Blog Interrupted...

Over the past couple of days I have been
reading what the Professional
Bloggers have to say about the proper
and financially prudent way to manage
a blog.

Turns out this blog is a failure.

Hmmmph!

I didn't have a clue.

Let me just remind you of my history
since some of you are new to
Hospitality Lane.
Back in September of 2007 I took
the plunge after a few months of
reading the blog of a
close real-life friend.
Deanna writes at Creekside Cottage
under the name, Mrs. Rabe.

My thoughts on writing a blog were very simple.
I would write encouraging posts about daily
life, homeschooling, homemaking, entertaining
and basic finances.

It would also be a wonderful way to keep a
journal for myself, I thought.

Oh, this was fun.

The feedback from friends, old and new,
was the stuff good days were made of.



The idea of writing about finance went
by the wayside pretty quickly. Since I
am a financial professional there are many,
many rules and regulations. Even writing
semi-anonymously I felt unsure about how
far I dared to go.
And then there was the
tension I felt as the economy went south.
Trying to encourage and express the general
optimism I truly felt, and still feel,
didn't go over well for those who were
still struggling to find work.
Sometimes seeing a big picture
is offensive to those whose real life
tells a different tale.
I get that
and I am sorry.
So...the financial advice remains limited.
As it should be, I think.

My political views definitely sneak in.
I have very seriously considered writing
a blog just on this topic. So many days
I just have to practically sit on my fingers
to avoid writing about some situation that
is bringing a post to mind.
Maybe...just maybe...one day.
I am amazed to know that there are those of you
who totally disagree with me, and yet you
come to read anyway.
BLESS YOU!



Where am I failing, you may ask?
The list is long...but here's the short version.

According to this article if I hope
to make money here I need to be more
focused. I need to be an expert in
something and I need to self promote
like crazy.

Oops!
Never been so good at that.

Do you wonder why I don't post
more often about the candles?
I am afraid you'll think that I am
trying to sell them to you.
I would never want to
trade your
reading and spending
time here for a sale.
Nonetheless, candles are a passion.
I could easily write a blog just
about that.
But, so far, that isn't
happening either.

Things are a bit tight financially at
our place these days.
I just had to know...
should I try to monetize the blog?

My research says...not yet...
and probably not this blog.

I don't want the pressure.

This blog is not work to me.
You are fun!

Maybe if I go for the political blog...
or a candle maker's space on the web.
I could consider doing something like that
for money. Money is not a bad thing!

But not here.

So...I truly hope that Hospitality Lane
continues to grow, as that may mean
I am putting something out there of value,
but I will not be fishing for
new readers to boost
ad value.

Just so you know,
I admire those who are successfully making
income with your blogs.
Totally admire you.
I'm just not ready to go there... yet.

Now...
Back to regular programming!
Whatever that may be.
You'll know as soon as I know.
((wink))

Any suggestions for your favorite
topics are welcome.
Why do you stop here?

Is it stories about our daily life,
photos of pretty gardens, devotionals
or something else?