Monday, March 15, 2010

To Go Private Or Not?



So last Wednesday and Thursday, for a brief period of about 12 hours from 10 p.m., Wednesday to 10 a.m., Thursday my blogs went dark. Yes, I made them private and available only by invitation.

I managed to gather some emails of regular readers with the plan to send out invitations....but then I changed my mind and made them public again.

You are probably wondering why, after practically 3 years of blogging, I did this. And the answer is simple. Silly me finally realized that just anybody could read my blogs. Like, say, my husband's boss. Yes, of course, I know whatever I write is out there on the world wide web for anyone to peruse.

But Wednesday night it was revealed to me over a few Happy Hour glasses of wine just who was reading it. And, of course, they clued my husband in. While my husband has a vague idea that I have a blog, he doesn't really show that much interest in any kind of social media, let alone my blog. He might have a slight curiosity about my No Shopping blog, but not my Random Thoughts. He gets enough of my random thoughts in our daily lives together.

But anyhow I had a moment of panic where I decided I didn't want just anyone reading my blog, but just as quickly the following morning I changed my mind. Because a great deal of my readers are people who have just stumbled across my blog and if I make my blog private, I won't get any new readers who will find me that way. And there might be readers who I don't know about since they have never left me a comment?

So, for now, the blogs remain open to all and if I do eventually decide to make one or both private again, I will give a 30-day notice and give everyone time to email me their addresses. But here are a couple of questions for you. Do you make your blogs private, available only to invited readers and, if so, why? And would you ever consider writing an anonymous blog?

One last question, do you read my blog but have never left me a comment?

That's all!






12 comments:

Kristie said...

Some of my friends have private blogs because they write about personal things or about their children. I like mine to be open to the public so that if anyone happens to cross the blog, then I might have made a new friend. I certainly understand not wanting certain folks to be able to read it though. I guess it's just a pros and cons type decision.

Lesli said...

Kristie, that is my biggest reason for keeping it open. New friends (like you)!

Natalie said...

Hey there! I have commented before (as Gator Girl!) ! I love your blog--it's so cheery and happy :) However it is definitely a pro/con list type decision to be private!

k a t i e said...

I leave you a comment occasionally - I think you know who I am!

I am constantly having the 'public V private' battle in my mind, for those reasons - who's reading it. My ex for example, his family...who, as far as I'm concerned, can go jump. But...like you said, it's the randoms that you meet that keep blogging fun and the new commenters that make it worthwhile. I'd often thought about just doing another blog entirely without any REAL reference to me in it (with a name like "Random" instead of "Lesli", say) and assume no one finds me except the people I email...


If you do go private, I'd love an invite, please!

Lesli said...

Natalie & Katie, I know who you both are!! I will definitely invite you both if my blog becomes private, but for now I feel that it will stay open. I will take the good along with the bad to keep meeting new readers & friends!

Nancy said...

By having mine public I can see that there are people who have the same thoughts and concerns as I do. By reading others it helps me realize I'm NOT crazy!
I enjoy all the blogs I read.

Lesli said...

Nancy, good point! And I am pretty sure you are not crazy-ha ha!

Lindsay said...

I read all of your posts but I dont comment often :( Please dont go private, I really do enjoy this blog as well as your no shopping one. Know that I do read every post!!!! :)
xoxo,
Lindsay

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through Save Karyn's blog.I also read your other blog.I think you should keep it open.Because of you I now wear Pink Sugar perfume.I brought it about 2 weeks ago. Even through you shouldn't have watch what you write because it's open to anyone and everyone you do have to watch what you write. I have commented on a few of your post.

Tiffany and the Munchkins said...

I don't comment often because I always seem to get so very behind in reading blog posts, but I do read each and every post, even if I'm a week late! I really enjoy reading your blog and hope that you will keep it open. The thought to go private has never really crossed my mind. I love all the new people I meet through my blog.

Lesli said...

Thanks everyone!!

I love that I influenced someone to wear Pink Sugar!

I think I will keep my blog open because of all the great, fun new people I keep meeting along the way.

xoxo

Sttacia said...

You know what I am debating. I haven't posted to my blog since and I am working so many hours, I don't even have time to start a new blog! I don't have many followers anyway, so I don't know that I'll even continue having a blog. Besides, I enjoy reading your blog!