07 November 2007

dear m+m : blogging blues

i love mail. {it's really no surprise.} so when i get an email from a random reader, i am all too willing to spill my guts. your words get my mind rolling and responding helps me figure out what i believe on the subject.

i enjoy answering your
questions and attempting to solve your problems (whether they be about ribbon and craft tools or blogs and etsy shops). and more often than not, i'll ask my mom, marty, her advice on this, that + the other. because, let's face it, sometimes two bloggers are better than one. so, we made a plan. as long as emails keep coming in, i'll feature them (anonymously) and post our two perspectives on the matter. marty knows about motherhood, makeup, organization, fashion, is an expert in travel and breaking out of the mold / i know about arts, crafts, computers, playing hostess and am an expert in making a mess, luckily my other personality is a clean freak, so we meet somewhere in the middle. therefore, this will be a casual advice column, where your voices can join our conversation. i hope you will be inspired to add comments, leaving your own two cents. the more feedback, the better. i think this is going to be fun.. here goes.

introducing the new featurette on m.writes, dear m+m.


Dear Marta,

... I figured you'd know exactly the right words to say to me. I'm finding myself really discouraged with my blog. Mainly because I feel I don't have an audience. I've told several friends about my blog, but only my sister actually visits. My motive for creating my blog is to network into the arts and crafts online community. If I wanted to write to myself, I'd stick to my journal! I think of things to blog about, but then tell myself there's no point because no one reads it. Any words of advice? I could use a bit of a pick me up.

Thanks, girl in Louisiana


marta writes:
Dear girl,

I wonder what I can say to cheer you up and motivate you to keep writing. I am sorry that you haven't felt validated in this big blogosphere. It's hard to keep up any type of momentum when you feel ignored! Plus, when blogging, comparisons can kill.

For me, it's better when I think of blogging as an
exchange. An exchange of ideas, an exchange of friendship, an exchange of stories, an exchange of thoughts. Perhaps one piece of advice is for you is to join the conversation and lose yourself in the meantime. Write and blog as usual; being your best, real, genuine self. Put your words out there. Not for them, for you! Although blogging is an exchange of sorts, it is also a personal diary of your life. Of what matters to you. Of the details in life that make you who you are! If you continue to comment on other blogs and attempt to make new friends with those who share your interests, I guarantee you'll find lurkers who will begin to comment and exchange their ideas with you! Don't give up. Soon the community will find you. Bloggers like to meet new bloggers with new ideas and new words to read. If you want to blog, just do it and lose any high expectations you may have. And remember, it's supposed to be fun. Keep jotting the details. They are what matter.

Marty advises:

To find readers, you need to spread the word that you have a blog. Notify everyone you know. Put a link to your blog in your email signature. Read lots of blogs that interest you, and leave comments, with a link and an invitation to visit your blog. Blogging takes a great deal of time and patience. If your motivation is just to attract readers, it can be discouraging while you wait to be discovered. But when you write with enthusiasm for your topic, it will be fun and worth the effort even if nobody reads it! With regular posts and good content, you will build an audience. Don't give up.

thanks.. good ideas, marty.
do you have a question for us? if so, jump in and email m+m at marta@martacards.com. {my favorite part of blogging is the mini cocktail party that happens when we start interacting.} no worries, we'll keep your names anonymous and gather up words of wisdom on your behalf.

xo. m+m

29 comments:

Celia Fae said...

Oh, I love this idea! I've been trying to think of a way to incorporate questions but you beat me to it and with the Great Marty as a helper. I'm going to start thinking of questions right now.

Well done and bravo.

Celia Fae said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

i LOVE this idea.
it is just wonderful.
and i totally agree with your advice.
xo

Kate said...

What a marvelous idea! And I love the name!!

Unknown said...

i love this idea! very fun.

and don't worry girl from lousianna. we all feel that way sometimes.

great job marty and marta!

Anonymous said...

amazing advice! i've found alot of kinship in the world of blogging after some patience and perseverance.. it's definitely worth the effort.

