Been thinking about foodperson.com all weekend. Wasn’t happy with that last post about the fruits and vegetables. You could have read it anywhere.
Here’s the problem: Due to my long newspaper experience it’s sometimes easier when writing here to fall into general-interest-newspaper mode than into blogger mode, which by its nature is best when there’s a sense of the personality of the writer. The other problem, of course, is time, and doing really meaty (ahem) reporting takes time.
So I’ve been thinking (always dangerous). I’m into my sixth month of blogging. Readership is inching up verrrrrry slowly, but I’m wondering whether I’m offering much that you couldn’t read anywhere. I think I do sometimes, but I’m not sure whether I do often enough.
If you have any thoughts on what you like and don’t like about what you see here, I hope you’ll pass them on, and I’ll think about how your responses fit into my interests and abilities. Have a good week!
Joanne // Sep 11, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I like your posts but often have nothing to say in response. Do you have a counter? Do you know how many people are actually dropping by but aren’t leaving a comment?
One option is to start asking some questions, offering some polls, or involving your readers a little more in what you do. I certainly enjoy the seasonal eating tips, with photos of what you eat. I also like the Kansas aspect of things-sometimes it is different from what’s going on in my neck of the woods.
I find people often respond to the personal stuff, too. When I throw in something that’s a little too much like an article? Not response. When I tell a story with a question or a thought at the end, lots of responses, sometimes really weird ones. Who knew there were ear plugs for horses and possibly even dogs, for instance?
Hope this helps. I like knowing that you’re over here, writing, and standing up for the foodie things I believe in!
Maxine // Sep 11, 2007 at 8:10 pm
But I WOULDN’T read it somewhere else-so you’re filling a need.
Janet Majure // Sep 11, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Thanks, Joanne and Maxine. (Joanne has a very cool blog herself about knitting, writing and, occasionally, food.)
Yes, I do have a counter, and I’ve considered your ideas about questions, polls etc. Maybe I need to quit considering and start doing.
I’ve wondered about the Kansas thing—whether it’s interesting to someone who isn’t in Kansas or whether, in fact, that’s one of the things that makes it interesting to someone not in Kansas since Kansas does seem to be widely regarded as “out there” in many respects!
Oh, heck. Maybe I just need to keep yakking! Maybe if I do make a point NOT to write generic stuff, both I and readers will respond. I do know that responding to blogs isn’t something that my contemporaries are accustomed to doing. That’s why I’ve talked about it some on the FAQ page. I guess we’re all learning.
I do GREATLY appreciate your taking the time to comment. Thanks for your words of encouragement. :)
Joanne // Sep 16, 2007 at 5:46 pm
I thought I’d come back here and respond…ideally, your blog is reaching folks of all ages, because it’s about healthy food-something we should all care about…. Kids, thirty-somethings, and older folks, too. I know there are some babyboomers who are blog readers, I comment on their blogs all the time too. One of the ways I attract readers is by putting my blog in my signature line on emails, and also, by commenting on other folks’ blogs. That seems to boost readership from people of all ages. I say, keep posting, and also-keep finding ways to introduce your blog to new readers. You’ll be surprised how many come back!
Alanna // Oct 2, 2007 at 1:36 pm
As someone who also both writes a food column and a food blog, I know what you mean, the difference in the two. But blogging is as much its own art as column-writing.
One big difference is that the column has an automatic audience, the paper’s subscribers. With the blog, you have to build audience and give people reason/purpose to first find you and then return — to care. I do think it’s hard for especially journalists to make the transition, to be both, though some do. It always seems they save their ‘good stuff’ for pay and the leftovers go on the blog. (And your blog is brand-new to me, so please know I’m not saying this based on my reading experience here.) It seems their blogs are a chore, more work — versus the the curiosity and passion that simply pour out of the ‘non professional’ food blogs.
Half the fun of blogging is the community: are you doing events? learning about photography? commenting on others’ blogs? meeting up with other KC-are bloggers? See? It takes passion (and time) to blog!
And in the end, in my opinion, you have to write for yourself, for your own end, not for others. Because if you’re happy, the fact that no one visits, no one comments, is not a problem.
All this said, it takes time for most blogs to establish their readerships and then to build, especially now, in 2007 when there are a kazillion blogs and a huge number that are really good, fascinating glimpses into kitchen and lives all over the world.
Just my own meanderings …
Janet Majure // Oct 2, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Hey, thanks, Alanna. Nice to know I’m not the only head-scratcher.
The good news is that I have been writing to please me, with the exception of a post or two that I put up mostly because I thought I had to post something. I’m not saving my good stuff for paying markets (not writing about food for money particularly), but I don’t have as much time as might be ideal to dedicate to the blog.
I am learning about photography, commenting. I know it all takes time. Must learn patience, darn it!
Hope you come back. I have seen your site before, but I didn’t comment there. Keep up the good work. — Janet
Adina Levin // Oct 7, 2007 at 7:10 pm
So, what’s interesting and compelling this blog? The personal voice (what you cook, and the exploratory nature of cooking), the local stories (what’s going on in Kansas) . I don’t know anyone in Kansas, and Kansas hasn’t made the national news much except when the education department tried to ban the teaching of evolution. Link-and-comment about items in the news is interesting for others interested in food policy and nutrition. That sub-genre plays the same role as forwarding an article to friends, except you don’t spam your friends, and people who share the interests can self-select. Strict adherence to a formula is not needed, the ability to vary and digress is one of the benefits of having a blog and not a column.
And you’re right, the fruit and vegetable post was generic. It could have been written by anyone in the last 40 years since the food pyramid was invented. And it was impersonal. It wasn’t addressed toward readers who might have experience with canning or beets or unusual cooking implements. It was addressed toward everyman/everywoman sitting and waiting a doctor’s office. Fortunately, the other posts in the blog aren’t generic, so this blog is a pleasure to read.
p.s. I got here from links on Ethicurean.