tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post4746334787802087177..comments2023-07-05T11:18:53.489-04:00Comments on Imperfectly Painted: Talk it Out Tuesday: Gaining ReadershipStephanie Merlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04600557762841800023noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-62248988518856282442012-05-28T15:34:09.481-04:002012-05-28T15:34:09.481-04:00 Hi, Steph,
Just remembered that I had never repl... Hi, Steph, <br />Just remembered that I had never replied to this. Glad to know I'm not the only one whose opinions about giveaways are closely tied to money considerations.As far as posting ASAP, I certainly don't mean to blog about the newest collection all the time. Oftentimes, this can be counterproductive because the bigger blogs have already swatched a whole collection (usually way better than I could ever do it). However, if I I am deciding between colors and one has 1,000 google images and the other polish has 10,000, I always go with the less photographed one rather than the popular one. I'm also lucky to have an awesome nail supplier so I have occassionaly rushed to post something because no one else has posted about that polish yet. I never just buy a polish only because I want to blog about it, though!Cristina Impoverishednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-70972538772462529312012-04-08T23:55:07.624-04:002012-04-08T23:55:07.624-04:00Awww...thanks. That really means a lot to me. *blu...Awww...thanks. That really means a lot to me. *blush*Rebecca Russellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-58286099177140181432012-04-08T01:13:43.186-04:002012-04-08T01:13:43.186-04:00Thanks for these posts! I appreciate your honesty ...Thanks for these posts! I appreciate your honesty regarding this touchy subject.<br />I really only read nail blogs so I can only comment on what I see with those as a reader... and of course these are only my humble opinions.<br />I get the impression that a lot of nail bloggers wish to increase their numbers instead of connecting with others or making friends. Why would one want more people to read their blog if they are not even connecting with the readers they already have? Maybe because it seems to be the norm to crave more followers, more page-views, higher numbers.<br />What I think I see sometimes (too often for my taste) is that juicy giveaways=quick increases in followers=PR samples and free stuff. Free stuff is nice, no doubt! Though as a discerning reader of nail blogs I am tired of coming across so many blogs which seem to exist solely to garner PR samples for the blogger. Plus I have stumbled across a number of nail bloggers hosting very enticing and/or frequent giveaways who seem to put little effort into writing quality posts or producing quality swatches or making pals with fellow nail buffs =/.. <br />This makes me sad because I truly love the nail community. I feel that the love & goodwill & friendship that really does exist in the polish-loving community is undermined by the nail bloggers who seem to blog only to get free stuff. I think that numbers-centric nail blogging can also drive out the sense of community between online nail polish gals that I love so much, and replace it with a competitive atmosphere among those who might wish to share their hobby.<br />(fyi I have no problem with PR samples, I appreciate PR for sending them because I need to see swatches to do my shopping! :D)7bridgesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-51908681258917403682012-04-07T21:52:24.295-04:002012-04-07T21:52:24.295-04:00That's always good feeling! That's always good feeling! imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-16829250967135992402012-04-07T21:46:21.124-04:002012-04-07T21:46:21.124-04:00Haha, I had a blog on xanga when I was in high sch...Haha, I had a blog on xanga when I was in high school. I know it was filled with overly-dramatic rants. I have no idea what happened to that account, and I'm not actively trying to find it again. I think I'd be mortified at the stuff I wrote. :Pimperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-41065551036452362902012-04-07T21:14:22.038-04:002012-04-07T21:14:22.038-04:00Years ago, before Facebook and blogging was cool, ...Years ago, before Facebook and blogging was cool, I had a blog on xanga that was completely personal but open to anyone. I made several really good friends over the years and it has been a great experience. I'm hoping that this will be just as rewarding. And less post-adolescence angst! lolJessicanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-76960277712095076232012-04-07T19:43:30.183-04:002012-04-07T19:43:30.183-04:00I agree with you. I don't judge anyone for hav...I agree with you. I don't judge anyone for having giveaways. Heck, I used to enter a ton of them. There is no quicker or easier way to gain "followers," but it is so much more rewarding for me to know that I have "earned" them because of something they liked on the blog.Anya_WackyLakinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-66401714184298510702012-04-07T19:08:54.623-04:002012-04-07T19:08:54.623-04:00That's