Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Confessions of a Virgin Blogger

Don't be shocked I have been itching to bring up this subject for a long time now and I thought, well, no time like the present. I am sure most of you will relate. Do you remember when you first started out with this thought or passion to start a blog? You probably said to yourself "I can do that", "yes I should do that" , and I am sure most of you were just like me and thought....

IF YOU BLOG IT-THEY WILL COME

Remember that? Well, I sure do. I was so excited hands shaking, forehead sweating, mind reeling with thoughts and excitement. How should I start? Where should I begin? Will they like what I have to say? What if I am flooded with responses? What if an Internet stalker takes resident on my page and then wants to meet me? What if?

Well, I could go on all day but you know what I'm getting at. Don't you? Come on, it is confession time:)

Yes, I am somewhat embarrassed to say that this was me on that faithful day. I had so much to say and I just wanted someone to listen.

So I signed up, formatted my page and began to type. For my first post, only a little came out and no pictures. It was titled, Change is Good, Right? I hit publish and then I just sat there and stared at it like I expected something to happen. Maybe I was waiting for the computer to open up, wildly swirling around like a tornado, suck me in, and then there I would be in blog land. No that wasn't really what I was expecting. But I did go back and check it, at least every few hours, just waiting for them to come.
WHEN WERE THEY GONNA COME?

This was so very frustrating to me. I made sure that I had entered my blog in all of the search engines, I made sure to put interesting tags on my posts, and I checked, yes this thing is really on, but still nothing happened. I even did what I swore I was not going to do, because this was going to be a secret that I would tell no one. This blog was going to be just for me to express myself among strangers. NO ONE CAN KNOW that now that I quit my job, I am so bored that I must start a blog.
Well that secret lasted less than a week. Did I ever tell you how impatient I am? Yes I sent a link for my blog to everyone. Former co-workers, girlfriends, family even my husband.
AND STILL NO-ONE CAME.

Do you think I'm slow? Because it took me days, maybe even weeks to figure out that no-one was going to find me on their own and that I had to go out and seek friends, leave comments on other blog sights, join groups, give away things. Oh my, maybe I had a new job. But where was my paycheck going to come from? This posed a new problem if I really wanted to be successful at this blog thing and if I really wanted to avoid having to go back out in that rat race and get a real job I was going to have to find a way to make some money.

Well by now I had read so many bloggs, filled up my favorites list a few times over and discovered that so many of you had on line shops and were selling art and other things.
Once again I thought "I can do that" "Yes I must do that" So I started an Etsy shop "Studio Pink" because of course I love Pink. I am sure you all have guessed the next line...
NO ONE CAME. Well, okay a few came, but they weren't buying. I am sure you all get the picture. I do hope that at least some of you can relate and that I am not really alone in this.

You see I am one of those people with rose colored glasses. The kind that always thinks that everything is okay and all people are kind and everyone really likes me. I prefer to live that way. It's just easier for me. I don't have the desire or energy to be mad or angry all the time.

Well, to rap this thing up and to get to what I really wanted to say (I forgot to tell you that I have a problem getting to the point) is that, it really is, quite wonderful in blog land the people really are kind, things are okay and I think that they kinda like me.

No I am not yet flooded with responses and no my stuff on Etsy isn't flying off the shelves but I do have the best job in the world. Blogging, making stuff for my shop, and best of all taking care of my granddaughter. Yes, I am still waiting for a pay check ( I know my husband is) but I really do look forward to every day and yes I still check the computer quite often to see if anyone has responded to my posts or if anyone has bought my stuff, but at least now, I am realistic and can only smile when I look at the comments counter with a big fat 0 in front.

Thank you to my fellow bloggers for listening to me ramble on and for making my new job, although unpaid, an enjoyable one.




6 comments:

  1. Hi Mya,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yes the blue teacart was for sale and it sold for only $28.00.

    Hugs,
    LeAnn :)

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  2. Hang in there Mya!!
    It does take time, but keep plugging away!

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  3. Thanks for including my site as one of your favs. Loved reading your thoughts on this world of blogging and your experience with it. I can completely relate to your rose colored glasses way of seeing the world!!

    Sabina ~ barefoot in the orchard

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  4. So funny....I remember that's what I thought too....I still remember my very first comment. It was from a friend....but still it was so excititing.....

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  5. Hi Mya,

    you are a burst of inspiration to me. I am so glad you came over to my blog and introduced yourself. I am happy to know you and hope you don't get discouraged. When I first started blogging I literately had to leave 25 comments daily on others to get their attention I was around. Eventually they figured out I was a friend, and continued to come visit me.

    I don't have a whole lot of time anymore with 3 small kids 1(autistic) so, I come when I can and love visiting my friends when I do.

    "Hang in there girlie!!"

    Love,
    Nene

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  6. I am also new in the blog world. I have been blogging for a month or so, and have participated in a couple of swaps, that seems to help, but getting your blog noticed is difficult, and involves work. Reading other blogs and commenting, it is almost hard to spend time on your own blog, while you are looking at everyone else. I am looking for my first sale on Friday Flea Market. You expressed my feelings very well.

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I am so happy you stopped by for a visit. Your comments are important to me. Leave me your thoughts and always follow your bliss.