I have absolutely no idea.
Is it just me or does there seem to be no rhyme or reason to which posts get a lot of attention and which posts don’t?
There have been posts that have taken me literally hours to write. I have edited photos, revised my wording, changed everything to the active voice, done a great deal of research, shared fantastic advice and hit publish, anxiously awaiting the deluge of comments that will inevitably ensue.
And I get nothing.
Then there are posts like yesterday’s post. To be completely honest, I wrote that post in about ten minutes. Sure, I had “written” it at least a dozen times in my head during my last two runs, but sitting down to type it? Maybe ten minutes. On top of that, I re-used photos that had been posted on my blog before. And yet, I had more comments and more page views than I have ever received before.
Why?
I wish I knew.
There doesn’t seem to be a magic formula to blogging. But there is something else about yesterday’s post that may have had something to do with it. I wrote from the heart. So much so that I always watered down my tone before hitting publish. But against my better judgment, I left it as is. I actually feared I might get some retribution from “real runners” who might think of me as whiny or weak. I am so thankful that I actually got the opposite response! So many of you felt the same way I did.
So while I don’t have a checklist of things that will promise to make your blog post popular, I do have one piece of advice:
Be authentic.
The world is craving authenticity. I think that is why blogging has become such a popular medium in the first place. We are tired of watered-down, censored material. We want raw emotion, transparent feelings. We want to read blogs we can relate to, something that makes us nod in agreement. Or it might be something that causes us to raise an eyebrow. Whatever it is, we want it to be honest.
I hope you find that here.
What do you think is the most important thing for bloggers to remember?
thewannabeathlete@gmail.com
I came to your blog yesterday because Caitlin from Healthy Tipping Point gave you some link love on her facebook page! But, the 10 min mile message was just something that really resonated with people!
I definitely think writing from the heart is important
My most popular posts are about homemade burrito bowls and my new laptop… who knows?
Couldn’t agree more, the same thing has happened to me. Keep doing what you’re doing, Callie, I love your blog!
Lisa @ The Splattered Apron recently posted..My First Week Back at Work
I think you hit the nail on the head, Callie. Speak from the heart, speak about something that means a lot to you, and speak simply. One of the things I LOVE about blogging is that you very quickly learn that you don’t write in a vaccum. You’re a lot less alone than you feel when you hit the “post” button and wonder “who cares what I think?” Lots of people do
So glad to know you, and I’m looking forward to reading more of your heartfelt words and saying “me, too!”
Amma recently posted..Learned…For Me
I wish i knew what makes a great blog post! Wouldn’t that be nice to have a set standard, we can all follow! haha But, I think your right, when you are open, honest and authentic people will relate to you and want to share their story as well. it’s important to be real!
Mattie @ Comfy and Confident recently posted..Stay Active at Work
I am new to the blogging world, both writing & reading. The posts that I find most appealing to read are the one’s that feel “real.” Maybe these are the one’s that do come from the heart of the writer. Sometimes, a post can feel too forced, formal, and full of way too much information for the average runner/blogger. Those are the one’s that are less appealing to me.
If people read your blog for the first time yesterday, maybe they will be smart and start following you!
Amy recently posted..No Shortcuts
I think your post was a hit because it was so honest and so many people feel you have to be fast to be considered a runner. I wish more women realized it is more about the journey and not how fast you get to the finish.
It was a great post that made women feel good about what they are doing.
Great job!
Missy recently posted..Weirdness Wednesday
loved the honesty of yesterdays post. I am glad the trolls didn’t find you! (They were too busy on my blog haha) I agree that when i am the most open and sincere it seems to resonate the most with people.
Heather Montgomery recently posted..A Look Back 1/11
So funny…I always wonder the same things. The posts I think are great and/or took me longer to write don’t seem to receive the same response as the one-off easy posts. You’re exactly right…people want to hear you write from the heart. Great job…as always.
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength recently posted..Strength Training Progress
Amen!!!
I couldn’t agree more
xoxo
It’s funny you mentioned this… I’m just starting out in the blog world and am constantly in awe of how great other blogs are. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said be authentic..write from the heart… I struggle with remembering “you are the best at being you”. I’m so glad to find your blog through Meghann @ Meals and Miles!
