In the Art of Blogging, Anger Sells
At least that is the conclusion I have come to after reviewing some of my statistics for the past year.
In August, I announced a change in direction for this blog. Less angry screeds about Sen. John Thune, Gov. Mike Rounds, and Republicans in general. I left the Democratic Party. And, I've told you about my situation with my daughter and family.
I could not longer sustain that intensity. Heck, let's call it what it was--anger. As much as I like being angry about some things, it eats you up. Other priorities in my life needed attention.
Heck, even someone as tough as JerBear couldn't sustain that intensity.But S.D. Watch was once a growing blog with a pretty decent readership. Now, I believe it is just a pretty decent blog with a core readership. Hopefully, it has more than the 14 readers that Mrs. PP chides PP about.
I love to write and I love to blog. It is a creative outlet for me. Some of you have hobbies like stamp collecting or making scale models or fishing, I blog.After mid-August, when I had my big announcement, my readership has dropped considerably. The March spike is Jeff Gannon coverage, the May spike is Ellsworth AFB coverage, and the July/August spike is Dan Nelson Auto/John Thune coverage.
When I became less angry, less in your face, I lost readers. So be it. Some of you have told me you want me to return to the "old" Todd Epp. That's probably not going to happen.I enjoy writing the spoofs to make my political points now. I enjoy silly stuff like who is visiting the site from where. I enjoy researching the This Day in S.D. History bits. Some of you do too, just not as many as before.
As I've gotten older, the more I try to be true to myself and not what others want. This doesn't always sit well with others. But I have to live with myself and my family has to live with me.
So, despite the drop in ratings, it's full speed ahead on the current crazy train called S.D. Watch. And to those of you who have stuck with me through everything--the controversies, the heated debates, my family issues, and now, my sillier, kinder, gentler approach, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Todd Epp
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