a great attitude to have towards you bl...That's a great attitude to have towards you blog. It's great to get readers based on content vs. giveaways!imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-58198630268716749082012-04-07T19:02:25.137-04:002012-04-07T19:02:25.137-04:00I really love this post! I agree with everything t...I really love this post! I agree with everything that you wrote, I am usually turned off by blogs that have constant giveaways and I never follow them. I usually don't spam my blog everywhere either. My thought is if people like what I do on my blog then they will follow it, not because I have a giveaway. I have had only 1 giveaway on my blog and my numbers have grown because they like what they see not because I give things away. Thanks for posting this =)Rin Ruizhttp://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002724112333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-52196142026848573692012-04-07T18:13:52.634-04:002012-04-07T18:13:52.634-04:00Thank you so much for reading my blog! You do not ...Thank you so much for reading my blog! You do not have to officially follow me, that doesn't matter :). I'm glad you like my blog! :)imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-41662222700233523912012-04-07T18:12:56.865-04:002012-04-07T18:12:56.865-04:00Thank you so much! That means a lot to me. I will ...Thank you so much! That means a lot to me. I will try not to worry myself with how my blog fits into the scheme of things. I really love my blog the way it is, and I do not want that to change at all. :)<br /><br />You're welcome. I'm glad my Sunday posts have helped bring readers to your blog. That was my intention with those posts, and I'm glad it is working out for you. You are SO right about spur of the moment ideas being the best posts. I will sometimes write a post randomly thinking this is not going to get a lot of comments, and those are the ones that usually get the most. It's funny how things work out that way. imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-20696286975944581312012-04-07T18:08:47.233-04:002012-04-07T18:08:47.233-04:00That is awesome! It's good to know your prize ...That is awesome! It's good to know your prize is going to someone who really appreciates your blog. <br /><br />I find Twitter difficult to keep up with. Twitter moves very fast, so I find it hard to follow conversations etc on there. I primarily use it to share my blog posts. I find FB very do-able. I really enjoy using FB to interact with other nail polish addicts and people who read my blog. I haven't found FB to be difficult to manage at all. I would definitely recommend starting up a FB page for your blog and testing out those waters. I think Twitter can wait if you're worried about that. Twitter can make my brain hurt sometimes :Pimperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-73439636688107212182012-04-07T18:05:37.495-04:002012-04-07T18:05:37.495-04:00That means a lot to me thank you! It's good to...That means a lot to me thank you! It's good to know these posts keep your attention. :)imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-59288277659167780272012-04-07T18:05:04.753-04:002012-04-07T18:05:04.753-04:00That's exactly why it bothers me too. I really...That's exactly why it bothers me too. I really love blogging and I love the journey blogging has taken me on. You miss out on the journey when you buy your followers with giveaways or promise them giveways if you follow. It honestly seems very insincere to me, and I do not think that is always the intention. I think some people do not know other ways to gain readers. You said that perfectly too "my little corner of the blogging world". That's exactly how I feel about my blog. It's my little space and my little project. :)<br /><br />I'm trying to get better at replying to reader comments. I'm not great at that. I always respond to questions or comments from more in depth posts like this, but keeping up with them regularly is hard. I know it would benefit me to keep on top of that more. Thank you for bringing that up! <br /><br />Yes! Every time I hear the word "follower" it makes me cringe a little. I think readers is good...I'm not creative either haha! imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-79052450602537537662012-04-07T18:00:29.519-04:002012-04-07T18:00:29.519-04:00For sure! Thank you for being my friend! I'm s...For sure! Thank you for being my friend! I'm so glad I got to meet you because of this blogging experience. :)imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-49380134263442550572012-04-07T17:59:53.379-04:002012-04-07T17:59:53.379-04:00Thank you so much for inspiring me to write this p...Thank you so much for inspiring me to write this post! I don't think I would have if it weren't for your suggestions. I so appreciate it! imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-50501493401536375952012-04-07T17:59:20.067-04:002012-04-07T17:59:20.067-04:00That is an excellent way to have a giveaway, to ju...That is an