5 Reasons Not To Throw In The Blogging Towel
It seems like everybody has a blog these days.
There is so much chatter out there about homeschool and crafts and recipes and God and social media and the list goes on and on. If you’ve been at this thing we call blogging for any length of time you might be tempted to throw in the blogging towel.
Here’s the thing, you might feel like a little fish in a very big pond but there are huge numbers of people in the world who don’t blog and are looking for information, just like the kind you write about.
Surprised?
My blogging friends and I were talking about this recently. I have hundreds of friends on Facebook. I would say that maybe one-seventh of those know what I do, that I even write a blog, and about half of those have ever visited, let alone read my content.
That’s kind of depressing really. But, I also know that I have a whole bevy of readers that I’ve never met and with whom I come into contact with through comments. I love those interactions. It tells me that people are reading what I have to say and actually want to talk about it. Don’t you love a good comment?
Let me tell you a story.
I have had at least one blog up and running for the past eleven years. That’s over four thousand days (4000 for you visual learners). I’ve written well over 1000 posts in my career on everything from loving Jesus to making a tufted valance to BBQ lentils. At certain points I’ve run up to five blogs at a time.
Oh the madness!
There have been times when the feedback was really lean. I’ve actually gone whole years with only a handful of comments. Yes, in 365 days I could count the interactions on my hands. Six, seven, four, I don’t even think you could call that a trickle, especially because half of them were from my mom. Gotta love your mom for support!
But I kept writing. I kept blogging. I kept churning out posts and learning the craft until I found a good fit and formula for me and today I would consider myself a success. A small success but a success nonetheless.
There are many many writers and artists and musicians who spent their lives creating, to no avail. They slogged through with just minimal success only to be “discovered” after years and years of work and go on to sell millions of books or fetch millions for a work at auction. What did they all have in common? They kept at it. Their inner drive and passion would never let them do anything less.
I heard an interview recently with Baz Luhrmann, the director of the movie “The Great Gatsby.” He said that in the first week of the new movie being out, more copies of Fitzgerald’s book sold than during his entire lifetime. In one week F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing found a new audience in a whole new generation of readers.
I know of a popular author who wrote 9 books before she found widespread success. That’s a lot of writing.
Do you know how old Harland “The Colonel” Sanders was when he launched his restaurant chain? 65. He built his KFC empire after retirement. If you’ve never read his story you should, it’s fascinating.
So, what does this mean for you?
It means that if you are standing alongside the blogging road and there is not a reader in sight and it’s getting dark and you haven’t had a comment in six months – KEEP GOING!
You have a unique story and a unique perspective and you have things to say that ONLY YOU CAN SAY. I can’t say them. Your sister can’t say them. No one but you can say them. And there is someone out there who needs to hear them. Right now!
Keep blogging.
You are NOT that chick from [Insert popular book or TV show title here], what’s her name? Yeah her, and God didn’t create you to be her. He created you to be [Insert Your Name Here.]
“But…….” you say.
I don’t want to hear it. If it’s a passion and you can’t help but write, keep doing it. Keep blogging.
You have something to say
You wouldn’t have started a blog and gone through all the trouble to figure out how to post and how to put social media buttons in your sidebar if you didn’t have something to say. You know that you have a message that needs to get out there. So? What’s the problem? Say it.
Someone else needs your perspective
Like I said before, only you can say what you need to say. It’s your voice and no one else’s. There is at least one reader out there who needs to hear your perspective and learn from your unique story. There’s at least one but probably there are hundreds of readers who need to hear from you. That right there should be enough for you to keep going. It might take some effort on your part to get your story into the right hands but keep telling it. It matters.
God has some work to do through you
Think about this for a minute: Jesus, the Son of God, was born as a man. Why? Did he need to go through life and be a success and make his parents proud and feel good about himself? Uh, no. God wanted to use Him to save the entire world. Dude!
God is not going to use you to save the entire world. But He might just have some people that He wants to change, for eternity, and you are His vessel to do that and blogging is the method. Dude!
