Istarted Writer Dad last summer with a five day a week commitment and didn’t drop the ball once for the first six months. Since then I’ve been trying to hit a bulls-eye with a shotgun.
By the end of last year I’d written myself in a corner. I had succeeded in nurturing a wide, warm and loving audience, but had zip, zilch, nada to boost my online income.
Not cool. By trying to pour myself a business and pleasure on the rocks, I was only adding acid to each. I was making Writer Dad less interesting while also severing any opportunity to generate money from the site.
My solution, I thought, was simple: plant a few seeds in fresh dirt and see what I could grow. Yet with only so much fertilizer and water each day, I quickly realized I would need to take a giant step back from Writer Dad. I made the move to once or twice a week. I reasoned that less content would keep each piece focused. Rather than throwing a net over every subject that crossed my mind, I would keep the site focused on fatherhood, family, and those themes I thought my readers would enjoy most.
In other words, I would take the existing recipe then add a dash of vanilla and a heaping sprinkle of monotony.
Obviously I left a few typos in the strategy. I never asked the audience what it wanted and now I believe my instincts were wrong. I think I removed what the audience loved most: the consistency of checking in five days a week, even if nothing more than to say hello.
Truth is, I miss it to.
I miss the immediacy of a daily post. The great gift of being a writer is getting the chance to know yourself a little more each day, and publishing those thoughts is like pouring cement in your personal history. I also miss the explosive growth of this site. I am a creature of ego, no different than anyone else. Compliments and links, for me, are fuel and a heavy foot on the pedal.
I am a writer and a writer writes. There is no reason I can’t come up with enough content to keep this site running five days a week. It’s what I do. I make time for all kinds of writing, I need to make more time for the place that started it all. The solution is simple. I don’t even need to write more any more than I already am, I just need to share more of what I do.
In the last year that I’ve been writing, I’ve stockpiled quite a bit of this and that – much of it now ready to hang on the wall. Starting Monday, Writer Dad is back to five days a week.
Please allow me to ask for something in return.
I don’t get paid for writing around these parts and the extra minutes of my day are few and far between. This is not a money generating site, but I would still like to make money from it indirectly, at the very least as a vehicle to spread my voice as much as possible.
That’s where I need your help.
I make my living from the words I write.
The better they do, the better I do.
The better I do, the more I can follow my muse.
The more I can follow my muse, the happier I will be.
The happier I am, the better writer I will become.
The better writer I am, the more precisely I can tune my thought.
It is the right words that can help to change the world.
I will do all I can to deliver my best 5 days a week. Any time you like what you read, please share it in whatever way works best for you: link it or Tweet it, bookmark it or email it to a friend, but please do share.
It’s better than recycling!
About Sean Platt
This whole article feels like a poem. Very enjoyable!
This whole article feels like a poem. Very enjoyable!
You rock Sean no matter how many posts you make a week. Your writing rocks, with out a doubt, but what really draws me to this site is your heart. You are a “real” person who loves what he is doing and is connecting with his readers. You bless me.
You rock Sean no matter how many posts you make a week. Your writing rocks, with out a doubt, but what really draws me to this site is your heart. You are a “real” person who loves what he is doing and is connecting with his readers. You bless me.
I may not comment as often when you go back to frequent posting, but you know you’ll always have my readership, friendship and support. There’s organic learning in every aspect of blogging.
I have theories about why some blogs have been ebbing and flowing recently if you ever want an email chat.
I may not comment as often when you go back to frequent posting, but you know you’ll always have my readership, friendship and support. There’s organic learning in every aspect of blogging.
I have theories about why some blogs have been ebbing and flowing recently if you ever want an email chat.
Welcome back. I read your words every day on your different blogs so to me it doesn’t feel like you’ve gone anywhere.
I will try my best to share what you write and comment as often as possible.
Welcome back. I read your words every day on your different blogs so to me it doesn’t feel like you’ve gone anywhere.
I will try my best to share what you write and comment as often as possible.
It’s about freakin’ time. I got used to reading your stuff and commenting when in my computer class and now that I have my own computer your money stuff got borrrrring! I have to keep remembering that years ago you told me how you had to make lots of money and be rich cuz you knew you’d have to take care of my ass when I got old!! Seriously, glad you’ve equalized and can now get back to the roots. Looking forward to your thoughts in print, as I can really enjoy your intellect and maturity without the arm farts and noogies that I get in person! love ya, mom
It’s about freakin’ time. I got used to reading your stuff and commenting when in my computer class and now that I have my own computer your money stuff got borrrrring! I have to keep remembering that years ago you told me how you had to make lots of money and be rich cuz you knew you’d have to take care of my ass when I got old!! Seriously, glad you’ve equalized and can now get back to the roots. Looking forward to your thoughts in print, as I can really enjoy your intellect and maturity without the arm farts and noogies that I get in person! love ya, mom
Rachel: Thank you so much Rachel! That is a very nice thing to say and I appreciate the compliment.
