[Photo courtesy Philms]
I’ve been blogging for six months as of January 19th, averaging three posts a week. And, yes, I’m still here.
I am woman—hear me roar.
[meow]
For those new to my blog, I should give you some context. I had to leave my job as a scientist in biotech about this time last year because of complications from my constant companion, Ms. MS (multiple sclerosis). I’d also been a science writer in a former career, which included layout (desktop publishing) and graphic design. Setting up a blog seemed to follow naturally along the riverbank of my life and combines my interests into a sweet package—writing, graphic/web design, HTML/CSS, and layout.
[I said the words, “sweet package,” did my Alexa ranking improve?]
What does this have to do with how to not blow up your blog?
What I wasn’t prepared for were the numbers.
To give you context, again, when my Ms. MS was more manageable—
I was a competitive athlete and coach. I ran marathons, triathlons, and was an open-water swimmer. Being focused on the numbers was my life—I even had a GPS watch which monitored my miles and mph. I lived numbers. Then, I went to work and measured variables all day (e.g., kinetic cleavage rates of enzymes or accelerated stability tests). I lived numbers at work, too.
Classic Type A, anyone???
Many days have passed where I got caught up in blogging-related numbers: watching my subscriber numbers increase (or decrease) compared to other favorite blogs, watching the Alexa ranking go up and down, and all that. It’s easy to be sidetracked. It’s easy to beat yourself up.
Don’t do it.
My piece of advice for you is the same it has been since I started.
Know why you’re blogging (or in life—focus on what’s important).
I’m still here focusing on healing my brain while being of service to others. Period. Those are my two main goals. I’m OK to be a third-tier blogger—I still get a bronze, right? 
It’s the same in other walks of life—why are you doing what you’re doing? Are you feeling good about where you’re headed? Are you laying the tracks in a direction that makes you smile at the end of the day?
I don’t look at subscribers and rankings the same way these days. The connections I’ve made (both people AND neurons) are worth more than any number. On the days I feel really bad, and I get an email from someone I’ve met via my blog, it’s not a number sending me smiles, it’s a person.
Thanks again to all you masters of awesomeness. Keep fighting the good fight. Only change course when your efforts no longer lead you where you want to go. Do what makes sense for you because of what you know deep down, not because of a number or ranking.
I want to close today with a quote from Sean’s lyrical post over at Collective Inkwell:
“Know your tribe—the vibe you scribe—now describe it in a phrase,
Do you feel proud of the crowd you’re talking to these days?”
Yes.
Yes, I do.
What about you? Are the words you’re writing bringing people who make your blogging experience what you want it to be? Are your tracks leading you where you want to go?
Sing to me, ‘o choir of awesomeness!
Related posts:
~How Not to Blow Up Your Blog After Three Months
~My Writing Life: An Answered Question
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Hi Lori,
Congratulations on making it to the six month mark. I remember the first time I came across you was when you wrote an awesome post on the World’s Strongest Librarian. You see, I still remember.
I think you’re doing great and the fact that you’re happy in doing it your way is just so cool.
.-= Gordie´s last blog ..Personal Development Through Song: “You’re The Best”. =-.
Hi Gordie,
Hey, thanks! That’s amazing you remember my post over at WSL – you have a great memory! And, guess what, I still remember your comment over there, too! In fact, I framed it and put it on my desk. (OK, it’s not really on my desk – but it’s implanted in my mind!)
Thanks for taking the time to comment – I know you’re a busy, successfully PD blogger dude! Great seeing you here again, Gordie. You’re rocking the universe, Gordie!
Hi Lori,
Six months is a major milestone. It’s also the time that a lot of blog owners push the button. Understandably so.
Hang in there as log as you want to, and yes, numbers be damned. I hardly ever look at them any more.
George
.-= George Angus´s last blog ..Netbookz! Umm, Bookflix? Aw Heck, Just Read the Post =-.
Hi George,
After three months, I didn’t think another three months would be that much of a stretch, but now that I look back, it kind of was!
That’s cool you don’t bother with numbers. I mean, like I’ve said before, all you need is that ONE agent, right????
If I were an agent and had a golden toe in the publishing world – I’d sign you on, George! I mean, geez, your comments alone are worthy of a notable book of quotes!
Kilt on down the road, brother in arms (arms of pens and paper, that is).
The only numbers I care about anymore are the number of visits per month. I like to see them go up from month to month, but I don’t really care how much they go up, and sometimes they go down, but not by much, which is cool.
