A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a new number on the right-hand widget bar here on the Nine Pockets blog.
I've got 50 followers!
Huge news, right? Time to update my status to "influencer".
Jokes aside, noticing the number on that widget did give me pause for thought. A milestone like this would have been a much more meaningful occasion back in the heyday of blogging. I can imagine well-known bloggers from various corners of the internet celebrating every 100 followers they gained, for example.
But in today's online world, there are quite a few additional forms of social content that grapple for our attention:
2-sentence posts
10-second video clips
Single-panel memes
News clips
How-to videos
City walks
Virtual tours
ASMR videos
Endless sports highlights
Live streams of all sorts of events
Stories that disappear after 24 hours
Reaction videos
Unboxings
The list goes on and on.
And that's not to mention the emergence of the aforementioned influencers, and their millions of followers across various platforms. Put that all together, and it means bloggers aren't exactly pulling in the numbers these days.
But do you know who still reads blogs?
You do.
You're undeniable proof that blogging is still here. You, and other folks like you, still enjoy reading the unique content that blogs can provide. I'd even like to think that one day, folks might grow tired of the barrage of content and alerts coming in from all those other platforms, reduce the amount of time they spend tapping, swiping, and aimlessly scrolling, and replace it with some quality time reading blogs again.
Sure, it might be naive to think that way. But I'm sticking with it.
And that's why I'm setting aside a few minutes to celebrate 50 followers.
As small as our little corner of the internet is, there's a lot of value here—and a lot of great people, to boot.
If you're one of the 50 followers, or even if you just stop by Nine Pockets every once in a while to read through my thoughts about trading cards and the nostalgia they bring about, I'd like to issue a sincere thank you.
Your time spent here means a lot.
Keep enjoying the hobby. And if you're a blogger, keep on doing what you're doing.
More good content to come.
I probably don’t show us as a Follower because I’m subscribed through a different aggregation reading app - so consider it 51! Thanks for the stories and memories, I hope you and the other good blogs keep it up, so much more enjoyable and entertaining than the social channels
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Thanks very much for the comment, Pennsylvania Tiger. I appreciate you reading and following. Glad to hear you're enjoying the content.
DeleteAgree that blogging is the most interesting and enjoyable reading experience when it comes to cards. I've been involved with a few other social media forms (but drew the line at Instagram and Tik Tok), but never dropped blogging because you lose so much if you stop -- I'm pretty sure the term "brain rot" was not the result of reading blogs!
ReplyDeleteI do remember when the followers widget was the bright new blogging gadget. I can't remember noting milestones on it, but I do recall checking it a lot.
Let's create a public service announcement, Night Owl. It can go something like this: "Want to avoid brain rot? Read more blogs!"
DeleteAlways great to see you stop by, sir. Keep up the great work over there.
I have been a reader for quite a while. You now have 51! Your "50" tile above could be from a 1964 Topps Mickey Mantle or a 2013 Topps Heritage Curtis Granderson. Nice milestone.
ReplyDeleteWoo! Thanks for following, RJ. And good eye. That number 50 is indeed from a 1964 Mickey Mantle card. (Not one that I own, unfortunately.)
DeleteCongratulations! I hope card blogs are here until the end of my lifetime, because I'd rather read a blog post than watch a YT short or video on cards.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Fuji! (See public service announcement from Night Owl's comment above. You can get in on it, too.)
DeleteCongrats on the milestone! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Johnny! Keep up the great work over there.
DeleteWould much rather read a blog then watch a video. Proud to have been a follower of your blog since the early days, always an enjoyable read!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Bo! Happy to have known you and your blog from the early days, too. You can also get in on the public service announcement from Night Owl's comment above ;-)
DeleteHappy to be a follower and also, you're up to 52 now!
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo! Thanks very much, Jeff. Getting closer to "influencer" status over here. Keep on writing over there on Wax Pack Wonders.
DeleteI too would like to think that blogs might make a comeback someday, but given all of those things that you mentioned, plus more coming that we probably can't even imagine yet, I just don't see it happening. There was a brief resurgence there when the Rona got going, but it seems like it's been pretty steady decline ever since. With all of that being said, being able to continue to add blog followers in this day and age is an accomplishment worth noting. And given the quality of your content, I'm not surprised in the least that you're still doing so.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that compliment, Jon! It's hard to know what the future of content will be. In one scenario I'm living off the grid, publishing blog posts by typewriter or printing press and sending them out by pony express. In another I'm living in a building above the clouds, next to the Jetsons, and my blog posts are transmitted to a big screen by Rosie the Robot. I like the first option better.
DeleteCongrats on hitting 50!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Matt! Always fun to see you here.
DeleteCool! I'm a reader but not a "follower" since I always just use my blogroll to follow updates on other people's blogs.
ReplyDeleteFollower or not, it's cool with me. Always happy to see you stopping by, Sean. Hope your NPB collecting is going well!
DeleteCongrats! Also probably not being counted because I use RSS. One of my faves for sure
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for the kind words, Derek! I'll chalk you up as another follower, regardless of whether you're on the official widget ;-)
DeleteNicely done, congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Crocodile! Always good to see you here.
DeleteBelated congrats on 50 followers! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jafronius! You keep up the good work at APTBNL, too.
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