I’ll be honest; I’m not the bravest person. I like to dream big, but sometimes I find it hard to follow through on things because I’m worrying too much that my work won’t be good enough or I’ll fail in some way. So writing, whether it’s a blog post or a novel, can be difficult because it means putting myself and my work out there for the world to see, or anyone to comment on.
Since I’ve had a blog, I’ve had to face a few of my fears and worry a bit less about what other people might think. I’m a people pleaser, but when it comes to writing, you have to accept that not everyone is going to love your style.
A big part of having a blog – if it’s going to be successful – is promoting it and finding an audience. Social media is a great tool for blog promotion, and one of the obvious places to start is Facebook.
But setting up a Ten Penny Dreams FB page has been scaring the crap out of me for months! In fact, I’ve been actively avoiding it…
What if I only managed two likes; wouldn’t that be embarrassing?!
Even scarier is thinking about inviting my existing Facebook friends and family to like my page and delve into the world of my blog. I haven’t told that many people that it exists, even fewer have actually read it. I might not be talking about the intimate details of my life or my feelings in each post, but most writing is personal in some way and sharing it with others can leave you exposed.
Well, less than one day since setting up the Ten Penny Dreams Facebook page and I’ve managed 23 likes and doubled my highest daily page views – so whether that’s good or bad, I want to thank everyone who clicked that button. You’re all amazing!
Now I guess I need to keep sharing fun and interesting content and everything will be shiny!
If you want to check out the TPD Facebook page, you can find it here – please stick with me while I get it up and running and full of lovely internet-related goodness!
Caroline says
Hello there, my fellow Blogcademy-ista!
“Even scarier is thinking about inviting my existing Facebook friends and family to like my page and delve into the world of my blog. I haven’t told that many people that it exists, even fewer have actually read it. I might not be talking about the intimate details of my life or my feelings in each post, but most writing is personal in some way and sharing it with others can leave you exposed.”
-This is SO TRUE for me, and has struck such a nerve. I have been writing my blog for over 4 years without letting anyone, even my family, know about it – somehow it’s just easier to put something personal, honest and potentially embarrassing out there if no one you actually know in ‘real life’ is linking it to you!! Have also made the decision in the last few months to step up, tell friends and family about my site, encourage them to read it, and link to my site on my Facebook. It’s scary stuff!!
I wrote a bit about it here – http://www.sparkles-and-crumbs.com/1/post/2012/12/the-writer-must-be-in-it-he-cant-be-to-one-side-of-it-ever.html – but I think you have summed it up so, so well.
Here’s to us being confident in our fabulousness!! 😀
Amy says
Hey Caroline, thanks for your lovely comment! You caught me in a wee moment of self-doubt and made me smile again! The Blogcademy is already working wonders for us and it hasn’t even happened yet; signing up has really helped me move forward with the blog and it sounds like it’s going to do the same for you. It’s so scary to share, but so worth it when you get feedback like this!
Here’s to blogging success and love! x