Six Reasons I'm A Bad Blogger

Many bloggers write post about how to increase your readership and they almost all say the same thing. Post lots of pictures!  Post multiple times per week!  Choose a topic and stick with it!  Comment on other people's blogs!  And they all end by saying, "But remember: be true to yourself.  Write for yourself and not for others."

Today I'm doing the opposite.  Instead of sharing how to get more readers, but writing about the reasons why I'm a bad blogger (at least if you compare my blog to the list of what you're "supposed to do").

1.  I don't post regularly

Take this week, for instance.  I've been really sick so just waking up, caring for my son and doing my day-to-day activities has been more than I can handle.  There hasn't been extra energy for me to write.  Blogging is pretty low on my priority list at this point, which I'm sort of conflicted about.  One the one hand, I never want to be more involved in an online life than in the lives of the people I see on a daily basis.  However, there are many days when I have a post floating around in my head and I wish I just had time to sit and type it out.


2.  My blog is too broad

I'm too opinionated to be a lifestyle blogger.  I'm not talented enough to be a food blogger.  One day I post a recipe and the next a book review.  I write about Christianity and military life.  I write about parenting and chronic illnesses.  For awhile I considered narrowing the focus of my blog, but again, I decided that I wanted to be free to write about whatever I wanted.  This probably "harms" me as a blogger, but since I'm not in it for the accolades and mostly just for fun, I like having the freedom to write about whatever is on my mind.


3.  I don't (usually) proofread

Ah!  This one kills me.  I wish I had more time to proofread.  I wish I had more time to write posts ahead of time and schedule them a week or so in advance so I could take time to think them over and rewrite.  But this stage in my life is not compatible with lots of quiet, thinking time.  If I start obsessing and overanalyzing over posts, I would never post anything.  Yes, I'm sure that anyone reading this already KNEW this point before I mentioned it.  ;)


4.  I don't post enough pictures

Most of the pictures I take are of my husband and my son.  Those go on our private family blog since we try to keep Hadden's life a bit separated from this blog.  Many bloggers find pictures online and simply cite the source.  I've done this a few times, but it makes me hesitant because I've heard very different opinions as to the legality of using pictures without express permission by the photographer.  Which means this blog is sadly picture-less most times.


5.  I'm too timid

Sometimes I don't post because I know it will offend someone or because someone will take something personally.  Other times I've already read so many different takes on the same issue and I'm not sure the issue needs to be rehashed anymore (read: Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus at the VMAs).


6.  I'm not going to kiss up to other bloggers

I love to read other blogs and I try to comment often because I know how much bloggers appreciate comments.  However, I try to always comment because I either have something to add to the conversation or I really did appreciate their post (or want to encourage them).  Everyone has a different approach, of course, but personally I don't feel right about commenting just to get attention.  The flip-side of this is that if I HAVE commented on your blog (or if I follow you), it means that I am sincere in my appreciation for your words.


So there it is.  I'm a bad blogger.  But I'm a happy blogger.  It works out in the end.






ALSO:  Today Kristen Howerton from Rage Against the Minivan is partnering with Shot@Life.  For every comment left on her blog post today, a vaccine will be donated to a child at-risk for diseases most of us have never even seen.  Please go leave a comment.  If you're unsure how you feel about vaccinations, I'd strongly encourage you to read this other post by Kristen.