As a participant in the 2015 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge I'm joining in with others who are offering their reflections on this sixth edition of the annual event. The Reflections posts have been a tradition from the first Challenge in 2010. To see the entire list of bloggers with Reflection posts visit the A to Z Challenge Blog. The Linky List will open on Monday May 4th.
A Few Words about A to Z 2015
As a rule this blog receives few visits with a very minimal number of comments. This past April was no exception. During A to Z A Few Words had an average of less than 50 visits per day with the largest number occurring for the post I for Idols which received 90 visits. This was the only post I promoted to any great extent and even though the post had more visits then others, there were only three comments on this somewhat controversial approach that I took regarding this topic.
Low turn-out is probably to be expected on this blog due to the nature of the subject matter. Of course I'm disappointed that there are not more visitors to this blog, but I'm not surprised either. Something that I do wonder about is how many people actually do find blogs from the Linky List. A Few Words was added a few days after the list opened and probably started near the number 500 spot or somewhere in that vicinity. I guess we'd need to know more stats from other bloggers to come close to any conclusion about the effectiveness of visits coming from the Linky List and that's something we'll likely never know for sure.
As on my other blogs with low traffic, I'm disappointed about the performance but not discouraged. At least I have content added to my blog that has the potential of being seen by someone eventually. And some of the content might be something I can eventually use for other purposes one day. Content is good to have on hand as we never know when we might need it or how it might be useful to us.
My focus remains on my main blog Tossing It Out. That's the blog I tend to promote the most and the blog that serves my interests the most. I see A Few Words as my attempt to serve God. Even if this blog is merely writing and blogging practice for me, preparing the posts helps keep me in some Bible study while giving me more opportunity to write. The blog is not in vain nor is participation in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Sometimes the effectiveness of what we do now is not evident until sometime in the future.
and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3
English Standard Version (ESV)
God works one person at a time. Low numbers mean nada.
ReplyDeleteSo true, but still by blogging terms I guess I can't help but think in numbers to some extent.
DeleteLee
To me, when I write a spiritual post, I'm writing it for God. His plan may be to use it to change one life, encourage on person. So, you made thirty spiritual posts, so if He used yours that way, then you could have been used by God to touch 30 lives. And that, my friend is an awesome thought! We won't know just how many lives we were used to touch until we get to glory. And then we'll be amazed. Perhaps by the number, perhaps by some of the lives that were touched or how they were. What rejoicing! What praise and honor for our Lord!
ReplyDeleteVisit me at: Life & Faith in Caneyhead
We never really know what's happening with a blog unless someone happens to tell us. But what you say is true. I don't do this blog for my own glory.
DeleteLee
I do find blogs through the Linky list; one thing that attracts me to blogs is the name of it; I do think that's how I found your blog two challenges ago now. I did comment and visit a couple of times at least this past challenge; I just ran out of time with lots else going on including increased work demands. I think I said it before, but sometimes we don't know who reads these words of ours so putting them out is good even if we don't get a comment on the blog.
ReplyDeleteI did read your idols now; interesting thoughts you presented here.
betty
I know A to Z participants have a lot going on so many blogs, not just this one, receive low numbers in visits. I like that fact that these posts are here just in case someone happens upon them now and then.
DeleteLee
Lee, you linked to this blog on your first comment on mine in 2013. I visit from time to time, but we have discussed the problems with commenting elsewhere. Some of your readers may not be bloggers and possibly more reluctant to comment. Sue Sue’s Trifles
ReplyDeleteI think you're partly right. I don't leave questions on this blog like I do the others and I normally don't even respond to the comments I do receive here so the few who stop are likely to read and then move on not having anything to add. I can only hope some of those who stopped are fulfilled in some way by my messages.
DeleteLee
Lucky me. I did not participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge this year, but I'm still a follower and a fan of yours. Keep up the grand work! ~d.
ReplyDeletethanks for your continued support.
DeleteLee
By the way, Dana, if you're reading this, clicking on your name does not take me to any profile. I was trying to figure what is your blog if you have one. Please leave your link if you see this.
DeleteLee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI do like this blog, in fact I like it "better" than your main blog because I find it encouraging and uplifting as a general rule. I don't always comment because I either don't have anything particularly noteworthy to say, or I'm checking it from a mobile device on the fly. As to your numbers, they are still impressive to me!
Unlike my other blogs I don't ask questions here as I'm not necessarily looking for conversation. In fact I normally don't reply to comments on this particular blog for the same reason, unless a reply is somehow warranted. Thanks for your visits nevertheless.
DeleteLee
Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!
ReplyDeleteMary @ Jingle Jangle Jungle
thanks, Mary!
DeleteLee
I just saw your hiatus post and went back to read this one. I know what you mean. Even before I joined the challenge, when I only shared my posts on Facebook and didn't participate in the blogging community, I often wondered if anyone was really paying attention to what I wrote. I would get some likes on Facebook, but my pageviews went down after the first couple posts. I also had few comments during the challenge and my blog was in the 1300 range on the list. I started this as a personal challenge for myself in both writing and Bible study, and as they said above, even if only one person was encouraged by my words, God can still use them in someone's life. I tried to remember to pray before I wrote each post, and I can only hope that someone out there will find meaning through my writing for God, even if I never find out this side of heaven.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, posting about faith and scripture can be difficult in attaining an audience from my experience here and observing other bloggers doing the same. This blog of mine has never been about numbers or wide readership, though it would be nice to have. It does help me with my own Bible study even when no one else seems to be reading.
DeleteLee
Hello there.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge! I've actually visited this blog a couple of times before and during the challenge. I have found that the topic of religion is a very touchy one and most people either just don't like to talk about it or don't even believe in God. It's sad, because the Bible actually tells us that we have an obligation to serve God and obey His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Stopping by from the Road Trip to say thanks for all your help with managing the challenge.
Entrepreneurial Goddess