If you’re looking for a fun post, please scroll down. This is just me rambling.
Our friend Morningstar recently published a post where she expressed her distain for bloggers and Facebook friends who closely follow their reader/comment counts and complain over a lack of feedback. She posed the reasonable question, “Why do you post?”
This question made me stop and consider. I don’t believe I obsess over my numbers. I do check several times a year as a way of gauging what’s working and what isn’t. I am a professional writer, though I am an amateur in the world of kink. In both spheres, I write for my readers. I care what they think and I greatly value their feedback because it helps me to hone my craft. I seek to deliver content that readers like and statistics provide one method for measuring.
I guess my answer is that I post to serve the community through education, encouragement, and entertainment. If there comes a time when that is no longer the case, I believe I will stop.
Back in this blog’s heyday, one popular post could garner eighteen thousand page-hits. I was astonished by the numbers. My mailbox overflowed and it was all I could do to keep up with comments and produce more content. It was thrilling and fun, but even then, I knew it couldn’t last.
And of course, it didn’t last. Over the next few years, the frequency and quality of my posts slowly diminished. I took a year off, then went into semi-retirement mode. Not surprisingly, most of the crowd moved elsewhere. Today, my posts attract a few hundred hits. That’s a tiny fraction of the peak. While I might wish to regain that reach, I’m satisfied with my current readership. The last thing I would do is criticize my loyal readers over people who aren’t here.
The first days of MBS provide some perspective. I conceived this blog as a place to share my writing with like-minded people. The blog’s concept and identity evolved quickly from there, but this was the original idea. In the first few weeks, I posted in rapid fire fashion many of my best spanking stories written during the preceding twenty years (hint: they are still there). Very few people found them and even fewer commented. Every click felt like vote of confidence.
Today, I’ve kind of returned to that mindset. I humbly appreciate every link, commenter, and reader. Bless you. I can’t see you, but I know you’re there. And your presence reminds me that there is still an opportunity to spread spanko goodness. For that, I am most grateful. So onward we go.
18 comments :
That's a very honest and reasonable self-assessment. Personally I find it hysterical that anyone who posts anything publicly, be it on a blog, Instagram, Facebook, whatever, is doing so with absolutely no concern for participation or feedback. Anyone who wishes to just write in a personal journal approach, with no concern for an audience being or not being there, can easily trot on down to Barnes & Noble and buy a diary, or just write onto a private file in Word.
So, when someone with a public blog, who is not just writing privately......even though it would be easy enough to do so.....comments frequently on others, and posts frequently and receives their share of feedback, claims that none of that is important, I raise an eyebrow. I think your answer is much more honest. If we write and enjoy writing, or write music, or create artwork, or WHATEVER....we do so with an audience in mind.
Now, in my case I have been more vocal in my criticism of non-participation, and I have my reasons. The chief among them is a grating irritation at the hypocrisy of people lamenting lack of participation, and who, when they are rewarded with comments, either don't respond to them, or return the favor and comment elsewhere, as if to say: "well I like people commenting on MY blog whether I respond or not, but don't expect me to comment on others". And the other reason is rooted in the answer to the "why?" question posed.
My blog goal has remain unchanged since the beginning: I wished to create a forum where kinky people who like to think can discuss ANYTHING from kink to politics, within a kink-friendly environment. It is why my topics are so varied.....a 'something for everyone' approach. I often stated my dream goal would be the equivalent of the old Algonquin Round Table......only populated online with clever, kinky people all trading ideas wrapped in wit. To date, that goal has had limited and intermittent success, though it does seem possible at times. More popular media (like Twitter) do not seem conducive to the depth I would wish. Twitter to me is like ripples in a fast stream. A blog forum allows thought and fleshed-out responses, should the commenter choose to do so.
One would think such a thing would not be as elusive as it has turned out to be.
KD - Thank you for such a thoughtful response to the "why?" question. We've had some success with the brunches (thank you, Hermione), but the range of topics is not as broad as what you describe. I agree about Twitter, though it has its place.
Very interesting discussion!
I've lurker here for the past several years, just started blogging less than a month ago, set-up an account so I can now respond publicly while still maintaining my privacy, and so have become conscious of this issue personally. For me, I try to do something (word play, a different perspective, descriptive details that intrigue, a kernel of an idea to be developed or deconstructed)something that elevates what I'm addressing into an Art form, to transform the corporal into the ethereal. Now, that's a lofty goal, and I don't claim to be wholly successful, but that is my orientation. I've been pleased to the point of stunned by my numbers, which just motivates me to try all the harder to reach fellow-kinksters. It's fun, but it isn't just self-gratification (I like the "diary" analogy by KDP); it should have a higher focus, and if it does, I think it will become all the more popular, stand the test of time. Witness this incredible site and the acknowledged queen on spank-blogging, Bonnie herself!
This is an interesting topic. Personally, I don't mind if not everyone comments all the time, but it is nice to get some comments, as much as anything, to show that people are acknowledging the effort put into posting. And two-way interaction is always good.
