Books, Blogs, Authors and More discussion

Yeah, the stats drive me insane sometimes. I can go three days in a row with good stats and think I have hit the bigtime, and then I can get a couple of low days that make me wonder if I am wasting my time.

I know how you feel - I take it quite personal! I just try to remind myself why I started doing this in the first place: because I love blogging. I'm doing it for me, not for others. But if readers enjoy my blog, that's great and makes me so happy and proud :-)

I have found that hosting other authors brings an increase of traffic to my blog. I try and do that regularly.

Giveaways get my traffic right up so it's always a disappointment when it goes back down when they end.

Upside to blogging: When you have a good topic to write about you can really get people talking and discussing.
Downside-When you feel you need to blog but cant think of a good topic at all so you dont blog often which makes you seem a tad bit lame but its not ur fault your mind isnt thinking.

Sam wrote: "I assume that most of you have active book blogs - or that you are considering one for your future. My question is this: Do you get discouraged as the traffic flow at your blog fluctuates or hits ..."

Once I was happy being anonymous. I sought it. Then I blogged. I liken my stats to a drug. All life is dimmer when people don't tune in - when they leave me unnoticed. My payment to my dealer is output and content. My dealer ( his name is stats) is quite severe if I don't pay. Tell I tell you that I hate pressure. Pressure is the enemy of creativity.

I only blog because I want to. I don't think I get much activity.

Yes I think you have to have the attitude, that you are doing it for the love of wanting to share your reviews, because if you are doing it for the traffic it will be like waiting for the jug to boil.....a very slow process.
I have two blogs, one for reading and one is dedicated to help people budget and to save money on household costs, the budgeting one is much more popular than the book site, but I guess there are more entries on that one, as I can unravel my mind quicker for budgeting tips. So it is all what the viewer wants to see.
heres my book blog check it out
https://www.facebook.com/trinastantil...

A blog is nothing more than a personal public forum for expressing one's opinion regarding any and all subjects. It also serves as a marketing tool to tout one's accomplishments, products, or artistic expression.

The number of followers at any given time is not important and should not overly concern the blogger. Those who value the blogger's opinion and expertise in certain matters will pay attention; those who don't, won't.

I have been blogging about one thing or another for a few years. At first I installed stat counters of one kind or another as it gave me a 'thrill' to see how many visitors I was apparently getting. But recently I have taken less notice of the stats after realising that most hits belong to bots or hackers!

So unless your blog actually allows 'followers' to show up in a widget, you shouldn't give too much attention to stats as they are very misleading. I have also removed the comment function from my site too - lots of spam and very little genuine attention to the blog content!

In conclusion I think that a blog for authors or wannabe authors is best considered as a bit of a portfolio for potential readers, editors, publishers etc. Your online business card so to speak and a marketing tool as mentioned by Jim in the previous post.

Jim wrote: "A blog is nothing more than a personal public forum for expressing one's opinion regarding any and all subjects. It also serves as a marketing tool to tout one's accomplishments, products, or artis..."

I agree, Jim. I love blogging and what it does for me. But I must say that it makes me very happy to get new followers, comments etc.I love it that there are people who take pleasure from what I do.

Blogging is therapeutic but sometimes you feel as useful as unicorn repellent.

The Dude Who Did Dictionaries

The up's to blogging:

If done correctly, can be a great way to expand and reach out to readers and people giving you a wide range audience.

It's a way for a writer to showcase their writing and get in on and share some interesting topics that others may be in on and have their own opinions of.

It's another way for you to writer to let off steam and stress and really write about a passionate cause or topic you have.

The down's of blogging:

Keeping it up and making posts on a consistent basis isn't always easy.

Your posts won't always be seen, viewed or commented on by people but you have to keep on trucking and hope that your blog posts will reach someone and pay off.

Some may be interested in your work but not your blogging, some may be interested in your blogging but not your work. Again, just because they read your blogs doesn't mean they will follow you. It's best to just write and not worry about it.

Some topics you write about in your blog may make for very high and controversial comments by others apposing what your trying to say.