Dear thepublicblogger, why did you follow my blog?

  Posted on by Kendall Fredrick Person

  1,009 Comments

Dear thepublicblogger, why did you follow my blog?

dear thepublicblogger

Dear thepublicblogger: First I want to thank you for following my blog. I could be cynical and say maybe you just did it, so that I would follow yours, but hopefully that is not the case. I am one to always believe the best about people first so I’m going to remain optimistic (although, I am glad to follow yours, because I am enjoying it quite a bit). –  cynical optimist

Dear cynical optimist:  I do not think you are being cynical in the least by inquiring the reasons for my joining your community. Cynicism would come into play if you did not ask. ‘Following’ is a common term used throughout social media, but here, we are neighbors. The cynic would be partially correct, but, in this case, a real cynic would not have obtained a season pass. The cynic would have judged my performance at the door, and never read a single post.  Several neighbors and visitors alike have inquired as to why I would follow them, and one very talented blogger, The Curse of Future Tom (2013 mid-season nominee Best Comedy Post/Blog) even wrote a hilarious piece (I hope he was being funny) ‘There’s Some Kind of Blogsphere in Here‘ wondering if I was up to something by following him. A very valid question and you are not alone in being a curious mind.

With a population of 65,000,000, if WordPress were a country, it would be the 22nd largest in the world, wedged right between  the United Kingdom (63,700,000) and France (65,700,000). It is a fascinating, international community, that enables all to build a platform to showcase their talents and/or to have a voice. I enjoy my trips around the WordPress world. The sites, sounds, stories, rants and raves I encounter from my desktop our priceless.

It is my vision that The Neighborhood become an international destination for entertainment, for discussion, for discovery, for intrigue and most importantly, for peace. Developing, designing and building the type of all-inclusive atmosphere, takes planning, promoting, imagination, intensity and sincerity.  But all of those things become moot, without  people to share in this journey, that unveils itself a little each day.

I learn of new communities, by visiting my neighbors’ communities. WordPress is brilliant in its simplicity of meeting new friends. Simply ‘Liking’ a post or ‘commenting’ on a platform, or ‘following’ another blogger, your Gravatar  or Hovercard serves as your ‘I was here signature’ linking back, from wherever you are, to your blog, making meeting new friends as easy as a ‘touch or click’. Freshly Pressed is an in-house promotional device, if you will, where ever changing categories of blogs and posts, appear, running the gamut from ‘Drawing’ to ‘Inspiration’ from ‘Startups’ to ‘Blogging’ with hundreds of stops in between. And the prominence of WordPress bloggers can be felt throughout the world wide web, as it is not uncommon  to read a headline at another online community or media source, clicking the link to follow the story, and finding it has led you to a WordPress blog.

Cyberspace, where billions have established homes, is made up of hundreds of micro communities.  Many people establish residence at one location and maintain ties to several more. WordPress is my home location, but with so many friends, family members, and early supporters at Facebook, I maintain smaller accommodations there, as well as SoundCloud, Twitter and GooglePlus, which are still  relatively new communities to me. I try to demonstrate respect by contributing to the atmosphere at each location, in a give and take. I fall short, but my intentions are good. Many times, I am outfoxed by the number of hours in a day. But at WordPress, my home base, my online resident location, being a good neighbor does not just solve fair, it is the very foundation, in which The Neighborhood is built.

I have visited, read, listened to and commented on thousands of posts from thousands of WordPress bloggers. I cross share works from different communities, and during the blogger awards season, dedicate myself to finding, visiting and reviewing hundreds of new blogs, as well as, blogs that I have bookmarked. In an effort to expand the consideration pool for the 2014 Thepublicblogger Awards,  judging criteria was established, including opening up the process to bloggers outside of WordPress, and international judging panels, and a popular vote via online poll, were installed. Utilizing this platform, the neighborhood has supported causes such as stopping bullying (BULLY) and supporting homeless Veterans and those suffering from ptsd (The Hypocrisy of War), and I am proud to do so, and humbled that my voice can be heard.

Why do I follow you? And you? And you? at WordPress, at Twitter and SoundCloud? Why do I find  ‘Friends’  at Facebook and Goodreads? Why do I make ‘Connections’ at LinkedIn, add ‘Acquaintances’ at GooglePlus, feed to Bloglovin and Tumblr and post at Reddit?

As a marketer, (the cynic will say I told you so) following is a tool used in promotions and attracting new visitors, as well as, introducing thepublicblogger.com to potential new neighbors and friends, Similar to most (if not all) performance artists, I revel in producing a sold-out show. As an author, blogger & writer, It allows me to introduce readers to my novels, series and other works I post.  As a volunteer promoter, it provides a larger audience for the incredible talent  I discover and share within a post. As a purveyor of peace, it brings the world together in a discussion of civility and respect. And as a visionary, I can see The Neighborhood as a destination, bustling with visitors, bursting with neighbors, teeming with life. But the number of followers is a false indicator for reaching set goals, and while a tool, it serves no purpose if the production falls below par and respect for community takes a nosedive. Smoke and mirrors may serve as an initial attraction, but it is beauty, and heart, and soul, and sharing, and caring, and believing, and understanding, and honesty and integrity and creativity and doubt and prayer and you that enables The Neighborhood to grow.