Prefectdt
Jean Marie - I too reach for the art form with some posts while others are just for fun. I think there's a readership for both.
The presence of a regular audience definitely motivates me to write and share more. I want to feel like it's not just for me.
Thank you for your kind words. It's been an adventure.
Prefectdt - That's a great point and I am guilty of visiting without commenting. Thank you for the reminder.
I appreciate every post! And thank you for keeping the blog going.
(also the link list is an amazing resource)
MR - Thank you! I appreciate your continuing readership.
Hi Bonnie,
This is an interesting question. I have read here for years and truly appreciate your honesty and the informative nature of your posts. Also how you have brought blogland together through posts such as the weekly brunch, LoL days and the in with the new.
For me, I started blogging as a way to process my thoughts and feelings etc but also to connect with like minded people. I have therefore truly appreciated comments and feedback on posts. The blog, and feedback/comments proved to be a valuable tool in our relationship as we negotiated ttwd and our ever evolving dynamic.
Hugs
Roz
One post with 18,000 hits? That's phenomenal! I used to be quite concerned with the number of hits I got each day, and looked forward to being "Chrossed" as a way of boosting my pageviews. But now I seldom check stats. II blog because I am part of a community and feel an obligation to do my share of reaching out. Comments are nice, and I look forwards to good participation at the weekly brunch, but I don't stress over t hem.
Hugs,
Hermione
I think at the heart of it we all want to be acknowledged and heard. Whether the reader agrees / disagrees is another issue altogether, but it's nice to know someone is reading. I don't check stats, but it makes me wonder if something is wrong with blogger if i don't get any comments LOL.
I appreciate the people who come by and leave a comment, whether it's post-related or just a 'hello, i came and i read here for a bit'.
And i myself don't always comment because i feel i have nothing to add, but perhaps I should make it a point (a new year's resolution maybe) to leave a "hello I read your post today" comment when I do pop round.
What would be your thoughts on that?
As a blogger, would it seem inane if such a comment were left on your post?
18,000 hits that's an amazing number for a post. I check my stats once a year around my blogiversary.
Like Hermione, I used to love being "Crossed" I do write for my readers but I also write for myself. If I don't get any comments to a post, I don't mind, I just think they haven't anything they wish to add to that particular one. I'm a little bit like that, I visit other blogs read the post, like it but have nothing to add to what others have already said so I move on.
Love,
Ronnie
xx
Your work on here over the years is nothing short of phenomenal, as someone who struggled for a long time with confidence about spanking your openness is an inspiration. Thank you.
Roz - I agree. Comments provide welcome validation and foster a feeling of community.
Hermione - That was a blue moon event. The post in question came at a time when my readership was high, then it was Chrossed, and I chose a title that proved to be popular with search engine queries. There were a few others that were really high. I will guess that most of them were affected by at least two of these three factors.
I don't stress over a lack of comments, but I do wonder sometimes if I could made a post more interesting/engaging/entertaining/relevant/etc.
Fondles - Yes, I agree. I would be delighted to have a friend or a new reader stop in and say hello.
Ronnie - Yes, that was an extraordinary event. I like what you said about writing for readers and for yourself. I guess that's true for me as well.
Carl - Thank YOU for your continuing support.
Could you link to the post with 18,000 hits?
RP - Yes. This wasn't my best post or even among the top one hundred, but for the reasons described above, it attracted a whole lot of readers.
Bonnie - WOW I almost missed this post! I just wanted to say that I'm not sure I felt disdain for those who lurk - be it on Facebook or blogger - what does upset me are those folks who get all bent out of shape when someone doesn't comment.... cause I know myself - there are a number of reasons I might not comment - nothing to say OR no time OR totally disagree and just don't wish to rock the boat
I don't want anyone to misunderstand - I DO appreciate any and all comments on my blog... but I don't write just for the comments.. if I only wrote to get comments/hits I would write an entirely different blog. I remember back in the day when I was playing regularly - I would post pictures of my bruises or sexual content - and I had much larger numbers of hits... but there is more to my life than sex and bruises .. so now my blog is perhaps a more honest depiction of my entire life...
Bonnie -- I admire your outlook on this. You're so positive, and I think that's why people are drawn to you, year after year.
I wish I felt the same way. But I feel like, with me, it's all been said, and no one's listening anymore. And if I am honest and talk about the lack of play due to Covid and other circumstances, then I find sneering comments about me on on other blogs such as I'm "spankless in L.A." I don't need that.
I am hoping the muse to post will appear once again, regardless whether the views are 90 or 9000. But I won't try to force it.
MS - I was hoping that you might add your perspective. I'm sorry if I misrepresented your message. I too visit without commenting, quite often in fact.
I read your latest post about how sex and disputes drive readership. I have no doubt that's true. In the end, each of us must choose which content we want to share.
Erica - I'm still listening, even if I don't always comment. I find your posts enlightening and often amusing regardless of the topic. When you return, I'll be there.
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