Barbara,

Thanks for this post. I just started up my blog and it can really get me down how few people I have visiting and commenting – especially when I put so much effort into every post.

It’s difficult for me not to compare myself to other blogs because I want to learn from them. At the same time, I know I have to learn to find my own voice. It’s a tricky balance.

I’ve recently subscribed to you RSS feed, and I find the advice you offer really helpful, and very honest. Thank you.

Best,

David

David | beplayfuls last blog post..Aspects of Playfulness: Deliberate Delight

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It’s tough sometimes when I see a blog that seems to be doing so much better than mine, especially when I can’t tell why. (Ex. Why does this tiny blog rank higher in a Google search for my own name? Why does this blog with average content have millions of loyal readers?)

Steve Pavlina wrote: “What’s unfair about easy-entry fields like blogging, acting, or music is that white belts and black belts are thrown into the same pool. White belts are forced to compete against black belts who’ve been honing their skills for years. It’s totally unfair. But that unfairness is what provides the challenge and makes it fun.”

So that’s how I try to see it.

Hunter Nuttalls last blog post..Mastering The Most Powerful Force In The Universe

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Yes, some blogs are intimidating and I just ask “What is it that makes them more popular?” I can’t really figure out what it is. That’s really the only thing that bothers me. Because I’m looking and trying to learn how to make mine better and better . It’s no that I want to be like them in every way. I just want to learn from them what to do right. Does that make sense? I think it’s really just because they’ve been doing it longer. It all just takes time and consistency as I have seen so far. The more I’m around and provide valuable unique information the more subscribers/comments I get.

I think the best way I have found to handle it all is to just be myself. Laying it all out in my head and on paper exactly what I want with my blog and where I want to go with it helps to keep me from comparing myself with others when I may be tempted to do so. I have found this clear focus to be very helpful. That was a big reason I just recently switched my blog. With all that said, I know I’m still learning and figuring it all out (but at least I know where I’m going – Nothing will stop me.)

This is just something I thought of: Have you ever known anyone who made a difference by being like everyone else?

Jennifers last blog post..Welcome! Come on in and Relax…

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Hi David,

Welcome to the BWAB community. It’s always great to see a new blogger join in the conversation.

Us bloggers do walk a fine line. We want to get found, learn all there is about blogging, keep a consistent blogging schedule, and still enjoy our daily life. Based on my experience, it takes time and patience. Add determination to the mix, and you will see success.

Thank you for subscribing.

Hi Natural,

Like you, I love my comments. It’s become my favorite part of blogging. But with comments, comes the responsibility of allocating time to answer them. That is time you pull from somewhere else.

I don’t think the grass is greener on the other side. Our blogs are an extension of ourselves, and if we try to be like others, our own voice could easily be silenced.

Hi Hunter,

Those are wise words written by Steve Pavlina. He’s one that would know. He started as we all did, and with time and perseverance he has made a name for himself in blogosphere. He’s one blogger I really admire, and apparently you do too. He’s good!

Hi Lori,

I hope you’re feeling better.

Blogging is very much a form of social networking. And the sad part of trying to make money with a blog is that most bloggers are not ad “clickers”. With that being said, if a blog is targeted to attract other bloggers, chances are it won’t be a money maker. (there are some exceptions – i.e. Problogger).

This year has taught me to blog for the enjoyment of it, and to share what I’ve learned and continue to learn. Hopefully it will change a life or two in the process. If I make a few coins, that’s just a bonus.

Hi Jennifer,

You hit the nail on the head by saying you learned to “just be yourself”.

We can learn some stuff from others, but our blog needs to reflect our own personality. Copying others will only throw us into the category of a “cookie cutter” blog, and that’s not what most of us want.

BTW: Your new theme is fabulous.

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This has been an interesting series for me because it has made me think about what I really want out of my blog. I do want to be like the big boys/girls. I want to be known for my writing, knowledge and opinion. I have come to terms with the fact that I am not going to be there overnight. This is going to take work and time. I read somewhere 3 years, so I’m giving it 3 years. We’ll see where I am then. In the mean time, I’ll keep plugging along one day at a time, one post at a time and see what happens. I’m trying to find my own style, my own niche. Just this morning I thought I want to be more than a mom blog. That’s too much like a family journal. I want to be considered more of a parenting blog. Sure, I still want to share silly stories about my family, but I want to provide knowledge from being a parent and things I have learned along the way. I think that is my goal. That and Down syndrome awareness of course, but those two go hand in hand as far as I’m concerned.

Debbie Yosts last blog post..Just Call Me Gimpy

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Hi Barbara – I only ever heard of blogs through finding Problogger by accident. And that was lucky in a way, because Darren explained how long it took him to get to where he was blogging full-time.

I must admit, I used to find some blogs that were far newer than mine with mega-wonderful alexa rankings and wonder how they could be so average, yet so popular. But, I think the new changes to Alexa ranking answered my question. Although a lot of blogs fell a little, some of these blogs that ranked quickly dived to the bottom, because they relied on nothing more than social networking to get traffic. They had created a false perception of popularity in order to gain commenters.

It seems the message is – keep writing, don’t rely on one form of marketing and as Debbie mentioned – be realistic re: timescales.

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Hi Catherine,

You do bring up a great point about how some blogs gain a great Alexa rating fast. Apparently Alexa realized their rating system was skewed and have corrected it, thus causing some ratings to decline.

Social networking can drive tons of traffic to a site, fast, however, as you know, most of those visitors don’t stick around. So in a sense, the traffic spikes may be all for naught. (Except they are great for the ego).

Being realistic about the time involved to grow a blog is crucial.

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It reminds me of John Wooden’s advice — don’t try to be better than others, but never cease trying to be better than yourself.

One of the lessons Ward Cunningham (father of the Wiki) taught me about Wikis is — think in great pages. Applying that to blogs, I think the guideline is, “think in great posts” … one post at a time. Each post is a new chance to say something a little closer to how you meant it.

For me, if I deliver on my purpose — it’s success, and I know that I have more time ahead of me than behind me, and I get by with a little help from my friends.

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Hi Shilpan,

What you wrote reminds me of the peer pressure young people face in school. It’s unfortunate many don’t learn the lesson of authenticity early in life. It would save them so many heartaches.

Then as adults, we repeat that behavior, and compare our work to others, feeling we’re not good enough. But we are, because of our uniqueness.

Hi J.D.

I love how you always share such great quotes. I always find them extremely thought provoking.

For me, I have more time behind me than ahead of me, and like you, I get by with a little help from my friends, too.

Hi Pat,

It is the journey we need to learn to enjoy. It’s one blog post at a time, one comment at a time, and one foot in front of the other.

As long as you are writing from your heart, you will touch the lives of others. When you write for the whole world to see, there will be also be some lives you touch, you’ll never be aware of. I find that pretty profound.

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Hi JEMi,

It is easy to get intimidated by other blogs/author’s writings. I wonder if that ever ends.

Now you’re not going to start blogging about bowling pins, are you? lol

I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying the series. I think it’s about over, maybe…depends if I come up with any more lessons….

Stay tuned!

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