Can anyone rescue my blog from obscurity?

[choochy]

Hi!
I'm not searching for compliments, honest! I launched my blog two months ago and blog every day. I write about a 'normal' life as a working mum with multiple sclerosis. Nothing heavy, pretty light-hearted, apart from being sacked from work two weeks ago for having MS (seriously).
I reply to every comment, enjoy reading other people's blogs, but my blog is sinking in viewing figures.
Anyone have any ideas where I'm going wrong, or am I just too niche?
//www.stumblinginflats.com

Choochy x

[pebbles77]

Oh no, I'm so sorry that you've got dwindling figures - not nice :(

I'm one of your everyday figures as I love reading your blog

Although I love reading you everyday and I know how much it helps you perhaps don't look at daily stats and more weekly as some people aren't able to read blogs everyday???

As a blog I love it's simplicity

I think your "follow me" information should be up the top as from what i've read very few people get to the bottom of a page so maybe some people like it but don't' follow and therefore forget perhaps?

Fingers crossed that numbers improve

Please keep writing

Pebbles aka Pressies by Pebbles

[peekyboo]

It's a very nice looking blog,I like the images used and the clarity of it.

I decided to split all my posts, so they have a page each on the aspie blog (www.aspie-girl.blogspot.co.uk/), mainly because they are quite long sometimes but also so I could see which topics interested people. On my Wisha blog (www.thewishatree.com/blog/) I've kept them all as one page, so it is harder to track visits but is perhaps a more traditional blog.

I've had visitors to both by putting it in my email sig, but my main visitors are from Facebook, where I set up a dedicated page to me and the aspie blog (Crazy Girl in an Aspie World) and then spread the word gradually on there. The facebook page now has a little life of its own and I know, simply by the numbers who visit there, as opposed to the blog, that many more people visit me on FB than do on the blog!

Kind of frustrating in one way but it is an amazing way of connecting with people interested in your subject. I think facebook might be worth looking at as your MS is something a lot of people need support with and a light-hearted blog could be just the thing, amidst a lot of heavier information available.

Amanda

[DillyTante]

I've read your blog a bit too, can't believe about your work situation!

I guess you have to think about why other people might read your blog, what are they getting from it? Are you promoting it enough?

[choochy]

Hi guys!

Brilliant advice! I know, I really need to get into social media, but the whole thing scares me. But - I do want to take the message further - that the MS diagnosis is confusing and horrible enough, but an intelligent, well-educated woman can be sacked, in this day and age, is still a reality for many people.

So I guess my blog has two strands now - the impending tribunal (if I have the guts to go with it) and the day to day life with MS, and everything it throws up.

I'm trying to move the 'follow me' thingie to the top - still working on it!

Thank you so much for your help. x

[MmeGuillotine]

I've read your blog too and really enjoyed it - if 'enjoyed' is the right word as I was shocked by your work situation. What I actually mean is that I appreciated your use of language and felt interested and engaged by what you were saying.

I also liked the layout - simple and neat with some poignant imagery. :)

Are you on Twitter? We'll all follow you and I think your situation is definitely RT worthy in order to raise awareness that this sort of bullshit still goes on right here and now.

[katese11]

Ooh, I'd like to have a look as my SIL is pg and has MS. How about connecting to fbook groups for MS Sufferers? I know she's part of some, and I'm sure there'd be lots of people on those who were interested.

Sorry to hear about your job situation. How horrible :(

[choochy]

I would LOVE to get in to Twitter! Especially as the 'work' situation is moving so fast. Any pointers to an idiots guide to getting started?

I really do appreciate your feedback.

And thank you for your lovely comments about the layout of the blog and photos. x

[choochy]

p.s facebook groups an excellent idea - added to my must do list!x

[peekyboo]

www.facebook.com/pages/Crazy-Girl-in-an-Aspie-World

If you want to link FB pages Choochy and others!!

[peekyboo]

Choochy, can you do separate pages on your blog? It means your follow button would always be near where the readers are looking as they wouldn't have to scroll through different posts.

