Well, that didn’t work

Photo: Zugr via Unsplash

So, yesterday was a treatise of sorts.

I talked about writing and how it was important to write what you believed, not just what would sell.

Then I asked some questions of my readership. I asked you what you’d like me to write about. I asked you what you’d like to hear from me should I start an email newsletter.

And the response from my audience?

Crickets.

Not a single comment.

Well, not entirely true. A friend from high school, a fellow writer, sent me a message to alert me of the typo in the headline. I fixed it. Unfortunately, social media wouldn’t let me correct it after it was already posted.

Maybe the message is that you don’t want me to write about writing.

Maybe the message is that I don’t really have an audience.

I used to. When I was writing about politics I’d get hundreds of hits. But those were the days of blog wars and aggregators.

I don’t want to play those reindeer games anymore.

Now, I’m one voice in the midst of thousands, or millions.

Maybe the message is that I’m just talking to myself and feeling old.

It’s not even a rainy day or Monday.

I digress.

I’ll figure this out. You may, if there is a “you”, have to tolerate me walking through the steps and seeing what does or doesn’t work.

It’s like Edison said. He didn’t fail 10,000 times making the light bulb. He just found 10,000 ways that didn’t work.

Here’s hoping I don’t have to go through 10,000 blog posts to hit my mark.

You, again if there is a “you”, can still comment about where I should take this thing.

Acceptable answers are not “take it to the round file” or “take a hike.”

Work with me here.

Here’s the thing, this is a journey. Sometimes there are detours. Sometimes there are rest stops.

Sometimes there are detours around the rest stops which might be uncomfortable if you really need a rest stop.

Sometimes writing is uncomfortable. Like when you ask your readership to respond to questions and no one does.

Suppose they gave a blog and no one came?

That’s sort of the point.

What’s going to draw the crowds?

As I’m writing this, I’ve got Godspell playing on the iPad. I’m not going to draw that kind of crowd.

But, if I have the right message, the people will come…at least I think so.

Sure, this post is all over the place. There’s no yellow brick road to follow, but there’s obviously no end to obscure cultural references.

Here’s the thing (again), if those monkeys can type the Complete works of Shakespeare, I can find the right blogging niche, and the right audience.

Let me your ears, and your comments below.

Pretty please?

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7 comments

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    • Beth Dunnavant on April 19, 2017 at 7:50 am
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    🙁 apologies Mike, I didn’t read your post yesterday, I was immersed in grandsons. You know I usually read it though!

    • Robertine(Robey) Manno on April 19, 2017 at 8:15 am
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    So, I love your musings on theatre, day to day life, work. Not specific, I realize, but I ‘m okay with that. Keep writing what you love to write and we shall be there to read.(maybe not to always comment, but to read?)

    • Nancy Turner on April 19, 2017 at 8:24 am
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    Oh my… I too read almost every day. Thoughts: I’m not a writer so reading about writing doesn’t hit me in the “core”. You do have a way of distilling issues and expressing yourself uniquely. Perhaps removing the pressure of a daily blog? Wait for one of those compelling thoughts 🙂 It may be that the gurus of blogs indicate if you don’t post daily your readership wanders away? This is nothing I have studied – just my thoughts. And I am cheering you on in all your various pursuits and wishing I could see one of your performances.

    • Bob Palmer on April 19, 2017 at 9:43 am
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    Mike, I was traveling, been trying to ignore Facebook generally lately so I missed the first request. You probably already know I like your writing, the subject matter is pretty much secondary for me. To me it’s all about the overall feel; everything’s OK, we really are all in this together. Was that the proper use of a semicolon? I’m never sure. Trying to get comments really is like pulling teeth.

  5. I missed your question yesterday, and I’m admittedly a bit of a sporadic reader here–because I am sporadic in all things, not due to anything on your part.

    I don’t have advice, really! I enjoy your posts about life. I’ve picked up books you’ve mentioned. Some of your posts about your family–father, sons, your battle with cancer–have made me cry, in a good way. You often make me think.

    For what it’s worth, it’s the posts *you* have felt most deeply that have probably touched me the most. But I don’t think there’s a way to force those. They happen when they happen, and there’s not necessarily a way to foresee them.

    None of which helps drive up traffic, I know. But I’m not exactly a great advisor for that. Heck, my *cats* just passed 1000 followers in Instagram, and I don’t know as I’ve ever gotten more than a few dozen hits on a blog post, no matter how heartfelt. That stings a bit…

    In any case, I hope you keep writing.

  6. You should write about politics.

    😀

    • Mike on April 19, 2017 at 9:02 pm
      Author
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    Thanks, folks. I appreciate the kind and encouraging words.

    Elizabeth, maybe I should start an Instagram for the dogs.

    And no, Shaun, I shouldn’t. Not now anyway.

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