After being in the blogging game for just over a year, I’ve noticed a slow, steady growth from month to month, and I really dig that.
Know what else I dig?
You and this awesome blog.
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..The Miracle =-.
That’s cool that your numbers are steady and constantly rising, Jay. I don’t doubt it.
You’re like a prize on The Price Is Right, because once your buy a prize, it’s yours to keep! Meaning: once a person meets you, it’s hard to let you go!
Or as my Mom would say, “He’s a keeper!”
I dig your comments and your writing, Jay.
Thanks for all you do!
Hi Lori,
I’ve got 3 yrs of blogging under my belt. Because my blog is about living creatively (and not just for artists!), a gentle shift from posts that were dominated by narrative to photography did not seem out of place. In fact, it was the right move. Sometimes I’ll meet one of my readers out in the ‘real’ world and they’ll tell me how much they enjoy the photos and look forward to the new posts.
While healing and dealing with Ms. MS, I wonder if you’ve made any dietary changes? I’ve heard that gluten-free/dairy free can be helpful at minimizing symptoms. Antioxidants? I’ve observed these to be beneficial as well, in friends dealing with autoimmune conditions. Best of luck with that.
P.S. Have not checked my subscriber/Alexa rankings in ages. Maybe I should, just for fun?
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Reveling in this Moment … =-.
Hi Lisa,
Wow! You are a wise one – still blogging after three years? That’s really great, incredible, and also encouraging that you’re still enthusiastic and evolving changes with your blog.
Kudos!
About the MS, I’ve had the diagnosis for over 15 yrs now and for several years was gluten and lactose free. It never made much difference for me, actually, but since I don’t digest lactose or gluten well, I still don’t eat much of either.
My undergrad degree is in nutrition (my Ph.D. is in molecular biology), so I’m pretty good about my diet. And, I’ve also performed antioxidant research in the lab – so girl, you’re definitely talking to the converted here.
I mostly focus my diet in the vegetarian realm (again, I avoid lactose and gluten) with emphasis on Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to help protect and rebuild my myelin, and since animal fats have been shown to correlate with MS progression.
I truly believe that if I wasn’t so vigilant about what I eat and try to be as active as I can when I can, I’d be in pretty rough shape.
Thanks for your encouraging words. It could be fun to see the numbers, but do you really want to go there? You’ve succeeded without them thus far, right?
Take care!!!
When we are passionate about what we are doing, there’s no way of stopping us. I know you will keep this blog up Lori, you have good intentions. As for me, my blog serves the purpose of giving a piece of my thought for others to reflect. The benefit I gain is being able to express myself through writing.
Since I was young I want to be a writer. I never have expected that despite my poor understanding of word construction, I did somehow make it.
Hi Walter,
Hey, that’s really great to hear that you’ve wanted to be a writer since you were young! Wow, that’s awesome, Walter!
You’re taking it to the streets! You’re doing it! I’m so happy for you I want to jump up and down and do a happy dance!
Thanks for writing for us, Walter. It’s so great to see you living your dreams and I’m behind you 100%!
Good for you!
I am so glad you got to the “connection” part. That really is the most valuable part of blogging. You meet some of the most AMAZING FREAKING PEOPLE.
The only ‘bad’ part about blogging is that opportunity for instant gratification which is where the numbers and stats come in. It can be hard to let that go but, you’re right, shifting the focus to connection can help.
.-= Hayden Tompkins´s last blog ..4 Steps Toward A Better 2010 =-.
Hi Hayden,
You are a sparking diamond!
And yeah, hells, yeah, Hayden. Amazing freaking people is RIGHT! AND IS YOU!!!!!
I like how you said that, “Shift the focus to connection…”
That’s a keeper!
Thanks for hosting your blog, too, Hayden. It’s brought me many lovely reading moments – I just love your writing style!
Happy Semi-Anniversary! It’s incredible that you’ve only been blogging 6 months and your alexa is so low (must be your strategic use of words like “kinetic cleavage” and “sweet package”)!
You know what? Screw Alexa! She’s an inconstant mistress that constantly tries to seduce us away from what matters most… relationships, people, community.
You can certainly be proud of the crowd you are talking to, and the main reason is, you can still TALK to your crowd. There’s nothing more empty or shallow than a super-duper, high ranking blog with no sense of community. I hate it when I read a great post, and get all excited about discussing it with the author, and I leave a (brilliant, thought-provoking) comment, and I get nothing. Zip. Nada. Actually, I get a back link and some page views (numbers), but what I want is a PERSON to interact with.
