Be careful what you blog about, people just might read it.
That’s why we write and click the publish button, isn’t it? So that “people” will read what we write?
Yesterday I wrote a post I thought might be controversial. Minutes after I posted it I lost one of my eight blog followers. It has taken me about three years to build my audience to eight, and in one post, well, the number crashed to seven.
Ok, so I’m being silly here. Please don’t take me serious! I know more than eight people read my blog. It’s just that eight people liked it well enough to join the blog as a follower. It probably means nothing to them, but it’s a huge deal to me.
One post and I lost one.
Or at least that’s what I think happened. See, I haven’t received one negative comment on
I’ve actually had quite a bit of positive feedback on that post, and that’s the answer to my question.
Why do I click publish?
I click publish to start a conversation. To get feedback. To hear from others who either agree or disagree with my statements. Occasionally I hope to hear back from someone who has some encouragement or advice for me. But I’m always, ALWAYS, looking to spark a conversation.
I love it when I log in to my blog and have comments awaiting moderation. I can’t wait to see what new debate awaits me. I love to challenge others, and I love to be challenged. Let’s be respectful, but iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).
Today I logged on late planning to post something quick and generic just to get a post done for the day. Then I noticed my daily traffic stats.
A post I wrote in November has been read 27 times today.
Say WHAT?!?!
Um, let me just say that one line in this post near the bottom has the following phrase, “I’m tired, I’m uber-stressed, and I might regret asking tomorrow, but I can always delete this post later…”
I never thought anyone would choose to read that particular post. It is currently the 2nd most read post on my blog. I don’t really want people to read that!!!!! Why did I post it?!?!
More importantly, why can’t I bring myself to delete it (or at least the part I question) from my blog now? Any why, pray tell, out of all the posts I make do people keep reading THAT post?
I mean I’ve written some that I consider “good” that few, if any people have taken the time to read. For example,
Give to Get Energy offers encouraging thoughts to renew your own energy by blessing others. Perfection or Bust talks about God loving us for us…just as I am. Quality over Quantity deals with leaving the 99 to invest in the one that actually shows up.
These are posts that seem to get overlooked when visitors browse my blog, and yet the one that I debated whether I should even post or not to begin with keeps drawing attention.
What’s the deal with that?
The truth is, it all comes down to fear.
I want to live out loud, but I’m afraid of what “people” might do with my words. Why do people read what I write? What are they looking for? What’s driving people to “that” post?
Then there’s this song that’s been stuck in my head that addresses my fear…you’ll find the lyrics here:
And I know, that as long as I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, my recklessness it protected…especially if I am the voice of one crying out in my wilderness.
Carrie Ann Tripp 
Posted by Courtney C on January 26, 2013 at 12:23 PM
Pretty much everything you wrote about your thoughts about posting are my feelings too. It took me years to be brave enough to actually post things, and I still haven't really told many people I know that I even have a blog . I want to delete almost every thing I write as soon as I hit publish. And only like 2 people have read my favorite post, but every one seems to have read me complaining. Thanks for sharing…
Whatwithwhat.blogspot.com
Posted by Audrey Humaciu on January 26, 2013 at 3:24 PM
I decided to write for myself and not worry if anyone reads it. And yet I find myself checking my stats every day! 🙂
Posted by Larissa T. on January 26, 2013 at 5:00 PM
The thing is, we have no idea what people will like. I think it's hilarious.. posts I often think are going to “bomb” get one or two comments… posts that are dragged out of me people often really enjoy! *shrugs* probably goes to prove something.. but I can't put my finger on what.. (:
Thanks for linking up! 😀
Posted by Carrie Ann Tripp on January 29, 2013 at 8:48 PM
It's frustrating, isn't it? I'm like yelling at the monitor, “Stop reading that one! There's GOOD stuff on here! Read something GOOD!”
LOL.
Posted by Carrie Ann Tripp on January 29, 2013 at 8:50 PM
Oh my. I am a data junkie! I'm glad I can't access my stats from work…
Posted by Carrie Ann Tripp on January 29, 2013 at 8:51 PM
Yep, if I think somethings “junk” or “filler” it gets comments, shared, and lots of views. If I think it is good content, no one even reads it.
I'm debating only writing junk from now on. 😉
Posted by Grace on January 30, 2013 at 4:24 AM
I don't think we can ever predict what will be our most read posts. Whatever we think is our best work is often overlooked and the ones we think are average are the most popular. This is why I don't rely on my stats at all. I have no clue what my most popular post. And I like it that way.