Adventures are a lot more fun when you share them with your friends…….
I have felt the urge to write for a few years and dabbled a bit hear and there in journals and on my computer. I started writing about my past so my children could read it one day. But I never really took off. Then a little over a month ago I woke up one morning with a fully formed plan to get me through October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
My plan was to write about various breast cancer topics publicly using my river name (Trip) on Facebook. I think I lasted about 2 days before I realized FB was driving me nuts and I needed a blog. I launched this blog and slowly but surely added pages. My goal – to get what was swirling around in my head out onto the screen. I didn’t know if anyone would ever read it, but it made me feel better to get it out there.
Now I am taking a couple of blogging courses and I need help with my homework so I’m following my kids’ lead and asking the internet for help. My assignment today is to write about my target audience. The problem – I don’t really have one. I never thought about it. I’ve did my IRL friends know I am blogging, but very few read my posts. However a lot of people I don’t know have been reading. I’ve been getting hits from around the world and they aren’t all bots! So if you have a minute, could you tell me a little about yourself? Where are you from? How did you find my blog? Do you have a blog too? Any suggestions or comments? I’d love to learn more about you!
Simply Trippin 
Hi again 🙂 I am a native Arizonan. I started blogging a little over one year ago with no real goal in mind. I have struggled to figure out how to create an audience, and also with the idea “Do I really even need an audience?” I am still trying to figure out what my intention is with my blogging/writing, and I am content (for now) with just developing my writing skills. I am also doing the Writing101 course and it’s my attempt to network and meet other bloggers. I found your post today in the Writing101 Reader. I really enjoy your voice and your story is inspiring and personal to me. I also have a blog but most of the time I feel like I don’t know what I am doing here. I write because, well, I just wrote about that a couple of days ago. LOL! It really frees me. I think I said enough. I hope it helps. The only suggestion that I have is to keep on writing! 🙂
LikeLike
I know what you mean, it’s all a bit random isn’t it? I found your blog through the Commons and it was one of the first ones I read as I scrolled down. I liked what you had written and so I clicked through. I liked what you had written so I read on! You asked me a question, so I replied! It’s only polite! I think I will use that on my blog too. Good luck with your blogging. I am a second time around. Blogged for a year about three years ago and gave up. This time I am going to take it steadily and learn all I can. Looking forward to staying in touch. Corinne
LikeLike
Thanks Corinne! I spent today catching up. I’m going to take tonight to read so I can see what everyone else is writing. I’m really enjoying this!
LikeLike
I’m certainly no expert about blogging, but for the most part the act of blogging on any topic has a built-in sense of audience, whether we realize it or not. I think, based on this post, that you may have a built-in audience already. There are clues: writing for your children, breast cancer awareness, adventures—all imply a ready-made audience. While without question audience is important, I don’t think it should in anyway limit what you finally decide to write about.
Call and Response—https://cgilde.wordpress.com/
LikeLike
Thanks! I’ve been surprised who is and is not reading. I think I am going to stick with the theory “if you build it, they will come…” and just write whatever pops into my head. It’s more fun that way!
LikeLike
Thank you for the follow! You don’t have to concentrate on one subject. My blog is 3 parts. travel, photography and introspective writing. I try to mesh them together and I’ve been able to get followers for all 3 genres. You can reach these different readers by your tags (writing, travel, photography). I’ve had a fun time blogging and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
LikeLike
Thanks! So far I’m enjoying not only the writing, but learning about social media. LOVE your tagline!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have no idea how I “tripped” on your blog, maybe the breast cancer connection. I blog because I am dying and want to leave the details of my life and thoughts to my 2 daughters– they are 24 and 26 so they will hav questions about me in 20 years when I am no longer around so they are my audience. Also to keep friends informed easily and to educate. I know nothing about blogging really. What surprises me? How much support I have received because of it. I love when people comment and connect with me. Keep writing, you will find your audience. I live just outside of Boston. The Cancer Chronicles barbigwire.com
LikeLike