Our other websites
Did you know we have our blogs?
Angie
Sometimes newsletter ideas come from chats David and I have or from direct suggestions from David or me. This month, on David’s suggestion, we're talking about our personal blogs/websites.
I have been blogging on my own since April 13, 2020. When I began, I had a few goals:
- To post (on average) weekly.
- To use my photographs as much as possible.
- To be as authentic as possible (tone, spelling errors, and all).
I have achieved these goals. I have also gained satisfaction with the blog I have built. I like it.
It was stressful when I first decided to have my own official blog. According to the research, I was supposed to have a focus (travel blog, food blog, tech blog). There was no blog-blog where I fit in or even wanted to. I wasn’t sure how to proceed with the theme, topics, or even technically (Should I use WordPress, Ghost, Squarespace, Weebly...!? 😣) Let’s face it, that's David’s wheelhouse, not mine. But, Dave, being Dave, was very helpful and did assist me in setting up angiecounios.com.
Since then, I have written 165 posts. Just a little over my goal of one a week. And, without intense promotion (I basically share on my social media pages), I’m still always pleasantly surprised by a new follower. What brings them to me? What did I write that spoke to them? Are they a bot? I hope not, and it hasn’t stopped me from carrying on. I’m a learn-as-I-go human. Just ask David.
I have achieved my initial goals and also gave myself a place to practice storytelling and writing. I have practiced vulnerability and humour. I haven’t found a niche unless they are the "meandering experiences of a middle-aged writer, teacher, creative, adventurer" type of niche.
I feel like there are some next steps I would like to take—perhaps polishing what I do at angiecounios.com and promoting my own writing. I’m not sure.
I look at Dave’s website and consider what mine lacks. His is just so polished. He’s consistent. He has a tone in his written word that is different than mine. He has an eye for the digital page. And fortunately, he’s a good instructor, and he’s always open to my questions.
David
So instead of talking about my blog, let's start with Angie's.
A few days ago, she wrote a blog post called David and I. It’s personable and filled with early stories about her and me. And that’s the wonderful thing about her writing and her blog: she shares a lovely part of herself and seems to do it effortlessly.
I, on the other hand, am the complete opposite. I don’t share much about myself and mainly discuss my obsessions and struggles with writing and storytelling.
But I write a lot and post daily. I say it’s to help others, but it’s also a therapy session, a place to put the stuff in my head on the page.
I’m trying to be more open and personable like Angie. I’ve been slowly shifting my monthly newsletter (please, please subscribe) over to something my sister would read. I’ve told my sister this, and although I haven’t written this month's newsletter yet, here’s hoping. 🤞
When I suggested our theme to Angie, I hoped to use it as a way to convince some of her readers to visit me (again, please, please subscribe), but I’ve really done a shit job convincing you. So here’s what you’ll get if you do sign-up for the monthly newsletter:
- my monthly obsessions: reading, movies and TV, podcasts, and tools.
- maybe a quote. (I’m still testing this.)
- some personal stories to make people think I’m an actual human, not some weird alien who likes storytelling.
In conclusion, subscribe (please, please). And if you are here because of me, check out Angie’s blog. It’s very much her vibe!