blog ..sin or love =-.
Brilliant! As always…
.-= Jana @ The Summer House´s last blog ..A Visit To The Purl Warehouse =-.