I had created a post that stemmed from frustration with the state of our world. Although I still feel strong about my words, I realize it wasn't right for the tone of this page. Over the past few months, I've renewed a love of writing that had been dormant for years. Now that it's unleashed, positive and negative feelings need an outlet, but Rogue Wanderer should remain positive. For that reason, I created a page for the random stuff that just needs to come out sometimes. Rogue Goes Rogue will be that site and I'll try to keep them separate as much as possible.
In place of that post, I think this is good time to do a recap post. You know, like when the lead characters of a TV show get trapped in a room, get in a fight, then reflect on the good times they had before patching things up. And for added appeal let's make it a listicle. For those not familiar with the term that's a list that reads like an article, not a list of my favorite testicles. Get your minds out of the gutter. The great thing about listicles is that the number of items in the list doesn't have to have any rhyme or reason.
With that, here are my top 6 favorite things since the site launched.
6. Coming up with Concepts other People Think are Crazy: I've seen it so many times now. I'll admit when I get excited about something, the way I present it doesn't always make sense to anyone outside of my head. I've seen the blank stares and the doubtful expressions when I tell someone a new article idea or t-shirt design or my new marketing idea. The perfect example is an idea that I've told a few people about so far, Wanderer Tag. If all goes to plan I should be kicking that off next week. But I can see it in people's eyes, they don't get the concept or they think there is no way it will succeed. If it does, I may have a viral marketing campaign. If it doesn't, I'm out $13.50. I love any idea with a potential huge upside with little investment. Even if they fail, who cares, just go back to the drawing board.
5. Realizing People Like What I am Doing: At this point in time, I should stress this is not a large group of people. From my perspective I love the page view numbers. Nearly 2,000 views in April feels like a good start to me, but I have nothing to judge that against. There is not a ton of feedback. I'd almost welcome some trolling, just to find out how people feel. I hope people like what I write, but I'm sure they are ready for me to stop filling their feeds. I'm sure 90% of my Facebook friends have hidden my posts by now. It's understandable, but I am proud of what I'm doing so until more people like the Rogue Wanderer FB page, I'll continue double posting. I love hearing kind things from my girlfriend and my family members, but I'm starting to doubt they even read my stuff anymore (consider this a test, Jenn). Either way, I'm thankful they try to build me up. But it has been the people who have no reason to try to build me up, but still took the time to reach out that give me a hint I might be on the right track occasionally.
4. Getting My First T-shirt in the Mail: I am still so damn proud of that thing. I think it turned out awesome, it fits great, and it was something I did myself. When asked who they are wearing not many people can say "me". Even if no one else buys my stuff, I think I'll probably design a lot for myself. I think my designs can be just as cool as anything else out there, so I'm proud to sport Rogue Wanderer. You should be too (shameless plug).
3. Realizing People Love Tampon Jokes: I am still amazed this post did as well as it did. It was just a weekend spent hanging around Phoenix. Until I sat down to write this post, I had forgotten everything else about the post I just refer to as the tampon joke one. I'm pretty sure the tampon jokes are what reeled everyone in, but I hope that my message of finding something I was passionate about is what resonated. I wish I would have sold thousands of shirts the day I put out my first designs, but I'm not exactly ready to quit my day job to pursue this full-time yet. That doesn't mean that I plan on giving up on this anytime soon. Aside from the tampon jokes, that post was about finding a new path in life. So far, I love my decision to go into an IT related program. I'm quickly realizing that the IT approach of constantly being ready to adapt is more my style than other management styles out there. This site led me, wandering though it may have been, down that path so I am thankful.
2. But They Love (the) Jesus (Guy) More: I knew this was a provocative title when I wrote it and I knew that would draw attention to it. But sometimes you have to grab attention to make a point. The thing that still amazes me about this one is the fact it is about 50% more popular than any post I've done, despite no real use of humor. The Jesus Guy story was a catchy title with a heartfelt reflection. It was also one of the moments when I knew pretty much every detail I put down on the page that night was from the heart. It was the moment when I realized if I want this to work, I need to write from my heart. I need to tap even deeper than I had been to that point. Almost every post that I've done had some sentimental value to me, but that was the one where I knew there was a deeper reserve to be tapped.
1. The First Trip:Nothing will ever compare to your first. The awkward moments. Not really knowing what you're doing. Upset that it couldn't last longer. Groping for the zipper...the tent zipper in the dark of night. Seriously, get your minds out of the gutter, people. I will never forget the excitement and energy of picking up at the last second and heading out. It got me so energized, I picked up my computer mid-way through packing and came up with a blog name and first post before we hit the road. This was such an important moment because it was the moment I recovered from a depressing period. I had been dealt a huge blow, realizing I had no clue what I wanted to do or who I really was. It seems crazy to me that I can be 32 years old and still be so clueless. With that first trip, all of that was forgotten. I was reinvigorated and it still hasn't worn off. After that weekend, I was no longer a lost 32-year old, instead I was just wandering. Now that I have been exposed to this thought, I have started to recognize that some very successful people had the same trait. There were also some miserable failures, but forget that! I'm staying positive here!
Final Thought: Congrats, if you made it this far. You are a trooper! Before I left for work this morning (technically yesterday morning now) I put together a post that was a plea for my friends to help me out by sharing and inviting others to like my page. It stung a little that there was almost no reaction, but I realize FB is not the place for long posts. The only way this is going to work is if I can get more people reading my work and I think I exhausted my personal reach, so please if you like what I do, buy 100,000 t-shirts so I can quit my day job to focus on this. Or you could just use the share buttons at the bottom of the page to help a budding entrepreneur out a little. That, my friends, is a sales technique of asking for something big so the small request seems more reasonable. But seriously, if someone wants 100,000 tees Mother's Day is just around the corner!
I'm here for you. I love reading your posts. You're doing a great job <3
ReplyDeleteAwww, you do still read them :)
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