THAT is what I get here… and what a person she is! Have you met this Lori chick?! Wowza! It cannot be helped: I’m hooked!
.-= Lisis´s last blog ..Faith, Patience, and Your Moment in the Sun =-.
Hi Lisis,
Ha ha ha ha – I can’t stop laughing!
“kinetic cleavage” – - – I totally missed that one! Maybe I was just leaving that word (in my mind’s eye) to Kelly?
And yeah, Alexa can get out of my sandbox – she was not invited to this party! ha
I totally know what you’re saying about commenting. I suppose everyone is different, but when I’m at a site, and I see the author interacting with the readers – I just love it. It can be a site about anything from surfboards to microchips, and if the author is “with it” and body-surfing in the pool of commenters, the person has me at hello. In fact, that’s what drew me to YOU, Lisis. You ooze caring and compassion, and you seep it into your comments like melted chocolate.
It’s just so yummy!!
Now, about this Lori chick, let me know when you see her, I’d like to let tell her to get more sleep today. She looks exhausted!
Speaking of melted chocolate… I’m making fudge brownies for dinner. Is it any wonder that my kid thinks I’m the greatest mom? I’d invite you over, Lori Jane, but you’re not big into sweets, are you? We’ll save the invite for my next Cupid Lasagna night.
Oh no you didn’t!
Oh no you didn’t!
Oh no you didn’t!
You didn’t just invite me over for Cupid Lasagna, did you?
Dear Scott,
I had to catch a red-eye flight to Vermont. Dinner awaits.
Love,
Lori
P.S. I will bring back leftovers for tomorrow night. Please eat the beans&rice dish I left for you in the fridge.
Leftovers?!?! Clearly you’ve never had my Cupid Lasagna.
Leftovers.
Sheesh!
Hi Lori:
Congrats on hitting the 6 month mark!! You’ve really hit on something that’s very important these days. I, too, have spent a career looking at numbers and determining whether a product (or commercial) has been a success or not. So when I started blogging, it would seem natural that I continue to look at numbers. But if I judged my blogging success on these numbers, I’d be pretty bummed. Actually when I started the first version of my current blog on Blogger, I put the analytics code in the wrong place and didn’t get a traffic report for months. That’s probably all for the best now that I think of it.
I’m with you on the friendship part of blogging. I’ve met some very cool people through my blog (including you) and that makes things very rewarding for me. I’m with Lisis, screw Alexa!
I just want to say that your blog continues to rock and no matter what the numbers say, I say that you’ve built a pretty awesome community here! Thanks for reminding us in this post about what’s important because there have been many times that I’ve wanted to blow up my blog, too.
.-= Tim´s last blog ..Weekend Musical Diversion: Buddy Guy =-.
Hi Tim,
Well, thank you, Mister P.!
That is so funny, Tim, I actually laughed out loud about you putting the analytics code into the wrong place! GREAT IDEA! That’s actually a great tactic for new bloggers – maybe you should write a, “How to Start a Blog” ebook??? I’ll buy!
I really appreciate what you’re saying here, Tim. It means a lot to me. I’m happy that you’re here at JBN when you can bust on over, and I love hang out over at 360 Degree Self, too.
It’s interesting when I hear talk about “building a community” because, from my perspective, I feel we all just came together. I don’t feel that I “built” anything, but more like I started writing and we all started humming the same music.
It’s really very awesome, and deep, if one thinks about it for awhile.
Thanks for not blowing up your blog, Tim. I love what you have to say and will be humming right along with you!
Hi Lori,
Congratulations on the 6 month anniversary/birthday!!!! YAY!!!
My view of blog stats is like dieting…don’t pay attention to the numbers or it will drive a person crazy.
I love how you write from the heart and to me that is all that matters.
Blogging is such a wonderful avenue because not only do we get to express ourselves but we make some wonderful friendships and build a community.
So just keep on blogging, girlie! I and all your other readers will be right by your side!
Hi Nadia,
I remember you once telling me that blog stats are like dieting (that’s why you never pay attention to the scale). LOVE IT! In fact, when I was writing this I was thinking about you and all the great advice you’ve given me about this topic. I think you’re SPOT ON, GIRL!!!!
All the things you said about me could easily apply to you, too, Nadia. I love your approach to writing and posting – it’s all from your heart out of pure love and oneness with the world. Your writing reminds me of the ocean: currents, tides, and waves where there needs to be movement – peace, tranquility and teeming with life within.
