The Few, The Proud, The Followers

First and foremost, I do not like the term "followers" as it applies to blogs.  The word conjures up visions of Jim Jones and large buckets sloshing with Koolaide.  There seems to be the implication the "followed" is to be revered in some way. 

With all that said, I must admit that lately I have been analyzing blogs that people tend to follow.  Some blogs have received a jumpstart in numbers because Blogspot has featured them in "Blogs of Note."  A fellow blogger noted that he averaged about 25 pageviews per day with about 120 followers.  I have 13 followers and average 50-100 pageviews per day.  Go figure.

I'm not a triskaidekaphobe.  In fact, the number 13 is nice because it's a very easy number to remember.  Having a low number of followers keeps me both grounded and humbled, believe you me.  God gave me a love for writing and lots of words to spew.  So, writing is my hobby.  My sport.

I have to admit that I have analyzed the situation from many angles.  I've come to the conclusion that while many people have viewed my posts, my "demographic" is made up of...let's see...how you say...uh...middle-aged women who are just now figuring out how to friend people on facebook.  Blogging is a whole other universe in the cyber galaxy.  Clicking on the "follow" icon brings up a pop-up window that asks too many questions.  "Sign in using an account you've already created."  Huh?!  The choices are:  Google, twitter, Yahoo, Aim, Netlog, and OpenID.  For most people my age, none of those accounts mean anything.  So, we shrug and click the "close window" button.

Let's say that there is a brave person that reads below the "account you've already created" choices given and sees "Create a new Google Account."  That is one scary button to click.  "Account" for what?  We watch Dr. Phil.  We know the evils of cyberspace and identity theft.  There must be a catch.  We don't want a bunch more junk mail showing up in our mailboxes.  No, sir.  We do not.

Hold my hand.  We're about to jump into the great big abyss of "create an account."  I want you to see what happens.  Go ahead.  Click on "Create a new Google Account."  The required info is your email address and a password.  I'm guessing that if you up and start making lewd and rude comments on Blogspot blogs, they will want to be able to encourage you to watch your language privately via your email account.  I think that "United States" is enough for your location.  Unless, of course, you are one of the people from Denmark, the Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Slovenia, Germany or Japan who stop by my blog from time to time.  I don't think that you have to enter in your birthdate.  You can always make one up.  Here's your chance to be forever 21.

What do you get for your Google account?  Well, let me just tell you!  You get to leave comments on blogs.  Comments are welcomed!!  Once you start, you'll be surprised how often you end up commenting on a variety of blogs.  Just today, I left a comment on a Chicago artist's blog because he has a really cool idea about Art Mail.  Now, he knows that a housewife in Lubbock thinks he's really smart.  See how rewarding commenting can be?!

There you have it.  All you need to know about following a blog.  I'll still be posting on facebook every time I have a new blog for you to read.  That dog will still hunt.  I just wanted to encourage you to jump out there and try something new and hip.  Just think about it.  Most of you saw the Beatles the first time they were on the Ed Sullivan Show.  You remember the first time you saw a color TV.  Like me, there was a time when you didn't think that "home computing" would ever catch on.  Well, look at us.  Look how far we've come!  The question is:  how far will we go?!

BTW:  The guy who averaged about 25 pageviews a day jumped to about 100 pageviews PER HOUR when his blog was selected as a Blog of Note.  He had 3000 views in one 24 hour period.  That's pretty cool!  Even cooler than that?  He's a retired school teacher.