To blog or not to blog?

[Divia]

I've had a blog for 3 years. I have a measly 124 followers. I was full of energy when I started, but the lack of people really dampens my spirits. I thought we'd have lively discussions. i thought more people would be on board. I'm starting to wonder if there is a point to it.

In the past publishers would ask me to review their books. Now the only inquiries I get are self published books. Other YA blogs have 200 300 and more followers.

So, do you think its worth it? Or should I give up focus on my YA manuscript and comic and call it a day.

[Michy]

I'm probably at the far end of the spectrum but...... I don't follow blogs at all. Not even my friends, or writers I really like. When blogging first hit the scene a few years ago, I used to read a few, then quickly decided they were little more than online diaries. I have never been interested in keeping a diary, much less reading someone else's.

So I would say, focus your energies on your manuscript rather than a blog, at least until you become a published writer and your publisher and/or agent tells you that you have to keep a blog.

But that's just me.

[Misfit]

I'll get back to you later on this. I actually have to work at work today. *gasp*

[LoveHistory]

You've got way more followers than I do, Divia. If you have that many people following your blog I'd say you are in good stead and the numbers can go up. You just need a fresh dose of blogging energy.

Have you tried asking a question that deals with some controversy in the world of YA literature? It might provoke some of the discussions you were expecting.

[annis]

I have a list of several blogs I check out regularly, but I don't add myself as a follower or necessarily comment all that often. It's quite possible that a lot more people read your blog than you realise.

[LGWalker]

Unless the blog is just a drag to put out there and you're wasting creative energy, I say "why not?" If you like it, do it. If you're just blogging because you think you have to, don't. I'm new here, I haven't checked out your blog ....but now I will. Ask yourself ... "why am I blogging?" and the answer should become clear to you.

[Divia]

[quote=""LoveHistory""]Have you tried asking a question that deals with some controversy in the world of YA literature? It might provoke some of the discussions you were expecting.[/quote]

Yeah I have done that. Cricket chirp and thats about it. I dont take it pesonally though I do wish there was more interaction.

I blog because I want to interact with others on YA lit, but I dunno i fthat is happening.

[Susan]

Who did you intend your audience to be? Who is the audience of your blog?

[Misfit]

I'm not a YA reader, nor am I familiar with other blogs so can't comment that way. I think the advice that if you are enjoying it and have the time, do it. Don't worry about followers and all that stuff. Honestly I hate the followers thing as well as the you must be a follower of this blog to enter my giveaway requirement. Grrrr

A lot of people use readers like Google to stay on top of new content, so your *following* count could well be skewed by that. You should be able to look at your traffic on your dashboard and see what's happening that way. I always get a kick out of some of the ways people find me.

[boswellbaxter]

I've noticed that I get fewer comments on my blog now than I used to. I don't think people have stopped reading it, but more of them see my blog in places where it feeds, such as on Facebook and Goodreads, than on the actual blog site.