June 27, 2010

On Blogging (Pt. 2)


I try to keep this blog fun and pretty and lovely and airy. Every now and then I address something somewhat deep and rant for a minute, give my opinion and it's done. I do posts sometimes that make my readers think or stop and be thankful.

Bottom line is I'm pretty personal here, but not in a heavy, overwhelming way.

However, today I'm feeling the need to address something. I'm sorry, in advance, if I offend any of you, that's not my intention. But like I have said over and over, I'm real and genuine and I will never be fake or say something just to please people.

So, here it is....

 I hate when I get a comment that says 'follow me and I'll follow you back.' Um, no thanks. That's not what I'm here for. Sure I link up if some of my favorite ladies are having a blog hop, but that still doesn't mean I'm 'blogging for followers.' Every one of you who has decided to read BeB warms my heart. I mean that! I am still overwhelmed with your love. However, along this journey I have lost my fair share of followers. Why? I have no idea. Is it because I didn't follow you back? Did you get bored with my blog? I don't know. But I try not to get discouraged. People come and go in your life, why wouldn't they come and go on your blog, too. For those of you who have decided to stay and get to know me, I am grateful. However, if you decide that my blog isn't for you anymore, then that's ok too, but rest assured that I will never just blog to get followers.


I've discovered in the short time that I've been blogging that cliques form within these blogs just like they do in real life. Funny how that happens isn't it? I'm sure some people would have a blog clique that they say I belong to. However, just like in my real life I try to avoid cliques within the blogosphere. I follow and read every kind of blog you could imagine- lifestyle, mommyhood, food, fashion, photography, interior design- the list goes on. My point is, I blog because I like it. I blog for the friends that I've found and for the friends that will come. I don't blog just for the numbers. Sure, new followers make me so happy (happy!!) but this has become a creative release for me and I love it.

I don't know where this blog will go or what it will become. For now, though, I like where it is and the people that come and go here. If you read this, wow, thank you. Sorry for starting the week off with this kind of post. But I'm not sorry for being real. That's how it goes though, isn't it?

Thank you.

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56 comments

Kate said...

Loved this post!

star said...

I only follow blogs that I enjoy reading, and I sure enjoy yours lady! I also hate those kinds of comments! So I agree with you 100%!

Morgan said...

AMEN! xoxo

Mrs. Pick said...

Kudos sharing your opinion! There is no reason to apologize if you offend anyone! It's your blog--do what you want! I agree though, I follow all kinds of blogs and I choose who I decide to follow.

Unknown said...

First off, loving the new blog design! I bet it was so rewarding to figure out the html coding yourself. It can be a bit overwhelming - I've been there too!

And second, kudos to you on your post. You're right, its your blog and your opinion so say what you want and follow who you want!

C said...

Ditto!

Southern Belle Mama said...

Don't you dare apologize for blogging about this topic...those comments are just weird. Who really would think to do that? You just keep on blogging dear...we love it!

Whitney @ EHFAR said...

I totally agree with the whole clique thing, not that it is necessarily bad. I've just notice this x group has the same followers.

Sassy Amie said...

Way to keep it real.

I like your honesty.

Nenay said...

I think you're one of the realest bloggers around and I love reading what you have to share with the blogging world :)

Deals, Steals and Heels said...

LOVE this!!! i always feel that little downturn when someone un-follows, and the little thrill when i get a couple more on the counter...but you're SO right, it's all about the people, not the numbers!!

tara said...

love this! i hate the follow me and i'll follow you back thing. i used to get so upset when people would unfollow, but there's no point in following someone if you dont enjoy their blog and never comment. never feel bad about posting YOUR opinion on YOUR blog, girl!

tina said...

Great post!! I'm going to have to agree with everyone else---no need to apologize. I always enjoy reading your blog. Thank you!!!

Sweet Southern Prep said...

Love you girl! Keep up the great blogging. :)

Ashley said...

CHEERS! I love this post. Thanks for telling it like it is!

georgia ~ gi gi said...

