The Mandatory Rant of the Ronery Blog
nekosasu | January 15, 2008 | 2:26 am
Actually, I wanted to write something about a different topic, but this topic became predominant so I guess this will come first. Like in other places, I will now split the many topics in different entries to earn more attention- and this time, I hope it WILL trigger some discussion as well.
So… I wanted to thank everyone for the great attention this blog was given during its anniversary yesterday – it was blessed to the next year with one comment. One single comment. What a nice haul!
Yesterday, I posted my link multiple times into many IRC channels (mainly #animeblogger) because I foolishly thought some of the ppl there would be as kind as to give some kind of grats, or whatever heart-warming comments to keep me going. But yeah, as so often, I was mistaken. Until now, this blog still has never had any kind of attention that I did not call for yet. This shows once again how caring and giving people are nowadays.
I am ranting once again about the lack of popularity of the smaller blogs, and how hard it is to establish a name in the community, etc etc. I have talked a lot about it in the past, but today I feel like repeating myself over and over again – nothing has changed. Blame me perhaps for not being constant with my posts, or for not being a popular guy either; as far as I have analyzed the situation (looking at other blogs’ comments), the content of the posts is equally proportional to appreciation of the blogger, i.e. the person is well-known and liked, you’ll find his/her post awesome; if he/she is a no-namer, you’ll just skip over the words and eventually ignore him/her. Prove me wrong.
Also, blame me for having tried to create a blog while the community was oversaturated. I still remember some words of the hypocrits who charismatically claimed that they care a lot about reading and promoting smaller blogs… lol
At first, I complained a lot about how little comments I got for my entries, because I measured popularity in the ability of one blog to trigger comments and discussion (and not the shitload of spambot hits). But I noticed I was on the wrong path with summaries, so I understood the reasons. But this time it’s an anniversary, it’s something that should be celebrated, no? Or is Spice and Wolf or any other series or figurine so much more interesting elsewhere? (By the way, my Spice and Wolf entry got 2 legitimate comments – a revolution!)
Had it been one of the bigger or more popular blogs as we all know them they would have been praised and congratulated for being so great, everyone would talk about it, the news would be all around the blogosphere, and what-not. Perhaps those might have called for attention much earlier, preparing giveaway contests or any kind of contests or so, but I can’t. Actually I could, but no one would give a damn anyway.
Extrange, who was the only one who commented yesterday, suggested many times to join T.H.A.T, but I did and always will refuse that offer, however attractive it might be. I am not the type to give up my the time and the hard work I poured into this blog, and most importantly, my own identity just to get the few minutes of fame or attention on someone else’s space, just to be forgotten as one of the few underlings.
Perhaps this might sound ambitious, selfish or arrogant, but isn’t that the way most of those huge blogs have gone?
I will once again try to post more frequently now, and this time with newer and more interesting topics. Less QQ, more pew pew. That’s right, neko’s thinkbox will continue. And I swear that I will prove all the fuckers who shun it on purpose and who want it to go down that this blog will stay up.
My next entry will be about something more trivial ^^ Have a good day
Lol, well I just have a thing for cats. Yeah, a cat is fine too.
HAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAH.
I think half the comments on my blog are by me… So be happy!
Then again, I’m as dedicated to my blog as I am to my school work… :P
Well, come visit mine sometimes and I’ll visit yours. ;D
Haha, roughly half of the comments here are by me as well, so we’re in the same shit.
Well, most people do accept that fact, but I don’t. It’s as simple as that. If anything, I could be famous for ranting and trying to scratch the surface of the problem ^^
And sure, I always make sure to visit commenter’s blog every once in a while if they provide a valid url :D
I think, an important thing is to comment on other blogs more often. I find that commenting helps direct traffic to my blog (By clicking on the website link listed).
If you can reply to comments that people have made, you’ll eventually build up a bunch of readers that look at your blog often.
That’s it for my little tip of advice. Hang in there and don’t worry about comments too much.
blogging about anime and stuff is all about personal passion to a hobby :) doesnt matter if you get big or not.
True that, I learnt it after I gained some experience in the first months – however, I mean, important things like a blog anniversary (which does indeed not happen for many bloggers who give up earlier), I do think that ppl’s input and care, even if small, might be an even further motivation to be more present here. Also seeing other blogs being celebrated like there was no tomorrow, and seeing my passion going up and down the whole time and no soul caring bout it either, unlike elsewhere… bah, I always get to the same point: the others, the bigger, the others. It definitely is my jealousy playing a huge part in my uproar as well, I know. ^^
But I can’t help it, it’s just too unfair. But anyway, it’s just one who dares to voice it, and who eventually earns all the pity and/or flames… Still better than shutting up and sulking in my corner. ;)
SO RONERY
This documents the thoughts and feelings of everyone new to the blogging sphere; I sympathise with it completely. We’ve all been here, trust me.
My advice would be to reiterate what people have already said about commenting on others’ sites and basically sit tight and keep up the quality. It takes time but you will etch out a satisfying niche for yourself with regular commenters and the like. I’ve had a blog for a couple of years now and I rarely get loads of comments. After the initial sting I just decided that I write for myself and anything extra is a bonus.
You’re right about the lack of support for new anime blogs, though. It would be excellent if there was some kind of aggregator solely for new blogs, or even if Anime Nano had a subsection dedicated to them.
Heh. The appreciation their blog gets is something every author thinks about, I think. You should really just ask yourself if you’re enjoying what you do. You’ve been going on for one year, so you must be doing something right! Blogs that update frequently will probably get more attention by default, but it’s not like all smaller blogs don’t get any love. If you want more interaction in your blog, why not start interacting more with others in the community? You’ve practiced it yourself. One comment actually holds a lot of power on blogs.
Even though I want comments as they provide that nice confidence boost, as well as some certifiable proof that people are actually reading my blog, I don’t expect comments to come with any post I make and it does make me worry about if my writing or blog is good enough, so I’m always happy to see any response.
I’d echo Totali’s statements that getting yourself more involved in the community helps if you want to get your name out there. But if you’re fine without that, then just keep at it works too.
Yeah, community participation is really key if you want to establish yourself in any blogging community. For better or for worse, commenting, linking, and communicating with other bloggers is fairly necessary – you need to plug into the established group.
Regular posting and good content is of course also necessary, but knowing how to integrate and how to promote yourself is still pretty important as well. Just like in anything else, marketing is one of those necessary evils.
Sorry you don’t get a lot of comments. Every once in a while (fewer than once a week I’ll admit, but more than twice a month) I’ll come by here and read, but I’m just the “silent type” when it comes to posting comments on blogs.