Friday, December 19, 2008

Come, Please Follow Me

In honor of surpassing 100 followers this week (thanks L to the AURA – here is your prize!), I’m going to talk about … followers. That seems fitting, doesn’t it?

This whole aspect of blog-followers is a bit peculiar to me. See, I am perfectly content talking to an audience of one. In fact, on a really good (bad?) day, I don’t even need an audience of one. I’m quite content entertaining myself. However, through this blog, I’ve found that I actually enjoy writing for an audience. So, thank you to those of you that visit this blog and take time to leave comments. I officially blame you for my new blog-obsession. Without you, I’d likely be tired of myself by now and would have given up on this endeavor already.

Ah, where were we? Yes, back to followers.

I like the functionality of “following”, making all of my favorites easily accessible in my Blogger account. I just wish they could … call it something different.

A follower. Hmmmm. I have followers. Not only do I have followers, but I also follow others. How many followers do you have? Will you follow me? Odd, just odd.

You know, blog followers are some strange cyber measure of popularity I guess. It’s sort of like being the cool kid in high school. You know, without the drama, hormones, and tight-rolled jeans.

One of two images is conjured up when I think of followers. The first is relatively cult-ish in nature. THESE are the followers of my blog ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the compound. They believe everything I say (insert evil laugh here). The second totally has stalker written all over it. Help! Help! They are following me.

Just for the record, I know you aren’t stalkers or cult-members. I just find the concept funny. That and it has been a long week, so I am likely to find most anything funny right now.

11 comments:

Simplicity said...

Oh my goodness! I was thinking about this exact same thing this morning! Although, I don't have 100 followers (you're SO cool!)! It's a very bizarre concept because there are expectations set, etc. as to why a certain person is following but not commenting and who they really are and why they're interested in your blurbs and can you meet their expectations. Or...maybe that's just my take on it! Who am I to talk?...I'm a stalker! I love reading all the blogs I have listed on my blogroll...that's why they're there!

C. Beth said...

Yay, over 100! Wow, big week for both of us!! :)

Lyndsay said...

Simplicity - I'm glad I'm not the only one with random thoughts about things like this. It's a strange phenomenon that has been on my mind!

Beth - Yea!!! Keep it up :)

Jenners said...

Seems that a lot of people have been thinking about this. Here is a great post that I read last week that I thought did a good job with the whole "following" thing:

http://becomingmethruhim.blogspot.com/2008/12/follow-who.html

Annje said...

I have been thinking about this (and other aspects of blogging) a lot too and working on a post about it. I am new to blogging and haven't really decided how I feel about officially following or being followed so I haven't added a blog roll or a followers section--I do have a list of blogs in my internet favorites that I read though and I'm not sure if I have followers--I don't think so and that is ok with me--I don't know if I want that pressure to please.

Laura said...

haha well thanks for the prize. You're the first to link to me! You need a prize for that. Hmmm... I'll add you to my blog list. There ya go. You're welcome. :)

And if the amount of followers a blogger has is an implication of popularity, I suck with only 6. Between blogger and facebook, I'm going to get a complex.

Jeanne Estridge said...

Congrats on your following/cult! Can't recall if I follow you, but I have you on my blog roll, sorted by last post date, so I always know when you have a new story to tell me.

Kelly said...

Well, I don't know about you, but I know that having followers means at least someone might be listening to me - which is a hell of a lot better than I get around the house. Of, course, I have 11, so I am totally lame!

Sarah said...

I totally agree about the follower label.

I am the biggest loser, hanging out all by myself with only one follower.

But I've been known to talk to myself on occasion so I guess that's oK!

Anonymous said...

That is awesome! How exciting. It is a funny concept. I hesitated putting that little gadget on there, but then people would email and ask me to so that they knew when I updated. But then, once you know and you see the numbers it's like stage fright sets in. Now you have to perform! On the other hand, it's nice to get emails and banter back and forth with people with same interests and what not. Happy Holidays!

The Tildy Spot said...

Yeah, the follower thing is quite odd. I don't need to followers, but I live for comments!