Personal GrowTH-ursday: Comments are the Coolest!
Thanks so much for all the comments on my last post. 35 to be exact. thirty five freakin' comments! That's like way, way cool. I think that's the most I've ever received. thank u;)
And with that, I also received a few emails just this past week asking 'How do you get so many comments, 'Followers' and Giveaways?
Well...eh-hem...I'm no 'Endurance Isn't Only Physical' or 'Shut Up and Run' blog status, but...I've tapped into an Ancient Bloggy secret that maybe.. just maybe I'll share with ya.
Ok...there's no secret, but I found a great resource that I shared ~six months ago which you can read here (and the comments are VERY interesting to read as well).
And since it's been half a year, I figured it's a great time to revisit the topic. So, for ME...this has been my bloggy path...
I started this blog in January 2009, and I didn't tell anyone about it for the first oh maybe six months (other than my hubby and the 5 friends I emailed it to)- can anyone relate to that?;) I just felt too weird about the whole thing. I used it mainly as a vehicle to keep myself motivated with my weekly goals and training, and had no clue who was reading the dang thing, let alone if ANYONE was, other than my 5 friends and hubby.
Then in the New Year of 2010, I thought about my goals for the year (I know....sooo unlike me eh?), and what brought me joy. This blog was around the top of the list. That's when I decided to put in the due effort and attention it deserved to see where this blog could go. So I did the following, with the help of the online book 31 DBBB:
And with that, I also received a few emails just this past week asking 'How do you get so many comments, 'Followers' and Giveaways?
Well...eh-hem...I'm no 'Endurance Isn't Only Physical' or 'Shut Up and Run' blog status, but...I've tapped into an Ancient Bloggy secret that maybe.. just maybe I'll share with ya.
Ok...there's no secret, but I found a great resource that I shared ~six months ago which you can read here (and the comments are VERY interesting to read as well).
And since it's been half a year, I figured it's a great time to revisit the topic. So, for ME...this has been my bloggy path...
I started this blog in January 2009, and I didn't tell anyone about it for the first oh maybe six months (other than my hubby and the 5 friends I emailed it to)- can anyone relate to that?;) I just felt too weird about the whole thing. I used it mainly as a vehicle to keep myself motivated with my weekly goals and training, and had no clue who was reading the dang thing, let alone if ANYONE was, other than my 5 friends and hubby.
Then last Fall I started reaching out to a few fellow minded blogs, and cafemom, and tried to make it a point to write more than just my once a week Sunday goals. I felt a lil' more momentum, but I still didn't really know what my blog was about, or how many peeps read it.
- I figured out what I wanted my writing niche to be- who did I want my audience to be? What did I really want to write about? For me, it evolved into my love of training/triathlon/running (vs. other possible topics such as mommy/parenting blog, food/nutrition focus, or getting more organized blog, etc)
- I seeked out other like minded triathlon/running blogs and started leaving comments and 'following' their blog. I spent a LOT of time (and actually still do), just reading other like minded blogs. Like ~2+ hrs a day at the beginning. I’ve found so much support, ideas and community from doing so!
- I learned how to use Google Analytics to know how many readers I was getting. Once I had ~100 unique daily readers, I started to reach out to products/companies with my statistic and love of their product. I've done maybe ~6 giveaways, and only do them with products I've used and love.
And that's where I am right now. What I've gained the most from this blog, is the immediate community of other like minded souls who *heart* running, fitness, and exercise as much as me. I know I can share it all here.
And that's my story. And it's all a work in process right? Now, I'd love to hear a bit of YOUR story and blog process. How'd you evolve into the bloggy world? Or are you thinking of starting a blog? Talk to me, talk to me;)
Comments
I have no friggin idea what I'm doing on my blog but I'm having a blast - so I'll take it! ;)
Love reading your posts and comments - so THANK YOU!!
How did you incorporate it into Google Analytics? I use Analytics at work but wasn't sure how to incorporate it into my blog.
My target audience? Anyone who wants to listen and share their experiences. I love thoughtful exchanges. It is just nice to have a nice, supportive e-community.
Products I love? Fewer and fewer as I get older (sign of me getting cranky? :) ) so I am not actively looking for hosting giveaways.
I will say, though, I think consistency is important, and some days blogging is work. But I keep it up, because the other 99% of the time, it's fun!
My bf listens to me, but I think I probably should spare him. There's just so much about running to say.
And oh, I also have random thoughts when I run. But I can't just spew out random thoughts to people. I live in a small town and quite frankly, I don't want this small town to know my business, but I don't mind the blogging world to know. Weird.
Anyway, that's why I blog. TO share about running. Also, the comments, suggestions from other runners have been so helpful. Whenever I have a question, someone has the answer. I also find that runners understand. They aren't going to say things like, "running is bad for your joints" or ask you why you are running so much or tell you to quit running for good because your back is hurting.
I love your story and the way you have approached blogging. It can be so much fun and I think the best part is the feedback in the form of comments. I find it so much more satisying to write when I know people are reading!!
Chasing Atalanta is a relatively fledgling blog and I'm still working on getting more followers (and comments). As much as I enjoy the writing, I do like to know that someone out there is reading it.