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| Can you believe we'll soon be talking about the "twenties"... and it won't be in reference to the 1920s?? |
I was part of the consulting workforce in 1999, involved in numerous Y2K IT projects throughout the year. All we wanted was to convince people that everything would continue functioning past that magical hour. I don't think many of us had the time to imagine what the state of the digital world would be, twenty years on.
And yet here we are... like it was a mere blink of an eye.
Did you know that blogs were around back in 1999? Apparently web logs had their beginnings in the late 1990s, but as early as the mid 1990s, early pioneers were using their little corners of the web to document their lives in the same way as bloggers do now.
While I may not have imagined it twenty years ago, the fact that I took up blogging during this past decade is not a surprise to me, since I was already managing an online web presence in 1999. Once I rediscovered sewing, blogging about my newfound adventure seemed the natural thing to do.
But it's not the same as it was. If you're curious, read on for some observations about how blogs and blogging have changed as we turn the calendar into 2020.
Are Blogs Getting Quieter?
For a period of several weeks back in the fall, I received more spam comments than real comments. Of course, my readers have never been the most vocal, so that's just an observation, not a judgment. Most people these days seem not to have the time and/or attention span required to consume lengthy blog content, much less feel inclined to provide feedback or connect with the blogger.
And who knows, after six years, maybe my posts are just not interesting to anyone but me. And that would be my fault because after all, I've always said: I write for myself, not for you. ;-)
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| Two of my spammers getting their comments posted (finally)... |
But it's not just me. This is clearly being experienced by blogs of all sizes and reach. Unfortunately, quick social media platforms where only "tiny bits" are offered at once seem to be the preference of the majority. It's a trend that can only hasten the abandonment of blogs. I've already seen it throughout the year; one blog that I used to visit regularly has not updated since November of 2018. Another has posted only five times in all of 2019.
I've always believed that blogging is its own reward. Receiving thoughtful comments is a bonus interaction that often generates increased enthusiasm for the task. As you might imagine, not receiving them can have the opposite effect.
Let's put it this way: anyone who might stop blogging now because comments have dried up wouldn't be the first person to do so under those circumstances.
Is There a Blog Under All Those Ads?
I've addressed this before, but for bloggers out there desperately trying to make a buck, let me repeat: the advertising clutter is becoming unbearable for your readers.
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| Blogs being overtaken by ads... |
I get that affiliate programs are not what they used to be (tell me about it) and bloggers are needing to turn to more aggressive ad campaigns to generate revenue, but it's a drag on the user experience.
The result is that those of us looking for blogs that are still active have to navigate digital "mine fields" in order to get our fix. Some days I just give up and move along.
Are Blogs Running Out of New Content?
The simple answer? Of course they are. Not only can it be argued that there never was much new under the sun, over the years, everyone has posted about the same things.
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| How to address lack of new content... rerun old content! |
Does it bother you when a blog reruns a post? I'm usually disappointed, but I also know how hard it is to keep coming up with new content.
Which leads me to...
Is the End on the Horizon?
I've just crossed over into year seven of this blog — this is post number 322 — and have been pondering if my sun is setting on the horizon.
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| A beautiful sunset from one of my favourite places... |
As someone alluded to recently, I've provided enough free tutorials here to meet any imaginary quota one might have. And I'm not being inspired to develop new patterns for sale, particularly as the most helpful marketplace there ever was for selling patterns — Craftsy now Bluprint — is still in limbo... one year after putting us all on lock down.
It's always been my intent to continue blogging until I no longer find it worthwhile... or until I arrive at an actual end to my personal sewing journey. I'm not sure I'm there yet, but in keeping with what's already been observed about blogs running out of new content and being quieter, that time may come sooner than I think.
It will indeed be interesting to see if I'll be here — perhaps musing about the same thing — in another twelve months.
Happy new year to you if you've read this far. (Who knows? It could be the last time I say that here.)
Happy New Year to you! I read lots of blogs as I live in an area with no quilt shops. Without blogs, I would not know what new tool,fabrics and patterns were available. I am consciously trying to comment more as I think that it must be frustrating to blog without responses. Thank you for sharing your life and ideas.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think you necessarily need to always offer new tutorials or projects. You could comment on a great day with friends, or a sunset or even a good meal. One blogger that I read comments often about her garden, people seem interested. It’s okay to just be you and chat about things that make you happy!
