What To Expect From Be More With Less
When I started Be More With Less, just a few short months ago, I wrote this post about what you could expect in terms of content from this site. Now, in addition, I want to let you know what you can expect moving forward.
I’ve done a lot of reading about how to grow a blog audience, and how to stay in constant communication with readers, but some of it seems a bit contrived and the opposite of what Be More with Less is all about. You should subscribe because you enjoy receiving my posts in email or in your blog reader. I want you to comment because you are interested in participating and connecting. My hope is that you will grow with me, organically and authentically.
Very simply, you can expect:
Consistency: 3 posts per week.
Engagement: I am available. I read your comments and will usually comment back. Email me your questions and recommendations. Find me on Twitter. I am available to you!
Thoughtfulness: Yes this is a website, on the infinite World Wide Web, but I am a real person with a family, friends and a real life. I will treat you kindly, recognizing that you are a real person, with a family, friends and a real life.
Simplicity: I will tell you things in the simplest way possible.
You cannot expect:
Controversial posts just to attract attention: I might not always write about things you agree with, but I will always speak from the heart and value your opinion.
Long drawn out posts to meet a certain word count:I will not waste your time.
Incentives to sign up as a subscriber: I want you to subscribe because you are inspired, entertained or engaged, not for the free toaster!
Posts dripping with keywords for optimized SEO. For a split second, I thought about mastering SEO and growing the blog in that way, but then I realized, I want to write for real people (you), not for search engines.
How will Be More With Less succeed?
You might be wondering how I will succeed if I don’t do the things I mentioned. How will anyone know about the site? I’ve asked myself the same question and the answer always comes back to delivering great information to smart readers. You will tell people about something good.
I may have the luxury and honor of writing for you as a career one day, but only if you find the idea of Be More with Less useful, appealing and worth talking about. Your input is not only appreciated, but necessary for the success of this blog. Your comments, emails, and tweets are welcome. Thanks for all that you do.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to Be More with Less & share on twitter.
49 Responses to “What To Expect From Be More With Less”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
please comment
subscribe your way:
Thank you for doing this blog!
Yes, I discovered you. Without fancy-shmancy stuff. Glad you don’t do the ‘must-grow-blog’ this way or that way things.
Too much time spent on the fancy-shmancy means less time doing what matters! Thanks for your feedback.
You are a breath of fresh air. I’m thinking I need to find a middle ground between the two methods. I’m always changing and growing and will be genuine either way.
Thanks Tess!
I love that your making these aims public Courtney, it makes me think about my own blog and how that’s evolving.
I’ve found some of your recent posts your best yet, so as a reader I’m really enjoying how BeMoreWithLess is evolving.
Just wondering if you had any plans for an ebook around some of the topics you discuss?
Keep writing and evolving,
Dan
Dan, My first ebook is in progress and actually started a second one. They might merge or stay separate. I also have a few other ideas up my sleeve that I may bounce off you once I better understand them myself!
Looking forward to hearing more. From what you have on here already you must have a book or two’s worth of great stuff.
Happy to hear and be bounced off. : )
Dan
Here, here. Very nicely put! Integrity is a wonderful thing. Just another reason why I enjoy you and your writing so much.
(Along the sames lines, I’ve stopped looking at stats. Haven’t checked for the entire month of August. It feels liberating not worrying about traffic and subscriber counts; rather, focusing in on writing from the heart and mind.)
Be well!
Thanks Bill!
Hey,
Found you last night surfing around, am trying to be…let’s say…”more minimalist” out of financial and psychological necessity. I am tired of the stuff struggle. You can’t win, and you can never catch up. Looking forward to reading you : ) !
Cara, Glad you found me. Catching up is not a winning game – that is for sure. I actually have a post coming up just about that! Thanks for your comment.
Hi Courtney,
I admire like the other commentators you saying what you are going to do ‘out loud’ on the web. This shows you are committed to what you are planning on doing and not just interested. I have written about the power of commitment versus interest before on my blog and in e books. It makes a huge difference when you really want to move forward in life.
Keep being you Courtney,
Enjoy a wonderful day,
David
David – Great point. It is good to be interested but action takes commitment!
i agree with Dan and David – it’s refreshing to hear this all said out loud. gives me pause, and makes me grateful i am already a subscriber! also makes me think i should do something similar at some point on my own little internet space!
Robyn, I am grateful you are a subscriber too!
Maybe I’m just dim about growing an audience, but it seems to me that your method–being your authentic self–is the most effective. At least it was effective enough to attract and keep me! I look forward to your posts!
Beverly, Glad to attract AND keep you!
I think this is the right direction. It may not be the fastest way to grow but certainly the most long lasting, and the most fun!
Well done. Love your blog and your “less is more” approach to all things.
Thanks Katie!
Great post, Courtney! Thanks for your honesty and integrity…believe me, it shows in every post
Willow, Thanks so much for your comment and for being such a great support of Be More With Less!
I stumbled on you via your guest post on Becoming Minimalist, which I stumbled on via Rowdy Kittens, which I stumbled upon via the NY Times article, which is what started my whole simplifying kick!! I am currently struggling with the temptation to grow my blog via all the “tips & tricks” but I also want to stay authentic– even if that means that the only person reading my blog is my mom! You’re one of my “subscribed to” blogs in blogger, so keep on keeping on!! (and come Sept. 6, my family is embarking on the “boot camp” you suggested in “Living in the Land of Enough”)
Colleen, I am going to launch a “Living in the Land of Enough” Series soon, so I can breakdown the items and offer suggestions. Glad you found me!
