If you recall last year's invention of the BlogHer D-List, you know I'm okay being a small blogger. Virtual invisibility has its advantages. For starters, less work. I don't stress over my design, participate in Twitter parties or hustle to sell ads, which means I have more time to focus on my real job and my real life. If I don't post for a few days, I don't piss off the masses, I worry my mother.
Unlike the super blog-celebs Dooce, The Pioneer Woman and The Bloggess, I am under no pressure to write amazing posts. Appear on TV. Or score a book deal. In fact, no matter how I neglect my blog, botch the design or write trivial drivel, I just don't have very far to fall. In fact, if I shut down my blog tomorrow, I'm not sure more than a dozen people would call me up to complain. [Side note: I met Jenny the Bloggess at the CheeseburgHer party Saturday night and found her sweet and engaging and not at all possessing of the high horse she's entitled to.]
Now it's not to say that I don't envy the brightest stars in blogging their readership and the opportunities that come along with a large audience. I do. A little.
But what I really want is not a big blog. It's a better blog. A more engaging blog. What I really, truly, deep-down-in-my-heart desire is a blog with a shitload of comments. And that's where you come it. I'm going to improve my game. And you... won't you please, please comment more often? And if you've been reading for some time and you've never commented before, it's time to delurk. Leave me a comment--even an anonymous one.
16 comments:
Hello from your long lost co-worker/account person now in Austin, TX!
You've made my RSS feeds so I think that's pretty cool!
Love keeping up with your girls and of course, what's happening in the marketing world.
recently found your blog....somewhere...I'm in Chicago, so like to see a local blogger! Also, you're one of the few blogs I read that has some blogher updates already up. Nice job, and yes, small fish is good. Hard to believe dooce couldn't pull off a post in 4 days...!? See, who needs that pressure!
carols
Cheers to embracing little blogs! I agree that comments make it better.
And here is a comment from your most loyal follower (your mom). I am amazed that you can keep up such an entertaining and well-written blog while continuing to excel at the rest of your many responsibilities. I love your blog primarily because it enables me to find out what you're thinking and to learn of or see the latest accomplishment or quote from A or Z.
I would notice if you shut down...and I would be very sad. Unlike some of us gals who blog about the trivial details of their day, your posts are most always educational and insightful. Current post included.
If this is where we come in, then I'd like to make a request. I love it when you write about marketing. I think your unique spin is being a mom and a marketer and being able to empathize with both parties when you make purchase decisions. I would love to see more posts on that front and I think it would 1) invite people to comment more because everyone has an opinion about the way products are marketed to them and b) inspire more subscribers who want to keep up with your commentary on that front.
Maybe you could do a weekly round up of things you bought each week and why. Or, ooh, I know, I know, a weekly post on things you DIDN'T buy, with a little snark about the value proposition.
I will read the adventures of A and Z regardless, so, like the kids say, whatevs.
I agree that the comments are great. It's like a threaded discussion where we can learn from each other.
I've been reading your blog for about a year, but I think this is my first comment. I live in Oak Park with kids about the same age (2 & 4) so I love learning about new things to check out in the area. Some posts are light and funny, while others are well thought out and insightful (your post on vaccines, letting your daughter ride around the block by herself, etc.).
I love your small blog!
Delurkers, you're making my morning. Seriously, I'm so happy to hear from you and learn what you like and what you want more of.
@RookieMom Whitney, I think you're request for more marketing/consumerist content is a good one. I live and breathe this stuff 40+ hours a week and I forget that my dual perspective can be interesting to others.
I am delurking. And sad that I missed that session. By that point I was on overload and went to explore the city instead.
Missed that session but certainly could have used the small blog love. And I know what you mean about getting comments - it's like getting a compliment each time. Can never get enough!
Nice to meet you at BlogHer!
Micaela (Mindful Momma)
I am local too, Park Ridge, and my eldest daughter Nicole, lives in Oak Park with her family. I like the local spin of your blog and the marketing insight. I worked for many years in marketing and public affairs for a local grocer, and I am partners in an event marketing and planning company so I like keeping abreast of your insights and agency perspective. I also like the mommy blogger part of your blog as I have little ones too. You have refreshing writing style, which I think is harder to have than the content piece since you can change content but your style is your style. We can tweak it but you're either engaging or not, in your case - engaging! Thanks for an enjoyable read.
Another Local - Berwyn to be exact. Found you researching the parenthesis sale as a new mom and have enjoyed reading you since.
I was reading over the sponsorship kit for an upcoming blogger conference that noted that the average attendee of their conference has over 21K visitors a month. My reaction is skeptical (either that I totally suck as a blogger and don't belong at that conference even if my clients do).
I heard Heather/Dooce speak at BlogHer in 2008 and it made me realize that I'd never want her kind of fame. To be known in certain circles and have a lot of friends in the space, along with a few admiring readers is enough.
Last I checked, though, The Chicago Moms had pretty impressive stats, so keep writing with us.And keep writing here, too.
Came over to your blog from a link from Carrie at frugalista. As a former city dweller now a west suburb working mom with two girls your blog provides the friendly reminder that I am not alone in this motherhood/wifehood adventure.
LOL. I hear you. My family is most alert when blog posts are missing.
One small fish to another.
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