As of August 20, 2013, The Neighborhood has a population of 18,218 {updated: April 24, 2016: 84,678} and I am honored and proud to welcome everyone one of you. But there are so many you out there, that we have yet to meet.

No worries, we know you are there. And on July 4, eleven players will begin a quest to find you. And a voting audience, will eliminate those that don’t (big smile)

 

We know you are out there 

 Category: society, think      Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1,009 Comments on “Dear thepublicblogger, why did you follow my blog?”

  2. Kendall, thanks for the follow and invite to be neighbors in this big neighborhood. Hope we can glean from each other. Sure we will.

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  3. I feel like I’ve made thousands of new friends today, and one special one in Kendall. All we writers, by definition, work in isolation, and this is truly a historic opportunity to reach out to our fellow craftsmen. Thanks for your warm welcome, I’ll strive to live up to your expectations (or maybe even exceed them on occasion.) Cheers – M

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  4. Dear Kendall, thanks for including me in this community by following. My eyes are beginning to open to the vastness of this neighborhood and I must say it looks very promising. =) What can’t we do, really? Sincerely, Charlotte

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  6. Thank you so much for the warm welcome to the neighbourhood! I enjoyed this article very much, and I will definitely be back to read more:)

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  7. Hey Kendall,
    This is quite an insightful post and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am a new blogger too and I must confess I found this piece inspiring. Thanks for following my blog too and I hope I live up to your expectation.

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  9. I have to honestly say….that was the very question that I asked myself when I got your follow notification. Thank you for the in depth response to the question that was going off in my head. I am a new blogger, but have maintained a journal pretty much all my life. I go from writing down my private thoughts for my own self awareness and improvement to sharing my thoughts with others because we never know what life will teach us and where the teaching will come from.

    So, thanks for embracing me in this world of blogging and I look forward to all that will come from it.

    Like

  10. Greetings Kendall,
    Thank you for following my blog. I am new at blogging . I have journaled privately for years but I am not just a little insecure about putting my thoughts our there for everyone to read. Your post under “Why did you follow my blog?” has set me a little more at ease. Your statements, “I try to demonstrate respect by contributing to the atmosphere at each location, in a give and take, I fall short, but my intentions are good.” and “…being a good neighbor does not just solve fair, it is the very foundation, in which The Neighborhood is built.”, makes me realize that blogging is being part of a community. And as the community works together, treating each other with respect, even when one in the community “falls short” we get better together.
    Who would have thought this retired nurse, now a part-time assistant pastor in a country church in northern Pennsylvania, would be in a blogging community making friends and meeting neighbors all over the world.
    It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood!

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    • Greetings Pastor. With so much of our lives actually taking place online {rather we like it or not} what better way than to make friends and build a safe environment while we are here. Thank you for adding your voice to this forum and I welcome you with open arms into The Neighborhood.

      Like

  11. Thanks so much for your honesty and clarity, and of course, for following my little blog! Very good to meet you.

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  12. I like that you are creating a diverse, peaceful neighborhood of artists. Thank you for your work.

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  13. Thanks for your comprehensive post 🙂 I now have a bigger and better picture as to why others choose to follow blogs as well how the blogging neighborhood is! 😉 Looking forward for more insights 😀

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  14. Thank you for your insightful explanation about why you read and follow other bloggers. I really had no idea that the online blogging community was so vast. All of your reasons for reading, exploring and linking together made great sense to me. Thanks for opening my eyes to a larger world than just my computer and me! 🙂

    Like

  15. Thanks for stopping by and leading me to your space otherwise I would have missed such inspirational posts. Happy to follow you

    Like

  16. Pingback: the knowledge bowl: Dear thepublicblogger, why did you follow my blog? | D'way Crafts

  18. Such a beautiful voice. I feeli like this was the equivalent of a ‘neighbour’ bringing me freshyly baked goodies to welcome me to the neighbourhood- literally. Except we don’t do that here in South Africa so thank you for the experience. Excellent post!

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  21. Hi Kendall, I just read your reasoning above and liked it very much, it gave me the feeling of actually walking around in a virtual neighbourhood, and how happy to meet with people who are peace lovers, or like you said in your own words, I quote: “As a purveyor of peace, it brings the world together in a discussion of civility and respect. And as a visionary, I can see The Neighborhood as a destination, bustling with visitors, bursting with neighbors, teeming with life” that really made me want to follow your blog. I really get that, thank you.

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  22. Thanks for following our blog, we’re new to blogging so learning lots each day about what works and what doesn’t.

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  23. Thank you for your follow and leading me to your blog. A very interesting read and welcoming into the neighbourhood 🙂

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  25. Kendall, your post is very well thought-out. You speak from your heart. Thank you for creating this blog. I look forward to reading more. Thanks also for following my blog.

