It’s not an uncommon occurrence that the majority of blog post in my feed reader are bloggers trying to come back from the land-of-the-lost. Sadly, most of the blogs in my feeds have had no posts at all in several months. I keep them in my feed hoping that they will return with a post now and again.
Others may argue with me, but I blame the social networking boom for the demise of blogging. Many of the inactive bloggers are active on “the networks.”
Honestly, I sometimes wonder why I pour my inner thoughts out here when I get so little in return feedback wise. It feels like such a disconnect when a silly status update or photo, posted around the same time as a thought-out post crafted over hours or even days gets 50+ comments or likes on the network.” Compared to a few “comments here and there on my posts, most of you read-and-run without any sort of feedback. Like a house guest who does and eat-and-run without so much as a “Thank You.”
I know you’re out there. Like Miss Maryanne, I see you with the help of my magic stat-counter. If you are holding back, thinking that your input means nothing, you are wrong. In fact, the less feedback I receive, the more apt I am to join the others in the land-of-the-lost.
If you are a blogger, and are feeling the same, please chime in. If you are a person enjoys reading here, please chime in to say so. Shoot, if you are a person who stumbled across this blog by accident and can’t think of a reason you’d ever come back, leave a comment to say you were here. I’d like that too.
Tilde says
Could it be the shrinking attention span of the average Joe content with the tiny chunks of blah blah blah?
Juls says
Honesty is good. Are you saying that I should step it up? What do you want to see?
Ken says
Thought it was about giving not receiving. My bad.
Lisa says
I absolutely love reading your blog and have done so since the “beginning”. Please do not stop.
Christine says
I’ve been reading for a while, as a mom of 2 teens and a runner, I can relate to much of your content. Thanks!
Vince A. says
Social media updates are no substitute for good writing and storytelling, we vote that you stay the course.
Nan says
I read your blog because you inspire me to improve myself. I hope you do not stop blogging. I rarely comment on anyone’s blog. I suppose I should do so more often. Because I do not know you I feel strange responding to what you say.
Elizabeth says
I agree. I do think social networking has killed the interactivity of blogs. I think people are still reading, they just aren’t turning it into a conversation anymore for whatever reason.
jeff says
i’m hanging out with marshal, will and holly in the land of the lost.
i despise social media, though. i compose posts for my blog all day long in my head. finding the time to sit down and write them, though, that’s a different story.
Tilde says
Please don’t change a thing!
Juls says
I’ve been told that this post was a little blunt. Additionally, as Ken points out, it should be about giving without having to receive. Still, the feedback serves a purpose far deeper than just getting an equivalent of “Like.” It helps me in my writing by giving me a better handle on my audience. Your comments bring my writing to life.
On the other side: I remember, early in my writing, asking a fellow blogger why he didn’t read so-and-so’s blog. His response was that although her writing was inspiring and cleaver, comments to her never seemed to invoke any response be it email or a comment latter in the chain. It was an interesting point and I have tried to not be that person either. Thanks to everyone for your input.
Jon (was) in Michigan says
Don’t listen to Jeff. He’s a total FB loving madman. Heck the guy doesn’t even capitalize his letters. :)
I think I posted once about FB and Twitter killing blogs. I hope I am not falling victim.
Yeah, I am one of those dash-and-dine readers. Reading without commenting. And admittedly my blog has suffered for the time I spend on Farcebook, among other places.
The superficiality of FB is appealing. No need for long drawn out thoughts or even complete sentences. We have to invest so little to get instant gratification of replies, although they are often equally superficial.
In the end, I wonder if it leave us wanting for something a little bit meatier. Maybe an actual conversation. :)
I will keep blogging. I hope you do the same, Juls.
Lyndsey says
I’m with you, Juls, even though I am not sure that it’s social networking. However, I know I use that more.
I love the feedback too, but forget that to receive feedback I have to give it out too. Thanks for the reminder.
About to update my blog now :)
Bill Reisinger says
You are so admired by me. I cannot get enough of your blogs.
Amazing is one word for you. There are a million more to describe you and your gift with words. Please keep blogging.
hilary says
I’m a bad blogger. I was just thinking last night that it had been >6 weeks since I’d last posted, and that I should rectify that.
I’m also a poor commenter; I never feel like I know quite what to say.
On the other hand, your blog is one of my favorites when it pops up in my reader; I like “hearing” the way you work through things and the roads it takes you. You’ve got a lovely style.
Wes says
yea, I’d like the people I blog with to be a little more active too. I can see the end of my blog in the future.
Juls says
It’s too easy not to comment when you’re reading with feed readers. I try to at lease pick one day a week to comment on the blogs that I’m reading regularly. If I get a comment from one that I don’t normally read, I click over and find a post that speaks to me so i that I can return the favor on their blog. I could and should share more comment-love for those, such as you, who have comment regularly.
Anne says
Great post and great comment thread. I admit that I don’t always respond to comments and maybe I should. I also agree with you on social networks supplanting blogs and it’s a shame because I don’t think ‘the network’ captures the same thoughtfulness as a well-crafted post. Thanks for sticking with it, Juls.
Lyndsey says
Juls, I like your idea. I am going to try it this week
Sarah says
The social networks now serve the purpose that blogging used to when I started blogging in 2006. I still have a small core of followers from back then that are still blogging and we comment on each others blogs. Many of those bloggers I’m also connected with on FB, etc. But I keep blogging for me, not for the feedback. I may only get 2-3 comments instead of 18-20, but I’m okay with that. My blog is my own personal (mostly) running diary. And if someone else finds it interesting, so be it. I read most of your posts but rarely comment. Likely because I usually only comment on those blogs that I had that social connection with back in the day. But the short response is: Please keep blogging. :-)
Annette says
Hi Juls, I have been reading your blog since I started running, wow almost 5 years!! I hope you will continue to blog!!
Fellow Marathon Maniac- Annette 2065 :)
Jennifer Henson says
I always love your writing, Juls, and your sincerity. I have enjoyed you, and your blog!! :)) Hugs!