Oh, I think we will be great bloggie friends! I love you style!
Blogging should be FUN! I agree, it is a great creative outlet!
Smoochies,
gigi

Lacey in the City said...

Oh sweetheart, don't apologize for saying what's on your mind! Great post.

Have an awesome week!
xo
lacey

Tarver said...

You are just so on the dot on everything in this post!

I've been blogging for over a year and have only 21 followers and I'm totally fine with as little or as few as I have because I do it because I love writing it and I especially love reading others, especially you and your blog, you have slowly become one of my favorite girls on the blogsphere and I'm so happy I found your blog.

Mrs. S said...

I'm a new follower, and just love this post. I have been thinking a lot about exactly what you just wrote about tonight! Bravo for sharing your feelings on this!

Mommara said...

I totally agree. I honestly love to read blogs I think it is a really great way to "meet" new people and get different perspectives on life but, the idea of following for followers is just odd to me? I'm glad you are just keeping it real girl!

Alee said...

This is so true. And for the record, I adore your blog. Keep up the beautiful work girl! Don't worry about "followers," just do your thing. :)

Kelsey Claire said...

I love this post. I always like it when I have new followers and they let me know, but I hate the feeling of feeling like I have to follow along! I am with you about following a bunch of different types of blogs!

Marcie said...

Julie,

You are awesome! You are so right that blogging just for followers takes the content and meaning out of a blog. If the content is good, people will read (which is why I love your blog).

Have a great week!

Marcie

Poppies and Sunshine said...

I know what you mean! Those kind of comments irritate me. It makes blogging like a game or something. I don't get it. Thank you for voicing your thoughts. I completely agree with your views here.

Annie said...

I really liked this post! I'm glad you went out there and said many of us so often feel when reading our comments!

Kori said...

Amen Julie!!! Well said honey! I sometimes feel the same way and just ignore the request. I don't think you should apologize for your opinion and I am sooo lucky to have found you and your blog. You have touched my life honey! Have a great week...Kori xoxo

Mrs Anne said...

thanks for keepin' it real.
i was just looking at my bloglist and realizing how much i need to "clean it up"... i follow a) too many and b) too many that i dont really read.

:) you inspired a clean up, but i'm stickin' around your blog for sure.

love the new header btw

Michelle @Flying Giggles said...

Amen! Well said!

ABC said...

I see those comments on blogs (I've never actually gotten any myself) and they just irritate me! And the truth is, if you follow me, I'm going to click over to your blog at some point, and if what you post about speaks to me/entertains me/makes me think, I'll follow, too! I don't want followers just to bump my numbers up, and I can't say I really respect bloggers who only care about that little count.

Thanks for putting my feelings into words, Julie!

Meghan said...

Amen! I love this post. I completely agree - sometimes I wonder if I lose followers because I didn't follow back either - and sometimes it upsets me - but I always try and remember that I blog for myself and no one else:) Thanks for being so honest!

Brittany said...

I COMPLETELY agree :-) I follow blogs I can relate to and find interesting. It's okay if they don't follow me back. Some people follow me, yet I don't follow them. It's all about personal interest. And personally, I LOVE your blog, you never bore me :-) I was actually telling Aly that the other day haha. Keep up the good work miss :-)

P.S - this is your blog so you can say how you feel without apologizing!

DSS said...

I couldn't agree more!! I am always like to click through when someone starts following me to see if their blog makes me smile. Or cry. Or something. And if it does, I follow. But I can't stand to feel pressured to do so.

xoxo,
your newest follower :)

Rorie said...

I am a new follower & I loveee your blogg =]
I agree though- I can't stand the post follow me & I'll follow you..
Kinda selfish!!
=]

Julie Leah said...

Thank you all so so much! This is why I blog and why I love you all! You're the best!

Tara Gibson said...

great post girl. and so true abuot the cliques. its crazy that they can form via the internet haha .

Unknown said...

I happen to like where you are going with your blog. i heart you berry berry berry much.

I got your card in the mail on Saturday. Such sweetness, thank you. I can't tell you how much you make me smile :)

Southern Living: Preppy Style said...