No pressure but good luck quitting now. In other words, keep blogging.
There is room for every voice
The world is a mighty big place and there is room for every voice. Now, don’t have a freak out but I am not a huge fan of some of the most popular books out there right now. However, I’ve read some blogger’s who, I might add, are tiny potatoes (because they are not even small they’re just plain tiny) and I love their voices. I love their writing style and they way they speak to my heart. I have been way more moved by some little bloggers than I have by some of the most popular authors out there.
Remember, the first rule of the playground is, not everyone likes everyone else. And that’s ok. But if there are no choices, if you up and quit and I never get a chance to read you, well that’s not good for anyone.
It doesn’t matter what you write about. I don’t read a lot of blogs about knitting. But a lot of people do. If that’s what you write about – keep going! Somebody needs to hear you. And there is definitely room for your voice.
Success doesn’t happen overnight
I read a lot of posts about how to get 5000 subscribers in one week and build a huge platform in 3 days and have 2 million twitter followers. Whatever. You know what I mean, right? It’s kind of depressing. I’m happy for these bloggers, I truly am, but they bum me out a little because I know better than anyone that success doesn’t happen overnight.
Remember, I’ve been blogging for over a decade. I don’t have 5000 subscribers. But I’m successful.
Building an audience takes time. Your most loyal readers will be the ones who trust you.
Your readers learn to trust you over time, over a long period of reading your writing and hearing your heart and realizing that you are safe. Relish that. It makes for much stronger relationships than with someone who only joined because you gave them something for free.
{Don’t get me wrong, I believe in freebies, but I’d rather have a super loyal follower who reads my posts and comments constantly than someone who downloads my freebie and then never comes back.}
Beverly Cleary is a beloved writer. Ramona and Beezus are like our first friends right? Cleary started writing books in 1950. She won her first award in 1975. You do the math. Success doesn’t happen overnight.
All this to say, keep going my blogging friend. Keep writing. Share your voice, your heart, and your life with others. It might seem really hard right now but keep going. I need to hear you. The world needs to hear you. Press on.
Are you ready to keep going?
Photo Tower Of Towels on Photopin (license)
Photo by Alex Plesovskich on Unsplash
Love this post!! Thank you for the much-needed encouragement. You’re awesome & I’m so glad I got to meet you last year {which would never have happened if not for blogging}!! Hugs!
Lisa! I am so thankful too. I love to read about your goings ons and keep up with your family. Thank you for stopping by today!
I appreciate you sharing this with us. I am so encouraged. Thank you
Oh Chris I am so glad. You can do it girl! Thank you for stopping by. It’s nice to meet you!
Wow! This is the unabridged version of our chat. Love your humor! So.. keep writing, huh? 😉
Uh, yeah. That would probably be good. Listen, you don’t have to write every day or even every week. Your voice is exclusively yours and you know when to share it and when not to. Keep doing your thing girl. You have gifts and talents that we are all benefitting from. Thank you for your hard work and for being available and such a servant. ROCK on!!
Such an encouraging word. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to hear you were encouraged Cherie. Keep writing. You can do it, for sure. May the Lord give you strength as you share. Thank you for stopping by today.
I needed to hear this, thank you!
Oh Amy, I’m so glad you found it and were able to read it. Keep writing girl. Keep sharing your voice. The world needs to hear what you have to say. ROCK on!! Thanks for stopping by.
The 3rd reason is what I like the most. There is power in words and since I am not a gifted speaker, writing is the next best thing. 🙂
That is awesome Aileen! Keep doing your thing and sharing your voice. Let the Lord use you, because He will, for sure. Thanks for reading today.
I like your 5 reasons Debbie. For me I keep blogging because it disciplines me to think about the world around me and to study God’s Word. A lot of what I post are things that come out my ministry, church and preaching. Blogging forces me to write it in a way that is clear, concise and understandable to a broad audience. I like that!