excellent way to have a giveaway, to just reward those people who are your followers at that point. You have a great attitude towards blogging, and that will be very rewarding to you. imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-90943513496761873682012-04-07T17:57:41.722-04:002012-04-07T17:57:41.722-04:00I wish you had blog. I love the pics I've seen...I wish you had blog. I love the pics I've seen of your nails posted in FB groups, no pressure though. I understand :). Thank you so much for your kind comments. It really means a lot to me that you recognize those things about me and my blog. :)imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-36827939982465132902012-04-07T17:56:09.470-04:002012-04-07T17:56:09.470-04:00Exactly, as long as there will be people who enter...Exactly, as long as there will be people who enter it will always take place. It just stinks it's taken presence in the nail blogging community, because I do not remember it being this way as much a year ago. It can be hard to not focus on those negative aspects, but you're right you have to snap out of it. You have an excellent blog. I remember finding your blog through Zoya's FB page and your ombre manicure last year. You're blog has always been a favorite of mine, and you are a very genuine and kind person. You can see that through your blog, that is an awesome quality to have. imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-81317161836094426782012-04-07T17:52:34.693-04:002012-04-07T17:52:34.693-04:00I'm glad you enjoyed this post! I'm also g...I'm glad you enjoyed this post! I'm also glad you mentioned that you've been blogging for a year and still figuring these things out. Blogging is such a learning process that is constant. I'm always learning new things or picking up new ideas. There are always opportunities to learn and grow. imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-2949444916458103272012-04-07T17:51:29.364-04:002012-04-07T17:51:29.364-04:00Exactly! You need to please yourself first when it...Exactly! You need to please yourself first when it comes to blogging. You write about you love and what makes you happy. That will definitely attract others. You're right it does take time too. I think like with everything we start doing it takes practice and patience before everything clicks in to place! imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-82067409125136469912012-04-07T17:47:05.928-04:002012-04-07T17:47:05.928-04:00Exactly! I'm glad you brought that up because ...Exactly! I'm glad you brought that up because that's what one of my concerns was with all these giveaways and new bloggers. I hope people are not feeling pressured to spend their money on giveaway prizes. That is so not necessary. Honestly, when you have money to spend are you going to spend on giveaway prizes or yourself? I'm going to spend my money on myself! I like to have the occasional giveaway, but 90% the time I'm going to be getting polish for me! That may sound greedy to some, but I don't think it is. It's my money, and I don't have a lot of it! <br /><br />I like how you mentioned posts that present something different or new. I do not necessarily agree you need to post about new products ASAP to gain readers. A majority of my blog is not brand new stuff. I do that on purpose because I know a bunch of other bloggers will be posting new stuff. I do not want to be repetitive! It may be helpful for some people though. I do like how you mention a post that swatched CG Luxe and Lush over a different color. I love reading posts where people do unconventional layering techniques or other things. They attract my interest the most! imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-20089548678824732232012-04-07T17:41:52.371-04:002012-04-07T17:41:52.371-04:00The whole requirement to like FB pages or follow y...The whole requirement to like FB pages or follow you on Twitter and various other social media things is ridiculous. I definitely agree with you there. I think social media is beneficial when you use it the right way vs. a greedy way! :P Thank you pointing out the "no pressure" point, it is so important!imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-90330654242579824932012-04-07T17:39:26.341-04:002012-04-07T17:39:26.341-04:00Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You have a great...Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You have a great attitude towards blogging, and that will be so rewarding for you in the long run. imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8464987304149443821.post-80400415172596440302012-04-07T17:38:37.397-04:002012-04-07T17:38:37.397-04:00If you don't feel like blogging then you don&#...If you don't feel like blogging then you don't have to. There is no requirement to keep blogging. I know a few people who after some time decided it wasn't for them, and moved on to other things. It's ok! It shouldn't be a chore. It may not be your thing..or maybe it's bad timing, but don't feel like you need to keep up with something if you really do not want to. imperfectpaintnoreply@blogger.com