I have noticed with time that there are a certain group of people that appear to think it is evil for a person to attempt to increase the number of people that read their blog.
I first came across this mentality with one of my first friends on xanga. She was going to school to be a writer. Her stated goal was to be a professional writer. So one day I told her something like, "You have great writing skills and with a little bit of marketing, you could be one of the most popular people on xanga." She responded with something like, "I don't care about being popular. I write for myself."
Now I probably used the wrong word. I probably should not have used the word "popular." But what I meant was that she could increase her audience because people would like her writing if they found her.
But it has always struck me how so many of the people on xanga that indicate they would like to be a professional writer of some sort, will tend to act as if they don't care if people read them. I would think that it would be the goal of the professional writer to be read. I would assume that professional writers need to sell books.
I think even William Shakespeare sort of hoped people would come and watch his plays. So I would assume that the goal of the writer is to be read.
Now you have a second group of people on xanga and this is the group that do not want to have people read their site. They just post in a public forum. I am not sure why they just don't write and put it in a word document on their computer. But they actually post their thoughts online in a public forum.
This leads me to believe that they want people to read their post and to respond.
But you have people that will always comment on a post like this and indicate, "I write for myself. I don't care if others read." I tend to think this inaccurate for the most part. That is like going to a party in college and saying, "I am going to this party but I don't care if people talk to me when I talk. I only go to parties for myself."
So at some level, I think most of us come to xanga and want social interaction. I don't think it is evil to want social interaction. In fact, I don't think it is evil to want more people to interact with you socially.
Do you think it is wrong to have a goal of increasing the number of people that read your site?
Comments (102)
There's a strong distinction between aiming for popularity and trying to be read more. I want to be read more.
It's usually the people with no audience that say, "I only write for myself". To be honest, if no one read my shit, I wouldn't bother writing anything at all. Then again, I can't call what I do, "writing".
As long as the content is decent, sure. No one wants to read a bunch of mindless bullshit. If you think you're giving something worth reading, might as well.
Agreed; there's nothing wrong with it.
I think there *are* some people who use Xanga only as a journal, and it's truly just for them--but by and large, I don't think they're the ones that are seen commenting.
It's silly for people to pretend they're "above" wanting any attention. We're humans; we crave it. If we're not hurting others to get it, where's the harm?
Nope. I think its sort of why we blog in the first place. And I always feel guilty for responding to the people who tell me they don't want me to read their site.
And confused.
Like wtf? why do you have the site ON THE INTERNET in the first place?
Not at all.
No, if you are doing it the right way aka writing things you actually care about etc. If you are doing it for popularity sake then I consider it wrong.
I write and do the things I know that may bring people to my post that day, but I am not doing it to become popular. I just want to be able to get feedback. I don't care for popularity. Never did. But I like knowing that if people like my stuff so well, then there is a possibility if I ever tried to publish my stuff that it had a chance to the multitudes of people that aren't on Xanga.
Of course not. I think about that every time I do a writing prompt, or every time I write a poem. I want more people's opinions on my writing.
I don't want to be popular. I just want my voice heard. And maybe a comment or two ;)
@quodmenutriut - Someone told you not to read their stuff? That is really silly, lol.
There's a certain balance you need.
Writing JUST for popularity is pathetic, writing what you want and hoping others will read? That's okay.
Not at all. I write for myself, but I appreciate having people read through and giving me their opinions. I like to challenge people's beliefs and same goes for mine. If no one shares their opinions with me, I will never get to fully understand people. Same goes for you I think. You write on here asking for people's opinions because you are curious of what other people think and like to be introduced to new ideas.
Not at all. I think it's great. Wanting to have people read your work, and wanting to get constructive critisizm. There's nothing wrong with that!!! I love hearing other peoples' opinions about my writing, whether it's good, bad, or just "I like this". I think everyone does. And everyone wants some kind of social interaction. That's what Xanga is for!!!!!!
No, I don't think it's wrong. As long as you aren't being a total asshole.
i'm not sure anyone writing on a public forum does it for themselves.
but there's nothing wrong with wanting some sort of audience. it doesn't have to be a large one. all some people want is a handful. cool.
I write for an audience. I want all to read. It's called marketing.
I personally like forming good connections with people. Quality over quantity.
We crave attention.
Of course I want more people to read my site, but I want them to read because they are reading a real person that hopefully they might connect with in a little way. I don't care for many of those who are very popular lately writing what seems to be very fake posts, essentially telling people what they want to hear. It's so contrived.
"I write for myself. I don't care if others read."
I am going to this party but I don't care if people talk to me when I talk. I only go to parties TO GET F-CKEN WASTED!!!!!!!! and dance of course....
I think you should definitly write for yourself. If you dont love it, then why do it? This being said, why write anything and want to actually make it your profession if other people wont read it? It's like if the proverbial tree falls in the forest, what happens if no one is around to read your work? Then you obviously wont make it as a writer. Being a writer is a two-fold gig..like and be good at what you do and then get out there and sell your shit like it's the greatest thing in the world.
I don't think it is wrong. I write for myself and for people to read. I want to be an author so I need to get used to people reading what I write.
@airbornerose - but mindless bullshit is the best stuff! or at least it gets the most comments sometimes.
@maniac_rose - because every blogger is an opinionated asshole, whether they admit it or not.
@imasilentheart - well, more in general. not me in specific, lol. the people who are like "this is a private page for me and me alone! but i'm not gonna even go so far as to sign-in lock it!"
This makes too much sense to be a blog on Xanga.