I think it’s just beautiful (like you).
Thanks for your support, Nadia, it means a lot to me. Same to you! I’ll always be there reading!
Hi Again,
I forgot to answer the question. For me, blogging has taken me in directions I never imagined and it has been mindblowing but in a very awesome way.
.-= Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..Reflections on Past Choices =-.
Agreed! And, mindblowing is a great descriptor!
Yay!
I’m with Lisis and Tim; screw Alexa! And Google page rank (yep, you heard me Mr Google! Go on, make my page rank 0. I dare you!). And analytics! And Statcounter!
Girl, you’re so right, it’s all about the community. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m continuing with my blog for 3 reasons;
1. The awesome community around it.
2. The writing.
3. It motivates me to keep ticking things off my Daisy List.
Who knows if the tracks I’m laying are leading me to where I want to go but so long as I’m interacting with brilliant, beautiful, funny people like you and I’m enjoying number 2 and 3 above, it doesn’t matter a whole lot.
HAPPY 6 MONTH ANNIVERSARY!!!
.-= Sami – Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s last blog ..Daisy List #22. Learn to Surf =-.
Hi Sami,
I want to take all the numbers and put them in a big box. And tape it shut. And then burn them. What do they really mean, anyway? I mean, really???
And, hey, I LOVE your three reasons. More importantly, it’s great that you’ve defined what’s important to YOU! That way, there’s no loosing, right? (BTW: When are you knocking off #106?)
And, wow, Sami. You’re so kind in your comment about me and JBN. Brilliant?? Only when I’m wearing my itty-bitty book light. And funny?? Again, only when I’m wearing my itty-bitty book light in the dark so I can read if Scott is sleeping. Beautiful? Why do you think I’ve only done an audio post thus far??? ha
You’re the best, Sami May, and I love that you take the time to come here to hang with us when you can.
P.S. Thanks for blogging, you rocka my world!
Hi Lori! Awesome progress! Is blogging everything you expected? I didn’t know what to think when I started a year ago – I just wrote what I hoped would be viewed as inspiring or motivating or encouraging stuff that would help somebody somewhere do something. Nothing has changed except I know from the comments I get that it seems to be working, letting my little joyous cheerleader out is really a good thing – and I’m thrilled with that!
Hugs and congrats!!!!
suZen
.-= suzen´s last blog ..The Magic of Giving – Healing 101 =-.
Hi Suzen,
Hey, thanks for hanging with me (when you can) for six months! I can remember when I first met you – I thought back then that you were (and are) such an joyous cheerleader! You’ve certainly found your calling, girl!!!
It sounds like you’ve had an excellent experience blogging thus far – and I’m glad that I’ve been able to experience your blogging prowess. I’ll never forget your awesome post about your son around Veteran’s Day. It really touched me. It is probably one of my most favorite and memorable posts of all time.
Thanks for all you do for us, Suzen!
Huge hugs!!
Hi Lori — I’m glad to hear you aren’t obsessing about the numbers — as someone who is now ancient by blogging standards and nonetheless is not an “A-list blogger,” I’m glad to have let go of that habit. The way I see it, I have things I want to say, both on- and offline, and I really don’t care whether the world is ready to hear it or agents and editors think my “platform” is big enough or anything like that. Hear us roar, indeed.
Hi Chris,
Ancient bloggers are always welcome here!
Seriously, I love it when you have time to stop by JBN. I know you have been through it all, now having your book published, and maybe sometime soon we can Skype – I want to hear more about your experience if you ever have some extra time.
Your attitude is stellar, Chris. I really *get* what you’re saying about not putting what others think into your decision matrix.
Good for you; I can learn a lot from you!
Thanks for stopping by – roar on, my friend, roar on! I’ll be listening!
Hey Lori… Congrats on making it 6 months. That’s better than many. I have been finding it difficult this week to vibe my scribe on my tribe, or whatever that was.
Really just a lack of focus this week and that gets me discouraged. So, tomorrow I’m spending a bit of time writing posts and getting back in focus.
Cant’ take too much time off…
Great Stuff Lori
Hi Jason,
(Thanks again for your awesome guest post here last week!)
Well, about the 6-month thing, my jury is still out. Maybe the people who got out of it are the smart ones?
I was laughing at your comment, btw: “scribe on my tribe…” ha ha – you are funny, Jason.
Time off is good, but I hear what you’re saying. I actually had a bit of a slow start after the holidays. My stupid MS was acting up, too; this blogging thing can be taxing at times, but it’s been worth it thus far for me.
