CléaWhen I started this blog not long ago, I made a mental note of topics to avoid. High on my list were subjects like politics, religion, current affairs, serious issues and topics I have no desire to discuss on any blog. We all have our reasons for blogging and sharing our thoughts or lives with the world, mine include escaping the humdrum and tedium with which the media bombards us.
Another topic I wanted to avoid was blogging itself. Yet I have been observing an interesting phenomenon of late on certain blogs where I occasionally lurk, especially those who garner a lot of comments and I can’t help but wonder what makes a blog gains popularity.
The blogger may be an interesting writer who draws a lot of attention or they may be on a mission to conquer the blogosphere through excessive commenting and thereby bring a lot of traffic to their sites. Regardless of the reason, it is often the study of the comments that proves more revealing.
If we believe popular culture and the celebrity hype that paper and online magazines feed us, people are drawn to popularity, often worshipping the famed as higher beings they wish to emulate through fashion, appearance and lifestyle. Popular bloggers may share a similar status, drawing lesser known readers to their web of fame.
Like the adage that the rich become richer, blogs with a lot of comments seem to attract even more comments. Yet for me, quality over quantity remains the dictum to which I relate.
At school, I’ve never been the girl who collected friends, always preferring a close few over a large number to boast. Popularity didn’t cross my mind, though I was the quiet/pretty/shy/studious type, I forged friendships based on connections or some shared interest.
My site is testament that when it comes to popularity, I am not that different to the Cléa of those early school days. I could go on a commenting spree hoping to attract the masses but that would not mean I would get the audience I desire. For now, I am content to have a small group of visitors whom l enjoy receiving in my home as much as I like visiting.
I guess our core personalities and values don’t change that much when we grow up.
Tags: blogging, cbmused, popularity
Small group? On a whole and in all my years of blogging, I would say that you’ve pretty much made it. If your comments are a testament to popularity, then by all means, the consistency of your comments shows how popular you are.
And no, we rarely ever change. We only get better at being who we are, but none of us can really change who we are to begin with. I still envy people quiet people who have the ability to draw the masses to them. Something I could never be no matter how loud of quiet I am. Such consistency is alas lost to me. Doesn’t stop us from trying to reach what we want though.
Even if it is that handful of friends from an uncountable number of acquaintances.
I have so many thoughts on this.
I think there are a number of reasons why bloggers receive many comments. I think the definite start to that is by making yourself known by commenting on as many blog posts as you can (and I think that the more I see this, the less meaningful the comment actually is — I’m sorry but a short sentence just doesn’t make a comment sufficient in my eyes — I’m such a snob).
Another reason is that I feel like there are a whole bunch of “Heather” blogs out there that are pretty much carbon copies of one another. They attract the same type of writer and comment on eachother’s posts to boost the comments. I have a pretty good sense (having blogger for as long as I have) who writes for the comments (i.e. what their reader is sure to comment on because they relate to it) and who writes for the sake of writing. I find it funny that the more “meaningful” posts or the ones that seem to have more thought put into them don’t get as many comments as the other “fluff” type posts. So since some bloggers want the comments more than anything … you see more “fluff” type posts.
Me and you are the same regarding our personalities. I think that’s why I was attracted (naughty) to your blog in the first place. And I think that my having the comments off doesn’t mean that I don’t want to hear the opinions of my readers but that I like my solitude and I suppose I wanted my new blog to reflect that (if that makes any sense).
I think this is by far the longest comment I’ve left you!
Ok I wanted to clarify “short sentence” because I feel that was a bit general.
I meant a “short sentence” that was generic. I know that doesn’t make me less of a snob, but still needed to clarify that.
I wrote one political post that was total bullshit, I even linked TheOnion.com as a source, and I still have to occasionally delete some complete stranger’s mean or pointless comment once in a while.
It is middle school in the blogosphere (a word that makes me cringe with its self-importance), and you really have to be “hot” to get those sorts of numbers. I noticed about the 150 readers a day mark is where shit starts getting retarded.
Well put. I have gone through phases with my blog that ranged from wanting the validation of comments to feeling nauseated by getting lots of attention for a post that was all in all – pretty empty. I’d say it has only been recently that I have learned how to write for myself and understand that some weeks will bring double digit comments and some will bring very few. I really am content with this as long as the post itself is one that I wrote for my own reasons – and not the reasons related to – “What would get me the most comments?”
Well, I forgot who said it, but life is just high school with money, and I guess a proliferation of comments on a blog is rather like being one of the popular kids or whatever.
A lot of “hits” or comments would seem to be conducive to getting advertising or a book deal with the blog…
I dunno–I am a little put off with “meta-blogging” or blogging about blogging, but here I am doing it, so there ya go!!
