This blog marks its fifth anniversary next month. That’s a long time for any blog to be in action, particularly one based in the Land of Smiles. I can think of only one blogger who has been going that long, and even he appears to be running out of steam.
In the past few months, in preparation for BOTM2’s birthday, I have been doing housework on the blog...tidying up the language in old posts, parsing out posts which are out of date or have served their purpose.
Google, which dislikes bloggers messing with old posts, has rewarded me by removing a large chunk of my daily readership drawn from Google search queries. I suppose I should have expected that, as bloggers who know more about the internet than me had warned me against messing with old posts.
However, I don’t like the idea of lugging around posts which, in retrospect, should never have seen the light of day. If I can’t delete outdated or embarrassing posts from my own blog, I would rather not bother.
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Reader reaction is essential to a functioning blog. If readers are not prepared to get involved, and foster a sense of community around the blog, I would rather not carry on, and I have said as much before.
I am not prepared to post in a vacuum, yet lately reader reaction has all but disappeared.
I am not too fussed about Adsense earnings, as I write for enjoyment, and hopefully that of my readers as well. Yet I have noticed that Adsense goes up when readers are happy, or enjoying themselves...and lately, readers barely to click on the ads, which suggests something is wrong.
The problem may lie with me. This is not a blog written by a newcomer to Thailand, or some expat content to look at Thai life from the outside in. I have tried my best to involve myself in Thai life from the start of my journey, as I can’t see the point in living a Western-style life, only transplanted abroad.
One reason readers fail to respond to content, perhaps, is that they can’t relate to it. Humble as these tales are, they are too far beyond the realm of their own experience to strike a chord, or prompt a reaction.
If I set these stories in some seedy Silom bar, perhaps I would have more luck. Yet that is not me, and there are more than enough blogs written for that crowd floating about in the internet wasteland...we don’t need another.
So, as the Thais say, 'Up to you'.
Show me that you care about the content, or I will take my musings elsewhere.
20 comments:
ReplyDeleteAnonymous30 March 2011 at 17:30
Hi, For the last 3 or 4 years my morning routine has been to make coffee, go on the net and check your blog (along with two others), relating to Thailand. I enjoy reading your stories, though I do not always agree with some of your thoughts. On those occasions I have written in your comments section. I can imagine you are getting tired of doing the blog, and I agree with your comments the other day relating to twitter and facebook, times are a changing. But I still enjoy your blog and your pictures, especially the ones you have taken yourself.
I wish you well, I hope the blog continues.. Take care Chris
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Bkkdreamer30 March 2011 at 17:44
Thank you, Chris.
I read some research the other day which suggests Blogger is holding its own against Twitter and Facebook, at least among older readers (late 20s up).
I believe blogging still has a place, for anyone looking for posts of more substance than Twitter or Facebook are designed to handle.
Facebook is mainly about social networking rather than content. In fact, I find it hard to know where to leave content, other than on the Facebook 'wall'.
It's there almost as an afterthought, for someone's last minute scribbles. He's about to leave your site to get his internet 'fix' from someone else's, but want to let you know he's paid a visit. Great!
Twitter is good if you want to know what someone is doing in some interesting spot of the world when you are not there, such as Japan during the earthquake.
I can't be bothered contributing to it, as someone might respond, and then I will have to respond to him. When I finish at the computer every morning, it usually stays off for the rest of the day.
I don't want this thing running my life. Most of what we do on the net appears to be vicarious anyway...and who wants to spend all this time reading about someone else's life, rather than leading his own?
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Anonymous30 March 2011 at 17:54
I would miss your blog very much if you stop it. I like the stories, your life experiences and your photos are superb. You are right, facebook and company have almost no content; your blog is alive with you and your adventures. I hope you continue to delight us with... your life experiences.
Cordially,
Fran
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deejohn30 March 2011 at 17:56
Well I suppose you have to be congratulated hitting the 5 year mark. It was around that time, 4 and 5 years ago that many blogs started.