[choochy]

Peekyboo - I'm not that proficient on wordpress yet, lol. I've got three books about blogs waiting to be read, and a pile of info about work tribunals. I started this blog pre-being sacked for having MS, so am way behind in making site more reader-friendly, and I think it shows....
x

[choochy]

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to write down all the points you guys have made and work my way through them.
In a way, my blog has turned from being a way to sort my head out with having MS in a light-hearted way, to a battle cry against being sacked simply for having MS. Strange how things turn out. Angry? Yes!!! I guess this is why I really want to reach more people. It's less vanity, and more sanity.....

[CharlieUniformNovemberTango]

I've just read through your blog and I really liked it.

It was nice and easy to read and I like the pictures (inspired me to add a couple to my own blog too - been pondering it)

As ar as the stats go - I have days where I barely make 30 and then days where I hit 300. No idea why. Trying not to get too focused on it right now.

I think sometimes people have once or twice a week time online where they can look back on the last few posts iyswim.

It's a learning curve that's for sure.

[NotGeoffVader]

Another new fan here - have added you to my 'blog' list; I tend to read through on a weekly basis though.
I've just started blogging myself; at the moment at somewhat irregular intervals as I do tend to waffle on a bit, and the posts can be a bit lengthy.

Not sure how to attract more traffic other than to publicise it where and when you can. I have a link to my twitter feed so that when I post a new blog, it updates twitter. It's meant to do it on FB but I can't say I've seen that happening.

[time4anewname]

I love the pictures!

My theory is that occaisionally a blogger writes an outstanding piece that other people link to and it then gets good google ranking for a common search term. So I guess you could think about a few search terms you want to be known for.

Very interesting about facebook pages. I suppose FB is much more interactive and instant, so everyone can have their say - like the forums on MN.

Perhaps you could promote your blog on the Parents With Disabilities and Employment forums here?

[peekyboo]

I don't think you're supposed to promote your blog at all on this site, except this forum? Did I read that wrong? (great if so!)

[choochy]

Hi guys,
Thanks for all your amazing feedback - got a fair bit to be thinking about - and thanks NotGeoffVader for adding me to your blog list!
I'll keep plugging away. I really love the discipline of writing every day, especially now with all the nonsense from work...
choochy.x

[MmeLindor]

I am another fan - although I have to admit that although I really like your blog, I have only read it once or twice. Not because it doesn't interest me, but because I haven't seen your posts linked.

I read most of my blogs via Twitter and FB (although FB is being a bit of a pain now that you have to promote your blog).

Have a read through some of these tips for Social Media and you should definitely read this - it is about Twitter for campaigns but use some of the tips on connecting with others who blog about MS or campaign in that area.

[MmeLindor]

oh, and throw away the books about blogging and just ask on here on on Twitter - I have learned everything that I know about blogging online and from just trying stuff out.

[choochy]

Hi MmeLindor,
Thank you for the advice - but what do you mean about my posts being linked?? You can tell I'm a real newbie with the whole blogging thing.

I am going to take your advice and just get along online. Trying to set up a twitter account! And I will read through the tips. x

[MmeLindor]

oh, just that since you don't use Twitter or FB to promote your blog, I am not seeing it.

I don't subscribe to many blogs because I don't like getting tons of emails so just hope that I see blogposts on either Twitter or FB.

I need to start using Netvibes again. It is a good way of keeping up with everyone.

[choochy]

Just signed up for a twitter account, yay! @MS_Stumbling. Am trying to get help to automatically tweet my blog posts, so may take a while. And also how to show twitter feed on blog. But, like you said in your excellent article that you directed me too, it takes time.

Amazing advice, thank you so much!
x

[pebbles77]

I've just tried to follow you but can't find you? I'm @pebblespressies so if you can find me I'll do so in return.
Well done you
x

[choochy]

Hi Pebbles! I just followed you...
You can be my very first follower!
X

[MmeLindor]

Am following you now too