The death of the blogger came as a surprise. Sure, people had seen a decline for a while, but still – everyone felt the shock that happens when faced with death, slow or sudden.
Death does that to you.
But this death – this death was worse than most. This was the death of a blogger. The whole community felt it. Questions were asked – if it can happen to him then it can happen to me. Suddenly, the one thing that bloggers fear the most just edged a little closer to them.
The sad thing is, the signs were there. But the blogger didn’t do anything to stop the decay and the community never spoke up. Except with their eyes – they spoke up with their eyes, and they stopped looking.
When the looking was gone, the blog decay set in mercilessly.
The authorities tried to help. They offered their services free of charge. BlogCatalog and MyBlogLog tried to get the blogger onboard and share his story with the world, but he thought the world would come to him regardless.
BackType called and let him know that people had things to say and that they could help him in his solitude. But again, the blogger said no – he wanted a closed space where only a private few could be his friends, his confidantes.
His voice was not for others to judge – he would be the judge instead and others would like it. After all, he was the blogger.
He stopped caring about his appearance. He didn’t care if people couldn’t find their way about his blog. It wasn’t his fault they were idiots – he knew where everything was, that should be good enough for anyone else.
He ignored the new boys in town. Sharing his stories with others was for the birds – no wonder they called it tweetering or whatever. Speaking with people and listening to ideas on how to improve his blog? Damn their cheek! What did they know about blogging – they only used 140 characters. Heathens!
So the authorities gave up. You can only help a blogger that wants to be helped. Technorati and Alexa said their goodbyes, and the blogger started to slip further into obscurity.
The decay was quick. People forgot. People moved to pastures new.
In response, the blogger’s health deteriorated. His mind stopped looking at ways to shine. His effect diminished and his stories no longer mattered.
Death was swift. The ripples, however, could be felt for months afterward. Everyone knew it, but wouldn’t say it: “There but for the grace…”
But lessons can always be learned. If you’re willing to listen. If you’re open to those that can – and want to – help you.
You have regular health checks, right?
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Clever as always! Thanks for the reminder that we should regularly breath new life into our blogs
Brilliant, sir. I have nothing of value to add. Just wanted to say this was brilliant.
I came along this blog through a tweet by arikhanson on twitter, so this is my first time reading your blog and I’m glad I did, a refreshing clever post. You are a great writer.
Twitter: frankreed
Ouch. As I was reading your post I was checking my pulse. Thanks for the reminder.
Twitter: GlobalPatriot
Another reminder that we must keep our blog fresh, or it will surely go stale.
Nicely done, dude. Just made my Dr.’s appointment.
Very good post Danny and true. Blogging could be intense and sometime the blogger needs to pause for getting her new perspective. I found out that every time I pause my blog/influence/engagement stats goes down fairly quickly. Some times in the blogspher it feels like we live and die like butterflies – on a daily basis:)
Twitter: timjahn
Very nice sir! Dare I ask a question?
What would you say to really niche bloggers who write for a specific community (whether it be 10 people or 110 people) and have no interest in the “outside world”? Those not interested in getting on the top blog sites or becoming famous or affecting many outside their specific niche?
Well done Danny!
Great reminder!
Tim Jahn: I can relate! We probably look strange, perhaps out of style. If it was about wardrobe, we’d be the ones dressed for a safari, having to make a minor stop in the city, causing everyone to stare and point. But if we’re really going on a safari, may as well be dressed for it, right?
Hey there Leah (and Tim),
Good point. I think the message is it doesn’t matter what the niche is, or the audience size – it’s the blog that matters.
Even if you only write for one person apart from you, you should make that one person leave your blog thinking they’ve spent productive time there. No-one likes to have their minutes or hours taken away from them – and writing for one as if you’re writing for an adoring audience of thousands continues our growth and keeps us fresh.
Are you saying that we shouldn’t post unless it’s on par with the very most widely read blogs? Even if the niche actually really likes it?
No – I’d simply suggest that you make every post the best it can be for your readers. Just because your blog is widely-read doesn’t mean it’s actually any good, content-wise – it may just hit a popular topic and audience.
I guess the key point I’m suggesting is that write the stuff you want to write, but make it from the heart – anything else is false. Sincerity will always win over faux popularity where it matters.
And always look at ways to involve your readers – whether that’s one or a hundred thousand. Make it easy to be a part of your blog and enhance its growth together.
Danny,
Thanks for a great post, and a great reminder! It’s the community that helps a blog stay at the top of its game.
Cheers!
Jennifer Fong
It is so important to keep a blog fresh or just kill it. No one likes to see something thrashing around and struggling before death. If you aren’t interested in doing it anymore end it. Or move onto a new blog and let everyone know on that old one.
Great tip for those (like me) who are just starting out.
Danny,
My blog, Bob McCarty Writes, is alive and well and still growing after two and a half years online. If, indeed, you’re correct and most of the others die, it can only get better for me.
Hi Bob,
That’s great, and testament to your writing and audience – here’s to doubling it up to five years.
I wouldn’t necessarily say that most other blogs will die (despite the views of some of the leading publications). I’d be more inclined to say they could die without the love needed to keep them alive.