Sit yourself down as I’m about to reveal the biggest secret about blogging. It will change the way you view yourself and the world. I’d be surprised if the evil blogging fairies don’t run over here and steal half my post and banish it to the dark beyond of cyber space because nobody wants this secret getting out.
Okay, maybe not.
Because the only secret to tell you is that there is no secret. No one answer that will solve all your problems and launch your blog to stardom and success. No quick fix for writing all those posts and finding the time to interact with the community.
Fact: Blogging is hard work.
Whether you blog everyday, a couple of times a week, once a week, once a month, or once whenever the fancy takes you, writing a blog post, formatting it, proofing it, posting it, promoting it, and following up with comments is all hard work. You might enjoy it and let’s face it, I certainly do or I would not still be doing it, but it is hard work. Most of us probably don’t ever want to work out the number of hours we’ve sunk into our blogs and while those who continue long term will say they love it (and it’s true), it is a labour of love. Blogs are built on the blood, sweat and tears of the blogger (or at the very least the very smooth finger-tips that have spent far too long pounding on a keyboard).
Fact: Despite your hard work, your blog may very well go unnoticed.
There are quite literally 100’s of millions of blogs online covering every available platform and more that are created every single day. And while you aren’t competing with every blog in existence for a space in people’s awareness, you are still competing with thousands of blogs on similar or related topics. And while you may not think of it as a competition and are just writing for your own sake and the sake of a handful of followers, at the end of the day you started a blog to write on a public platform. Part of you somewhere, wanted to be noticed, even if only a little bit and by a small and select group.
Fact: Neither of the above points matter.
While there are some days where I definitely feel weighed down by my own intense schedule of multiple posts every single day, there are far more days where I turn on my computer with glee at the thought of seeing my blog. Seeing a post take shape, reading through and making sense of my draft ramblings on posts from the previous day, finding the perfect image or capturing a spot-on screen cap can make me smile with delight. Seeing a comment from a dear friend that I met through blogging, or a comment from someone I’ve never heard from before is usually all it takes to give me a warm inner glow and make me want to spend another hour or two or more working away on the posts for next week.
My blog has become something that has allowed me to take joy in writing again, to express myself, to meet other people who have a passion for anime, and a space where I can speak. My blog has become so much more than what I ever thought it would be which was just a collection of writings about what I was watching (more akin to an online journal than anything else). My blog is impossibly dear to me at this point in time and I am so proud of what I have created even as I strive to make it more than what it is.
And that is another truth about blogging.
Fact: It is never enough.
Blogs are hungry, ravenous beasts. The more words you feed them, the hungrier they become. As they grow so does their appetite. It is insatiable.
At this you might become despairing or feel it is an uphill struggle with a stone that is just going to roll away before you ever reach the top.
But that isn’t necessarily the case. This beast is yours and yours alone. It is loyal to you and while it would happily eat up every word you ever wrote, it will also wait for you to take your time, and perhaps develop a more refined palate wishing only the best of your writing.
It all depends on how you choose to raise your blog.
And that is the one hard truth. Your blog is yours whatever may become of it.
Do you agree?
Thank-you for reading 100 Word Anime.
Join the discussion in the comments.
Karandi James
Wise words 🙂 thank you from a new blogger… oh, I agree totally that blogging is reviving my writing mojo!
Blogging can certainly reignite a passion for words.
Blogs are definitely hard work! I had one before Magickbox that I ended up deleting but I think the experience is helping me with this one. I enjoy working on my blog when I can so I’m determined to make this one stick!
That’s great to hear. I think a lot of people start blogs without really understanding the commitment or even really with an idea of what they want from the blog and while some of them find their way, a lot of these blogs just end up abandoned. Still, it is good to hear that you used your first experience to inform your next attempt.
I’ve accepted these points once I got back into blogging. Made me think about about how I wanted to approach it, and simply landed on it being a thing I treat it as a hobby. No matter how tire my full time job can leave me I’m always happy knowing there’s something to come back too that allow me to express myself the way I want too. It requires just as much hard work, but it feels great when you post something you’re proud off, and that what always makes it worth it. That, and the interaction is also a part of the blogging experience. Can give you inspiration you need knowing there’s other like you doing the same for what they love.