When you start to focus on the tips and tricks, it is easy to lose the impact of your message.
I’ve no idea how I stumbled upon you, but I know the words “more with less” have been part of a journey I’ve been on for more than twenty years and a journey it is. I’ve been following you for about two weeks now and like what I’ve read so much that you’re now in my toolbar of blogs, and I keep that very simple. I’m really looking forward to reading your material and going back over old posts.
Thanks Kelly!
Courtney, I’m so happy to hear that someone else is on the same wavelength! I just started blogging about a month ago, without having previously been exposed to the world of blogging. I’ve always loved writing, and I decided I wanted to share my experiences with others in the hopes of finding others who were interested in growing and learning with me. That was the whole reason I got into blogging in the first place…and I quickly became overwhelmed with the “wealth” of information out there on how to grow you blog, optimize it for SEO, etc. I found myself already starting to concentrate on too much of the wrong stuff, and I was afraid I was going to lose sight of my original intentions.
This weekend was my husband’s and my anniversary and we went out to San Diego to celebrate and meet up with some friends. I brought my laptop with the intention of writing a post or two while I was away. However, once I was out there, that idea quickly went out the window (I was having too much fun!). On the 4-hour plane ride home, I got to thinking about my blog and reconnecting with my intentions. I decided I just wanted to focus on having experiences and sharing them with others…not on SEO, and wordcount, and everything else. It’s nice to see someone else headed in the same direction…and very successfully!
Thanks…your vision is refreshing and reassuring.
Thanks Adrienne. There are proven formulas to grow a readership, but it doesn’t always include readers that care about what you do. If you can give your energy to your content and readers, instead of SEO, you may grow slower, but you will connect more genuinely with your audience, and that’s what it is all about!
Hey I am really enjoying your blog. I happened to stumble upon it decided to subscribe. I am only beginning to discover minimalist living. I have a practical–and I hope not too rude–question. Do you make income from this blog? If so, how? I don’t see any ads on here. Just curious.
Hi Susan, That is a great question and not rude at all. Currently, I make a little revenue from my “I Love” page by recommending great ebooks and other products that have made my life better. I do have other ideas to monetize the site that I am still thinking about and working on, like my own ebooks and other services. While I don’t currently offer advertising, if the right product/company came along, I would consider hosting one ad at a time. You will never find distracting adsense type ads or anything representing things that I don’t use or believe in.
I hope that answers your question. Thanks for subscribing!
I came to you today from Zen Habits where you shared your story of change due to your wake up call of your MS diagnosis. I am a cancer survivor with multiple sequelae due to my surgeries but am now cancer free. Thank you for that post. I will add you to my blogs on dog-blessed-silverwalk.org so I can follow you. This post was awesome because you set out what you would be doing and how you would engage your readers within your values. I had never seen anyone write this before (or I came late and did not find it). So glad Leo featured you so I could find you. Rock on.
Roberta, Thanks for dropping me a line. Congrats on being cancer free. That is AWESOME! So glad you found me too. I look forward to hearing more from you.
Courtney – welcome to the very, very small group of blogs I am willing to spend my time reading with any regularity. I’m looking forward to getting to know you…I’ll be starting the project333 Monday; what a great idea!
Elaine, I’m honored. Looking forward to getting to know you too! Will you share your Project 333 List on the Facebook page or with me?
Hi Courtney! I stumbled upon your blog via zenhabits.com (Leo’s blog) and I am so glad that I found you! I have been looking for more daily reads on how I can simplify life. I really like your writing style and the concepts you share on your blog (already started my first mini-mission). I’ll be sure to subscribe!
Jessica, So glad you found me too and thanks for subscribing! Let me know how I can help as you simplify or if you find other great ideas.
Please keep the 3 posts a week coming. I found your blog through Everret Bogue and Tint Trailer Houses so if a mainstreamer like me can find you I doubt you need the SEO stuff.
Have been reading your blog as well as zenhabit’s and far beyond the stars.
Have been on my own little be more w less journey for a little while now and it feels like the right natural thing to do. As far back as 15+ years ago I’ve been thinking the constant aquisition of things was just not right for me. Steadily paring down and I hope to be a part/fulltime vagabond in about 18 months.
Thanks for your insights.
G~
You writing helps.
George – Your feedback is so important and I am really glad you found me, even without SEO! I hope you will stay in touch as you work towards your vagabonding goal.
Hello Courtney,
I have just found your blog and I am loving it. I have been reading all about project 333 and will be starting it this weekend. The only problem I have with it is the jewelry. I have been married almost 33 years and a lot of what I have have been gifts from my husband so has a lot of sentimental value so I am not able to part with it. However, he is under strict instructions not to buy me any more! I am now looking forward to catching up with all your old posts.
After a year of contemplating chucking all of my physical stuff, on my birthday (Jan. 15), I decided to take control over all of the unnecessary crap that was clogging up my life. The need to free myself and to regain my spiritual, mental and emotional health had become an obtainable goal. I had heard of the term “minimalist,” but I wasn’t sure what it really entailed. I was doing some internet research when I came across your site and after reading it felt so encouraged to embark upon this journey. Once I began purging, immediately I started to feel emotionally alive. All of the heavy layers were being peeled back and the true flower bud (me) was beginning to emerge. Thank you for sharing your experiences by creating this website.
I ONLY HAVE TO ADD TO ALL THE ABOVE COMMENTS, THAT I LONG FOR YOUR POSTS, AND THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE, TAKES TIME FROM MY STRESSED LIFE AND GIVES ME ENERGY/POSITIVE THINKING AND BIG SMILES BACK, THANK YOU