Being a farang we've come to know you as being somewhat reserved when it comes to seeking out the boys.
All farangs are different I guess. And a couple that I've been in contact with over the last 5 years have been so busy enjoying the boys describing some hair-raising times, that I'm sure they'd hardly have any time to keep a blog.
But if one does get tired of blogging I find the best thing to do is rest. Just take time off occasionally as I do, and recently did. Then you may come back refreshed.
I think there's so many interesting places in Thailand that westerners would like to see on a farangs blog... the culture, the boys, the sights and scenery, the festivals and the colour. At least these are the things I'm looking for when I find a farangs blog.
Oh I guess you didn't get my e-mail letting you know that The Beauty Hunter is back.
Dee.
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Bkkdreamer30 March 2011 at 18:06
ReplyDeleteThank you, Fran. Your comments are kind.
Deejohn: I am in a 10-year relationship. I do not go around looking for idle companions. I am happy with my BF, Ball's family, and a few work friends.
I write at the top of the blog about the importance of learning to fit in to Thai life. At the 10-year mark with Maiyuu, I am the happiest I have been, so we have made progress. If I am happy, why do I need to look elsewhere?
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Anonymous30 March 2011 at 18:57
That is why I enjoy your blog, it is NOT about chasing bar boys, it is about the real Thailand. Personally I would rather see pictures of real Thai people, rather than some of the photo's of models... mind you, some are very cute. :-) If at all possible, one of my possible retirement plans is to move to Thailand, probably Chaing Mai, I don't drink or gamble, so have no interest in going to bars. So learning about life in the real world is what I enjoy.
Chris
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Bkkdreamer30 March 2011 at 19:18
Thank you, Chris. Much as I like your response, I am not sure the formula works any more, or this blog's readership would be growing faster than it does.
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deejohn30 March 2011 at 20:42
BKDR, I do apologize. It's just that I've never seen your relationship with Maiyuu as a normal one consisting of being a close loving and affectionate relationship from the way you've been telling us. Even you would admit that.
And your readers were questioning you a while back asking why you persue Ball and a pretend family when Maiyuu is sitting at home.
All farangs are different and the two I've known living over there this last 7 years have packed in more in those few years than a western man will see in their whole lifetime, visiting wonderful places, resorts, beautiful Nature Parks, Temples, Villages, colourful Festivals, visiting clubs and bars, making new farang friends as well as meeting some stunning boys along the way. I have an endless pile of photos sent to me by e-mail documenting the last five or six years.
Of course their generous pensions and their very healthy savings gives them great financial freedom.
It would be unthinkable for either one to run out of cash at the end of every month.
So yes everyone is different. What makes you happy might not be enough for the more adventurous farang.
Okay so it sounds like my response may have annoyed you so we'll forget about the links.
But good luck anyway.
Dee.
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ironbark30 March 2011 at 22:57
Please carry on .... reading your blog is also one of the first things I do each morning, coffee and BOTM2.
Your writing is I think quite an important social commentary on the life of ordinary Thai people in a frank and non-judgemental style.
It may never reach the status of a Pepy's but social historians would do well if they were to cite your observations.
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Bkkdreamer31 March 2011 at 07:20
ReplyDeleteDeeJohn: Your comment didn't annoy me. I didn't respond to the remark about your blog because I failed to make the connection at first between the blog and yourself as author.
As far as your farang friends are concerned, I think it's great if they lead an active life travelling about, visiting places and meeting people. By the sounds of it, they are retirees, and having the time of their lives.
I work in Thailand, where I am trying to pursue a career. That puts me in quite a different category; I don't know many resident foreigners of working age, for example, who flit about from one province to another whenever it suits. Most of us have work, family and relationship commitments to worry about.
My relationship with Maiyuu is unusual, I admit. We do not share much affection, but still manage to love each other nonetheless.
I just have to remember how to behave properly (so I don't rock the boat), and for the most part everything goes well.