It is a fantastic feeling when you publish a post you are incredibly proud of. Even better when others find it and you get to discuss it. Definitely gives you that happy and warm feeling.
Blogging for me is a hobby. I have a life and a job, so I really cannot pour a lot of my waking hours on blogging (except if blogging is my bread and butter). The reasons you pointed out sums up almost everything what a blogger should expect.
Yes, life and a job do eat up a lot of time. I think though, those who enjoy their blog will still find the time.
This was such an amazing post and I loved the metaphor. As someone who writes on her blog as an escape, I agree whole heartedly with this post! Keep up the great work!
-The Nerdy Girl News
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and thanks for sharing on Twitter.
I’ve never thought of my blog as a hungry and loyal beast – but that’s a really interesting way of looking at it! I love that. You’re right, this post did change the way I look at things now, haha. Awesome post!
I think I started getting this image because a friend of mine started asking me when I was leaving work if I was going home to feed my blog, and I kind of realised I was. I feed the cat and then I feed the blog.
Haha, that’s so funny but true!!
Yeah with blogging you get what you put in. But even if it’s difficult you won’t notice it if you enjoy the work!
That’s it. As much as it is hard work, bloggers who stick around clearly love doing it and so as much as it is work, it is something to be enjoyed.
Wow, this is one of your best blogs that I have read. Everything you have written is so true. The amount of hard work that goes into writing these blogs is immense and sometimes it can be really heart breaking when it goes unrecognized. You were really blessed in the sense that we started nearly around the same time but you attained a ton of followers early on. I only recently realized the duties and amount of work a blogger really needs to do and how it’s not just about the typing and posting. I just started gaining recognition for my blog recently and I can finally say that all the hard work really does pay off. Every single like, every single follow, and every single comment means so much to every blogger. Thank you so much for being one of my first 5 followers! Keep up the amazing blogging and do keep spreading such great words of advice!
Thank you, I’m glad you liked the post.
I think it is something a lot of new bloggers don’t really get is that you can’t just write a post and hope someone finds it. You genuinely have to consistently interact with others and also promote if you are looking to build a following. While a few randoms will find your via the reader (and if you are wanting me to stumble on a post, just tag it with anime and I’m almost definitely going to at least see the title at some point), a lot of people don’t actively seek out content so you have to a little bit more direct.
So true Karandi. You really have to put yourself out there to gain recognition. It is most definitely not going to come knocking at your door. You will have to work for it.
In case you’ve missed the MANY virtual pats I’ve given to the head of your beast…May I suggest you lock me up and throw away the key, because I am THE GUILTIEST of hurling myself at Senpai with flashing signage. (And it sounds like Irina could be my cellmate, what with the whole kidnapping-of-the-orphans business, which would be like living in an episode of Happy Sugar Life. So that’s definitely all my dreams realized.) I’m also vain enough to think this song…er…post is about me. On a serious note, as a noob awed by anyone with followers, it’s nice to know that veterans also feel like they’re shouting into the void, so thanks for laying that truth on us.
I think it is about realising that you don’t need your voice to reach the entire void, just your little corner of it. Once you build good relationships with those followers who genuinely like what you are doing, whether others come across your blog or not becomes less important to enjoying the relationships you have.
Yeah, realized this when I got 100 followers. Growth is slow, and sometimes, posts you love get no attention.
We work for all the times that they do get the love and attention we believe it deserves.
Thanks for this post, means a lot coming from an established blogger.
Glad you liked it. And yes, I think there’s some conspiracy out there that says the more time you spend on a post and the more you like the result, the less views it will somehow attract.
I think you captured the truth perfectly. 😁 The reality of the whole thing is harsh but true. What else can we do?
Start a band.
Oooh, I’m up for it!
