Blogging: June 2008 Archives

I finally made the plunge and upgraded to movable type version 4.1. My original hope was to keep my blog looking exactly the same as it had been, only with the additional functionality of the new version. That dream soon died. At least all the content seems to be intact. But I will have to make some extensive modifications. And there's digital rubbish all over my server which will need to be cleaned up at some point. ARGGHHHH!!!

I just discovered an awesome website for any blogger who is trying to increase his site traffic. I currently get about three or four visitors per day. And, while I thank those loyal three or four readers for their interest, I can't help but feel jameslogan.md is underachieving. The site I'm talking about is problogger.net. They have some excellent tips for finding new readers and publicizing your blog.

Which brings me to my second point: why do we care so much whether or not any reads our blog anyway? For those select few who attract thousands of visitors per day and for whom blogging is a real business, the answer is obvious. Their revenue is directly tied to their readership. But, for the vast majority of us, blogging is only a hobby destined to earn us $0 over the course of our blog's lifetime. So, why do we care whether or not anyone reads us? Are we hoping to become famous? Are we hoping to gain power and influence? Are we clinging to some subconscoius notion that, if only people knew what we had to say then everyone else would see the light and agree with us and there'd be no more war, no more poverty? For me, I think the combination of all these things comprises about 15% my motivation. The other 85% is comprised roughly equal parts vanity and exhibitionism.

Why do you blog?