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Saturday, September 22, 2012

Blogging just because

When I first started this blog four years one month three weeks and six days ago, I thought that it was going to be the start of my BIG WRITING CAREER. Not the one that I do for a day job. But the one that was going to lead to book deals and mornings on the Today Show couch and author signings. And who knows, maybe that's still in my future? (I did just start taking a fiction writing class...)

What I didn't know about blogging could fill my basement -- if there wasn't so much junk down there already. In the four years one month three weeks and six days since I embarked on this adventure, I've learned about RSS feeds and brand identity and self-promotion. I've gotten some cool opportunities. I've been approached to do reviews and giveaways. I've done guest posts for other bloggers and have had a few post on the 4th Frog Blog as well.

And what I've come to understand about myself is that I really love blogging just to blog. To write and share ideas and wait for the response and interaction with people who read. I have several blogger friends who depend on their blogs for income and that's awesome. But they work hard to make that happen and when it comes to blogging, that's not me. I don't want to junk up my page with a bunch of ads. I don't want to get all wrapped up in the numbers. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've checked my analytics to see how many people are reading.

Maybe that makes me a bad blogger and the 4th Frog Blog will get blacklisted from all those PR companies who send me stuff to write about. I'm not saying I won't ever write about products that I love (or hate) -- seriously, Diet Coke should be paying me already.

Maybe this is all just an age thing. I'm 42 years old and I've figured out that I'll do what I do because I enjoy it, not because someone is offering me something to do it. If those two things are present in an opportunity, great. But if not, thanks, I'll pass.

Am I a blogging anomaly? Is this admission the beginning of the end for the 4th Frog? I hope not. I don't plan for it to be. Seriously, I hope to be still writing and sharing and putting stuff out there that makes people laugh and think and smile four years one month three weeks and six days from today.

5 comments:

Eternal Lizdom said...

Welcome to my boat.

Although I didn't ever have aspirations of becoming some big famous writer... and I had no clue why I wanted to blog... I discovered a while back that I just like to write as a way to clear my head, share my opinion, and just have my own space.

Beth Zimmerman said...

Liz must have a big boat because I'm in there too! I've tried a couple of times to monetize my blog because Lord knows we need the extra money but every time I wind up hating it and going back to blogging for the sheer joy of the written word and human interaction!

Amy's Mom said...

I hope you are, too!!

Ellen aka Ellie said...

Hm. I have had some real ups and downs due to my blog, and though I created a new one for a "fresh start," I'm unsure of where to go with it.

This from a woman who has never considered being a writer or a blog earner...

Life has gotten so busy lately, I'm not sure with Twitter, facebook, and other more conversational spots if my blog isn't just taking up space.

Love yours though, much!

kimybeee said...

i think fb has stolen a lot of blogging's thunder. as long as i can enjoy your friendship, it doesn't matter where you are in cyberspace. i am sure i have told you before, but my cousin has access to my fb page and he really enjoys your humor and posts too. the people that he enjoys looking at their pages are all people that i found through a blog. must be cause you guys are all so cool and interesting lol