What if we talked about blogging like we talk about the church?
You may not notice it, but I’m facing inner-tension in my life. Regrettably, I’m approaching 2,000 subscribers. Some might celebrate that new megablog status, but I’m dealing with all kinds of turmoil. Let me explain…
- I recently had a few subscribers leave my blog for smaller blogs. They were looking for a site where they could shake hands with the blogger at the end of each post.
- I’ve started getting complaints that I don’t do enough posts for singles.
- Some folks won’t subscribe to my blog because it’s too "attractional." They think I need to find a way to bring my message to the people rather than expecting them to come to my site.
- I’m getting complaints that my posts need to be longer and deeper. People think I’m making it too easy for folks to understand what I’m saying. Something about a camel and the eye of a needle…
- There are some people who think bloggers should only use the Times Roman font.
- Another group of people thinks it’s blasphemous that I’m "targeting" church leaders with my content. They think I should be trying to reach all blog readers.
- I happen to decide on the title of each post after I’ve finished writing the content. I’m a post-titlest. The pre-titlests think there’s a passage in Revelation someplace that suggests that may make me the anti-Christ.
- I don’t type posts with my hands raised in the air. You know what that means…
Well, I just wanted to let you know that I realize my blog has a lot of readers, and I’m trying to fix that. If you have suggestions on how I can make my blog smaller and healthier, I’d really appreciate it.
This is SO true!!
I guess you are only a couple hundred subscribers from becoming a megablog (a blog defined by 2000 or more subscribers)…
What’s the vision of your blog? Stick to it. Forget about the nitpicking. They do it in church, but you don’t change your church for every person.
If you find any complaints legit, maybe you could bring in guest bloggers that are specialists in different subjects. For instance, bring in a blogger for singles once in awhile.
I can’t believe you rearrange your web site content without contacting me first.
What are you going to move next? The organ?
Perhaps you need a “multi-site” approach.
There is a lot of buzz about that.
Have you considered starting a multi-site blog? Blog planting is challenging but can work out well. Some bloggers have 4 or 5 different sites, and they use RSS feeds to “pipe in” the content. ;)
Great post! I got back from church just a few minutes ago and was kind of grumpy because I was stopped on my way out of worship by somebody that wanted to complain to me that we are just getting too big. This post brought a smile to my face.
Well, I for one think that you are doing a great job at meeting MY needs, but I don’t think I need to come back to your evening posts.
Excuse me. Isn’t this your blog. If they don’t want to read it then it’s really no big deal, right? I don’t enjoy every article written in my local paper, half the news at 6:00 doesn’t pertain to me, but it is news or information meant for someone. People learn to weed out songs off a CD they don’t like, they can weed out the info on a blog they don’t like.
So Tony, be yourself and write what God inspires you to write. When the day is done you will have done the right thing.
Leanpig is right. It’s your blog.
My advice would be to leave it alone. With 2000 readers It Ain’t broke, ) so why fix it ?
I used to be a Times Roman guy but I finally saw the light and use both Arial and Tahoma now.
Tony – this cracked me up.
Forget the noise. Everyone knows there is enough of it out there to listen to for a lifetime. I remember a story about a prominent evangelist who was called to answer his critics, he said “Why should I get off my combine to go squash a mouse”?
I been attending your blog for awhile… I’ve observed over the past year that it’s changed. Did you used to be Microsoft Word based? I think since you’ve gone to using those new fanangeld technological gadgets your message has become, well, i don’t know, different. Maybe you should go back to what you used to do…
I recently gave a few comments to your blog and haven’t been asked to be part of a committee or blog leadership team. Is that what I can expect?
The blog I used to comment on actually put me on its roles and let me know it appreciated my input.
Also…I have a gift of blog counseling and would like to set up a ministry to make sure each and every of your subscribers feel loved and listened to. When can I start?
Tony, I certainly know what you’re going through. My subscriber list has reached 3 and the onslaught of comments is pretty overwhelming.
