My new blog is just over two weeks old. An infant. A newborn. I wonder at times, if it isn’t a premature baby. Have I launched my creative outlet too soon? If you go on the premise that I’m writing just for myself, then who cares, right? It’s for my own pleasure and development, my own amusement. Or is it? If that were the case, I could write my blog out as a personal journal or diary, where no one would read it but me. But, I do want people to read it. I haven’t quite figured out why this is yet. I’m either looking for rejection or mountains of praise. Or just validation that I’m trying to be creative.
As of this point, I bet I know a full 12% of what my WordPress blog is capable of doing for me. I know how to create a new post, edit the post, post the post. I haven’t figured out how to upload photos yet or create a personal theme, but I did find the “Blog Stats” page. This was a mistake. This is where the “rejection” or “mountains of praise” come into play, not to mention turning your psyche into mashed potatoes.
After four days, I had 17 visits to my blog. What the ? How did they find me? To my knowledge, there were only two people who knew about the site. My son and moi. Let’s say he was responsible for three of the visits, which I think is being overly generous on my part, as he’s told me over and over, he’s a waaaaay busy person, he wouldn’t have too much extra time to check in on Mom and her silly meanderings.
Then I found the part of the Stats page that said, “Referrers.” I’m guessing this was where the readers were coming from. Two were from my son’s successful blog at www.seanogle.com. Thank you whoever you are. The others are coming from such sites as digg.com, pleasefreeinfo.blogspot and my favorite, bestpaidsurvey.yabadaba-doo. Sounds like a site Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble own. It makes me a bit leery of where my posts are landing out there in cyberville. I suppose some people might be coming from sites I have posted on, but seriously, yabadaba-doo? As best I can recall, I haven’t been on Fred’s site.
At two weeks and counting old, I’m patiently waiting for my first real comment on my blog. I’ve only had three, two of them were from my son and the other was from his friend, Tate. And where I appreciated them, they weren’t real, honest to God readers. As of this posting, I’ve had 105 visits to my site. Other than the two mentioned, not one comment. I’m trying not to take this personally. I realize I’m a baby blogger, a newbie, apparently a person with uninteresting things to say. One of the books on blogging I’m reading says to ask for comments. Okay, so here goes. Please post a comment. Be nice, keep it clean and remember my psyche made of mashed potatoes. Even an “I read your blog and have nothing to comment,” would be a minor victory. Please give me a legitimate reason to be checking my blog stats page twenty times a day.
So, who wants to be the first? Everybody desires to be first at something. Now’s your chance. :o)
Sharon Ogle 
I wouldn’t care about the number of comments. It just takes time.
One of the tricks I used to increase reader participation (and I still do it), is by asking a question at the end of the post. Even if they don’t directly answer the question, it prompts a response.
You in the blog world is awesome! You’re showing up and being creative and finding out stuff about yourself all at the same time. It’s a total win.
You’ve taken a huge cool step in your life by getting online, starting your blog, and learning everything as you go. That’s really impressive. And your life is changing for the better every moment. (Yep. Blogs are magic like that.)
So three cheers for you!
Yay! Yay! Yay!
Hi Sharon
Welcome to the blogosphere. I am usually a silent hoverer, although I do tweet as I seem to be able to write 140 characters but can’t seem to keep a blog going! But congratulations to you, I look forward to reading your posts.
Keep well
Melody
All the way from South Africa 🙂
Wow. Ask and you shall receive… Anthony, congrats on being my first official commenter, who paid you? Seriously, I appreciate the feedback and advice.
Mona, what kind words! Thank you for the encouragement.
Both of you made my day. I think I’m going to like taking part in this blogging world…
Melody, that is so cool to think I’m communicating with people halfway across the world from me. I’m not on twitter yet… I’m quickly learning that the possibilities of being heard are endless. Thanks for your comment.
Yes! Welcome the fray. Feels weird eh? I’m still getting used to it.
Weird…Wired…and Wanting more :o)
Hey Sharon—-
Comments can be somewhat overrated at times….Sure it is nice to confirm people reading your stuff but more than likely they are reading it anyways. I have had articles that have been read by 10,000 people but only have 5 comments.
Congrats on starting your first blog. It’s a fun and exciting journey.
P.S. Your son is a great guy that I connected with back in Sept 09 and it has been great seeing him do what he loves.
David Damron
The Minimalist Path
Thanks David for your insight and taking the time to comment. I love your blog, The Minimalist Path, and I will agree, my son is a great guy. :o)
Wow Sharon, blogging and everything!? My mom is in the infant stages of texting, and you’re ahead of me in cyberworld. Kudos, to you! You’re now on my bookmarks bar, so I’m looking forward to blogs about Geo-Caching, heart rocks, the outdoors, cooking, and all the other hobbies we have in common 🙂
Thanks Poul. 🙂
I’m so excited to follow your writings here. Glad I found this link…you are being read, beautifully.
Hi Sharon,
I don’t know you personally, I don’t know your son personally, but I read his tweet saying that you would be happy to read some more comments in your blog. And hey – nothing easier than that… Here you are 🙂
Well, if you want to drop a line somewhere in my blog’s comments – feel free to do so!
Wishing you all the best!
Tim from Frankfurt, Germany.