It’s true, you know. In the blogging space in which you occupy, you have to fill that space with the most cheery, uplifting, motivational, inspirational, activational atmosphere you can muster up. It takes you being your most loyal supporter, most active backer, and loudest cheerleader to keep the blogging career on as much of a high note as is possible in this challenging blogosphere we reside in.
Existing here isn’t always peaches and cream, sugar and spice and everything nice, and the cherry on top of an extremely scrumptious cupcake. (Sorry. I’m starting this post very early this morning, and I haven’t eaten breakfast yet.) But, this is your space. And you have to make the most and the best of it.
Furthermore, your mind state has everything to do with your success and, hopefully, your successful longevity in the blogosphere. After all, YOU make your blog what it is. If you want your blog to accomplish its goal, then it’s only going to do so if you design it and work it to make that goal happen. It’s pretty much all on you . . . at least 99% of it, anyway. The other 1% involves factors outside of your control.
And the following quote deserves a replay here in this discussion because it rings loud and clear and true to the topic at hand. In Blogging Truths Be Told: Where My Peeps At?, I stated that “No one’s ever as excited about your “new thing” as you are. It’s just the truth of the matter. And, blogging is not the exception to the rule, or truth.”
In other words, there’s no way that anyone should outdo you on being your loudest cheerleader when it comes to blogging. And if I truly think about it logically for just a moment, such a phenomenon shouldn’t realistically exist –EVER. It wouldn’t make sense. Would it? I mean . . . how could that other person (who’s not you) be more invested in your blog than YOU?
So, let’s think about my question above, and I want you to evaluate it by looking at the following questions I pose. (Yes, I’m on a question’s roll this morning. Oh, a cinnamon roll would be awesome right now. Still hungry here). Okay, enough of that — moving on to the list of questions.
- Is that other person (who’s not you) coming up with the ideas for your blog posts, doing the research for the content for your blog posts, and going so far as to write your blog posts for you? (Is he or she doing your blogging work for you on a consistent basis, or EVER?)
- Is that other person (who’s not you) committed to making blogging a daily/weekly priority by scheduling blogging activities into his or her day no matter what’s going on in life AND then actually carrying out those activities on the schedule?
- Is that other person (who’s not you) sometimes sacrificing self to make the blogging efforts happen?
- Is that other person (who’s not you) finding ways to differentiate your blog from the millions of others out there and, then, positioning your blog so that it stays consistently fresh, relevant, and read-worthy?
- Is that other person (who’s not you) checking your stats and looking at your blogging progress on a regular basis?
- When results aren’t looking so good with the stats or results on blogging readership and engagement, is that other person (who’s not you) seeking and implementing strategies for gaining wider and more consistent readership and engagement?
- When blogging results aren’t looking so good, is that other person (who’s not you) consistently (and as needed) “pep talking” you to keep going even though you’re not outwardly seeing the results that you’re wanting to?
- When people are critiquing your blog, challenging its content, telling you to do something else that will actually bring in money (because your blog isn’t), putting obstacles in your way so you can’t give your blog the time and commitment it needs, and ignoring your blog altogether, is that other person (who’s not you) always there to stand up for you and buffer the impact of negative blogging blows so you can keep moving forward?
- Does that other person (who’s not you) really have anything to lose if your blog dissipates into the blogosphere’s atmosphere?
- Is it the other person’s (who’s not you) responsibility to make your blog the success that you want it to be?
I think those ten questions should be enough to get my point across. And I bet you got where I was coming from early on in the list. In fact, I probably had you at the first question (or even before the questions), didn’t I? So no, no one else should EVER be more invested in your blog than you. And no one should top you as your most loyal supporter, most active backer, and loudest cheerleader, NO ONE! Like I said last week:
Perseverance is an importance piece to the blogging puzzle.
Okay, y’all. I’m out. I’m gonna get some waffles and eggs. Enjoy your day.
degreesofmaternity.com 
Kat – I don’t even know what to say to that. Thank you, dear friend. Have a truly blessed week. You deserve it.