I don’t know about you, but I feel like a day or two TOTALLY away from writing or internet activities really energies me and actually sends me chomping to the bit back to my Mac. The key for me is really take a break as often as I need it. And I mean, totally take a break and do something completely different.
I’ve enjoyed your writing thus far, Jason, so thanks for putting yourself out there into the world. If you ever want a writing prompt, just email me! I have a gazillion!
Keep fighting the good fight, Jason, we need you out there!
Just don’t quit. Ever.
What we’re all doing is vitally – critically – important. I don’t yet know why, but I can feel it in my bones. This is why I continue day in and day out, even when I don’t want to.
It’s that irrational drive my friend Deacon writes about. Beyond passion.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Blogging Katamari Style (I’m gonna roll you up!) =-.
Hi Dave,
I love your joye de vivre and sense of optimism.
This is why I love blogging. This is it. You’ve come to me to share the joy, to share in the meaning of all this. And I couldn’t have said it better myself.
I AM IRRATIONAL. I AM IRRATIONAL. YES, I AM!
Thanks for making my day a better today, wise soul.
~xo
Lori,
You are GOLD!! And I think that’s just it. In some aspects of our lives, we aren’t always going to get the “top prize”. The real truth for me, though, is that while we may not get the gold medal in “x” (whatever “x” is for us), in some way, if we are doing good in the world – that’s gold enough. Lori, you do, and by world, I mean my world. You are a wonderful gift that has come into my life, and it has been so good to have been here since the start…watching you grow and shine! I’m reminded of a quote, that I really believe describes you so beautifully:
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children … to leave the world a better place … to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Choosing Boundaries For Life Success =-.
Hi Lance,
I don’t know how you do it, Lance. You have this unique ability to reach into someone’s soul directly through the computer screen.
Your message gave me goosebumps (and, well, made me a bit teary, too). The quote you listed is one of my absolute all-time favorite messages about what I believe defines humanity. I think R.W. Emerson was being channeled by something greater than him when he wrote that. I mean, seriously, isn’t it simply beautiful????
And to know you think the quote describes ME? Wow, Lance. I don’t even know what to say. I’m at a loss for words.
Lance, thanks for being here for me since day one. Literally, I think you one of the first people to comment to my blog (followed by an unexplainable friendship shortly afterward).
You make life more livable. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
~xo
Lori,
I love what you write. I’m the obsessive type so I quit watching my Alexa rating, I have Google stats and don’t pay attention to that either. Why would I give over my joy?!?
I didn’t know how to find out how many subscribers I have and someone told me how and I still didn’t do it.
You’re write people not numbers! I love what Lisis says people, relationships, community that’s the kind of wealth I want.
And then Nadia relates it to dieting. I threw our scale in the garbage can when my four daughters were in middle school.
I hope you are celebrating your 6 month birthday don’t ever blow up your dream. xo
Hi Tess,
Thanks for loving what I write. Seriously – thank you!
I really liked the way you phrased that question: “Why would I give over my joy?”
PERFECT!!
I truly meant what I said here, people and connections are so much more valuable than numbers. Do numbers make us smile? Do numbers feed us and share glasses of wine over laughter? No way!
(Funny about the scale! I haven’t had one for at least a decade. If my clothes start feeling tight, I just eat less!)
I don’t plan on blowing up this blog unless I need to for some reason. If my path leads in a different direction, and I feel it in my bones, the I’ll actually have no problem tossing in a grenade. (As long as you’ll still email me!)
Great seeing you, Tess (and great guest over at The Bold Life today, too!).
A friend once shared with me a quote that I have to repeat to myself over and over again:
“A life of compare leads to a life of despair.”
No truer words were ever spoken, methinks. There’s always somebody else who’s “better off” than I am. Always. But the reality is that most people spend their whole life trying to “have it all” only to realize that they already did. Kudos to you for your great perspective and persistence!
.-= Jason of Kim & Jason´s last blog ..More Is Always Better. Or Is It? =-.
Hi Jason,
Great to see you again. I’ve been digging your site – loved your live chat video the other day!
Thanks for sharing your friend’s quote with me. Wow, that says it all! Agreed!
Yeah, that’s the rub, really, isn’t it. There are so many people with such a full and beautiful life, if for only they could see it, too. Thanks for your positive attitude and for hosting your blog, too. It’s really quite fun and I’m happy we crossed paths.
