So this in particular is not horse related but for the few of you who still read this blog I have some questions. I have been at this for four years now! Wow. Unfortunately readership has never been lower and commenting even lower. Now I know the right thing to say here is that, 'I don't care who reads or comments on my blog because I do this solely for me not for who reads it'. At least that is what I hear a lot. But the reality is if we wright a blog we do it for others to read and give feedback or why would we not just get a journal and then it would truly be for our eyes only. I know it makes us feel like less of an attention whore but I am here to say I have no shame. I want attention! I look forward to comments and am happy when what I have taken the time to write down is actually read. Now my question is, what happened? Is it my lack of presence as of late that keeps people away? Is it that my repulsive grammer has finally sent everyone running with their eyes bleeding? (see how right there(I did it again! ) I used their in the correct form?) Or is it simpler than that? Am I posting at the wrong day and time to maximize people seeing my posts? Is it my lack of time to comment on others blogs and karma is just getting me back? Come on you blogger geniuses help a girl out. Please tell me how my blog sucks, what I need to do to improve it. It's OK be brutal, I can take it. If you need to be anonymous to let me have it then feel free. And one last question where in the 'F' did this Spanish soccer blog come from that is completely filling up my feed????? WTF? And how the hell do I get rid of it?
I will give you some horse related news to tease you until I can see if there I s possible photographic evidence. I took the big horse Xc schooling yesterday and he may have made it his mission to see if he could catapult me. And the haffie and elaina schooled too and well you'll just have to come back to find out how it all went. See what I did there? I just left a cliffhanger to create suspense. Hehehe....
Not your average OTTB given another chance at a new life and a mostly average busy Mom who never gave up on her dream to ride again. An unlikely pair at an unlikely time, learning to event and loving life!
I love comments, too, but I realize what I write about isn't what the horse blog wants to read. I do write for me and sometimes, I write for an audience. And most people in blog land aren't that interested in driving. Or Haflingers so much. But, whatever, I enjoy it. And I enjoy reading others' blogs, even if I don't comment (and that is usually because I don't have anything important to add or say).
ReplyDeleteI still read. :-) You've got so much going on in life right now that you don't have the time to commit to blogging normally. It's alright.
ReplyDeleteI noticed when I was "away" from blogging fr the month of July while I was in Grad School that my views and reads went down too, it could have been content because I was only riding 2 days a week and not 3-4 days a week but I actually think its because I stopped participating on other people's blogs. Its like a reciprocation machine. But also don't worry about it, all things come in waves and seasons and there are soooo many blogs out there that keeping up can be hard, so comment where it pleases you, write what pleases you and it all comes together
ReplyDeleteI still read!! And I miss seeing you and Steady! You guys have made more progress than you give yourself credit for. But I SO understand that feeling of being in a rut. You guys will rock Team Challenge!! As far as blogging, I am no expert but I think frequency of blogging generally results in more views/more comments. You are a busy woman, blogging is not exactly a priority! :)
ReplyDeleteI read every post! But I only comment if I feel like I have something of value to add - I guess it's more about me and less about your posts.
ReplyDeleteBut I promise I always read.
I get most of my comments on FB. which makes my feed look sucky. I enjoy your blog and your journey. I think it's that there are so many blogs out there. But I do like to read yours. I'll try to be better at commenting. Like Lisa I always read.
ReplyDeleteAnother reader who enjoys your blog but rarely comments :)
ReplyDeleteI read all of the blogs on my cell phone, and it's so hard to comment there that I usually save them all and try to comment once a week on the computer...but then I forget...and then it's a month after you posted. Again, more me than you! But you asked for advice, so I'll tell you what I noticed in my own blog: I started getting more comments when I A) stopped using long paragraphs and started putting double enters after one or two sentences B) put up more pictures and C) developed a storyline through a goal, like trying to get to BN.
ReplyDeleteHi, I like and read your blog:) I don't comment usually though unless I have something meaningful to add. I think time of day seems to matter and I've noticed if 2 posts are published back to back, the first one gets hardly sny reads. Bloggity land is weird like that.
ReplyDeleteLike Jen, I browse a lot on cell phones during the weekends which makes commenting a nightmare. With my own blog, I notice the most comments in the following scenarios:
ReplyDelete1) I am an active reader/commenter on the commentee's blog
2) I specifically ask a question to my readers
3) Something tragic happens
Typically straight up update posts don't offer much in the land for feedback and commenting, because there really isn't much to say at the end of the day. Also, regular posting is the best thing you can do for reader #'s and comments.
If it helps, the downward trend in blog comments is something that's been happening for a while. I've noticed that even the 'big' blogs I follow that used to get 100s of comments per post are now getting 20-50ish. It's not just you.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone is so 'used' to blogs now that we tend to only comment when we feel like we have something to contribute. That's what I do anyway.
I do notice that my comments go up if I make the effort to comment on enough blogs - I get 'reciprocation' visits, comments, follows, etc. But that's not a sure fire way to grow blog interaction. There is a 'science' to it, but it's always been a bit hit and miss for me personally. :)
bonita of A Riding Habit
I always read and comment, just not always the day you post it lol. The biggest thing that generates readership in my opinion is commenting on other blogs. If you don't comment on other blogs how do new people find you? Also participating in blog hops gets your blog out there too, but I know you're incredibly busy. It's also probably because you haven't been posting much. When I go a long time without posting my readers/comments go down too. I hope you won't let the low readership/comments keep you from blogging because I really enjoy reading what you have to say (even with the grammar mistakes hehe). :)
ReplyDeleteI'm still reading :)
ReplyDelete