Laurie: You are always there retweeting and I’m quite sure you would be link crazy if you had a blog. You are a wonderful supporter, Laurie, and I appreciate it greatly.
Janice: I couldn’t agree more – there is tremendous learning opportunities in blogging at nearly every level. Of course I’m interested to hear any theory you’re ready to hang.
Chase: Too cool, Chase. That’s kind of what I always wanted – splitting up various topics among a few different sites, but it’s an awful lot to ask people to keep track of. Thank you for supporting me both here and off site. I really do appreciate it.
Mom: I’m just waiting for the technology that allows me to put a fart in every post. I’m thinking it should be available sometime around mid 2012.
Rachel: Thank you so much Rachel! That is a very nice thing to say and I appreciate the compliment.
Laurie: You are always there retweeting and I’m quite sure you would be link crazy if you had a blog. You are a wonderful supporter, Laurie, and I appreciate it greatly.
Janice: I couldn’t agree more – there is tremendous learning opportunities in blogging at nearly every level. Of course I’m interested to hear any theory you’re ready to hang.
Chase: Too cool, Chase. That’s kind of what I always wanted – splitting up various topics among a few different sites, but it’s an awful lot to ask people to keep track of. Thank you for supporting me both here and off site. I really do appreciate it.
Mom: I’m just waiting for the technology that allows me to put a fart in every post. I’m thinking it should be available sometime around mid 2012.
Will do. :)
Will do. :)
LOVE the last line. “Better than recycling.”
Yes.
LOVE the last line. “Better than recycling.”
Yes.
Yippee!!
Yippee!!
Awesome!
You know they say that Spring is the time for new beginnings, but I think Fall is.
Awesome!
You know they say that Spring is the time for new beginnings, but I think Fall is.
Write here with ya…
Write here with ya…
Hey Sean i have always enjoyed your blog through rss feed and always felt good reading stuff here ……. who wouldn’t love having gifts all the five days of a week …… Good Luck and I wish you do as you want to do so …. All i say is keep e’m coming …….
Hey Sean i have always enjoyed your blog through rss feed and always felt good reading stuff here ……. who wouldn’t love having gifts all the five days of a week …… Good Luck and I wish you do as you want to do so …. All i say is keep e’m coming …….
Vered: Thanks, Vered! : > ) (I knew I could count on you!)
Hayden: Thanks! I took it out and put it back in a few times. : > )
Kool Aid: SKIPEE!
Tracy: I couldn’t agree more. I LOVE Fall, might even be my favorite season.
Trina: Thanks Trina! Many smiles your way.
Satish: Thanks, Satish. I appreciate that, and it’s nice to know you! I’ll try to deliver my best and as consistently as I can.
Vered: Thanks, Vered! : > ) (I knew I could count on you!)
Hayden: Thanks! I took it out and put it back in a few times. : > )
Kool Aid: SKIPEE!
Tracy: I couldn’t agree more. I LOVE Fall, might even be my favorite season.
Trina: Thanks Trina! Many smiles your way.
Satish: Thanks, Satish. I appreciate that, and it’s nice to know you! I’ll try to deliver my best and as consistently as I can.
You know, I’ve been thinking about doing the same thing myself as I’ve run down a similar road, as you know. It’s good to see you back in the saddle, buddy. :-) I’m sure WD will be bustling once again. I’ll do my best to help make it happen. Eric
You know, I’ve been thinking about doing the same thing myself as I’ve run down a similar road, as you know. It’s good to see you back in the saddle, buddy. :-) I’m sure WD will be bustling once again. I’ll do my best to help make it happen. Eric
So it’s October fourth today. Shouldn’t you have written three most posts by now?
Bad, Writer Dad.
BAD!
:-D
So it’s October fourth today. Shouldn’t you have written three most posts by now?
Bad, Writer Dad.
BAD!
:-D
Eric: Hey, Eric! Thanks man. It is funny how we run in cycles isn’t it? When going back to five days I did reflect on how you scaling back seemed to work well for you and I was wondering if it still did. It’s always so difficult to know the right thing to do. See you next week!
Friar: “Bad, Writer Dad.” That’s my next headline and post! : > )
Eric: Hey, Eric! Thanks man. It is funny how we run in cycles isn’t it? When going back to five days I did reflect on how you scaling back seemed to work well for you and I was wondering if it still did. It’s always so difficult to know the right thing to do. See you next week!
Friar: “Bad, Writer Dad.” That’s my next headline and post! : > )