One month ago today, I posted my first blog. The site wasn’t actually public until a couple of days later, but I’m using today as the blog’s birthday since my first message was posted on July 3. As I explained in one of the early entries, another author had recommended that I post six days a week. It apparently improves your standing in search engine results.
I have always been someone who values quality over quantity. I also like to mull over my writing a little more than I have been lately. So I’ve decided to reduce the frequency of my posts just a little. I still plan to post a few times a week, but without a set schedule.
As someone who is easily overwhelmed by too many emails in my inbox, my guess is that attention is diluted when my notifications come six days a week. Plus, rigid schedules and I have never gotten along well for long. This thing is mine, and I can do it however I want to — how liberating!
I have been amazed at how much I’ve enjoyed the creative freedom that blogging affords. I’m ready to experiment with other outlets now. Twitter is next on my list. I’ve also been advised to set up an author’s page on Facebook. I’ll keep you posted on those developments.
Let me know what you think! Any suggestions on the format or frequency of the blog? Are there certain days of the week that you are more likely to read a blog post (on the weekend, for instance?) Are there topics you’d like to hear more about? Do you tweet? Leave a comment (and thanks for your incredible support thus far)!
Lajla Hanes says
Hi Martha….blog messages from you are welcome any time….I don’t tweet….anything you write is interesting….so I will continue to look forward to hearing what you have to say whenever to say it…I am very impresed by Ellen’s report of skiping with Malla….If I knew how to do it I would also straighten out the office before a little kid saw it….
Keep all this good stuff coming,and I will respond with a thought or tow from time to time….
This is a big month for Stu and me….Tom would have been 60 on August 8th. We are all going to Christianne’s new home to be together….also, I am celebrating 25 years after the breast cancer jpurney began. Thank you for being there in Annapolis between the time of diagnosis and surgery. You were so young and yet so sensitive….I’ll never forget that very special visit….you represented the whole family, lending wonderful support…..Thank you….love,Lajla
Martha says
Thanks so much, Lajla. I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since your breast cancer diagnosis (or that Tom would have been 60 this month). What goes around comes around. You were as much help to me when I was going through cancer treatment three years ago as I was to you so long ago. That’s what family means to me.
Barbara says
Dear Martha, I don’t tweet, I may start barking….. but no tweet is not mine but I regularly do facebook. That’s how I get to know all from my American friends.
And your blog is the best I read in years. All themes are mine , you speak from your heart with a big shot of humor combined with common sense and I really love the practical side of all. You are the best mixture. I always appreciated our meetings here in Germany and am now more than happy to read what you so very well write.
What ever frequence you decide on all is very welcome here. I always read your post early in the morning, still in my nighty, sitting with my first coffee in my kitchen at that little self made kitchen table together with all my dogs laying around still doozing. I am sure you can easily picture that scene nothing has changed since you left. So my heart always jumps when I have your blog in my email list and it is the first to be klicked on. Love Babs
Martha says
I can picture you perfectly, Barbara. Thanks for the encouragement!
monica says
Martha,
I love your writings. Wish i had some of that :) I will read as long as you continue to write in what ever format.
love,
monica
Marcia says
I think you are right to cut back the number. I appreciate both your thinking and your writing – but simply do not have time to read your posts 5-6 times/week. Then, when I do have time, I have to figure out which ones to read. Send us 3-4/week, and the ones that you really want to share. Quality is always better than quality- and leaves us with time for other information/input from valuable sources!
As for tweeting, I’m not there yet. And am, as is the case with many others, using Facebook less and less – again, just don’t have time. But if the gurus recommend an author’s page for a broader audience, you should do it. Check out Edith Pearlman and Joseph Finder, both successful authors with FB pages. Cheers!