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This is my 100th post at CreditWithdrawal, and I’ve taken a moment to reflect on the past and future.
My traffic isn’t what I’d like it to be by this time, but it’s tough building content that people want to read. Readers are fickle, some of them like emotional from-the-heart articles, while others are more "just the facts" readers. Keeping a mix of articles to satisfy everyone obviously isn’t something I’m good at yet.
I remember starting the blog because I thought I had something to say that was unique and relevant. I still think that’s true, but I’m less optimistic about the unique part. With more than a thousand blogs on Personal Finance alone, it’s easy to sink into obscurity.
The larger, established blogs, like The Simple Dollar, Get Rich Slowly, and Consumerism Commentary have hundreds, if not thousands of articles under their belts covering the entire spectrum of personal finance. It’s hard to find a subject that HASN’T been covered to death on these and other blogs.
I’m still looking for my ‘voice’ for this blog. That sweet-spot between what interests ME and what interests the READERS. I have gotten quite a few new readers subscriptions in the last month, almost a 400% increase, so that’s an encouraging sign. It’s nice to know that someone is starting to notice and pay attention.
I’ve also gotten encouragement from my fellow bloggers and new friends at the M-Network (and friends), and that’s helped a lot. They’re very supportive, but sometimes I still feel like I’m on the outside, looking in. I know that the blog wouldn’t be reaching the people it DOES reach w/o their ideas, assistance, and encouragement, so I have nothing but praise for everyone in the group.
I’ve found that interacting with people only on-line, lacks a ’something’ that I find it hard to define or engender. You get to know people on-line, but there’s an invisible LINE that never gets crossed. Too many times you think of the story of ’so-and-so’ that wound up dead from meeting with an on-line friend, and you draw away from getting to know them any deeper. The web is a congenial, but guarded place to meet people.
Looking back, I shouldn’t expect to be too much farther than I am now. The blog itself has only been around for 5 1/2 months, and there are many other blogs out there that have either been in existence longer with less readership, or have shut down completely by this time. Passing the 6 months milestone (coming up in a few days) is at LEAST a worthy rite of passage.
So looking back, it’s been an interesting path, but looking forward into the mist of the on-coming future,…
Let’s just say the road ahead looks interesting too. 
January 8th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Hey! I enjoyed my visit.
Take Care,
Sharon
January 8th, 2008 at 10:56 am
oh and congrats on your 100th post!
Take care and best wishes,
shr
January 8th, 2008 at 10:58 am
@Sharon,
I appreciate the best wishes. Maybe I’ll chock this post up to the rainy weather outside today. Cold AND wet isn’t a good combination for me.
January 8th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I’d say that being a PF blogger it really helps to be friends with a network. So being friends with the M-Network will help foster your blog as you find your voice, I think.
And of course someday we both dream of being members, I bet.
January 8th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Congrats on 100 posts! Keep working at it, and you’ll find your voice. It took me a while, too, and some days I still feel like I’m searching for my voice.
And your posts are unique, because they’re written from your perspective, and there’s only one Randall (unless you’re hiding a clone somewhere).
Keep at it, and you’ll see growth!
January 8th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Hey, congratulation on reaching 100th post. Don’t feel discourage…you made it this far!
Regarding the outsider thing, it’s easy to feel that way…I feel that sometimes too (heck, and I created the network).
January 8th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Congrats on post #100! I hope that you’re blog is able to continue it’s current growth trajectory!
January 8th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I think that you’re doing pretty well. I know that you have a unique voice, build it (and market it) and they will come.
January 8th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Congrats on the milestone! Working our way out of obscurity is a long arduous task these days with thousands of pf blogs out there.
“Keeping a mix of articles to satisfy everyone obviously isn’t something I’m good at yet.”
I’m not sure this is the key to success. I think finding your voice (assuming it’s appealing!) is far more important. Some bloggers touch on everything, others simply play off of news stories and clippings. There’s a lot of niches out there for the blogger who perseveres.
January 8th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
@Everyone!!!
Thanks for the votes of confidence. It helps to know that there are people out there getting something from you’re efforts. I feel re-energized and ready to continue for another 6 months now!!
January 8th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Congratulations on your 100th post! As one of your fans, I think that I can say that you do have a voice and that is what keeps me reading you. It will continue to grow- I just had a similar conversation with a peer who said that it takes a year…that seems so far away but you are halfway there!