Thanks Caleb. I actually like that you blog because I like that you have embraced technology as a way to share God’s Word. You share in ways that really are clear and understandable, and that makes a huge difference in a world that is full of misinformation and mumbo jumbo. Keep it up brother!!!
Debi, I’m, so glad you stopped by my place and led me back to your place. There was so much encouragement in this single post. THANK YOU!
Oh Beth, I’m so glad you popped over. Thank you for stopping by and leaving me a little comment love. You go girl!!! ROCK on!
You can read more in this series here: http://debistangeland.com/blog/category/blogging/
Hello, I love your heart, that your reaching those that want to cry, because there is ony a few comments or a very few readers. But your encouragement was huge because we write because God put it into us. We are ALL important and we all have a testimony and a sweet corner somewhere. For we are our brothers keeper. Thanks so much I loved this and needed this!
Precept upon precept, Line upon line..
Blessings, Roxy
Thank you so much for taking the time to read today and for your kind words. We really do have something to share, each of us!
You can read more in this series here: http://debistangeland.com/blog/category/blogging/
Wow! If you didn’t have a Rhema Word for all of us today! Thankyou Debi! What an encouragement at whatever level we may be! Can’t thankyou enough for your honesty, & boldness!
I’m so glad you stopped by today Helen and I appreciate your comments. You encourage me right back!
You can read more in this series here: http://debistangeland.com/blog/category/blogging/
I appreciate you shedding light on it being good to have different voices and many blogs because I do sometimes feel like my is drowning below the bigger ones. Thank you for these reminders.
I know the feeling sister. I do indeed. But keep doing what you are doing because your voice is critical to someone who really needs to hear it. Thanks for the comment love today.
You can read more in this series here: http://debistangeland.com/blog/category/blogging/
Thank you for sharing this encouragement! I’m new to the blogging world and, even as a newbie, it’s been tempting to throw in the towel. My blog isn’t exactly “rich in comments” and it makes me wonder who cares to read what I have to say! But you make very good points on why I SHOULD keep blogging. And, besides, writing is fun and I love reading other people’s blogs 🙂
I found your post on the Teach Me Tuesdays link-up!
Hey Amy, welcome! Thank you so much for stopping by today. I’ve been right where you are, for sure. But keep going. You can do it. Somebody out there needs to hear it. Plus if you like it, well hey, that’s a win-win. Nice to meet you!
You can read more in this series here: http://debistangeland.com/blog/category/blogging/
Great, true, encouraging words, Debi! I’ve been blogging for just about 2 years now, and I’m just coming to a place where I feel good about where things are. Not because I have many followers, but because I’ve gained some much deeper relationships from putting myself out there through my writing. I’ve learned the “rules” of blogging, stressed over how to make them happen, and am now happy to just be me in the blogosphere. I may not follow most of the rules, but I’m still growing as a person and in my relationship with God. And THAT is what is important to me!
Kelly,
I love your perspective. What you say is so true – you have to find what’s important to you and then blog in such a way that it makes you happy. You can’t compare yourself to anyone else because no one else is like you. Thanks so much for your insight. I appreciate your kind words.
You can read more in this series here: http://debistangeland.com/blog/category/blogging/
Hi Debi! I am coming over from Winsome Wednesdays.
I like your perspective, and the fact that you remained true to yourself through all the lean times. It is hard sometimes to keep going, but with people like you who offer their encouragement, it makes it a lot easier to keep going. We all have something of value to give, because we all have the presence of God in us.
Nice to meet you today!
Ceil
Hey Ceil,
Thanks for your kind and wise words. It’s true – we all have something of value to give. Isn’t that cool?
You can read more in this series here: http://debistangeland.com/blog/category/blogging/
Thanks for the encouragement today, Debi. You’ve spoken truth. I’m encouraged that when I write for the Lord, I am confident that he reads every post, and sometimes even comments 🙂 Blessings to you this good day!
Great way to think about this Lori. I love it. Thanks for stopping by and giving this post a read. Welcome.
