Viral, self marketing

The viral is my husband. Sick! In pain! Miserable! Poor guy.

The self-marketing is Blogads! I made one for myself using my promotional code-word, “banana.” You could do the same, y’know. Or you could sign on for the low-low price of $10 and guarantee yourself the spot.

Mama C-ta’s post Sell Your Soul made me think about doing Blogads and Mama C-ta herself helped me get started.

It’s kind of a good exercise for me, y’know? Taking things lightly. Forcing myself to pitch myself, and my blog, in a good light. To get a little creative. My internal monologue is typically full of dark self-loathing, so to make something self-promotional I had to put that on hold for a second.

And I’m thinking I maybe need to try to put that internal monologue on hold a hell of a lot more often.

And I’m thinking that maybe I shouldn’t keep dismissing Supafine as a stupid timewaster, but acknowledge how much enjoyment and satisfaction I get out of it. And let myself be proud of it.

It’s hard. I’m like constitutionally unable to take pride in this, or truly be honest here when I need to be, or truly work hard at making it very good because what if I try and I fail? Or people laugh and point and snicker? Far easier, and safer, to never try, or to try minimally so that if it doesn’t work out, it’s because I did not try. I have the potential, sure, but making the effort, and seeing how it does not measure up — well, that hurts. And who likes pain?

Not me. But sometimes I wonder what I could do if I just let myself be OK with the possibility of failing.

May 24, 2006 | Filed Under check it out, neuroses

Comments

10 Responses to “Viral, self marketing”

Neil on May 25th, 2006 1:16 am

Why wouldn’t you take pride in your cool blog? But how is BlogAds self-promotion? Maybe I’ll read more so I’ll understand it better.
supa on May 25th, 2006 7:04 am

Um, because I was feeling sad and vulnerable, that’s why.

Blogads is selfmarketing because I made an ad. And I would like other people to place an ad. And that means I have to pimp myself. And that’s hard.
victoria on May 25th, 2006 7:54 am

this post makes me very happy. you should be very proud, supa.
Tina on May 25th, 2006 8:21 am

I understand the self loathing and insecurity, not because it’s warranted but because I’m the same way. Just remember, the people who laugh are even more insecure and are usually doing a pre-emptive strike: laugh before you get laughed at.

Pimp your site for all it’s worth (and that’s a lot). People, in general, don’t market themselves enough in the “blogosphere” (how I hate that word) or in real life. We let externals dictate how much we kick ass, and that’s just wrong.

I’m just jealous you’ve got a blogads account!
supa on May 25th, 2006 8:44 am

[quote comment=”3463”]We let externals dictate how much we kick ass, and that’s just wrong.[/quote]

So true, so true. I put way too much stock in what other people think.

Thanks for the ad, tina! Your artwork kicks fucking ass.
Tina on May 25th, 2006 8:55 am

Thanks so much! You get self conscious about your blog, I’m self-conscious about my art. I always feel like someone’s going to laugh at what I do (but there I go with the externals).
Mama C-ta on May 25th, 2006 9:02 am

Ditto everything you said. Don’t try = no chance of failing! I know that feeling all too well. Nice of you to put out free ad space, I gave a bunch away but was too picky about just throwing it out there to everyone I might have to create an ad for your site now…um not sure what to advertise though!!
Ty on May 25th, 2006 9:09 am

What exactly is failing with a blog? The only failure I see is in quiting. As long as you are writing and enjoying it, you are succeeding. Look how long you have been writing it!! That’s success by any measure! I have a couple of friend who started blogs recently…four to be exact, and only one has really stuck with it. It makes me really proud to know I am sneaking up on 2 years of typing away. You should be infinitely more proud (or is it prouder…)…Especially since you are a momma now. My mom started a baby diary when I was born but by about 6 months, she was just too distracted to keep up with it. Look what you are leaving for Owen!! That is definitely something to be proud of.

As for blogads…hmmm…interesting…

As for self-conscious…we all are about something! And the funny thing is I think those of sticking with this are the ones who are the LEAST self-conscious! We made it past the worst of it! Just think of all those newbies out there!

Keep up the good work!!
Elizabeth on May 25th, 2006 6:36 pm

Way to go! Dismissing the blog would be the failure part. Just keep plugging away. A couple sentances is enough sometime. Enough to make you happy. Just remember to take joy out of it, don’t look at is as work.
For everyone one person who points and snickers, there are probably 50 more people who laugh and agree and love what you write!
I think the only failing would be to stop writing. Keep it up!
supa on May 25th, 2006 7:09 pm

Thanks, you guys.

I don’t foresee ever getting rid of this old thing; I’ve got too much mental space and personal drama invested in it. Three years’ worth of hopes and dreams and witticisms. It’s like … it’s like a finger. I could totally live without it? But uh, I really wouldn’t want to have to.