Given the large number of followers on my blog, I find it quite mind-boggling to keep track of every single subscriber. Hence, I decided to tweak some of my widgets and now I can actually see the number of subscribers to the Meanderings. This also means that I will receive notification of those who unsubscribe. Last week, I received a notification of a blogger unsubscribing from the Meanderings. I felt a tug. I wondered how could anyone unsubscribe from my blog!?! I utterly discarded the notion that the content of my blog could become monotonous, mundane and a shadow of my former posts. As a blogger, one gets quite visceral with the blog. I failed to stand outside of the blog's space and assess the content that is being hashed out at regular intervals. I wonder if this happens to everyone else.
Given the personal tag of this blog, it becomes imperative to the point of blindness that one does not feel the need to stop and examine what is being written. Sometimes, the label, 'personal,' gives the blogger freedom to express her thoughts, comments, observations and criticisms without stopping to wonder and ponder. At the threshold of entering my fourth year of blogging, I decided that I should stop and ask my readers to honestly assess and offer criticisms about this blog and its content. I mention, 'honest' because I know that many of you will be very sweet to me and sugar-coat your thoughts. You can be quite brutal in your comments about the content. I seem to ask for an outsider's perspective as I am quite partial and emotional in judging my blog and its content.
So, please go on and state what strikes you.
Image: Internet
Given the personal tag of this blog, it becomes imperative to the point of blindness that one does not feel the need to stop and examine what is being written. Sometimes, the label, 'personal,' gives the blogger freedom to express her thoughts, comments, observations and criticisms without stopping to wonder and ponder. At the threshold of entering my fourth year of blogging, I decided that I should stop and ask my readers to honestly assess and offer criticisms about this blog and its content. I mention, 'honest' because I know that many of you will be very sweet to me and sugar-coat your thoughts. You can be quite brutal in your comments about the content. I seem to ask for an outsider's perspective as I am quite partial and emotional in judging my blog and its content.
So, please go on and state what strikes you.
Image: Internet
You know Susan it might have nothing to do with your blog. Everybody grows and this person might want to travel in a different direction and your content doesn't fit the person's needs/wants anymore.
ReplyDeleteThere is no blame or shame, just chance of needs.
Your honest words warm me up, dear Elizabeth and I am thankful for you and your words today.
DeleteMuch love.
smiles....i have people subscribe and unsubscribe all the time...that is the nature of this media...personal or otherwise...i used to let it bother me, but it is just reality....i enjoy my visits when i pop in and appreciate your opinions and thought provocations...dont always get a chance to because of limited time now and somedays i just have to stick to returning to those that stop in my place....great to see you today...smiles.
ReplyDeleteAnd great to see you as well, dear Brian. Smiles back :)
Deleteright , well now what do i say about your blog, and am not sugar coating it at all.. :) get the hint :) he he he
ReplyDeleteone person unsubscribed and you wrote a post, I have about 250+ people who have subscribed or are followers but do i see them on my blog all of them .. NOPES..
It is one of those things , to subscribe or follow many people do it for the sake of it , or they want you to come to their blog, easiest way to make people come over.
so dont worry much and Moreover It is your blog why should others influence it, You should be writing what you like when you want :)
Take care and congrats on almost completing three years ..
Bikram's
I should learn a lot from your cheerful and wise being. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
DeleteI wouldn't fret too much over it. After all it's your space - you are not the kind to comrpromise your writing to keep your followers, then why worry. write what you want to!
ReplyDeleteSometimes my space is shared space when lovely readers mingle and leave their warmth and love. I just wanted to take stock of my stand. Thanks for coming by and assuring me, Yuvika.
DeleteI personally feel that you should not give much thought to persons who unsubscribe from you blog. I like your style of writing and hence i follow the same but then i have commented rarely. I endorse what Elizabeth has stated people move on !!! By the way congrats for completing almost 3 years of blogging...great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Engram, your rare appearance in the comments' section delights me to no end. Thanks for your wishes.
DeleteI agree with Bikram and Brian. Don't be bothered. Even I have subscribed to so many blogs, and also am a part of so many blog groups that it gets impossible to read all the posts.
ReplyDeleteYou started writing for the purpose of writing and reaching out...that you will.
Thanks Janu. Your words have fed sense and calm into me.
