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November 29, 2005
Why Bleeding Edge blogs
We kid you not. This morning we went for a very long walk into the city. Tramping along through Albert Park, we gave ourselves a lecture on the financial realities of this blogging life. You see, we think we've proved that in Australia at least, it's pretty much impossible to survive with a blog that posts original content, rather than sucking up what other people write, and creating buckets of links.
"Really," we told ourselves, "you've got to stop wasting your time, and do some more freelance writing. Blogging doesn't pay the bills."
Then, this afternoon, we got the following unsolicited e-mail from a reader:
"I will interrupt myself right at the start and say I notice you saying (again, or still?) how busy you are.
"Busy is good as long as it is productive, satisfying and within your limits. These limits are very individual and relate to more than mental and physical stamina. They include attending to other things in your life that refuel the tank. Food, entertainment, family, friends, good wine, rest. Please keep it all in balance or you WILL burn out.
"What I was writing about before I rudely interrupted myself was patronage of your site. Living a simple life as I do (I didn't keep it all in balance and I did burn out) I don't have a lot of the "ready $" but I do value and use your site. I was wondering about becoming a patron by arranging a direct transfer to your nominated bank account
each month. The amount I have in mind is $10 per month. Whilst it would be a lot easier for me it may create work for you that you do not wish to undertake, particularly if others wish to avail themselves of the facility.
"In a quieter time let me know what you think about it. I'm not offended if you decline."
We wrote a humourous column in the Weekend Australian for several years, and we were doing much the same thing in Good Weekend magazine and other publications before we turned to writing about technology. We probably got more positive feedback than the average journalist ever does. But we never felt that we actually had a relationship with our readers. That's what's different about blogging. Honestly. We're very touched. Thanks, Steven.You really did make our day.
Posted by cw at November 29, 2005 03:56 PM
Comments
I think Steven probably reflects the views of a lot of your readers. Bleeding edge is my home page and I value the views of the contributors, but understand you have to have a life!
The use of links in blogging is fine, what better way to surf than to explore links supplied from kindred souls!
So if you guys disappear for a week I'll know you're doing something interesting and in time you'll tell us about it!
Cheers.
Posted by: grumpy at November 29, 2005 05:15 PM
I'll also back Steve up. I enjoy your blog enormously, and it's one of my 15 "morning tabs" I open in firefox every morning.
Posted by: Richard at November 30, 2005 05:20 PM
I enjoy your site. I'd check it out every day generally. I guess I hope it's an enjoyable thing for you to do too, and not becoming a chore. Your site appears to be a very successful one, and so there must be some excitment in that. As time goes on I suppose it's something you'd get more used to, and while before, to see hits accumulating would be a sense of achievement, one would, over time, think: hey - this is now a whole lot of work. Things evolve, your site is. I hope it turns out as well for you as it is (for) your readers.
Posted by: Lawrence Martin at December 1, 2005 09:37 PM
I also find writing for your own blog offers far more flexibility than traditional media, and being able to link, add graphics and receive comments et al makes it a far more interactive, immediate and, by extention, satisfying writing experience.
Now, if i could only get people to visit ;)
Posted by: Gav at December 2, 2005 01:24 PM
I concur with all the above and would happily subscribe to a 'members' system - $10pcm is ok give or take. Please keep going
Posted by: rasp8 at December 3, 2005 12:53 PM