Hey! You! Yes you!
Here’s the thing about writing… you thought you chose this career because you hate numbers, right? Wrong! Numbers are even more important to writers than they are to mathematicians!
Example A: A writer goes in to interview for a professional writing job… Writer: I know my resume only has fast food worker on it, but I have a degree and I’m really talented! Interviewer: oh that’s no problem, we accept entry-level people all the time. How’s your freelance writing going? Writer: uhhh Interviewer: Well, do you at least have a blog! Writer: oh, yes! Interviewer: Tell me the numbers Writer: *stares in horror*
Now, the writer could try to explain that they have hundreds of followers on IG, maybe even thousands on Twitter or another platform – but does that matter to the publishing industry professional? Well, it’s important, but it’s secondary to how many people *actually* read your writing.
Numbers are important! And for bloggers and book reviewers? The same rules apply. Book blogging is EXPENSIVE. Have you seen the price of books? So a lot of us work with publishers or professional services to get free review copies of books. But no publisher is going to send a free copy of a book to someone, who’s reviews are only read by their mom and the 80 year old cat lady down the street from them who only signed up for the mailing list by accident while they were trying to order more cat food. They care about numbers! What happens when you don’t have numbers?
Blogger in blog post: Hey guys, and welcome back to another book review and blog post! Sorry, I don’t actually have a review for you this week… I didn’t have any books to review! I guess the future of this blog is pretty much… Well… *silence*
Don’t even get me started on authors and indie-authors! The internet and internet traffic is one of the only opportunities they have to promote their work and *literally* make a living!!! Especially for self published Christian and inspirational authors, who don’t have the marketing team of a big publishing house to back them up. Without support and “numbers” – they might not be able to keep writing, because putting food on the table takes precedence.
The internet is SATURATED with content. But it’s not all *good* content. Because what sells? Greed, deceit, drama, and negative content. Not necessarily the good stuff we want to fill our minds and hearts with, right?
This makes it even HARDER for a blogger whose goal is to create inspiring, faith-based content to break out into the industry. Because faith-based content, isn’t always the popular kind of content. Do you want to keep seeing positive content in your inbox? Then you need to start supporting the bloggers that bring that content to you, because it’s hard work.
Over a thousand of you follow me on IG. Almost 200 on YouTube. On my blog? Ten of you. Ten. That’s like… one percent!!!
I get it. We all hear the phrase *link in bio* but when do we ever actually CLICK the link in bio? Hardly ever. It’s not as accessible to us. We’d rather scroll.
Well guys, it’s really easy to get my reviews and follow my blog! All you have to do is click the link once, and go and sign up with your e-mail address! From then on, my posts will be sent right to your inbox. No more clicking and refreshing and clicking and refreshing. And as for me? No more posting messages like this!
And I’m not being greedy here. I want you to go and follow ALL of the blogs. Any reviewer, writer, or author that you know… If you like good content, support good content – because without support, that good content might start to disappear.
I mean, for real. Even if you’re not interested in book bloggers or author blogs or review blogs. Chances are, you’re on WordPress because you like SOME kind of blog. You may even run a blog of your own! Lifestyle? Crafts? Tech blogging? Whatever it is, whatever blog you have, whatever blog you love – the message is the same! Support that blog. The numbers don’t just matter to us writers and reviewers, they matter to anyone who is trying to turn their dream into reality. To make their passions their full-time job. If you know someone pursuing a creative endeavor, you need to support them.
You know that I’m giving shout outs to other bloggers who share my blog on my Instagram stories. Even though I can’t speak for other bloggers, share share their blogs too, and share this message if you agree with it. Don’t forget to hashtag it #SupportGoodBlogs and #SupportGoodContent. Because it takes a village, and each of you are a part of my village!
Let’s all keep supporting each other and building positive communities, alright?
I’m going to keep reaching out to other bloggers, because I don’t just want to be the speaker on the soapbox. I want to practice what I preach too. If you think you have a blog that I’d be interested in supporting, be sure to comment it! I’m also going to start committing more time to this platform, and investing in this blog more. I can’t expect a following to arise suddenly, when there isn’t much content to be consumed. Good thing is, it’s the New Year! It’s the perfect time to start fresh and set goals, and these are just some of mine. I hope supporting fellow creators is on your list too!
Until next time,
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