How do you blog?

Greetings ya’ll!

Hope you’re having a fine Wednesday. I’m going to postpone the post I oringinally planned (don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about that giveaway!) and sidestep here for a second for a call for advice. I am at a major turning point with American Gourmande, and I need to decide which direction I want to take this blog. I think that this is a subject that we can all relate to as bloggers and readers, as some of you have shut down your blogs or written posts apologizing that you feel the need to pull back the reins on your blogs. I hope to ignite open discussion and that this post will be helpful to all!

First a little background. I started reading blogs as a New Year’s Resolution. I wanted to become healthier, but msot importantly cultivate a better self image. I was tired of wasting so much mental energy on my appearance. I wanted more confidence. Reading blogs gave me a complete 360. I saw what healthy eating habits and exercise regimens entailed (including eating far more than I ever would have guessed) and read about many of you fabulous women and how you celebrate yourselves inside and out. It was a major turning point for me.

After reading so many blogs I decided to “de lurk.” I wanted to contribute to the community that gave so much to me. Thus American Gourmande was born.

I’ve experimented with different blog styles and voices, whatever floats my boat at the time based on what I’m going through. In Belgium I detailed day to day happenings, as I wanted to show how I strive for moderation and balance while still enjoying the study abroad experience. Now my blog is focusing more on my marathon training and any musings on my eats and how they relate to my life.

I’ve been wanting to generate more blog traffic, which I’m afraid to admit because I don’t want to be accused of being too commercial. But honestly, who wants to spend so much effort on a blog that doesn’t get read? I thrive on the feedback I receive from my readers, and I want to expose my blog to its fullest potential. As I research more on increasing blog traffic, I feel incredibly overwhelmed. Many sites recommend testing out keywords for ultimate search hits, which sounds like an exhausting process. I don’t want to nit pick every word I publish! I love reading blogs, but I don’t want it to become a chore. I usually love reading blogs with my meals, it’s like reading a magazine or newspaper. I love the written word. But lately it feels like a chore ah! so many posts in Google Reader! must get to reading and commenting if I want to make my presence in blog world known! Now, reading blogs feels like work, which I want to avoid when I enjoy my meals. I genuinely want to give feedback to posts if I feel like I can contribute something, but I don’t want my words to become empty just so I can get something said like I love raspberries! How would that further someone else’s blog?

On the other hand, I need to think about blog traffic if I am going to utilize my blog for Team in Training fund raising. Having a blog is a huge resource, and I want to support TNT to my fullest potential. I also have an interest in keeping my blog for the long term–I am considering studying nutrition in conjunction with political science as I am interested in a career in health policy and advocacy, a topic I find fascinating. A health related blog helps many bloggers further their careers.

But I need balance. From this view point I can see myself getting out of control–constantly reading blogs, even the ones that don’t necessarily motivate me (and if they don’t, what’s the point in reading? Do you read a book that you don’t like if you don’t have to?), thinking about posting, posting, generating more blog traffic. Blogging is only one facet of my life, and while I have a little extra time to dedicate to the blog now I cannot maintain the same levels of blog work when I go to school full time and begin other activities.

How do you view your blog? Are you concerned with generating blog traffic? How do you participate in the blog world without being consumed by it? Has blogging interfered with other aspects of your life?

Lately I hear this constant buzz of chitter chatter in my head at all times, and I know that I cannot tolerate its presence 24/7. I could really use some feedback, let me know what you guys think! You don’t even need to have a blog, if you simply read but have thoughts of your own, let me know! De lurk yourselves!

A toute a l’heure!
Maya