How easy is it to become widely-read and appreciated at JU?

* Thanks AngelaMarie88 for providing a much better title than I ever could :)

Published on July 9, 2006 By Sally jacobs In Blogging

When I am making my way round JU, usually on a daily basis, I notice the names of the newest bloggers, who have just registered. Sometimes I even click on their names to have a bit of a nosey...because well, I'm nosey. Thinking about it, not many of them bloggers I have noticed, appear to have made a huge impact on JU, and I wonder why? Some may post a few articles, try to get into things a little, and when they recieve no attention they get bored and don't bother again. Now obviously this isn't the case for all of them, otherwise none of us would be here right now. I'm just wondering how easy it actually is to become popular at JU. Now when I say popular, I mean getting people to read your blog, and even better respond and offer opinions on what you have wrote. I do not consider myself to be popular, however I do know that I have people who read my blog on a regular basis, and for that I am grateful.

I think one of the key factors to becoming popular, is simply to stick with it. You can't just give in. I guess alot of whether you stick it out depends on why you choose to blog in the first place. If you do it for attention, and expect instant attention at once, you will struggle. Nothing is that easy. If you do it because you enjoy to write, and you wouldn't mind giving other people the opportunity to read your thoughts, and read the the thoughts of others, you might just be on to a winner. I know that when I started here at JU I was very lucky. The people were kind and friendly, and welcomed me in quite easily. Even though the stuff I wrote wasn't up to a high standard, people still took time to read what I had to say. I am not saying that people aren't like that now, I'm saying I'm lucky that people took the time to do that for me.

I don't care how new you are here, or if anyone knows you or not, if you write an article that is interesting, funny, insightful, or just has quality, you will get noticed no matter what. I know that there are popular bloggers here, and I know that people have their favourites, just like I do. There are people here who I take an interest in, you read what they are doing in their lives, and what their problems are, and before you know it, you start to care. There is nothing wrong with that, we will always be loyal readers to certain bloggers. However, someone new coming in, if they put out a good article, it will get noticed, and I have no doubt about that. It just has to interest people. Now what is interesting to me, may not be interesting to the guy down the street, but variety is the spice of life. Even though I have favourite bloggers I will read no matter what, I still click on article titles that interest me, and look in the forums, and I am sure that many other people do the same. You can never have to much to read in my opinion.

I think another important thing is, you get out what you put in. The more you integrate yourself into the community and get to know people, the more you will get out of it in my opinion. It will give it more of the human touch. That there will be people here you want to interact with, and that you want to let get to know you. It isn't all about just writing on your own blog, though it can be if that's the way you want it. I think I enjoy meeting new people though, and I like getting different perspectives on the things I write. Sometimes I write things, and think I am completely right. Then someone will leave a comment, and give me something to think about, and that is priceless. Everyday is a school day. I think you should always be open to new attitudes and opinions, it can only help you grow as a person.

My last point, and one of the main reasons I don't think some people get attention, and that is simply down to the style they write in. I have clicked on some blogs, and they are just completely unreadable. Whether this is down to poor grammer, no paragraphs, a bad font, or whatever, I just don't bother reading. You can get away with a lot. You don't have to be perfect by a long shot, but you do have to make sense, otherwise people will just not bother, simple as that. I don't know if it's just me, but I also ignore blogs that use 'text talk'. I just can't stand all the abbreviations, and they just don't read right for me. Other people might be able to put up with that, but not me.

So that's it....it still leaves me with the question.....just how easy is it to become popular here?

Comments (Page 1)

M-Post

on Jul 09, 2006

Well.. I've learned that you can draw readers to even my poorly written ramblings by just saying your in the Navy... It's a type of 'association' thing, about how others can relate to what you write and such which makes it easier for them to respond.

It's also easier to become popular here by responding to other people's posts in a coherant and thoughtful way. When you respond thoughtfully to someone, they will appreciate the time you took and will most likely go and check out your blog.

MasonM

on Jul 09, 2006

When you respond thoughtfully to someone, they will appreciate the time you took and will most likely go and check out your blog.

Quite so.

BlueDev

on Jul 09, 2006

Just write a handfull of ill-conceived, incendiary articles. That will certainly make you popular.

You never did define what kind of popularity you were talking about.

AngelaMarie88

on Jul 09, 2006

If you do it for attention, and expect instant attention at once, you will struggle.

