Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Waste of time?

The day I started this Blog, it was kind of on a whim. I was introduced to a Blog that belongs to some friends of mine and found it interesting. So, I decided to start one myself thinking I would have communications more with others who live a remote lifestyle and it would be a good way to exchange ideas and also to share a lifestyle with those who have an interest in remote living and how we do things.

I have worked at it trying to make it as interesting as I can and for some reason it doesn't seem to work and I can't figure out why. I look at other Blogs and many of them have quite a few people participating in their Blog on a regular basis, I often wonder what is it, I am doing wrong.

I have had a few people who started following my Blog say that I should Blog more often so, that is what I started doing and I think I have made some interesting entries. Still no participation. I am starting to feel it is a waste of time to share what I am doing and not having anyone interested enough to join in.

I would really like to have any input as to what I am doing wrong or how I can make it more interesting to have others participate. It makes no sense for me to be basically, the only one reading this Blog. Thanks

18 comments:

Alaska Bound said...

Well I am not a big blogger so i have no advice. However I am hoping in about 2 years to be moving to alaska. I really enjoy the photos/info on remote living. IT is very helpful to me. Just out of curiosity when you say "more participating" what do you mean?

John

Anonymous said...

it's a very interesting blog to me. the reason it probably doesn't gain as much participation is because everyone probably agrees w/ most of your posts! post more about your particular views perhaps...or some controversial thoughts that you may have...that'll spice it up a little! What did your family think when you moved away from civilization? Mine wasn't too happy...
What kind of guns do you have out there? How do you get new guns in the bush? I live in Kotzebue, which is nothing like your life, but it's certainly nothing like Anchorage either!
Not really looking for a response...just giving you insight on what people may be interested in reading about!

Bushrat John said...

COMMENTS, COMMENTS, COMMENTS, that is what I mean about participation. I didn't create this Blog to talk about things of controversy, I will leave that up to people on the road system. If people have read all of my Blog, I have pictures of the guns I have. It says 21 people are following this Blog, why can't people comment on what I have posted?

The Last Frontier said...

John, I think folks just don't often take the time to post unless they either disagree, totally relate, or feel that they have something to add to what you said.
Often it helps to visit other blogs, comment, and when you sign off, say "John in Alaska" or "John in the Alaskan Bush", or something like that. Other readers who are interested in Alaska may see that and visit your blog.
I don't have all that many followers on my blog, but considering the number, I get relatively few comments. Folks like reading about Alaska, but they don't often say so. I'm sure you're not just talking to yourself here. I don't know how many daily visitors you get, but I'm sure there are lots of folks who would really miss reading about your lifestyle, especially after you get moved onto your land and into your cabin. It is a good way for bush folks to sort of meet.
Best wishes,
Jenny in Alaska :)

becky3086 said...

Well, I'm here now. I'll talk to you until you are tired of hearing from me. Jenny is right though, I find blogs I like by the clicking on the people who come to my blog. Anyway, good luck with the strawberry bread. It sure is good! Oh and I'll be back. Gotta go look at the rest of the blog.

Rumbarr said...

I'll be honest, I read your blog everyday and enjoy it very much John . I post here and there as I figure no one really wants a wannabe Alaskan from Florida,commenting on there Alaskan blog . You want more participation, you got it my friend =)

Bushrat John said...

I really appreciate everyones advice and I will certainly heed them all except the one about posting controversy. There are blogs for that. Staeting tomorrow I turn over a new leaf,LOL

Carol G said...

I like your blog just the way it is. It is simple and inspiring and has lots of good pics. I read it a few times each week. I post when I have something to say. Most evenings I am pretty much brain dead because I have spent the day working and the evening being mom. After that I get a short while to read blogs. Please keep blogging. I'll comment here and there, but you can know that I am reading. If you look at your stats page, you'll probably see that it isn't just you reading your own stuff. You could also put up a cbox. Some people like to talk to you about stuff and not have to go searching for replies... I like the cbox on my site. Sorry I'm not a bush folk to fellowship with you. My husband and I just moved to Alaska last year. We're not ready for that step, but we do enjoy reading about people who are.

Carol G said...

I've been blogging for awhile. When I was a stay at home mom in Colorado I did a lot more blogging. I found that once you find some like-minded friends, they stay with you if you visit their sites and comment on their blogs frequently. However, since I've moved to Alaska I haven't been able to visit them as much, and frankly since I don't have the same lifestyle as they do anymore, I don't have as much in common any more. My true-blue friends still visit regularly whether I go to their blogs much or not, but that is because we have a long history, and maybe they think my crazy twist in the road of a life in Alaska is a bit interesting or maybe they want to see whether we can make it without homeschooling and how that works for us or something, or maybe they're thinking about making the break from homeschooling too... Sorry, I diverged...

Bushrat John said...

You will have to excuse my computer ignorance but, what is a cbox and how do you install one? I really haven't had a computer for that long and don't really put a lot of time on it.

Bushrat John said...

Thanks for the advice Becky, I guess people really do read the blog. It just seemed at the time nobody was. I have to learn more about computers.

Rumbarr said...

Morning John, so you know one of my hobbies is building computers, any questions on hardware, upgrades, performance issues ,don't hesistate to ask .

Also I was reading the Juneau
Empire and someone just reported seeing the first black bear of the spring . Careful out there, looks like they be a waking up hehe =)

Anonymous said...

I noticed back in january 1 someone asked some questions. Pretty good line of questioning based on other blogs I read. Seems to me there are many people who have many questions on the logistics of moving/working/financing a life in the bush... maybe you could post on some of these areas?

Anonymous said...

John, this is Sherry (northbird). I've been posting as "anonymous" on several of your posts because I can't remember my Google mail password. :-P

Anyway, love your blog and hope you keep up with it. I may not comment every day, but I definitely read your blog every day.

Carol G said...

John, if you go to my blog and see my sidebar you will see the little box where people leave comments. It is a cbox. If you hit the cbox link associated with it, it will take you to where you get get your own, then you can get the codes for a "gidget" to put into your sidebar on your template. I'm not very computer literate either and I figured it out. If you run into a problem, let me know and I will try to figure it out for you.

woodsman said...

I check your blog every couple of days, It is one of my favorites to read. I just don't usually sign in. Maybe if your asked more questions on your posts. for example on your recent post where you did laundry at the end of the post you could ask something like "What other ways of doing laundry have you folks seen in a remote setting. One thing I would be interested in seeing is if you have a sketch of your cabin that you are building this summer.

Susan Stevenson said...

Hi John, and thanks for stopping by my blog. :) I read a lot of blogs from folks living in AK, but I've never seen yours, so I'm adding you to Google Reader (that's how I read blogs) so I can follow you.

Sometimes my blog gets very little feedback, and sometimes it gets tons. I think it's the subject matter and if people agree with you or not. Most folks just like to read about life in AK, and don't really say anything. But that doesn't mean they're not interested.

Susan in North Pole

Bushrat John said...

Hi Susan, thanks to you also for stopping by. We get some beautiful scenery out here. Keep in touch.