Re: Who Knows That You Blog?
Do I ever tell people in real life that I blog? I recently read a blog post that posed the question. I figured I'd answer it here.
I generally do not tell people I know in real life that I blog. It's not that I share anything here that I don't want them to read. I use my domain for my email, so anybody can deduce from that my website and visit anytime.
To be completely honest, I don't need or necessarily want people I know following my blog. I certainly do not want followers who are just following because they know me or want to show support, but won't actually read or be interested in much of what I have to say here.
As a writer, I prefer to think that people who find and read (and subscribe via RSS) are actually meant to find/read/subscribe to my blog. They are the people I am writing for.
I'm accustomed to writing very niche topics, and exploring interests that may be outside the mainstream, so I prefer to write for strangers on the internet that find it interesting vs. trying to bulk up reads/subs with family and friends who may not share that interest.
I'm also an introvert by nature. I'm very comfortable putting my work out there to strangers on the internet. Yet there is an odd discomfort with inviting people I know face-to-face into my inner-world that often gets shared online.
Of course, I know I run the risk of under-promoting and missing out on people IRL who would be interested.
In short, I don't talk about my blog (or other online projects) with people I know in real life. I don't actively promote my work to my family or friends. Perhaps that's something I need to reflect on and overcome. Maybe it's fine.
But I don't hide my blog, either.