I am new to the blog world and have spent a good amount of time over the last couple of months studying successful blogs.
I stumbled upon a blog the other day that I found fascinating. It is on a website called www.ThePioneerWoman.com and is written by a woman named Ree who describes herself as “a desperate housewife” who lives in the country and channels Lucille Ball and Ethel Merman. She is a transplant from Los Angeles, where she wore black pumps to work every day, ate sushi and treated herself to pedicures. Then, she met and fell in love with a rugged cattle rancher in Oklahoma who she calls “Marlboro Man.” She’s raising and home-schooling their four kids, who she lovingly calls her “punks.”
In her own words:
“My days are spent wrangling children, chipping dried manure from boots, washing jeans, and frying calf nuts. I have no idea how I got here, but you know what? I love it. Don’t tell anyone.”
The Pioneer Woman, a.k.a, Ree, is an example of the power of blogs. She is funny and a great photographer and has a following that is astounding in the blog world. On a post last month where she was grieving the loss of their beloved dog, Nell, she received nearly 2,000 comments containing condolences (one of them from me!).
Considering I have maybe eight readers at this point (granted I’ve only been blogging for 2 months and she’s been going for several years), her following of loyal readers is something to aspire to.
What makes her blog and website a success? I think it is her genuineness, her willingness to share the ups and downs of her life and her humor. That, and these days, she lives what is considered an atypical life on a working ranch.
With the power of blogs in mind, I would love to hear from any readers (yes, all eight of you) about what I can do to improve this blog. Your comments help me know what subjects resonate with you and will determine what I write about in the future.
As a writer, of books and blog, I am nothing without you, the reader. Please know I am grateful and let me hear from you!
P.S. (added in 2015) I am an ex-shrink who writes award-winning novels. Check out my books here. I’m still blogging!
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