Friday 9 January 2015

Support

I have been blogging for 4 years.

This blog is a shadow of itself from where it began to where it is now. Like me it has definitely grown and changed to reflect where and who I am.

It's only really been the last 6 months that I have started networking my blog and gaining followers. Although my statistics haven't really changed over the 4 years in the way of people viewing my posts that one thing that has changed dramatically is the commenting.

This is the main thing that I am currently loving. It is really encouraging that people want to put their views and opinions to something that I have written.

I have formed friendships with my regular readers where we all support each other and their achievements as well as when they're in their low moments.

This year really has started in a bad way for me. These last few days have been particularly hard on me. But I have been supported by lots of different people. Be it via the blog, people asking after me on Twitter, Facebook groups wondering where I have been and even new found friends through blogging texting and supporting me. (One person especially has been truly amazing and I am lucky that blogging introduced us)

It's strange that 4 years ago my blog and who I was as a person was so different. By the end of this month I am really pushing my blog to a new level. I will be moving over to WordPress and being self hosted. I will be creating a Facebook page and I will be doing reviews for products in the next few weeks when they arrive. All of this probably won't change my viewing statistics as that hasn't changed. But if it wasn't for the Support that I have been getting through,and because of, here I probably wouldn't be  pushing this to its best possible place.

So thanks for the support it has really been great and I hope that it continues. I am hopefully going to get on top of the way I have been feeling and get back to myself....then you won't be able to stop me from blogging everyday again!!


19 comments:

Unknown said...

I wish I could make myself blog daily,but it just doesn't happen. Having the support of bloggers around you is awesome!

Unknown said...

I can't even begin to describe what blogging has done for me as a person and father, it started as keyboard therapy and has moved on to a hobby. Getting to know you and the other bloggers in our various networks is only going to be beneficial to all of us. Keep up the good work Martyn.

Martyn Kitney said...

Thanks for commenting Spike! I took a few days off over Christmas but apart from that I've been able to blog daily....even twice a day in places. Just haven't been in a great place to the last few days. Even took a massive effort to write this up. But it's definitely awesome to have support from people especially bloggers when you go through similar things.

Martyn Kitney said...

Thanks Gary. Mine started the same as yours....that's why it's called insidemartynsmind it was a place to rant or put my thoughts across a great therapy platform. But getting to know everyone is great....much better than doing it alone.

Robb McKinney said...

Great job on maintaining your blog; we all know how therapeutic yet stressful it can be. I'm looking forward to more posts and to catching up. Good luck on the transitions!

Martyn Kitney said...

Thanks Robb! Hope you enjoy it. I'm sure the transition will run smoothly.

Plutonium Sox said...

I love reading your blog Martyn. You'll find your viewer figures increase once you go self hosted. I hope you are feeling better soon.x

Martyn Kitney said...

Thanks Natalie!! Love my regular readers like yourself so glad you love reading it. And thanks hope I will soon!

Brian Scott said...

Great post Martyn! It is truly amazing the support we get from our group. My blog has been therapeutic for me in sharing my thoughts with others. I hope in 2015 your blog grows beyond your expectations.
I have a question for you; I switched from WordPress to blogger for extra freedom with my blog, what is it that makes you want to do the opposite, and how do I get reviews? I was hoping you would share your secret with me on the reviews part. You can send me a private message if you want.

Thanks and as always great post.

Martyn Kitney said...

I do feel slightly restricted here in blogger. Mine will be my own domain via WordPress I'm also lucky enough to have a friend set it all up. My wish is this; I want a more professional looking blog and I don't feel blogger offers that. I am also 'pitching' myself rather than unique selling point. I want to be able to express that clearly and individually...For example: if I write a post on church and Christianity and one of my regular readers is looking for parenting and an atheist I will be damaging my stats and repeat views. I know people can search under labels via blogger but I want tabs. I believe me as a person and my interests; parenting, church, health and home schooling should be show cased together as it is 'Martyn's thought' but in this new design I can post, still be me, allow unique and possibly repeat visitors and offer more for anyone who is seeking more than one thing.

As for reviews: I'm lucky to be honest. An old school friend runs a home education resource company....so I asked her if I could review her products as it suited my blog. I joined and followed a twitter blogger assignment page that offers different reviews I can link them to you If you want and finally, I was lucky the Al from the dad network suggested me for one.

As far as I am aware the best thing is to start doing reviews and from them more will come. As I haven't quite done them yet I don't know but when I do ill let you know :-) hope that helps

Unknown said...

I wouldn't worry too much about stats etc - just continue to create decent content and the views and comments will come. Sounds like you have some big plans for 2015 with self hosting, FB et al - look forward to reading more :)

Martyn Kitney said...

Thanks for commenting Dave. Yeah I'm not too worried about stats as they have stayed the same in those 4 years. If I was losing views I might question it. But it's definitely time to move forward and create something more from the blog....All of which I'm finding exciting.

Brian Scott said...

Thanks for that, I guess I'm not familiar with how to separate my topics with WordPress. I switched because I couldn't use my own domain with them without paying, what I thought to be too much. With blogger I could set up my own domain under $5. And the customization seemed easier as well, for me.

Unknown said...

Sorry that things aren't great for you at the moment Martyn but I've no doubt you'll come out the other side smiling. You're doing a great job with the blog and the boys and you provide lots of support and encouragement for others in the network. Virtual high five to you my friend.

Martyn Kitney said...

Thanks Al! Having the support around and as well as supporting others helps a lot.

Ally Messed Up Mum said...

I have posts almost identical to this myself... 'finding it hard, opened up on blog, loads of support, thank you....'. Its amazing how the network all pulls together and gets each other through our lows. So happy that I can be here for you, and that blogging has introduced us. :) Keep goin mate, you're doin ace xx

Martyn Kitney said...

Definitely! Couldn't agree more!! It's great what the networking opens us up to!
And as for you.....blogging has a lot to answer for! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Great post as ever Martyn. I find it very hard to get time to blog. Am hoping to be able to make rough draft or even just ideas for posts as and when I have a few minutes. Then when I have an hour or so free. I can finish them and schedule to be published later in the week. Chin up Martyn. Things will get better.

Martyn Kitney said...

Thanks! It's an old post but still so true. The community stick together and it's something I am really grateful for! That sounds like the best thing to do! Get a bunch of drafts together and just tweak and publish. I know that's what I do!