You can read more in this series here: http://debistangeland.com/blog/category/blogging/
Visiting you from Deep Roots at home. I’m new to blogging. You gave good advice. thanks 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Ann Marie. Happy blogging!!!
I needed to read this post today. Thank you! I’ve been mulling over what my blog wants to be when it grows up, and I realize I’ve tried to much to become what/who others are. Gotta be me! Thanks for the encouragement (visiting via Encourage One Another)
Oh Linda, I am so glad you came over. Yay for being yourself. You go girl! Be encouraged. You are AWESOME!!!
Thank you, Debi for referring me to this post. It is so helpful. Look forward to some solid writing time tomorrow to work on my blog planning kit! So nice to “meet” you! 🙂
Ok Debi…now I love you more! Great post! True about our purpose and the spiritual side. I struggle. I do want to quit right now. The ordinary kills me and sucks the life from me. I need new projects and creative mountains to climb constantly. I’m my worst enemy. Counsel me! 🙂
Girl! I feel your pain. The thing the cute pins don’t tell you is that making lots of $$ or getting tons of followers for the majority of bloggers takes a long time. The most successful ones I know have been at it for almost a decade now, maybe longer. The people who are showing off their success after 1 year or even 3 years are an exception to the rule. Always!
You have to keep doing it because you love it. If you don’t, find the thing you do love and do that. Listen, there is no magic pill. There is only work, hard hard work. You can do this girlfriend. I totally believe in you!!
Just the words I needed to hear right now. Thank you Debi! What a blessing today!! 🙂
So glad to hear it Jen. Happy Blogging! You go girl!
I am absolutely in love with your site. Such great advice and wisdom. I have only been blogging for like a week but I already can tell how much work and commitment it will take. Thanks for the advice.
Thank you so much Lexi. I’m glad you stopped by. Keep moving forward. You can do it! The work is worth it for sure. You go girl!
Oh my goodness Debi, you just convicted me in a post about blogging! WOAH! HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. I”‘ve been down in the dumps, wanting to quit, wishing I’d find success. I have written 1 book and I feel like I have many more in me, but I feel like I didn’t make much success with that first one so I’ve been hesitant to write another one. KWIM?
Alyssa I DO know what you mean. Blogging is hard business but you can do it. Don’t get discouraged. I know it feels like success is taking forever – I totally relate – but think of this time as quality improvement time. Use it to improve your site, yourself, and your audience. Keep writing well and sharing often. There is no magic formula except the one that includes lots and lots of hard work. You go girl!
Still a great post! Timely, even now!!!
Thanks sister. How you doin’? I hope everything is dandy in your world. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Was just chatting about this with some friends yesterday who don’t do the whole “social media” world where we often look for our “paycheck” or validation in comments, likes, shares etc. It is a constant struggle not to get discouraged but to put out there what God has given you, offering it with open hands. Thanks for this timely post!
Thanks for stopping by Laura. Yes, it is definitely challenging, but all of us have voices that matter. Happy blogging!
Thanks for the encouragement, friend. I’m not ready to throw in the towel, but there are days when I wonder why the heck I’m still doing this. But you’re right, it does matter! And although growth is slow, there is growth!
And btw – I LOVE Beverly Cleary. I grew up on those Ramona books and made sure I introduced them to my girls – who in turned ADORED them!
25 years, eh? I’m not sure I have that long…;)
I hear ya sister. It can be tough but if we support one another we can keep going. Right? So, you go girl. You can do this.
Love me some Ramona, for sure. Have an awesome week my friend! Thank you for stopping by.
I’m glad I found your post today. While I haven’t completely thrown in the towel, some moments it does feel like my hand is poised mid-air, towel in hand. Yet, I know I’m not ready to let go. I have so many ideas zipping through my mind that it would be wrong for me to drop that towel. Time to toss is behind me, away from my sight and keep on plowing ahead, one word at a time.
Thanks for rocking us on!
You go girl. I’m glad to hear you are continuing on. I know you have some great things to share. ROCK on!