Oh my do I agree. I only read those I enjoy and connect with. I have SO many blogs I read to, a full spectrum. What's even more irritating, is hosting a giveaway, people coming my the dozens and then losing them immediately thereafter! Next time, giveawawys cut off to those who actually follow, comment and enjoy! :-)

Lindsey said...

i love this post and i love how real you are :) keep up the great work julie!!! i enjoy reading everyone of your posts!

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Hooray for your honesty! I feel exactly the same way as you do sweetie :)

Hope u had a fabulous weekend! xoxo

{andthisiswhatshesaid} said...

Wahooo girlfriend.... Way to say it!

Christy Ashley said...

I completely agree with you! If someone leaves me that kind of comment, I'm less likely to even LOOK at their blog. If someone new stops by though just to say hi, I'll definitely check out their blog.

Great post =)

Valerie said...

Julie, I love that you just addressed the big elephant in the room. Haha! I don't understand it when people write that. Great post! Hope you had a lovely weekend.

xo
Valerie

Miss Sweet Tea said...

I totally understand how you feel! In fact, I've been wanting to write a post like this for AWHILE!, but couldn't find the words...you said exactly what I wanted to say so thank you! I hope you have a great week!! xoxo

MCW said...

Makes me laugh that someone would say that!
I actually am nervous to get a ton of followers! I like knowing the majority of people that read me!

Trish {Pink Preppy Lilly Lover} said...

I love you and your beautiful honest heart! I am totally in agreement with you, but you knew that :) xoxo Thank you for sharing your feelings so eloquently, you are such a lady!

Sara said...

Thank you for always being so honest! I have only been blogging for a little bit but I definitely get so much more value out of it even if it no one in the world read it!

I sometimes wonder to myself 'will people think its stupid that I'm writing about this?' but like you said - its me, this is what I'm about and its my forum to express those things.

So glad you are one of those great people I have been able to connect with!

melifaif said...

Could not have written that better myself. Say it lady!!!! And thanks for (finally) following....Bahahaha! Hey. at least I did not beg. hehehehe

VA Gal said...

Love this post! This is so much of why I started blogging recently. I just love writing and sharing pictures of life. And i'm continually surprised and thrilled that people read it.

BTW, I found you via Trish's blog and really like your blog now, too.

Kate Spears said...

i do think this is an interesting issue...i guess i feel like when i start following somebody, i like to let them know it and also invite them to visit my blog. but if they don't visit or choose not to follow me, that's fine too. i just like to at least extend the offer. but it's about way more than the number of followers we have...it's about making real connections with people...which you obviously do! sweet girl that you are! xoxo

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Thanks GOODNESS someone did a post on this. What a very very frustrating problem I find I come across all too often myself. It's hard to feel like some people blog just for the numbers or the comments. I have lost a ton of bloggers because of this. I need to start being more like you :) Thank you for the inspiration!! I think you are fabulous xo

keely @ luxe + lillies said...

I SO agree with you! Despite being completely on board with all of the things you already mentioned, is is totally awful to say that its also frustrating because we all got to where we are (wherever that may be) without asking people to follow us? we just put it out there for our own happiness and are so, so grateful that there other other people out there to reciprocate with? I simply couldn't agree with you more!

Kassie said...

I too only blog because it's fun, and not for followers, though making friendships is the best part. :) The only thing I can think of that someone would be upset would maybe(?) be that you sometimes say comment so I can come visit yours, and maybe they get upset when you don't? That's the only reason I can see, which isn't really one at all! I think it's hard to comment on everyone's post, especially when you have tons of followers like you do! If you were to spend all day reading blogs you wouldn't have anything to blog about. :) lol.

I Do Declare said...

I agreed so much with what you said that I became a follower...BUT, no pressure at all to reciprocate - HA! Honestly, really well said!

Pink Champagne said...

Amen, sister! :)

Venassa said...

I'm the same. I don't blog for popularity, I blog because I enjoy it, and I enjoy the people I read about.

Anonymous said...

I think your blog is a great ray of sunshine! I love reading your posts and am excited to see where it goes in the future!