In what has become an annual tradition (apparently since 2019 - who knew?), I like to take the last post of the year to thank you, my readers.
Actual readership numbers are always something that at best have been somewhat difficult to assess on Blogger - yes, I can pull up daily, weekly, monthly, annual and even "all time" readership, but I have no real idea what that means. In some cases those are quick hits and departures, on occasions they spike (highest number of views was on 26 October with 6,600) probably due to an unintentionally provocative title on my part or ending up on a "list" somehow - but somewhere in there is a regular readership of some form and fashion.
All writers write to be read by someone, somewhere. And that seems to be getting a little less likely every year, it seems. Part of the reason is that the focus of the InterWeb has shifted from long form writing to short form "social media" or posts that emulate it. Part of it also seems to be due to the fact that those who write such things - especially for money - are finding their incomes dropping with an apparent change in advertising algorithms that seem to be reducing advertising income on a great many sites (Not just on Blogger: The Tube of You content creators and even dedicated Websites like The Art of Manliness have noted this), which encourages them to either stop writing or to start things like subscription only models like SubStack. And finally, there is an aspect of generational readership that reads such things, a readership which I suspect leans largely to the "older" side of things.
It is not a complaint of course; like it or not we must take reality as it presents itself. Which makes every reader all the more precious.
And so once again, thank you.
Thanks for taking the time out of your one and precious life to spend some time with me - be it regularly or periodically. Thanks to those that are comfortable and willing to comment. Thanks to those who never comment but persevere in reading.
Thanks for heroically sticking with me and what I write, no matter how unplanned or turgid it might be.
I will spare us all the year in review (it has been mentioned more than once this month), but this was obviously not the year I intended to have at all. What in some ways made it bearable (and continues to do so) is the fact that I have an outlet that I can (within limits of reason) lay out what is on my mind and heart - "wearing my heart upon my sleeve for the jackdaws to peck at", as Iago states in Othello. I have stated more than once that this serves as both journal and therapy for me.
I cannot claim I know what 2025 will bring, although one hopes for a bit more stability than 2023 and 2024. But stable or not, I will be here with undoubtedly new adventures, observations, and perhaps even the occasional coherent thought.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much.
Your Obedient Servant, Toirdhealbheach Beucail
Thank You for continuing to write your blog. A lot of great thoughts in post and comments written, with great photos of the subject included to drive home the point. A lot of people would rather rest with your time off - you choose to share and educate. We all profit from that.
ReplyDeleteI feel like saying "You are welcome" is cheating just a bit, as I feel like I always get more out of the process of writing. But thank you. If I am able to share a bit of my life and offer a thought or two, it is time well spent.
DeleteDon't worry TB, plenty of coherent thoughts have been posted here during this past year and my thanks for all the effort put into the blog every day.....to quote one of my ex co-workers "You da man!" (he was enthusiastic just about every day).
ReplyDeleteThanks Nylon12 (for the comment as well as your generosity in the "coherent" portion of your comments)! Hopefully I can make your Winters a little less gray.
DeleteI remember (about a decade ago or so) someone telling me that blogging was dead and that everyone was now on facebook. Of course, that wasn't entirely true, and I honestly found the social marketing model to not work for my reading and writing styles. Now fb is facing a decline as the younger generations move to newer platforms. I reckon this is just the way things are.
ReplyDeleteI still enjoy old-fashioned blogging. Both writing and reading. Of writing, it was never about making money, other than a few prompts for my books. But I always saw the books as temporary income, anyway. Eventually everything reaches market saturation (plus, I didn't want people to feel pushed or manipulated into buying).
Blogging is still an excellent form of journaling, which is nice, especially because it includes it's own kind of community. So, for as long as the big G allows it, I'm guessing our blogging community will stand. Thank you for being faithful to it and for writing such interesting things to read.
Leigh, the ongoing evolution of "The InterWeb As Purveyor Of Information" continues to fascinate me. Like you, I remember the concept of "blogging as history" rolling past us and over us like a wave, to be replaced by "The Socials". It turns out, apparently, that 1) The Socials demonstrate that not all notoriety is good notoriety; 2) Young people are as changeable in their choice of the modern as they have always been; and 3) Rumours of the death of the Written Blogged Word may have been premature.
DeleteOut "there", in the real world, I actually self-published a number of books (which never really went anywhere of course). But like you, the point of writing the blog is not the same as the point of trying to sell things - and being an aficionado of used books, I am well aware that today's best seller is tomorrow's $1.99 Used Book Store bargain deal. In the age of universally available products, standing out in the crowd may be more difficult than ever (on the other hand, the ability to be an independent creator thanks to technology is now greater than ever).
And the nature of blogging continues to change. For a brief time I flirted with creating an account on Medium, and now I see that SubStack (as mentioned above) is another attempt at finding a way to at least cover expenses. I do like parts of SubStack in that there seems to be an expectation that one may do less articles, but more articles of thoughtfulness and depth. It is a concept I am playing with this year.
Writing this blog has proved to be a good daily practice for me (as one of Eaton Rapid Joe's mentors said, "Write something every day"). To the extent that the content I create offers value, I am grateful - as I am grateful for your kind words and boundless support (and the example of sharing your own interests through various blogs).
It's a pleasure to come here, read the interactions and comment if I have something to add. You always spur my thinking. For that, I am very appreciative. Merry New Year to you and the clan.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am always happy to have your input, STxAR. Thanks for the kind words and a Happy New Year to you as well.
DeleteMr TB. Happy New year. Woody
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Woody!
DeleteI look forward to the sharing of your next adventures TB, wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year my good man
ReplyDeleteThanks John! I am absolutely tickled that you are back in the game!
DeleteI enjoy your blog, TB. You write about interesting, thought-provoking topics that entertain and inspire. I am glad you plan to continue to do the same and I'll definitely continue to read.
ReplyDeleteI have never been on any type of so-called social media other than accidentally creating a LinkedIn profile. (I laughed at Leigh referencing "old fashioned blogging!") which I should probably delete. It's not like I'm looking for a job. Facebook, Instagram, etc. are not for me. I started my "blogger blog" in 2008, three years before I became a weekly columnist for a local online publication. I had a blast with that, but after 11 years it came to an end with a change in ownership. Not a bad run, though, and I am grateful. When the column ended, there were no other takers, so I started writing my column on Substack. Many of my readers from the previous publication followed me there. I use the free platform and it's very much a continuation of what I did with the local publication -- writing what I know. Like the blog, it is an outlet, not a way for me to make money (although I suppose if someone wanted to pay me, I would not object).
All along I've kept my blogger blog. My writing here is less consistent, about twice a month, with more reporting on travel and family life than anything else.
Happy New Year, TB. Here's to more thought-provoking content in 2025.
Thanks Bob. I appreciate your kind words.
DeleteOf "The Socials", I have to confess that InstaPic works the best for me, both from a stress level (everything is a picture, so "commentary" is minimal") and the fact that is where my children are most likely to post anything.
Thanks for your feedback on SubStack. It is something that had just come to mind this month. The authors that I have seen use it to good effect; I think part of that is they clearly set up what their publication schedule will be, which gives them opportunity for some pretty amazing long form stuff. The free option may indeed be something to consider.
Happy New Year to you and yours as well. I have every reason to believe 2025 will be just as invigorating, if not more so.
Good Morning. I am sure Lucilius has received some letters that have been delayed, due to conditions during the collapse. I would enjoy reading them. Woody
ReplyDeleteWoody, you made me laugh and completely lifted my spirits this morning. Of course he has. The end of the year has gotten in the way of my normal posting schedule, but we will get back on track shortly.
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