ANDRE BEGIN

Even though I have been blogging for more than 10 years, if there is one thing I can count on is that I just can’t predict what will be a hit among readers, and what will barely register a blip in page views.

Sometimes I wonder if each article is a like a lottery ticket, never really knowing whether the next one will yield a free ticket, a small prize or a jackpot. And I’m OK with that.

To be perfectly honest, it really doesn’t matter to me either way. I write because I enjoy writing.

I take great care to ensure every article is well written, has a logical construction, and that I stick my landing at the end.

If it is a humorous story, I do my best to ensure that there is entertainment value to it, and that I have done my best to incorporate the right metaphors, analogies and punchlines in the right places, without it feeling forced.

Of course, I enjoy when an article finds its following and resonates with readers. I also enjoy when an article generates feedback and comments, especially in a good way.

But even after 10 years, I can’t say I know what is the “special sauce” that makes an article successful when the following happens:

• Certain posts for which I spent a ridiculous amount of time fussing don’t seem to find a following while certain ones that made it from idea to finished product in a couple hours become a hit among readers.
• Sometimes, I have an idea for a topic that is interesting to me but I worry might not be to everyone else. When that happens, I go ahead and write it and share it anyway. I am often surprised (in a good way) at the resulting number of page hits and comments.
• I have seen an article posted in one platform reach a satisfying and respectable number of page hits but have me tapping on the microphone, asking “Is this thing on?” in a different platform… and vice versa.
• I have also witnessed an article that gets limited readership in the days immediately following its posting, receive hundreds of views months or even years later, with no active effort on my part to improve its visibility. How does that even happen?

While I try to learn from those experiences, I believe there is a limit to how many lessons one can derive thanks to the factor completely out of our control: the algorithms.

I realize that there is a whole art to search engine optimization (SEO) to send a message to the algorithms saying, “Hey look at me!”

I do my best to read up on the topic and try to incorporate some of the suggestions, but does writing for the algorithms as opposed to writing for the readers take some of the humanity and authenticity out of the equation?

Or is it possible to successfully appeal to both?

In that same train of thought, the internet is full of advice from different experts with tips and hints on how to maximize engagement.

I think there is valuable advice out there… the problem is when the advice conflicts from one source to another.

Who’s to say that in those situations, they aren’t both right and have achieved success with different methodologies? Again, let’s chalk that up to the mysterious algorithms.

That being the case, at the end of the day, I take all of the advice with a grain of salt.

I try not to lose sleep over the factors over which I have little to no control.

I just write for the simple pleasure of writing about topics and situations I have experienced that I believe are relatable and that may be enjoyable to other readers, especially topics that may not be obvious choices as blog subjects. I like a good challenge!

Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t, and I am OK with both eventualities.

After a decade of writing articles and riding the ups and downs in statistics like a roller coaster, I don’t take anything personally anymore especially if the outcome is the result of an algorithm rule that is an ever changing moving target.

That being the case, I think it helped me develop a thick skin when it comes to looking at the resulting statistics.

So if you are a writer-blogger and you truly enjoy this format for sharing stories, don’t get discouraged when the stats aren’t where you’d like to see them.

Your voice is important.

Keep trying.

That’s my plan.

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Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André