I have a friend who I introduced to JU over a year ago and she posted a few articles...got next to no comments, and she quit. She's a great writer too and I was sad to see her stop so quickly. Maybe she was doing it for the attention and was disappointed. To me, I blog just to vent my thoughts when there's no one else to spew them at. Also in my case I don't speak very well. I stutter and get stomach cramps in face-to-face situations so blogging has been a great outlet for me. So I don't blog to get attention,but if/when I do the attention serves as a momentary bit of validation

And that's always nice.

becoming popular

Blech, it just sounds so high-schoolish, that term "popularity." Is that really why we're here? If we really want to be "popular" wouldn't we be out in the real world promoting ourselves in person?

How about a different phrase in place of "popular"...How easy is it to become widely-read and appreciated at JU? That's better than sounding like we're in high school

By the way, I love reading you Sally jacobs because 1) I like your thoughts; 2) your thoughts are well-written; and 3) I picture it all with a British accent, which I love. Americans lack that beautiful accent, y'know?

InBloom

on Jul 09, 2006

I kind of dislike the word "popular", too...but I do understand your point. People get well known and widely read in a variety of ways. They:

*Write controversial articles
*are VERY outspoken
*Write consistently
*Write articles that people can relate to
*Make the effort to get to know the other writers and become active in the community

I actually think that most of the people who do one of the above don't go looking for popularity. It is more of a case of the readers being drawn to the personalities that come out of the writing.

Sally jacobs

on Jul 09, 2006

I've learned that you can draw readers to even my poorly written ramblings by just saying your in the Navy... It's a type of 'association' thing, about how others can relate to what you write and such which makes it easier for them to respond.

Hehe...I may say I am a "stripper", purely for the 'association' thing, of course!

It's also easier to become popular here by responding to other people's posts in a coherant and thoughtful way. When you respond thoughtfully to someone, they will appreciate the time you took and will most likely go and check out your blog.

Yes I agree, though I do just enjoy reading other peoples blogs. I have tried to waffle less in my responses to other peoples blogs, as that's a bit of a bad habit of mine!

Just write a handfull of ill-conceived, incendiary articles. That will certainly make you popular.

*Ahh evil plan forms*

I think many people think that the attention is just instant, and that people will automatically read what you have to say, it takes a little time. If she was patient, I am sure her writing skills would be noticed.

To me, I blog just to vent my thoughts when there's no one else to spew them at. Also in my case I don't speak very well. I stutter and get stomach cramps in face-to-face situations so blogging has been a great outlet for me. So I don't blog to get attention,but if/when I do the attention serves as a momentary bit of validation

Blogging is a wonderful thing. I know that sometimes in everyday life there are things that happen, and I don't react at the time, or have the right words, but I can come back here, and you poor people have to listen to me vent, hehe! I should pay JU for therapy!

How about a different phrase in place of "popular"...How easy is it to become widely-read and appreciated at JU? That's better than sounding like we're in high school

I only used the word popular for lack of anything better.....but you just gave it me! Thanks...I shall change the title, hehe!

Awww thank you so much! That is really nice of you to say, and very much appreciated! I can't say I'm that fond of my accent, but I realise those over the water love it, lol!

*Write controversial articles
*are VERY outspoken
*Write consistently
*Write articles that people can relate to
*Make the effort to get to know the other writers and become active in the community

I actually think that most of the people who do one of the above don't go looking for popularity. It is more of a case of the readers being drawn to the personalities that come out of the writing.

I would agree with that list. Those that do it for the right reasons, will get the correct rewards in my opinion!

Thanks for all the comments xx

MasonM

on Jul 09, 2006

I'm hardly popular, but I do have a few I can count on to read and comment on the drivel I write. It's really more about just writing what you feel like writing about and some people may well actually enjoy reading it. I've found that including humor in your writing makes it more enjoyable to write and for others to read. Most everyone likes to smile and laugh.

While I try to read as much as time allows from everyone here, I'll admit that when time is short I tend to read the handfull of people who I know read my stuff, and then select others based upon interesting sounding titles. I think a good title will do more to get you read than anything else.

Dr Guy

on Jul 09, 2006

Well.. I've learned that you can draw readers to even my poorly written ramblings by just saying your in the Navy... It's a type of 'association' thing,

(In the Voice of the Graduate). Paragraphs! Even poorly written ones, that use paragraphs, will get read. James Joyce will not.

Dr Guy

on Jul 09, 2006

And comments on other's blogs will cause them to read you as well. That has drawn me to quite a few.

island_gurl12

on Jul 09, 2006

I agree with the good layout and commenting on other peoples blogs. If the comments are insightful it'll make you interesting and people will become curious on what you have to say.