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  26. A thoughtful post that gives value to a traditionally thoughtless action. Your wordsmithing and your mission both seem admirable and inspiring. All of this makes me appreciate your follow all the more.

    Keep up what looks to be an excellent performance. I hope to enjoy the show.

    Like

  27. Thank you for this encouragement =) Your thoughts are so eloquent! A true inspiration =) You engaged me to believe in our capacity to create change and spread what’s beautiful in life =)

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  28. I too wondered why you followed my posts, and now I know! Thank you for the encouragement! I started posting a week ago and managed to write 4 in my first week. I had wanted to ” journal” , better known as blog in the online world, for more than 10 years. I was determined to have my first post by August of 2014, in remembrance of my now , 8 years cancer free and another year , now 9 since surviving Katrina. When I began to write , I wondered if anyone would really read it or follow.I am so honored that you did choose to follow me! I admire your eloquence and style and am now one of your followers!

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    • Thank you for sharing such personal pieces of your world. its a beautiful thing on your surviving to would tragic circumstances. Look forward to watching your community grow and I welcome you with open arms into The Neighborhood.

      Like

  31. I came to your blog to thank you for following my blog and then I find that you have created a posting that not only provides that thank you, but the reasoning behind the intension to follow.

    So in thanking you for following my blog, I also thank you for allowing myself and others to read your eloquent posting on ‘following’.

    So in gaining a follower, I am now following yourself.

    Like

  32. I wondered the same question, and would have asked, had the answer not been right before me upon arrival. I appreciate your follow, and did very much enjoy reading the answer. It was magnificent. Again,
    thanks for the follow!

    Like

  36. You’re an extremely articulate, persuasive and candid writer – how could I not follow? I love excellence in writing and seeing it done with passion and vision, and I look forward to catching up with what’s happening in your corner of cyberworld. I tend to get lost in the more remote parts … but then, I tend to get lost in car parks too…yet wordpress has been wonderfully easy to navigate. It’s definitely my home base though I do trek around the outposts too. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  37. I’m glad to be in the hood, thank from all the way in oz and we at the Temple admit, you are our favorite amongst them all with your powerful messages presented in your unique, brilliant way.

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  38. Love you attitude and I can certainly learn from you as a newer blogger myself. Thanks!

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  40. Hello Kendall!
    Thank you so much for following my blog. I hope you return often. I am about to embark on a wonderful journey. I will be without reliable internet for a month, so I may not be able to write about it for a month. Your project to bring the world together is ambitious to say the least. I’m packing and organizing so I won’t be able to read your work in depth until I return. Keep on writing, and exploring!
    Cheers!
    Elizabeth

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  43. My dear Kendall (thepublicblogger), as I have commented to you in the past days that I just started with WP. Your “just started following me” email included this post which I just clicked on. I first went to your post (as you know) An Unbroken Lineare. Which for me was intensely educational to say the lease. But the way you break down barriers with your words (I have to look some of them up by the way) is seamlessly Educational. I’m not a advent writer like so many here. However, I have always tried to find a way to communicate how I feel about issues surrounding controversy. This is sounding more like a post then a comment, so let me end by telling you, and you who is reading this comment. It takes a neighborhood to build a community, and a community to make change happen. Thanks much Mr. Person for letting me attend your classroom.
    Nsasi

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  45. Hi Kendall,

    Indeed, I enjoyed reading your article above and your explanations of why you do what you do really make sense to me – BUT (grin) I have been wondering whether it is really possible to get into closer contact with EVERY blogger we might follow if the number of bloggers we join exceeds a certain limit.

    For me, it makes sense to follow a blog when I am interested in reading the posts he or she publishes. That is a personal thing of common interests; it probably includes an exchange of ideas and different views – anyway, it has to become personal or the other blogger is simply a neighbor who exists solely “on paper”. You know how much time it takes to read posts from others and that our day has ONLY 24 hours. So how do you manage these things personally, Kendall? Do you have an implanted chip in your body that also works for you while you are sleeping? 😉

    Love,
    Susanne

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    • True enough, Susanne…and Kendall’s methods may be nothing more than a very cleverly-disguised way of getting people to follow his own blog. But I choose to think it is more; and in fact, I personally believe that he is serving a greater purpose. I am one of the more recent “neighbors” and so, because of those unfortunate limited 24 hours, have not been able to test out my theory as of yet — but I believe that within this neighborhood, if he holds true to his word, I shall find people of like mind, who are writing about those things that are important to me as well; hopefully he has done much of the leg work in finding the stars that shine bright among the many bloggers…those who want to make a difference in this world; those who want to see a change.

      That’s just my hopeful opinion, as hope springs eternal in the heart of an Aquarian. 🙂

      Like

  48. Hi and thank you for the follow! I’m enjoying your blog so far and am now following you. 🙂 Dont be a stranger, neighbor! 🙂

    Like

  49. This is awesome KP! Definitely helps give me a better picture and understanding of your mission here in The Neighborhood.

    Like

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