Using Content To Build Connections
There are two basic ways to build connections between ourselves and others.
- Use our content to help create connections between ourselves and the people that visit our blogs.
- Visit other blogs and comment on the content there.
I think about this for a variety of reasons but sometimes it is because people ask me to define myself as a blogger. They want to know what my focus is and what my goals are.
It is a reasonable question. I belong to multiple communities but I often feel like I am not really a member of any of them. Don’t know if the reason why matters or not.
What is important to me is that I enjoy what I am doing and that I see it as providing growth opportunities too. It is part of why I cover so many different topics but every now and then I wonder if it would be more beneficial to focus again on a particular area.
Monday was an awful day for my traffic. Summer is naturally slow but this seemed to be a more substantive drop than normal. I’ll keep an eye on things and see it continues or if this was an anomaly.
Much as I would like to say I never notice these things it wouldn’t be true. This joint generates income so I need to be aware of what things looks like around here so that I can adjust and or respond accordingly.
But overall I think that I still do a decent job of writing what about what I want and basing it upon the stats. If you are new to the blog and want to get a sense of what you can find here you are always welcome to check my About me page.
In addition you can always take a look at the following posts:
- How To Become a Better Writer In Three Easy Steps
- She Still Dances
- Passover 2010- Grandma is Gone
- The Important Things In Life
- She’s Dead And It Is My Fault
- What Is Meant Or Not Meant To Be
Some of you will take the time to sift through these posts and decide to join the community because these posts resonate with you. Some will look at them and wonder why anyone likes me.
That is fine. It is normal. We can’t be all things to all people.
But what we can use our posts to share stories about ourselves and to provide little lamps of light that highlight pieces of the puzzles that make us who we are.
And more importantly if we are smart we will pay attention to these connections and work hard to nurture them and help them grow. The longer I am a part of this planet the more apparent it becomes that life is a hell of a lot sweeter when we can share it with others.
What do you think?
susansilver July 19, 2012 at 9:39 am
I don’t know the answer. I lost 30 subscribers this month. Why? Who knows. I have a small community and people who support me when they can. Is their more I can do, maybe? Perhaps it is my own confusion that shows the most in my personal blog. At least for business I am doing alright.Â
TheJackB July 19, 2012 at 5:10 pm
 @susansilver The losing subscribers issue is one of those things I wrestle with a bit because no one really likes to see it happen. Even when you know not to take it personally it is hard not to wonder why they left.
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Sometimes it is not a question of their not liking you but one of time.
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Usually I try to focus on whether I am growing faster than I am shrinking. As long as that happens I figure everything is ok.
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Confusion isn’t such a bad thing. It helps make us real to our readers.
JanBierens July 17, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Hi Jack,
I believe we’re all searching for something – whatever that may be – but when you’re a blogger – or not – participation in activities that comes with the writing is something that has to be done, whether one likes it – or not.
See my wording? It’s just something that comes with he profession / hobby. Or not. It’s your choice. After all you run this place!
TheJackB July 17, 2012 at 8:37 pm
 @JanBierensÂ
Hi Jan,
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All of life is a choice but when we choose to live it with others it is a deeper and more enriching experience, or so I maintain.
KDillabough July 17, 2012 at 8:06 am
I like the sweeter life too Jack:) Cheers! Kaarina
Vidya Sury July 17, 2012 at 4:28 am
I am all for sharing! I love the post. It is funny, you know, I am not a niche blogger either – I simply write because I enjoy my little community and the happy conversations. Last month, strangely, more people shared my stuff. But ironically I got a few unsubscribe notifications. I was a wee bit sad…then I got over it. Maybe, like me, they’re switching to RSS and preferring to see content in their readers? Whatever – I just wrote them all a loving email and left it at that 😀
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One of the reasons I love your blog is your variety. And have I told you the quote in your header is one of my all-time favorites?
TheJackB July 17, 2012 at 4:54 pm
 @Vidya Sury
Hi Vidya,
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I had several people unsubscribe this month which isn’t unusual but what caught my eye was I recognized all of them. I don’t know if they are following me using other methods or if they have just moved on either.
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Suppose that is just a convoluted way of saying that my thoughts mirrored yours, but I didn’t write them an email. I thought about it, but I didn’t know what I wanted to say so I let it alone.
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Variety is good. I am biased about that, but I notice other bloggers who cover multiple topics. That is not to say that a niche is bad because it is not, but I appreciate people who share multiple interests with the reader.
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Glad you like Groucho. That is my kind of humor.
CrossBetsy July 17, 2012 at 1:51 am
I’m pretty sure I’d go bonkers if I was on a desert island…sort of like blogging or using social media with NO interaction. I’d start talking to the trees I think!
The second worst position to be in would be to find yourself surrounded by people that you can’t relate to, or at the very least, serve.Â
This probably means that I’m not on the path to enlightenment and that my ego dominates! HA! Who knows?Â
All I know is how I feel. I want to touch hearts and minds and have mine touched, too. That’s it.
TheJackB July 17, 2012 at 4:50 pm
 @CrossBetsy You wouldn’t go nuts. You’d have an imaginary friend or adopt a pet. You’d adapt ‘cuz that is what we do.
I have spent time lost in groups of people who had no clue what I was about but I didn’t understand them either. Can be tough. Much better to touch and be touched.