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Arden's Day Blog

Arden's Day is a type I diabetes care giver blog written by author Scott Benner. Scott has been a stay-at-home dad since 2000, he is the author of the award winning parenting memoir, 'Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal'. Arden's Day is an honest and transparent look at life with diabetes - since 2007.

type I diabetes, parent of type I child, diabetes Blog, OmniPod, DexCom, insulin pump, CGM, continuous glucose monitor, Arden, Arden's Day, Scott Benner, JDRF, diabetes, juvenile diabetes, daddy blog, blog, stay at home parent, DOC, twitter, Facebook, @ardensday, 504 plan, Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal, Dexcom SHARE, 生命是短暂的，洗衣是永恒的, Shēngmìng shì duǎnzàn de, xǐyī shì yǒnghéng de

How important is reach in blogging?

Scott Benner

 

I've seen my blog touch people, help people and in the words of many that have reached out to tell me so, "save" people. It is an amazing feeling, knowing that my writing has helped so many wonderful people but that feeling is followed by regret, regret that I haven't found a way to reach more people.  Last month I spoke to a new reader on the phone and at the end of the call she asked me to, "never stop writing your blog... it saved me". I must admit that I rolled a tear when she said that.  Since then I've been so preoccupied with trying to figure out how to give more people the comfort that this lovely woman told me that my sharing gave her that I haven't written one word. My blog topics are beginning to back up on me and since I write from the moment, I'm afraid that some of them are lost until they organically re-appear.  All of this to ask you... How important is it to reach more people? Should I be satisfied knowing that those of you that follow are enjoying and being helped or should I put real effort into expanding this blog's reach... and how far is too far, what lines are okay to cross? At what point would you stop reading? If I accepted product reviews? Free stuff? At this moment I can tell you that I have never taken anything for free, discount or otherwise from any entity. But is that an issue to you?

If say a pharma company paid my to write my blog and didn't ask me to do anything different would there be a feeling that my opinions are now slanted? 

What if I blogged on a website instead of Arden's Day? 

Started writing post that began, "today in the mail we..."

At what point does this blog loose it's intention for you of being an honest and transparent look at what it is to raise a child with type I?

I'd really appreciate any and all feedback, you all are amazing!

My best,

Scott

 

**

The following are archived comments from this post. You can post new comments below.

just be you.
Friday, July 29, 2011 - 01:19 PM
Patrick McConnell
Dude, Just keep doing what you`re doing...
Friday, July 29, 2011 - 01:33 PM
Just keep swimming. You're doing great!
Friday, July 29, 2011 - 05:58 PM
I think we all have to say, individually, what blogging means to us. If reaching out is important to you, then yes, start doing more of it. If it's OK that you are sponsored by a pharma company, or accept ads, then that's OK too. I really think when it comes to expressing yourself and advocating through blogging, each person sets their own rules and what feels right to them. 
I appreciate your voice in the DOC Scott.
Sunday, July 31, 2011 - 07:45 AM
i echo the sentiments of others here that as long as you continue to write from your heart and your experiences you won't go wrong. if you try to please some who say you shouldn't have ads or sponsorship, that in itself is a compromising of your voice. i think the people who need to find your blog will find it. continue to write and share at whatever level is comfortable for you.
Monday, August 1, 2011 - 09:57 PM
Emily
Scott, I think what you're doing now is just great. I regularly visit your website hoping for a new blog, and when i see a new one has been written, it is, without doubt, always as amazing as the one before. Whether you are advising, talking about a difficult situation, or even just letting out some emotion... they never fail to be absolutely outstanding. You are a brilliant writer, with what seems to be an amazingly strong family.. You, Arden, Kelly and Cole  give me courage and inspiration. All I can say is whatever decisions you decide to make concerning your website, im sure all your readers will be delighted. Just keep doing what you're doing Scott! I will always be a faithful reader!
Sunday, August 7, 2011 - 09:10 AM
Scott
@Emily - That comment was so thoughtful, well written and kind that people might think that I wrote it myself - scratch that... they'll think I paid someone to write it. :)

I'm sincerely touched!
Monday, August 8, 2011 - 05:16 PM
Anna
Agree with 'be yourself'.  If you were an actor and asked to do a McDonald's commercial, but was against fast food, then it would be a hard acting job to pull off.  But if McD's was your favorite restaurant, then why not do a commercial!  You like OmniPod and DexCom, why not let them advertize on your blog?
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - 12:15 PM

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categories Daddy's Blog
tags type I