Anonymous said...

I am happy that you're answering questions! I'm sure I'll have one for you soon.

Also, your advice is so very true. I have highly enjoyed blogging (am still pretty new at it) but in the past year, have made two very good friends whom I've never met in person but we email daily. They know more about my day-to-day activities than many in-person friends! All through our blogs.

Can I say again how happy I am you're answering questions?!

southern daze said...

Love this idea! Looking forward to reading more...

Robin said...

This is a great idea, I'm sure tons of bloggers respect and admire your opinion.

I agree with your advice, too! It has taken many months for my blog to be more "discovered" and I'm finally starting to feel more a part of the blogosphere. In talking to other bloggers I know, we all have these ups and downs in regard to how we feel about it. I just say, if it's important to you, keep it up!

Lyn said...

what a wonderful idea!

sound advice too and very sweet of you to take the time to give her note such thoughtful consideration.

Christie said...

The dynamic duo out there solving the blog world's queries. I love it. I'll try to think of a question so I can play along!

jules said...

ahh, another great idea from one of my favorite bloggers! thanks m+m!

Travelin'Oma said...

What an unbelievable team!!!

Jane said...

great feature. i can totally relate to "girl in louisiana". i was so there about six months ago .... so i decided to write/blog for "me", and i'm happier than when i was writing for the hypothetical "reader". so as not to mislead: my readership is small, but my heart is happy. great advice, m & m.

Buby + Bleu said...

m+m = fabulous advice. great ideas girls! i think linking helps, too. and notifying friends or family or companies when they are mentioned on the blog. people know you exist, but there are SO MANY blogs out there... and so little time for people to peruse... they just need reminders every now and then. i have people who check every single day, and others who just check in weekly and catch up then.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea! You both gave excellent advice :-)

Anonymous said...

too cute. & who hasnt felt this way in the blogging community?!!! ive been lurking for a bit now-thought id say hi! & i love this blog

Traci said...

What a great idea. I will be back to see the questions that people pose! Good Luck!

kelly said...

can't wait to read the next "column" you girls are always full of great ideas!

laura tj said...

well done, you both make a great team!

love.boxes said...

Perfect!

Anonymous said...

dear marta and marty,

this is SUCH a great idea! being the recipient of some fabulous and much needed advice from marta myself, i know this will be so great for so many people. and we all have questions that we don't ask for some reason or another; i bet many of those secret questions will show up in this column!

and to that sweet reader of yours from louisana-- i blogged for a year before anyone started to take notice... and then it took a little time after that to get a lovely group of readers, all of whom i now consider dear friends. good luck!

Ann said...

what a fantastic idea, i look forward to more m+ms. :)

casey said...

dear girl in louisiana,
i too have felt the way you felt. but, then i thought, even if people don't read my blog, I READ my blog!! This is a great place to gather your thoughts, ideas, inspirations... all for reference later.
A couple tips-- get a web counter, you will be surprised how many people - regular peopel - look at your blog, but don't respond. And always leave comments on others, that is a great way to get your blog out there!! Enjoy!
Marta-- great great idea, i look forward to more M+M's... I will have to think of a question!! :)
--casey

all over the map said...

You too are just too cute together. I love that your mom and you are in on the action together. Why? Because I love my mom to bits. Moms are the greatest.
Again, another fabulous idea to add to your m. files. *smiling*

Jake said...

m+m= merry + most entertaining!!

Jake said...

you two have been solving my problems for years...don't forget that I am ALWAYS your number one, top priority basketcase!!

Kristin said...

What a fun idea to add to your already fantastic blog! I will say it was so fun to meet you at the Harvest Boutique. Your genuiness and authenticity shows not only in your blog and in person. It was fun to finally get me some Marta gear :)

amy said...

marta. i ought to track you down and hug you right now. you've done it again. i feel as though you are revolutioning the blog world. i know you're revolutionizing mine. thank you. i know i've got loads of questions. could you be any more wonderful, loving, and just plain cool?

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