I totally understand Rochelle. I have been blogging since 2008 and have never really gained more followers in all those years because as soon as a few start to follow me the same number or more unfollow me. And yes so many blogs I followed are all gone from blogging, so I follow fewer blogs now that I did before. I wanted to record photos of the things I made and bottom line the blog is for me and if there are followers that's great. I also wonder if I will stop blogging when I no longer sew anymore or when? I have slowed down with posting. I have 1238 posts since I began in 2008. People would rather pop a photo of what they have made onto Facebook or Instagram and get likes. On FB you might get a few comments. People tend to ask questions on FB all the time about the same things over and over again and they get tons of responses because I do think people are trying to be helpful, but we all have our own opinions about things such as what is the best sewing machine and so therefore the person asking the question will get a ton of different answers making them even more confused about what machine to buy. FB is a good place to ask questions and get answers about anything related to your craft, and people respond quickly. I like blogging better to get to know more in depth about the blogger or share more than just a photo of what I have created. We are the rare breed that we continue to blog. My stats also tell me that fewer people are even looking at my posts than in years past. My comments have dwindled too.
ReplyDeleteRochelle were you aware that we no longer need to resize our photos on Blogger? They are resized automatically and we have unlimited storage? I had no idea about this. I was looking to see how much GB I had on my blog and couldn't find it, so did a search and found a blogger who wrote about this. That sure helps with not having to resize my photos anymore. I wonder if that could also be a reason so many people have left blogging because of having so many steps to take for their photos?
ReplyDeleteI don't usually comment on a blog post unless I have a question. Well sometimes I do comment if I feel I have something to add to the discussion. I have seen this topic popping up in several blogs and forums. I do hope that you continue to blog, even without a new project. Some of my most favorite blogs are ones that read more like a conversation among friends. For a multitude of reasons, my circle of friends has shrunk over the years so reading conversational posts makes me feel a little less cut off from the world. I certainly don't mind the occasional rerun, especially since I only found your blog recently. I will try to do better about commenting. Even when I don't, know that I'm still reading and enjoying your content.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, the last thing that I'd want to do is guilt someone into commenting just to comment. (Because to be brutally honest, I really don't know what to do with those "thanks for posting this" types of comments.)
DeleteI feel sad for the disconnected-ness that many of us are feeling in our personal lives. The online world is both good and bad for that. Good in the sense that - as you point out - the "conversations" that people have can be inclusive, but bad for the reality that an online acquaintance is not the same as an RL friend who will actively come to your rescue when you're having a crisis. (Just my two cents on the subject.)
My bottom line is exactly what I said in the above post. As long as I feel I still have worthwhile (sewing related) topics to share, I'll be here.
Thanks for your thoughts, Lauriejo.
I certainly hope you continue your blog. I’ve unsubscribed to several lately, either I’m tired of the reruns or I’ve moved on. But, I always read yours. Always find it interesting and informative. I don’t usually comment - sometimes you’ve inspired me and I’m off to try out whatever it was you wrote about, so no comments aren’t always a bad thing ��
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, here we are having this discussion. ;-)
DeleteThank you, Bonnie, for your kind words and the vote of confidence. I said in a private reply to one of the previous commenters that I have boundaries regarding what I post about, and it boils down to the fact that I want my blog to be the kind of blog that I would want to read. So I'll be here for as long as I continue to have inspirations that fit within those boundaries.
I would miss you Rochelle. One thing I like about your blog is that you only post once a week. Therefore I am not reading about what you had for dinner with your great-aunt-Lucy to fill up space. I know when I see your post on Saturday morning it is going to be worth my opening up and reading. I don't expect a free tutorial every week and enjoy when you write about just what has happened with your sewing. You always make my day.
ReplyDeleteSad that such a great platform for education, creative sharing and remote conversations is perhaps becoming obsolete. I hope your personal interest continues as well as your drive to write. even if only because of the satisfaction it brings you and some of us. There will always be a platform for sharing if writers are driven.
ReplyDeleteI don't comment frequently as I don't want to set up a google account. If I don't I can't edit what I write. That said, I do like your blog - especially the fact that is is only once a week! Keep it up as you see fit.
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you for letting me know that you like that I don't post too often! ;-) Seriously, thank you; it means a lot that you took the time to provide encouragement.
DeleteBlogging has most definitely changed over the years, with less interaction being the main thing, followed closely by blogs that are covered in ads. I don't mind ads on blogs - obviously as I have a couple myself - as long as they don't obscure text or jump out at me as I move the mouse. I know I haven't been around for a while, but I'll miss you if you decide to stop.
ReplyDelete