I think every blogger can relate to this. Obviously everyone wants their blog to get noticed in some way, even if that isn’t their main intention. It’s such a wonderful feeling when people do notice and take the time to comment or even like you work.
I’d love to be able to post more often, yet I personally stick by my rule of “don’t blog for the sake of it”. I put so much effort into writing my posts, so if there’s nothing I particularly want to share then I don’t see the point in writing when my heart isn’t in it. If I don’t enjoy writing it, then who will enjoy reading it?
I agree. If I’m not having fun writing and I don’t care about the words, then I can hardly expect that audience to enjoy reading it or care about it.
I have been with you from almost the start (has it really been more than two years now? Gosh where did the time go), and I have seen your blog grow, evolve and become even better from when it first started. It’s amazing how much time, work, blood, sweat and tears you put into this, and it really shows. So many bloggers, myself included, look up to you and read your posts every day with such incredible joy. That is how you raised your blog: It really is a labor of love.
This was a wonderful post. Like you I have grown to really love blogging and while there are days when it sometimes feels a bit tough (like today…I worked 11 hours in a building where the airconditioning had failed and it became 30 degrees celcius (no joke, true story) a post like this only reminds me why I love doing this so much! Great post: have a great (animefilled) weekend 😀
Thank you, and sorry your air-con failed (though my air-con in summer is set to 29 degrees celcius to cool things down and doesn’t get turned on until we hit at least 35 – that said, I’ll run a heater if the temperature drops below ten because that is too cold).
Hopefully I can continue to love working on my blog and helping it grow. The last few months have been a real trial though I think things are getting better. In honesty though, I think my blog has been a large part of why I’ve gotten through everything over the last few months still smiling. No matter how tired I am or what is going on, I’ve loved knowing the blog is here waiting for me and that I’ll get to talk to so many amazing people.
On that note, I’m glad you’ve been with me for most of this journey. Your kind words and support keep me motivated and I know I’m not the only one in the community who feels that way.
It really was tough to work today: and to make things even more fun,there were 300 calls more than expected and everyone was very on edge too. Oh well..we got through it, and now it’s weekend (though admittedly in my house it currently is 35 degrees which is even worse lol 😂😂
I’m definitely with you on that one: blogging has helped me in a lot of ways too. It’s always nice coming home, reading new posts and interacting with everyone. It has given me quite a boost to my confidence too, and meeting so many wonderful people has made it only better. And true enough: your blog was already incredible…it’s only gotten better and better 😊😊
That said: I’m pretty sure today was “let’s make Arthifis blush day” with an added Let’s make Karandi blush as well day” but not a Let’s make Raistlin blush day” too. Thanks for the kind words : they really mean a lot 😊 Here’s to many more years of blogging 🎉🎉🎉
That’s true, it was make Arthifis blush day, though I missed the memo about making me blush. Should we mention that Arthifis is amazing in his absence?
Haha..Sorry, I forgot to send it to you lol 😂
And of course we should mention that: Hey Arthifis, you do know you are amazing right? Yes…we are saying it here too, not only on twitter 😂😂
One word: orphans
I know. Sadly there are so many orphaned and abandoned blogs out there. We probably need to start some sort of foundation to rescue them.
You are a much nicer person than me…i was suggesting kidnapping a bunch to write and interact for you…
This comment made me laugh so hard.
Great piece, definitely something everybody can relate to. It’s important to get the reminder about this sort of thing from time-to-time.
I was feeling kind of reflectiony when I drafted this one and I think it is important to remind myself about this from time to time.
Such a fabulous post! Even though I haven’t been feeling any blogging fatigue yet, I still feel like a got a jolt of motivation and inspiration from your post. Thanks for sharing. <3
Glad you enjoyed it and felt motivated.
Funny because I was just about to say the exact same thing.
I can confidently say that all of these points literally define how I view my blog at the moment. It’s hard and you want someone to notice it, but in reality while they do, they don’t show it.
Not like you can write ‘notice me senpai’ across the top of your page in flashing letters (though I’m sure someone has tried).
Funny because I was just about to say the exact same thing.
Thanks. Let’s move forward together