Monday, June 14, 2010

Is there anybody out there?

Hello
Is there anybody out there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?

(Roger Waters & David Gilmour, from Pink Floyd's The Wall)

Sometimes that's the way I feel about blogging.

I was amazed to realize, a few days ago, that Beyond Romance is more than six months old. I remember so clearly, debating whether I wanted to make the commitment to a personal blog. Now it has become part of my routine.

I don't regret starting the blog. It has given me the opportunity to meet dozens of new authors. I can offer some reciprocity when I guest on someone's site. And a few of my posts have generated a good deal of commentary.

Most of my posts, though--as well as many of my guests' posts--seem to go by completely unnoticed, at least if I judge from the comments. I'm gratified that the blog has more than fifty followers, but I don't know how often they actually come read the content. You know the old saying, "If a tree falls in the forest but there's nobody to hear, does it make a sound?"? That's the way I sometimes feel about this blog!

One problem, I suppose, is that I don't promote enough. Lately I've been trying to announce all my guests, but I feel kind of embarrassed posting messages on my groups for every single post. If people were interested, they'd come, right? I don't want to bug them. That's probably the wrong attitude. I guess if you want to be noticed in the crowded world of erotic romance, you have to take every opportunity to shout from the house tops. But that's so not me!

Still, if I look at my own behavior, I realize that the only time I go check a blog, other than the ones with which I'm personally involved, is when someone announces a post that sounds interesting. If I don't have the link to click on, I just won't make the effort. I suppose that other readers are the same way. (If I do read a post, I'll almost always comment--assuming that I have something to say, which is practically a foregone conclusion! I want the author to know I've visited.)

I'd love to know what readers think about this--if anyone is reading this post. Would you like to get a notice each time there's a new post? Or would this just seem like nagging? And if you would like notices, where would you expect them to show up? (on what lists?)

If anybody's out there, thanks for reading!

5 comments:

Kaz Augustin said...

Lisabet, I have your blog on feed, so I already get notified. But you could advertise them on Twitter. (Are you on Twitter? Let me know and I'll follow you.) Hey, you could also do a guest post at my blog! I'd love to have my favourite erotic romance author over! :)

Anonymous said...

I also have your blog on my 'blogroll' which I scan daily, so I can tell who's made new posts and come check them out. I must admit I get a little tired of the blog announcements on all the lists but everybody does it, and when I'm featured I do it, too. So I'm not sure there's a way around that.

Your blog is doing well for just six months, keep up the great work!

Sweet Vernal Zephyr said...

Notices are important. I have sooo many blogs that I follow, that a lot fall through the cracks. Simply because I have to pick and choose where to spend my time.

And Jenna is right, you blog is doing very well for just six months! As long as you are reliable with your posts, THEY will come. :D

Sommer Marsden said...

I think a lot of times we regular bloggers feel that way. Like..."is this thing on?". It's normal if there is such a thing.

I can tell you this, the blogs I love I visit by rote. The ones I sign up to get reminders, I usually either visit w/o the reminders or the reminders get on my nerves because I haven't been and don't have time/want to go.

I've stopped clicking the reminder option. If I love a blog, I go there without thinking. And regular visited blogs for me are very, very few and far between right now.

However, a perk of not blog hopping a lot is when you do remember to go to a blog you've forgotten, you have a lot of stuff to read. Which is sort of like getting a present! ;)

xoxo
Sommer

Lisabet Sarai said...

Gee, thanks, all!

I deliberately didn't announce this post so that I could see if I got any comments at all! You've made my day.

I think I'll keep to my current strategy of only announcing guests. That way I'm being polite and welcoming without being overwhelming (after, all it's only twice a week.)

Hugs all around,
Lisabet

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