Will ONLY Write for Food (& Beer)
I’m not having fun playing the Blogging Game. You know, the one where you write a post about the “(Insert Number) New Ways to (Insert Something Useful)” and then you try like hell to have people Digg or Stumble your post because if they do then more people will read it and if more people read it then more people will subscribe to your feed and if more people subscribe to your feed then …
What?
I wanted to blog so I could get “out there” and have people read “my stuff.” Only now I don’t know what “my stuff” is, much less where “out there” is. “My stuff” isn’t 10 New Ways to Comb Your Hair, but I bet I could get some new readers if I explained how great you’d look if you would only part your hair to the right side instead of the left. On Tuesdays only. But I can’t tell you why, because only people on my mailing list are privy to that secret.
I want to write about cool cars, internet marketing, traveling and everyday things that amuse me. I don’t want to create an authority site for any of those things, which is often suggested by the Big Bloggers. The truth is, I don’t want to do the type of work it takes to climb the Big Blogger ladder.
Does this mean I don’t want people to read Life in the Fun Lane? Of course I do, but not for the reasons that you think. I’m not trying to create any sort of useful income from my blog. I’d like to make enough to cover the very small expense of running the blog. That’s it. I make my living in other ways that work better (for me) than blogging.
Maybe that’s why I can’t be inspired by the Blogging Game. I don’t mind gaming the other ways I make an income. I love playing the Google Game. SEO research is one of my favorite ways to spend a day, just like writing used to be. There’s something about being true to myself with writing that completely conflicts with being marketable. This isn’t to say I don’t write for money – I do. But that’s not the writing I want to do here, now.
So I’m getting back out of the game. As a new blogger, it’s times like these where I’m glad I have a chance to stop and reassess. I’m going to continue this blog but forego the struggle to come up with ideas that might make Life in the Fun Lane more visible. If you enjoy this blog, then you probably know someone else who will also enjoy it. Maybe you’ll tell them about it. But let’s keep it a secret from Digg and Stumble for now, shall we?
July 31st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Hear! Hear! Can’t remember when it was that I stopped worrying about making money with my blogs — a long time ago.
Anyway, just writing about what I’m feeling passionate about makes me feel good. Sure, I hope it rubs off on others, but I don’t worry about that any longer.
Thanks for a good post!
Be in Peace …
July 31st, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Hey Annie, Hows it going. (fellow GCDC feature blogger here), Found you on the reply thread from garrys announcement that we’re being featured, so I thought id drop in and say hi.
I hear you on this as well My personal blog is so schizo its not even funny, some posts are pure non sense other are essay-ish and some or blatant selling something, its pretty funny really.
So I say write what you like and get it out there and then write some more, after a period of time watch your analytics and see what people are coming to your blog for (keywords) and write some more about that its fun really watching how people find your blog and what people spend time reading.
shane’s last blog post..Share your mix tapes with Muxtape
August 4th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I know exactly how you were feeling. I created my blog as a way to document my journeys, but at the same time share my opinions and thoughts on pretty much everything. I have no desire to pick a “niche” and sell my soul to only that specific topic in hopes of becoming a top blogger in that area. However, I do like writing list type posts, like “5 Reasons You Should (Shouldn’t) Drink on Weekdays.” It is just a matter of finding your own things to write about.
Great Post!
Justin’s last blog post..Short Road Trip to Lake Pleasant
August 4th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Hi Ron - Thanks for the comment! I’m glad you agree on the “writing not selling” idea!
Hey Shane! Actually, I “get” your blog - I’d like to find a larger variety of topics around here. I think I’ll start writing about the Colorado Avalanche. GO AVS.
Hi Justin - Your photography ROCKS. Please do not ever write a post on 5 reasons not to drink on weekdays.
Annie Binns’s last blog post..Will ONLY Write for Food (& Beer)
August 11th, 2008 at 3:34 am
:))
AlexM’s last blog post..???? ????, ???????? ????? ? ????)
August 12th, 2008 at 2:55 am
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
August 19th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I really enjoy reading your articles Annie,keep posting.
internet marketing’s last blog post..How to Sell Anything
August 24th, 2008 at 7:56 am
“Game” feels like the right word for the Digg and StumbleUpon frenzy - and more that I have no clue about.
People email me all the time to ask my secrets for building a successful blog - I have no idea. I don’t understand RSS, much less other blog secrets. I think there’s only one reason to blog - and blogging with one intention is powerful - and that is because you long to say something. All else falls away.
patti digh’s last blog post..Day 11 :: Just plain show up
August 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Thanks for the informative post.. and thanks for adding our comment to the blog. I am subscribing to your feed so I don\’t miss the next post!