I like BLT’s as much as the next guy.
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I hope I’m still blogging years from now.
And I hope years from now, if I’m still blogging, that I can encourage new bloggers to keep on truckin’ and not to look at the numbers and do the comparison thing so much.
Because I know, as a new blogger myself (8 months is new, isn’t it?), I can get frustrated with little reponse. I know I’m not alone. I’ve read posts by others, wonderful, profound, well written posts, with only a spattering of comments.
And then I’ll see a post on, say, BLT’s.
Not that there’s anything wrong with BLT’s. I crave BLT’s – all the time. BLT’s rock.
But it’s a BLT. Simple. Right?
Anyway, I’ll read a post on BLT’s that has 1,273 comments. What?!? BLT’s?!? Who knew that there was that much to say about the BLT. (This is just an example, so don’t go searching for a popular BLT post – unless you want to, then, of course, that’s your prerogative.)
And then I have to quickly remember that with a few exceptions, which usually involve prior fame or just plain luck, most bloggers have worked for those 1,273 comments.
They’ve spent years writing, photographing, editing.
Years of staying up ’til all hours of the night to get the perfect syntax.
Years building relationships.
Years learning html, css, and other complicated code stuff.
Years of missing out on fun outings with friends because they’re trying to get the perfect bacon shot.
So why am I whining? Should I expect special treatment? Should I expect to not have to be diligent and work just as hard – and smart – as the next? Should I expect a windfall of traffic because my husband thinks I’m brilliant?
Nah. Nope. Not so much. But that sure would be nice.
Just like any thing else, it takes years of hard work and determination to build up to 1,273 comments on a sandwich, or however you measure success.
So I’m off to put my big girl pants on and get to work.
Well, not before I grab a BLT. I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is a BLT.
See ya!
Very well said! :)It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels that way sometimes.
i know exactly how you feel and i hope you get 1273 comments soon. your blog is beautiful!
you hit the nail on the head…thanks for addressing this! i really needed to read it and be reminded about my big girl pants too 🙂
Well I already think you and your blog is fabulous! So keep doing what you are doing. It is working:)
And I think every blogger feels what you are feeling. It took me a while to build up a readership – surely didn’t come over night. But there are some amazing success stories, yes.
Glad you’re putting your big girl pants on and being patient, because you have a fabulous blog! 🙂
Amen! I feel the same way, I do, and I’m sure many people feel the same way!
I’ve only been doing this for about 5 months and I know what you mean. I just wish I had started earlier, I meant to but just never did. It DOES take work to get a following but I’m mainly doing it for myself. I don’t know a thing about the codes or html and that kind of stuff, still trying to figure it out.
I totally love BLT’s too. Simple but delicious.
Gosh, Amy, I know exactly what you mean. As a matter of fact, I was tweeting with a blogger friend about the very same thing just this morning. I’ve only been blogging for just over a year myself and every single comment still excites me. I check all the time to see if there’s anything new, even the last thing before I go to bed at night. My friend and I agreed in our conversation that a lot of the success in blogging comes from just plain luck and/or being noticed by the right person at the right time. If it came from beautiful photography and excellent writing you’d already be in the Bloggers Hall of Fame!
Ah, yes! After blogging 3 years, we all still worry about the numbers. I know I want to be read & do have a loyal audience, but there is always that comparing thing tapping me on the shoulder. Have to come back to reality most of the time!
great post! I’ve been blogging for about a year and a half, but only taking it seriously recently. regardless, i still feel like i should be further along. but why? I starting blogging because I love to cook, and now because of it, I love photography. i’m learning every day, enjoying each new thing I try, and meeting awesome people. recently i’ve started caring less and less about the numbers and just doing what works for me. if people like my blog, awesome! if they dont’, well good thing there are so many other blogs out there for them to check out 🙂
Don’t care a fig about BLT’s, but I like the different parts of your blog – not the same ole cooking blog. Build it and they will come!! (NTM)
BTY – I loved the GG Bridge photos…..
The photography of your cooking is fantastic. All the steps are great, like PW does. I am following some other food/photography bloggers and yours is among the best. Critical mass will happen soon! Then you’re going to be too busy 🙂
What a great post! Right after each post I feel like it’s Christmas morning waiting for the comments to come in. So glad to be one of your fans. 🙂
Boy, do I know how that is. Sometimes, it seems the majority of comments I get on a post are from the spammers. 😉
Keep on trucking, though. You’ve got a great blog going and do lovely, lovely work here.
You’re doing a great job. Sooner or later you’ll be noticed. Don’t get discourage.
Haha! I’ve been jealous of YOU!!! You get to go to Napa, you can host giveaways, you have your own domain name (I’ll be doing that in a few weeks…yay!), and you’ve only been blogging for 8 months. 8 MONTHS! And you have TONS of followers! I’ve been blogging for about 5 months, and I only have 30 followers. I just hope that someday I can have the success you do, even if there are only a smattering of comments. 🙂
You’ve certainly caught my attention:) And I probably would have commented here anyway because BLT’s are my magic food. I’ve yet to have a bad one.
Your blogs are always a welcome spot in my day. I’ll have to make sure and take the time to respond each time I come to your site. Your talents are many and thanks for sharing them with everyone.
I love your blog. Just sayin’.
And I know how you feel. I have been blogging in some way, shape, or form since 1999. I was 15. You’d think I’d be “further along,” but I’m not sure if it’s the same definition for everyone. What I know is that I’m no marketing machine. What blogging has taught me is that if you make the blog your ultimate passion, it will succeed. But then, what you’re blogging about (life, in most cases) is rarely a success. I think you can be passionate about blogging without compromising other things *and* still be a successful. You just have to decide for yourself what that success looks like.
You couldn’t be more right!
I’ll take a deep breath now, remember that I blog because I love having a creative outlet in my life, and like others I’m learning more about photography, cooking, sewing, and so much more! Not to mention “meeting” so many wonderful people along the way…the rest will be whatever it is. Thanks for the kick in the pants!
Just know you are doing a great job, and so many of us newbies are taking notes from YOU! I’ve been blogging less time than you have been, so I consider you a “mentor” of sorts, a virtual mentor. 🙂
Did you say you have a fever? Hope you are okay? Feel better soon.