Just do what I do, keep typing! If I lose a subscriber or two…er…ummm…well, for me that would be devestating. But not so bad for you.
there will always be critics in life. it’s your blog..you chose the direction. can you imagine how people would change (do change) the Bible if they could becuase it doesn’t fit THEIR agenda?
Tony,
You crack me up!!
I heard you had several spiritual gifts: sarcasm was the one I heard the most….hhmmmmm. I’m thinking that it is a great asset and I thank you for being willing to use your gift!!!! LOL
you are too dictatorial – you need a blog committee. That way you’ll have input into your posts and avoid offending anyone or causing them to feel left out of the process…
wow, all i really can say is, who moved my cheese?
When I joined your blog there were only 1500 subscribers, it felt more like a family. I not being fed like I once was your posts have been so shallow They aren’t as spirtual as they once were. I think God is leading me to another blog. (I tried to put all my favorite church member break up lines I could remember.)
“Stop. Collaborate and listen, Ice is back with a brand new invention.”
Okay okay. I had no idea how to chime in here without saying something someone else has already said… sooo… I figured a line from Vanilla Ice was just as good as anything.
Maybe all new blog subscribers should get a free video download of you and Perry rapping.
“cell blogs.” or maybe you can call them “small blogs” or maybe… “growth blogs”
Not a chance your ever going to make all 2000 people happy.If somehow you do, blog about it because I need to know how you pulled it off.
My advice, it’s your blog so you should do it how you want to do it. If you do anything else you won’t be happy with your own blog.
If it helps, I probably woudn’t be blogging if it wasn’t for you so stay true to Tony.
But isn’t it really Jesus’ blog? After all, why aren’t all blogs growing?
Tony,
Personally, all the naysayers need to get a grip. I love your blog. You call it like it is. Techno geeks are in BIG TIME. These blogs and podcasts reach people that probably otherwise dont go to church. I say whatever it is that I need to on my blogs and I only have two subscribers. I am not worthy to be in your blogsphere. Keep it up!! Let Jesus shut you down if you are not doing His work.
Uh… I don’t think this post means what it appears some of you think it means. For example, this post has nothing to do with my blog.
tony
Man, if this is a hybrid versus SUV thing and not about mega seeker churches, I’m going to flip.
Tony, this is genius. The whole point of satire is to help us think about something from a different perspective, and you have more than succeeded at that for me. I’m not serving in a mega-church (nor do I have a mega-blog :) ) but all of those issues still ring true.
Thanks for this!
Funny stuff.
Funny stuff.
Funny stuff
Funny stuff
Change? I have been a faithful follower for a long time! I can’t believe you’d change so much so quickly!
Love it.
Tony,
I like your blog design before. And, why would you change the design every once in a while? You’ve had the other design for years, why change it? All of us who were the first ones to subscribe to your blog wants the old one, and you’re going to change the design for the younger subscribers? Hump!
:D
I am probably going to find another blog. Your blog is too mission oriented. You need to take better care of those of us who are already here before you focus on people who aren’t here yet. ;-)
You don’t care about your readers. Some of us have been in the hospital, and you haven’t even stopped by to see us…
You crack me up Tony! I bet there’s a boycott looming … and they’ll do a background check on you (especially if you’re friends with Ed Stetzer, and then they’ll take you off the shelves at Lifeway! Be warned ….
Great post Tony! I literally laughed out loud (not just a LOL, but a real one) on pre-titlest/Revelation comment. Crazy what people get hung up on huh? Keep up the great work Bro!
Alex
Naw. Keep doin’ what your doin’. Maybe just add a ‘critics’ link that sends them nowhere. Bet they’ll find something there to complain about. ;-) Keep it up. Blog has been great!
I’ve visit your blog regularly but now I am leaving as you have offended me. You mention Pre-Titlest and also Post-Titlest but you still keep giving your posts titles. What about A-Titlest.
Or maybe you are just getting mixed up with your Golf Balls.
LOL :-)
How can you call this a church…I mean blog? I really believe you must have an American flag and Christian flag in the auditorium…I mean, on the blog-page. Then God can be honored here.