BlueDev

on Jul 09, 2006

Points-whoring never hurts either.

dynamaso

on Jul 09, 2006

I don't really know what it takes. I came here originally because the site was recommended to me by someone who blogged here for a very short while, didn't get any responses and moved on. The first few people I met here were because I wrote a faily caustic article about JU and was hit from all sides

. But it did get me some attention (i.e. the desired result). I'm never going to be a power user as I just don't spend enough time here to warrant it. I like that I have a core group (I won't say 'clique' but you understand my point) who I regularly read and respond to as well as peripheral people I sometimes read. Being popular has never been my agenda. Meeting new people from around the world is why I'm here.

Sally jacobs

on Jul 10, 2006

really more about just writing what you feel like writing about and some people may well actually enjoy reading it. I've found that including humor in your writing makes it more enjoyable to write and for others to read

I write what I want to write, and hopefully other people will appreciate it, and I have to say, my favourite bloggers are those who can make me smile

I think a good title will do more to get you read than anything else.

I have to say I mostly click on the lastest articles, and those with the most interesting titles. I do that before I do anything else.

(In the Voice of the Graduate). Paragraphs! Even poorly written ones, that use paragraphs, will get read. James Joyce will not.

I agree. You can't beat a good paragraph!

And comments on other's blogs will cause them to read you as well. That has drawn me to quite a few.

I think this is what lets me down the most. I'm hopeless at leaving comments. I go on for far to long, and usually end up repeating what ten other people before me have already said!

I agree with the good layout and commenting on other peoples blogs. If the comments are insightful it'll make you interesting and people will become curious on what you have to say.

Yep I agree. It's amazing how much you can tell about someone, just from the style they write a paragraph. You can usually tell if they are the kind of person you would be interested in seeing more stuff from or not.

Points-whoring never hurts either.

Someone should start a points-whoring class for newbies....that would be popular!

The first few people I met here were because I wrote a faily caustic article about JU and was hit from all sides . But it did get me some attention (i.e. the desired result).

I do think you need something to make a mark. I noticed a new blogger has done exactly the same here recently, and got the desired result...attention!

like that I have a core group (I won't say 'clique' but you understand my point) who I regularly read and respond to as well as peripheral people I sometimes read. Being popular has never been my agenda. Meeting new people from around the world is why I'm here.

I couldn't agree more Maso. There are certain people here who I think are wonderful, and love reading their stuff. To them, I stay loyal It is also great meeting people from all over the world, what an opportunity we have here

Thanks for all the comments x

cactoblasta

on Jul 10, 2006

It's a two way street, and if you plant yourself in one spot (your own blog) you'll soon find it a very lonely place to be.

What you write still has to be interesting though. I comment about 50 times more often than I actually post articles, but probably half of my articles have sunk without a trace.

I reckon your best bet is still controversy if you want all the dubious honours of popularity.

Sally jacobs

on Jul 10, 2006

COMMENT ON OTHER PEOPLE'S BLOGS. A LOT. Like, 20-30 times a day. When choosing blogs to comment on, try to participate in a variety of topics posted by different authors, this will get your name out there and cause others to be curious about you, resulting in THEM clicking on YOUR blog.

I don't think I comment enough....on average I think I comment on about 5 articles a day. Hmm. I do agree though, that is the best way to become part of the community, and I think that is the most important thing. To build up relationships, and to get a connection with people.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen people set up a blog, post a few articles, and then start bitching because we're so 'cliquish' here because no one has beaten a path to their door

Yes I've seen it said many times too. People seem to expect it to happen instantly. You get out what you put in, in my opinion!

What you write still has to be interesting though. I comment about 50 times more often than I actually post articles, but probably half of my articles have sunk without a trace.

I find it difficult to judge what people will find interesting. I have written many articles, and not expected much of a reaction, and they have recieved lots of attention. You just never know what will catch someones imagination. The best bet is to write about what means something to you, and people will read it, and see that you really have thoughts and opinions on it. There is no point in writing something for popularities sake

I miss a lot of yours simply due to the time difference, I think. I usually navigate from the sidebar or main forum page, so if something you've written has dropped from view before I'm even awake, chances are I wont see it.

I know that when I post it is usually pretty quiet here. There isn't alot going on. I also find it difficult to take part in discussions because of the time difference, I will see something going on, and when I return the discussion has started and finished. I guess that's just the way it goes though.

Thanks for the comments x

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