I was thinking about this the other day and thought I might pose the question here, curious to hear what y'all think. For those that have been blogging awhile, what has changed with regards to your feelings about blogging since you started?
In the beginning, and probably for the first year, I used to obsessively check my stats daily, at the very least; now three years later, I doubt I check it more than once a month, if that.
I also used to blog daily, and did so probably for the first two years. I've definitely relaxed in that aspect too, and now take 2-3 nights off a week.
What's changed for you?
Your turn! :)
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When I first started, I was just converting a standard web site I kept recipes on to a blog format. I figured that would be the easiest way to add recipes as I go. Before that, I was literally creating a new web page for each recipe! It worked for a while, because my original intention was just to have a recipe database for my own reference. Also, it was easier when someone requested a recipe from me. I'd just direct them to the site, or email them the link.
Once I got into the habit of blogging, I realized I could do so much more with it. I started adding commentary to each post, and photos are no longer optional for me. In fact, I'm slowly trying to update all my old posts to include photos.
Some of the major changes since I converted my recipe site to a blog:
1. I'm cooking a lot more - and enjoying it more!
2. I'm developing more original recipes.
3. I'm reading other blogs more!
I'm a little over two years in, and can barely muster the strength to post once a month; I think I posted 400 times in the first year. Same with the metrics tracking. I sort of don't care anymore, although that could be because the numbers have plateaued. It was more compelling when I would see jumps and spikes based. I wish I had more time and energy to commit to the blog these days -- I totally miss the flush of those early days.
When I started my food blog at the end of 2004, I had been unemployed for a while. I was reading and enjoying food blogs, and decided my first experiment with "this blogging thing" should be with food (I can be found elsewhere on the internet under another name and having little to do with food).
I've done little blogging over the past year or so. I still cook, and still want to make notes to myself on my blog about how various recipes work out. On the other hand, now I'm in grad school as well as working full time, so I have little time to blog (let alone see all the other great blog posts out there). Then there's the fact that my main blogging impetus was originally learning to cook Asian food, and now other cuisines are intriguing me equally. I've gotten more comfortable with cooking Asian food, so non-Asian cuisines give me more thrill of the new at the moment.
I was never looking for a big audience, but I feel kind of guilty about the people who do read me and have found something of value in my posts. I've leaving my blog up and hope to get back to it at some point. But I don't know when that will be.
I use to obsess about trying to get a post or two out everyday when I first started.
Then I slipped a bit and a bit more. And it doesn't matter - more readers, more comments just showing the very best stuff now.
Two other changes - My photography has improved over the years and I hardly participate in the multitude of events anymore.
I've found it much harder to find the time now I'm working long hours, so it's become less of a blog in the sense of a diary and more little articles and essays that I plan ahead. It wasn't intentional, it just happened. I still enjoy it a lot and my writing and photography have improved. I think what I've learnt is you must be true to yourself and not try to copy everyone else. Recipes and memes are not really my sort of thing, but that doesn't make the blog that focus on them in any way inferior. My regular blog reading is a really eclectic list. One thing that really surprised me was that I've filed some video clips on YouTube for use in my blog and they've had 100,000 hits. Amazing, considering that I don't really use YouTube itself!
heya
i did the ucla online food writing course and started a blog to have somewhere to publish my work. i then did a publishing course which led to an internship at a publishing house specialising in cookbooks... and, partly due to my blog which showcased my passion for food, now have a job there!
which is great, except i have no time at all to blog anymore so feel like a bit of fraud on these forums!
I post almost every day, but it helps that I'm not posting exclusively about food. I use the blog as a diary of sorts, so I don't really care so much about stats, just that I have fun with it and maybe entertain a few other folks along the way.
It's done wonders for my photography, and makes me more aware of all the interesting stories you can find even in something as mundane as walking the dog.
I've been writing AlmostVegetarian.com for over a year now. I think the only big change is that it has become a steadfast habit - unquestioned and always there, much like brushing my teeth and washing my face. And wherever I go, whatever I do, I am always thinking "Will this make a good blog entry?" or "Hmmm, perhaps I should write about that."
Cheers!
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