I think about similar things… a few blogs I like end up with about 50 comments after each post. While I admire the blogger’s following, the thought of how much time it would take to read and respond to so many comments every time you post totally freaks me out. It’s nice to have just enough comments to know that you are not writing to a void.
Wow, you and your readers: so well-expressed.
I have one more thing to add, because I have trouble denying it: There was a time when I got a lot of comments, and I liked it. Similarly, there were times in my life when I was top-dog, and I liked that too. If find at times** there can be something rewarding (or satisfying) (or validating) about getting attention in quantity, regardless of how meaningless it is.** Popularity is like a musician who plucks at our strings of vulnerability, and sometimes in response, we play a catchy riff of confidence. (I don’t think I’ve made up anything cheesier in my entire life.)
This all said, I am an introvert, I have always been an introvert, and I will continue to be an introvert both in real life and online. Between certain blips of attention, I get all my energy from space. So please, people, stop flocking to my blog
**as in most of the time not
If I may add, Cléa, you seem different (from most), and your blog is different (from most), and thank you for that.
There are arguments for both sides — some folks get alot of comments cuz they visit tons of blogs and leave comments just to get them in return… some do that *just* for an event, like a meme or HNT or whatever.
Others get a lot of comments simply because they have a large following and it isn’t necessarily a reflection of how “popular” the blog owner is striving to be, for a sense of self-gratification or whatever, but more a reflection of how well they write and/or connect with their readers.
A quick look can easily reveal the difference between the two, as I’ve seen both types in my rounds, and readily admit to being both types, depending on my mood.
… but like you said, everyone blogs for their own reasons — and those who post alot of “fluff” or whatever have their reasons, too. I don’t know that either’s is more valiant than the others, though. JMHO.
Cléa, seems we are more alike than I ever imagined. I have one very engaged reader and I wouldn’t trade her and her comments for a thousand times ten thousand causal fly-by commenters. Sending martinis.
There are some blogs that I think are REALLY good blogs–like, almost genius–and they get three or four comments to a post or whatever.
Then there are some that are almost Cro-Magnon–and they get 120 comments.
Here is one blog that I find particularly Neanderthal: http://www.cavemanscrib.com/Four.html
I think that a lot of it is, “Right place, right time, idea that is ripe”–not unlike a Pet Rock or a Hula Hoop or whatever.
I’m back online again. Technical glitches were fixed faster than anticipated. Just as well, I would have been disappointed in putting up this post, and not being able to reply in a timely fashion! Please bear with me while I try to catch up with everyone.
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Kami: Made it? Hardly… the most this blog ever received in comments was some 40+ on the Possessed PC post, but as long as one has a regular readership they enjoy, then I agree I’ve made it. For me.
You want it because you don’t have it, or because you really want it? I’m still the quiet type deep down, though it may not seem feel it at times. And I’m ok with it.
EM: I agree with you on the quality of the comment, not so much in word count, but in what it delivers. And what so many blogs out there, I’ve come across copies and those who follow formulas. Each to their own, as long as it makes them happy. I don’t post if I don’t feel like it, and I’ve given up updating just because I used to feel the pressure. Quite liberating.
Your new blog is amazing, and I enjoy it at a different level and have not found the non comments an issue. Just goes to show one doesn’t have to conform.
EM: I thought as much
And your comments are always meaningful (and some are quite memorable), long or short!
Casey: People can get nasty, and by doing so I find they lose credibility. Sure we don’t have to agree with every viewpoint, but getting mean is childish. Just as you said, like school. With all the bullying.
GSR: I think we’ve all fallen for that trap at least once, then learnt from it. The double digits are a lure, and I mean getting to 10 not 50. As long as one has a regular and valued readership, that’s what matters the most. If the comments happen to grow, and the status quo is maintained, it’s all good.
Zen: Same here, but I found that topic nagging me for a while so I caved in. I’m against advertising on blogs, even when I now pay for my domain and hosting, and would only consider it under particular circumstances.
Felix: The validation we get through comments is what makes us continue. Someone once said to me when you start blogging, it’s like screaming into a pillow. How true.
Peefer: ‘Quality’ popularity is a little different to what EM is describing above. So I don’t see the need to justify when we enjoy it. And that sentence of yours is about to become a classic, at least in the Martini Lounge.
Space? Where no one can hear you scream?
Peefer: Thank you for the validation. I do appreciate it
LB: All these scenarios you describe are all valid, and I’ve come across them before. I’m not into memes or HNTs (love yours by the way!!) and I can’t see myself leaving a lot of comments everywhere just to increase my comment count. I’d reciprocate if it happened to me, but I prefer to connect with the blogger.
Trée: I know what you mean, and you’re very lucky to have that reader and to have had her for a long time. Martinis received, thank you!
Zen: That is some website! Like real estate, location location.