DeleteIt's so courageous of you to ask for our honest opinions. I searched for something really constructive to offer, something negative perhaps, but I came out blank. Really Susan - no sugar coating.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I enjoy your blog is because of your own honesty. You really write what comes to mind and frankly you've made me reflect on some things that hadn't occurred to me. I suspect we all have a few posts that are not what others want to read, or that we may judge as substandard. But, that's the beauty of true cyber friendship. It's forgiving and recognizes that sometimes we're writing just to connect with others. We can't always write something outstanding. I hope you keep writing in your own inimitable style.
That being said, I sure understand the desire to improve and the little tug of disappointment when someone leaves us.
Take good care Susan. So glad to be reading your insightful thoughts again.
That you have taken your time to type a long comment assure me that all is well, dear Myrna. This is the joy that I get out of blogging -- meeting wonderful and genuine people like you and others and reading the wise words that you impart through the comments.
DeleteWonderful to have you back in the loop dear Myrna.
People keep unsubscribing from my blog too, Susan and new ones join. However, it's always important to ask whether we're connecting with our readers. Your content as always is new and thought-provoking! Don't worry, Meanderings and Reflections is doing just fine, dear Susan!
ReplyDeleteThanks dearie for the glow that you imparted through this comment. Can't be more grateful :) Much love.
Deletei have so much to say on what you ask that instead of spamming the comment column here, i am going to do an entire blogpost dedicated to your question here Susan..watch out for my next one...i am going to reply on it.
ReplyDeleteRead your post on this and the detailed post had me nodding away to glory. Whatever said and done, I am partial to the punctuation and grammar bit.
DeleteThanks Doktor for your visits and comments. Much appreciated.
Who knows why people do anything... I don't know if people have unsubscribed from my blog but, I do know that comments have declined but, then again so has my posting. I post when I feel like it and that's just how it is.
ReplyDeleteIt's like this... People come and go out of your life. Would you rather someone be subscribed to you and never look, read, or comment your posts or have them unsubscribe because they only did so out of a personal kindness because you once visited their blog?
Maybe they hit subscribe by accident. Maybe they expected your blog to be something it isn't... there are endless possibilities. There is no need to fret over it, you have what you have be thankful for that. All things could be better yes, but they could always be worse.
Write what you want to write, the only time you should be writing for others is when you are being paid to do so. Hope you are well and have a wonderful week.
Spot on. I value whatever you have said, dear Jen and thanks for coming by the Meanderings. My, I have such wonderful readers and comments. Can't ask for more.
DeleteI'm new to your blog so I can't offer anything of value, but like Brian said, people come and go. I focus on my writing. I am thrilled when people stay lone enough to read and comment, which I reciprocate. At the start of the blog I wondered who I should be as a writer, how to attack and keep my readers. After a while, I realized I am not a one size fits all writer, and people would come and go depending on the message. I say, stay true to yourself. The readers connect with that and will stay and sometimes go, but you'll have held them for a moment in time. Not bad, really.
ReplyDeleteBut what you have offered is of great value and I highly value what you've shared. Welcome here Brenda. I am happy to see you here.
DeleteSusan, in all honesty, I've enjoyed every post of yours I've read because you always make me think deeply about an issue or a concept. If people cease to follow, please don't take it personally. You are an intelligent and entertaining writer, and I truly like your take on things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me see things from a different, interesting angle.
Blessings!
Thanks for the assuring words, Martha. I am glad that I have wonderful blogger friends like you.
DeleteI respond to all my comments, Ashwini but I guess the person has grown and does not need to be reading this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by and writing a thoughtful comment, dear Ashwini. Much appreciated.
I started recently reading your posts from the Chennai Bloggers Club on FB. I have not read a lot to comment or criticize. Whatever I have read so far I really liked...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment, dear J.
DeleteIt may not be anything personal.
ReplyDeleteIn some people's profile I have seen a long list of "I follow these blogs" I really wonder if they really follow or is it ornamental.
It is an ornament and a pride factor!
DeleteAnd I also think it's just not personal. Thanks for your visits and comments, Joe.
I am a recent subscriber of your blog so would not be able to comment on the content yet. I believe in writing the way I feel. We cannot pretend to be someone we are not.
ReplyDeleteI went on a blogging hiatus for nearly two years and now when I am back, I see a whole lot of new faces in the blogging world. Similarly, people come and go. I too have such doubts about my writing quality as I have very few readers now, but I have decided to keep writing on subjects I enjoy.
Ah, now I know. I remember reading your posts long ago and one fine day I did not see you at all. Glad to have you back in the circuit.
DeleteGlad to see you here as well. Thanks for the kind words.