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Aw, thank you so much, Jana! You’ve definitely been really supportive of me, too, and I can’t tell you just how much I appreciate it. I always learn something new from you, both when it comes to parenting and blogging. Yours is the supportive friendship I value so much and I’m so glad to be able to call you friend. It’s always such a huge pleasure to interact with you and just so full of goodness. Thank you so much for being so wonderful, and for all the advice you always give in your posts!
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Well, I happen to think that you do a lot for the blogging as well as writing communities. I can say that from first-hand knowledge because you’ve been such a blessing to me. Even though we haven’t had a chance to meet in person, I consider you a friend. You’ve been so supportive of my efforts. And it means so much to have someone as gifted as yourself pay attention to little old me. It’s truly humbling. Thanks for all you do for the writing/blogging community. Oh, and good things come to those who are a blessing to others. I pray that many more blessings will come your way.
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I’m not sure whether I’ve just let it naturally happen or if I just kept forgetting to try, but the guilt really is real. I was raised to work hard for everything, so the success I’ve found, no matter how major or minor it might be to someone else, is hard to swallow, though I’m glad if it can give hope to someone else. It’s impossible to say when or where or how success will find someone, but you can’t beat putting yourself out there in the first place! I always wish I could do more for the blogging community and especially indie authors, so your words help warm my soul.
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Phil – Yes, the “perseverance” pep talk is what I want to put into my mind daily with regards to what I’m doing with Degrees of Maternity. And, I appreciate what you’ve said about my content making you think about things that you may not have thought about for awhile. And, I can say the same for you. There have been many times that your responses have really laid some golden nugget reminders right in front of me — the kind of golden nuggets that really make you think (especially about those long-lost thoughts that you know but need reminders of from time to time). Thanks again for all the words of wisdom you share with me. They’re priceless.
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Jana, That is what I like, Perseverance, or as my mother used to say “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again”. She used to provide the whole family with these types of sayings, some were even her own that she had made up, but always insisted they were generally known. She also used to make up her own words and thought we should all know what they meant, but we never did, so she got quite indignant when we said so. That is what you do to me Jana, you make me think about all kinds of things, in many cases something that I have not thought about for decades. Keep up the good work.
Regards, Phil
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I truly was hungry when I typed up this blog post. But yes, I took care of my stomach right after. Hee. Hee. Anyway, I think it’s absolutely awe-inspiring and encouraging to see unforced growth. You just let things naturally take place and that worked out well for you. So, no need to feel guilty about that. I’m excited that this is happening for you, because it lets me know that this phenomenon does happen and can happen. And if it happens for one person, it can happen for another person. So, thanks for keeping hope alive. And, you totally deserve all the great things that are happening to you. You’ve worked hard for them and you’ve earned them. You do so much good for others, and that kind of selfless, giving spirit has a way of bringing good things (in return) to those who give of themselves. You go, girl!
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Haha, now I’m hungry! I hope you ended up having a really delicious breakfast. Waffles sound good to me!
When it comes to blogging, I always feel like I’ve stepped into a warped reality. I don’t talk about my blog, hardly share it with anyone I know, and barely use social media (I’m just so far on the introverted end I’m surprised I’m not a hermit), but it’s growing far more than I’ve expected for the past couple of years. It’s been something I’ve been puzzling over for awhile now, but I guess I shouldn’t question it too much. Just can’t help feeling guilty about my strange luck. Though your post does make me wonder what would happen if I talked about it more.
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I really like what you’re doing with your blog and it makes me smile to know that my comment made you happy, too. You’re right that growth is growth! 🙂
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Hey there Sara – you may not know this already, so I’m going to tell you (just in case). Your words have truly blessed me this morning in a HUGE (words can’t adequately describe it) way. To have a wonderful blogger like yourself follow my content and enjoy it is what makes my blogging heart tick. I truly love what I do and have been given the opportunity to meet others who have that same passion. I’m growing slowly as well, which is one of the reasons I can write truthfully about topics like the one in this post. I know all-too-well from first-hand experience. But, slow growth is growth, nonetheless. And, I’m learning to embrace that. Thanks for taking time out of your day to check out what’s going on in mine.
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Gah this is so true! 🙂 It’s a journey in perseverance. Some months are better than others, but I still believe my blog is growing, even if slowly, and that’s what matters. You write amazingly and I enjoy following your blog.
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