Every time i read the comments on that post, I just get sad. Those people probably vote.
Popularity is how I live. Well not really. You got to do what feels right to you and that’s that. I do like it when you blog about blogging. I also like when Essentially Me comments about commenting. Oh, the irony.
Casey: I’ll be nice and not say something about voting and some head of state.
*slaps hand for that one*
Egan: I also like it when Egan defends popularity then doesn’t. Oh, the triple irony. We make a good bunch
It’s not just the length that matters. It’s how many times they come back. To which I say you’re up there because come on. It’s been several months now and you know your regulars always come back for more.
Is it alright to really want something because you also don’t have it? It feeds on itself I guess. I really want it. But because I don’t have it. I want it even more. Does that make sense? I hope it does.
“It’s not just the length that matters. It’s how many times they come back.”
I just realized this sounded very very wrong. And how right it fits as well.
The tactical problem of advertising on blogs is that you are receiving “consideration” for the blog, and that opens up the door to a lot of Intellectual Property issues–like should you have PAID Getty Images or whoever for that picture of a celebrity throwing up in a trash can.
Of course you should have, but if there is no advertising on your blog, you can always use the, “This was just something I was sharing with my buddies for no income or consideration”-defense.
The minute you sell one stupid T-shirt on Cafe’ Press, you do not have that (admittedly weak) defense anymore.
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One interesting thing about The Blogosphere is the remarkable homogeneity.
Think about it–with no editorial constraints, someone can publish information on any subject or state an opinion on any controversy.
Yet what do we do?
We talk about how some celebrity puked in a trash can.
I guess the term “Gradiation to the Mean” is the phrase I am searching for.
Cléa, why must you go hiding on me now? I’m ready for a coffee at our usual spot along the beach.
Kami: It has been just a few months now, and you’re right in that it’s about continuity. Though I’m mindful that tastes and people change with time.
It makes sense, and obviously you have your reasons for wanting it. You might find that getting popularity for its sake is not that rewarding long term. But all the best in the pursuit.
Kami: My thoughts exactly as I chuckled first thing this morning!
Zen: Very good point, and something I didn’t consider on the copyright issue, though I use my own material, photographs etc but references would have to be considered.
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You’ve touched on a topic that I’m particular about, and a change I’ve witnessed over the last few years, and that is it is becoming more difficult constraining to write what we want, especially when it comes to opinions and controversial thoughts and ideas that sway from what is considered the ‘norm’. Political correctness is one of the major hindrances to freedom of expression. Then you have cyber bullying and trolls… and celebrities puking seems a safer bet out there for readership and comments.
Egan: Do we ask EM to come along, or is this a private tête-à-tête?
Bring EM along, she’s a real hoot in the coffeeshop and yes, I know what you’re going with this comment.
The goal is one of the good things. The best things are in its journey to get there and what we learn as we go along.
Egan: I’m blushing!! And I didn’t read it as a ‘hoot in the coffee shop’ either!
Kami: Enjoy the journey
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Mmmm…. I dunno if there is enough space here to relate my thoughts on this one! Where do I begin?
OK, I think there are people IRL who try and build networks, some almost to the point of obsession – and there are bloggers that do it too. Oddly, I suspect they may be people who haven’t had much success getting into the social pages – but take joy in getting noticed in the blog-o-drome. I have also seen some pretty talented bloggers let it get to them, riding the wave of fame and an ever increasing audience, only to be overcome with the negative aspects. Just like IRL, there will be people who are jealous and hate what you do for no good reason, or people who turn on you when you don’t give them the attention they used to because you are spread so thin.
There’s also that whole stupid high school “freind collecting” aspect you allude to, a recurring theme amongst MySpazz and FaceBint devotees. Yet again, it’s just mimicking behaviour some people IRL seem attracted to – collecting as many aquanintences as possible just to feel loved, but actually having few, if any close freinds.
I honestly believe popularity often comes at the expense of quality, and it’s impossible not to adjust your style to fit when your readership gets large. Blog politics also tends to compromise how you write and what you write about.
Like you, I would always prefer a handful of thoughful, clever, warm people who were willing to share their thoughts over a crowd of hangers on I wanted desperately to impress. Good topic Cléa… I’ll shut up now!
Gboy: Of course there’s always room
I agree with you on the RL networking and I feel it is more pronounced in the blogosphere, probably due to the ease of visibility of the behaviours.
I can’t get into MyWasteOfSpace and ShitFaced, and I’ve tried both for about 4 minutes. ‘Look at me’ and ‘look at home many “friends” I’ve got’ just seems so shallow. And I agree, popularity can compromise quality and influence what one writes, or doesn’t. I think we all feel that pull, even those of us relatively unknown like me.
Nothing like finding like-minded people, either IRL or in the blogoshphere
And thank you for your insights which are always welcome.