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Bkkdreamer31 March 2011 at 07:24
Ironbark: Thank you for the comment about this blog representing a type of social commentary. it makes my writing sound most impressive.
No writing is worth much if it exists in isolation from readers, however, especially in this age of 'social media' and 'reader interaction with content'.
If I don't get the comments, and at least some return from Adsense, I will not carry on.
I would like to try writing in Thai, as I enjoy knocking out text messages to friends. However, I am not sure if I have the patience or linguiistic flare for fully fledged blog posts, so am still thinking about that one.
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Anonymous31 March 2011 at 12:21
I've been reading your blog for a long time and I would hate to see it end like the others have!
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Anonymous31 March 2011 at 12:38
Hi, Bill In Reno Nevada here.
I too have you in my "tray" and miss it if you don't post for a while, I understand Thai culture better than many westerners and sincerely enjoy reading about the slices of Thai life in the raw , so to speak. Sorry I was not able to connect with you on my last visit, will try again next year. Hope you continue on, Bill
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Stry31 March 2011 at 18:46
Hey. I have been following your blog for maybe a bit less than a year now. And I enjoy reading it. I am just one of those readers that hasn't commented before.
I have never been to Thailand, but really want to go one day. Besides your blog, I have been following a few other blogs, reading books and also have been following 4 or 5 Thai based internet Chat/Forums as well. I figure that all of this is serving to give me a fuller, all around view of what Thailand is like (from mostly a Farang point of view, of course).
Your blog gives me something that I don't get from most of those other sources, because you are conveying what everyday life is like for you. And the life that you are describing is not centered on go-go bars, massage parlors and bar boys.
I enjoy all the little stories you tell. I have to admit that I don't always understand, or agree, with some of your actions, or conclusions (mostly as concerns Ball and his family), but I still value what you are doing and still look forward to reading your next entry.
I hope that you do keep posting. I will miss reading your blog, if you decide not to.
I just wanted to let you know that your version of "everyday life in Thailand through the eyes of a Farang living there" is important and treasured (at least by me)as it comes from a different angle than so much else that is out there.
Please keep up the good work.
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Bkkdreamer31 March 2011 at 18:59
ReplyDeleteAnon: I don't particularly want to stop writing either, but I will do so unless readers show more interest.
Bill: Thank you. I may end up taking a break, but take the blog offline in the meantime. I haven't decided yet.
Stry: What a sweet message! Thank you.
I know many readers do not understand my relationship with Ball and his family. They are the closest thing I have to a family in Thailand, which is why I enjoy visiting them...and Mr Ball is the closest thing I have to a son.
I enjoy giving him guidance, and lately have been rewarded with big improvements in his behaviour.
Gone, it seems, is the irreponsible drinker of the past. He is now a young man attempting to take some responsibility for his life, as much as it hurts him sometimes. I hope it continues.
As for the blog itself, I am delighted you treasure these little stories, but hope you can understand how I feel after writing the thing for five years, and finding that reader interest in some posts is minimal at best.
I write for an audience, not just for myself. As such, I expect reaction. If I fail to get it, I wam wasting my time, and would rather invest my time on other pursuits.
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hendrikbkk31 March 2011 at 19:03
Reading your blog is part of my daily routine (except when I am in China, the Communist Party doesnt love you..) and I am always looking forward to your little adventures. For me no need of Silom stories, that is all too boring for me.
Please continue with your outlook on thai life!
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Bkkdreamer31 March 2011 at 19:20
Thank you, Hendrik. I am thinking about it.
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popeluzifer31 March 2011 at 21:52
I enjoy your blog and do no often comment on it, as i work work too and do not have that much time for it.
I would miss you and your stories, but at the end it will be your decision.
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Bkkdreamer1 April 2011 at 09:05
Thanks, popeluzifer. I am working on it.
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Twilight4 April 2011 at 01:16
Happy 5th Anniversary! You didn't hear my comments for so long but I am still around. Your English has IMPROVED SO MUCH from the 1st year you started this blog. How did you do it?
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