Sharing Is Scaring

[ornoth]

A friend recently apologized for not sharing one of my blogposts because it would have been inappropriate for some of her readers.

That surprised me. I thought it strange that someone would apologize for not sharing something with their readers. I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to re-post my stuff.

I meant to say that to her, but in the moment, it came out like this: “I write to share, not to get shares.”

That off-the-cuff quip encapsulated a lot more meaning than I originally intended.

I blog for two primary reasons. Firstly, so that The Ornoth Of The Future can revisit these memories sometime later in life.

And secondly, to share my thoughts, feelings, character, and experiences with any of my friends who are interested. In that sense, I’m seeking a sincere and open connection with the awesome people I’ve met.

I don’t care about building an audience beyond that immediate circle. Nowhere in my makeup is there any desire to acquire mindshare, become an influencer, count conversions, or monetize eyeballs.

Maybe that’s why my two blogs have thrived for so long—13 years and 1,100 posts—while most other blogs die in obscurity after a feeble couple posts.

To be successful, a blogger needs to have interesting things to say, and lots of them. That’s where most blogs fall down.

Most people start blogging solely to market themselves: either to potential employers or clients or someone they could sell something to.

But readers don’t find self-promotion very engaging. To be successful, a blog needs to have lots of interesting insights to share or value to add. It must have more substance to it than just another tedious marketing channel.

It isn’t rocket surgery: your blog won’t grow a following if all it offers is shallow and monotonous self-promotion.

Fortunately for my readers, I’m not writing to impress employers or hypnotize customers, but to connect. You shouldn’t feel any obligation to give my stuff further distribution, because that’s not why I’m writing. My blog’s success isn’t tallied in impressions, click-throughs, likes, or shares.

I write to share, not to get shares!

Comments

[greatsword.livejournal.com]

To be successful, a blogger needs to have interesting things to say, and lots of them. That’s where most blogs fall down.

You just encapsulated why I post so rarely. JAFD makes for a boring blog.