No one writes to the General

The other night I had to help a friend of mine from what I can only describe as a rather despairing moment. Jason is having a bit of trouble out there in Zembla, California, and is wondering what to do.

So, let me start by saying this, I've known Jason for a looooong time. He isn't always the easiest person to get along with but still I count him among my friends, though to be honest, his attitude towards his fellow man sometimes makes it a little hard to hang out with him and my other friends. Sorry Jason, but still kind of the truth.

Jason is married to a fairly wonderful woman named Ruthie who has of late been stricken by acute agoraphobia; she really just can't take people. I realize that I've said that rather bluntly, but Jason extrapolates more on the subject on his blog. The point is that beneath Jason's gruff exterior lies a heart of gold, as he gave up society for his wife, and has now moved out into the mountains of unicorporated California. As far as I can tell, he's in the middle of nowhere. He keeps dodging questions about his phone number. To be quite honest, I don't think he has one.

So that unfortunately leaves Jason with nothing but a blog, which was my idea. But nobody seems to be reading Jason's blog--I know how you feel Jason--and so, the poor guy feels like he's reporting his condition to a void, which can be pretty hard sometimes.

The trick for me is to always remember why I'm writing a blog. I'm trying to journal the life of my thoughts out in Massachusetts and to give a little check in with my friends as to how I'm doing. If no one reads that, well, then no one reads that. I at least know that Jason and Avram are reading, everyone else is kind of a mystery (hint, hint--post a comment!). I hope that they read, but I don't know whether they do or not.

But for Jason, and perhaps for others of you out there, the real problem is that he hopes that people will read. I mean, seriously, for Jason, this is about his only conduit to the outside world. Therefore, may I make a few suggestions as to how to get your blog "out there."

First of all, pictures. People love pictures. I realize that Ruthie would have a fit if you were taking pictures of landmarks near your house, but Northern California is a beautiful place. Snap some off your porch. I know that YOU have a digital camera. What? Can't figure out how to use it?

In any case, pictures (well named) will show up on a google image search as well as a regular content search. Maybe sell some things and register on Froogle. I don't know, but that couldn't hurt.

Second, you're going to have to go to other people's blogs, read some, and make some comments. It's the only way to spread the word to new readers. Call it making blog friends. You comment, intelligently, and the next thing you know, the people that read that blog are reading your blog as well.

The third option is obviously to tag line your e-mails with your blog account, but then you're really only targetting your friends, and chances are they already know about your blog. Plus, yeah I know Jason, it's quite possible that you don't want everyone you send e-mail to reading your blog.

Lastly, try to be fun to read. The most read blogs are those with a catch. I'm blogging from prison, or I'm blogging my experiences in boot camp, or something like that. If you have one of these catches, people tend to come see how your doing more. Me, I'm blogging my experience of being alive. Really, it's not that interesting to someone who's looking for that whole, "how the other half lives" slant.

So, Jason I hope this helps.