Christina recently posted..Not What I Imagined…
I just found you and so happy I have!!! I saw your link posted on another blog and had to run over here. (yesterdays post) As a 10+ minute runner you spoke to me, you touched me and you even brought tears to my eyes!
Thank you for being so honest and sincere!!! I cant wait to catch up on your blog fully
Have a great day!
Michelle
I’m so glad you found me! Thanks for stopping by!
I always try to keep it “real” on my blogs, however I don’t know the magic formula for a popular blog post either. I am trying to get more comments, so companies actually know people are reading the blog, but they just aren’t coming in! grrr.
I agree that it makes NO sense how much traffic blog posts get. My most visited blog was one that took me 5 minutes to write.
Good luck. And if you find the magic behind a successful blog post – send it my way!!!
Ali (@ahatfield08)
I think it’s important to be consistent… and to constantly be writing in your head! I find the same phenomenon happening on my blog. I also think it’s interesting to see what posts stay popular… like a post I wrote on Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease when Eli had it. Someone looks at that post every single day.
Casey recently posted..Football!
I’ve been blogging for a year and still can’t figure it out! Loved your post from yesterday though – so true! I’m getting faster now (and working really, really hard to do it!), but for a long, long time a 10 minute mile was nothing more than a dream!
Anyone who is out there running, trying to get or stay healthy, and having fun is a runner. I don’t care how fast they run.
(OK, even if they aren’t having fun. Sometimes it isn’t fun! 
)
Kris @ Trying To Tri recently posted..Proof that Sugar is a Trigger Food! And a Good Run
Authenticity is the biggest thing. It’s why I love certain blogs and don’t care for others. Heart! That’s all that matters. Love you!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Switch From “Diet Eating” to “Healthy Eating”
I think it is your honestly and as you mention you speak from the heart, your title was eye-catching. It was nice seeing in print that us average people out there should be just as happy with our accomplishments, whether we are single digit runners (9min pacers) or double digit runners (10+ min pacers). I am happy to be able to say I at least gave it my best!
Monica D Franks recently posted..Do I have enough fuel for my training program, is the question.
I agree about authenticity being the #1 thing for bloggers to remember/embrace. It’s what I aim for with all of my blog posts, and why I love reading yours (and not just yesterday’s post but all of them). The way you’ve been honest about your post-birth weight struggles is very encouraging – showing that you don’t have it all together but are still staying positive.
Kathy recently posted..Five Randos
So funny cause I was just thinking the same thing today! Today’s post on my blog has gotten the most hits in a single day that I think I have ever had…and I literally wrote it in 10 minutes because I was so fired up and mad about the topic!! It was more important to me to get my opinion out there and less important as to whether it was please people…and I think that goes back to what you are saying about authenticity. Readers truly sense when a writer is passionate about a topic!
Heather@Just a Colorado Gal recently posted..Size 6 = Plus Sized???
oh yes if there were rules on how to write “big” post life would be easier, haha
we have had the experience, funny how it works, but like you said being true and real is the most important! which is something we strive for on every post
I have no idea what it takes to write a polar blog post but I found as you said when you write from the heart it just works!!
Toni@runninglovingliving recently posted..What’s In My Gym Bag? Featuring Sara from Endorphin Mom
If your post is linked from facebook/twitter from a huge blogger, then chances are you will get more comments;)
Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope recently posted..On-Ramp Class #2 #crossfit
Haha. That certainly does help! By the way, I’m loving your CrossFit posts. I’ve been so curious about it. I’d really like to check it out sometime!
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i always feel like the posts that show genuine vulnerability are the most appealing to me. they’re the ones that compel me to comment and make the blogger seem like someone human, not just a “character” on the internet. loved this post, callie!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers recently posted..Too Saucy
I agree that authenticity is important. I don’t do well reading blogs of people who seem to write just in hopes of having lots of readers. I truly want to get to know someone.
Leslie @ Body Won’t Break recently posted..done looking for the critics (week 10)
I will preface this with saying I have not read the post your referring to yet. However I just wanted to say I completely understand and agree with this post. It is a little frustrating to see how many hits you have gotten on a post yet there are zero comments. Yes, we blog for ourselves but it is nice to know there is a live audience.
MrsSwan recently posted..MrsSwan.com