Monday, December 3, 2012

I was going somewhere with it


Do followers even matter anymore? Are you a better blogger/writer if you have 2000 followers opposed to someone that has only 40? I don't think it counts for anything. I think it all depends on the quality of the comments and the character of the person leaving them. I truly hate people that follow you just so you will follow them back so they can inflate their numbers. They never leave a comment or interact with you at all. Frankly, I don't really pay attention to who follows me. I think it's cool that I'm almost at 300 followers but without people actually reading and commenting those numbers mean diddly squat. The other day I went back through the original followers I had. None of them exist anymore and I don't recognize any of their names.

I would rather get 30 comments per post than have 10,000 followers. This isn't Myspace, you don't just follow someone so they will follow you. Hopefully those bloggers get weeded out because the real bloggers won't fall for their games and they will fall by the wayside. My rule is if you comment on my post I will gladly return the favor even if I am not an avid reader of your blog. It might take me a couple of days but I will stop by your site. I expect the same in return. I would love to eventually make a cyber friend along the way. Someone that I can rely on to leave a great comment and expect the same from me. Someone that is open to guest posting and someone that likes to interact either through email, Facebook or Twitter.

I remember when I first started blogging, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know how to get people to read what I wrote or find other blogs. I use to check the stats all the time to see how many people had visited my site that day. So young and foolish. That doesn't matter anymore. It is about the friends that you make and the connections that occur. I have no idea where I am going with this post. I had one idea when I started it and it could go on forever.

Blogging is a lot more fun when you connect with the people that read your stuff. To know that strangers appreciate what you write is kind of cool. I now know that I'm funny because this blog wouldn't exist if I wasn't. I have all of you to thank for that. I'm going to end it here.......no here.

18 comments:

Baby Sister said...

I so agree. I have people who follow me who never comment on my blog, so I stopped commenting on theirs. I hardly even read them anymore. It ticks me off. If you're going to follow me, at least show some interest.

Kal said...

Every comment is like gold to me but you can make yourself crazy trying to predict what will hit with people. I used to be one who was concerned with the numbers but over time I have discovered that following your own vision and pleasing just yourself is much more rewarding.

Ms. A said...

So many follow just to get you to follow back and then you never see them again. I'm thrilled with the loyal few that take the time to drop in and at least say hello.

Mark said...

One of the great things about blogging is that it does bring people together and you can have fun with others. I care a lot more about how many people read and comment as opposed to how many simply follow as a lot of those blogs aren't even around any more. Usually a high follower number just means you've lasted so long you've seen all these people come and go.

Keetha Broyles said...


preach it

A Beer for the Shower said...

Hear, hear. I love the social aspect of blogging. Also, as a rule of thumb, I only follow, read, and comment on the blogs I enjoy... so what the hell am I doing here?

(kidding... but not kidding about the commenting on blogs I like part)

Followers mean nothing. We have 1600 and according to Google Analytics, most of our traffic comes from our dedicated readers that don't even know what a Google Connect is. They just come to the page because they love it. Followers are empty calories used to flex your e-peen.

Unknown said...

Absolutely. I'm constantly wondering how people can have/follow thousands of people. I follow about 350, and I have a difficult enough time as it is following the 12 that still actually tweet.

10 quality interactions is better than 10,000 people who clicked follow once and never gave it a second look. Chances are those 10 qualities will share with more of the same.

My only hope is the people who actually read my stuff enjoy it, because at the end of the day those are the people for whom I'm doing this in the first place.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Well said! Yes, 1700 followers looks cool, but what matters are the blogger buddies who leave comments. I've made a ton of friends and that's more important. (Besides, not even I could keep up with all of my followers.)

Adam said...

I like being the blog follower since it allows me to easily view new blogs for you guys.

Birgit said...

I am so naive...I thought when people join they actually like your blog and enjoy what is on it. I don't have alot of followers but am happy when people respond and enjoy my cards or thoughts. I sometimes don't read every blog but that does not mean I do not enjoy them...I just get so dang busy. All I follow are fun and great!!

Bossy Betty said...

The number of followers I have determines my self-worth. I lost one this morning and am considering staying in bed all day.

BlackLOG said...

I agree to a point - although for ‘comment’ you should ratchet it up to ‘quality comment’ - after all one worthwhile, insightful, witty comment is worth a thousand “Luv your Blog” type dull ones. OK so a thousand dull comments are worth a million silent followers……after all in blogland no one can hear you scream but they sure can read about it…

Al Penwasser said...

Zing, right on the money! I see blogs with a gazillion (soon to be the national deficit) followers, but very few comments beyond "Nice post!" or "LOL!" I'd MUCH rather have a thoughtful exchange between cyber friends than any of those.
Now, who are you again?

Chuck said...

Right on Dude! I follow a lot of blogs and comment when I have something to say but it is not every read. The ones I hard core comment on are the ones that post things I can comment on. My early followers are the ones still around. Oh and getting 30 comments is still just a dream of mine. Where the hell were you going with this???

Ruth said...

I have plenty of followers that never, ever leave a comment. I don't even know if they read it. Comments are nice so that you know someone appreciated what you wrote.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I'm sure you're right. I'm one of those bloggers who loves to see the numbers grow. The opposite to when I stand on a scale. LOL. But hey, it's about making friends and sharing in our triumphs and our fears. Happy to follow you!

Shannon said...

Wise words.

Tami Von Zalez said...

Totally agree! Besides the fact that not everyone likes or will connect through GFC. Comments are icing on the cake.

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