I began blogging as a way to share my faith in Christ with my family and friends. But as I grow as a blogger, I see it as another venue to minister to my readers. I try to emphasize how God is always faithful and how the Bible undergirds me in all circumstances. By sharing my experiences with God, it is my goal to help you discern God’s presence in your life.

     Thanks to you, the readership is growing and so is my desire to improve as a writer. Not only do I work with my writing coach, but I have been studying professional bloggers in order to sharpen my skills. Here is some standard wisdom from the blogosphere that is shaping my writing goals for 2013:

• Readers prefer blog posts around 500 words. (I average 1,000 words. I have a goal to write with more brevity.)
• Readers need a call to action. (Knowledge needs to translate to changed behavior.)
• Frequency of blog posts do matter. (My 2013 goal is to show up in your inbox twice a month through your WordPress subscription to my blog.)
• It’s about building the email list, not getting subscribers. (Uh oh. I’m not on board.)

     The last statement bothers me. In fact, I’m taking a contrarian position. The reason professional bloggers push building an email list is because they have something to sell. I’m not a business. That’s not why I blog. I have something to share, which leads me to another truth. Writers improve when they know who their audience is. It’s not about a huge audience, but the right audience. So my prayer is that the Lord will attract subscribers who connect deeply with me and my writing. Ultimately, it’s about my writing leading you to connect deeply with God.

     But it’s also about growing your readership. Successful bloggers do this. So how will I grow my readership? Here’s how I see it. I won’t be growing my readership. God does that through you. The Scripture says in I Corinthians 3:6-7 in which Paul writes, “I planted the seed, Apollos (another Christian worker) watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” This principle helps me keep perspective. If God is honored in what I write, He will find a way to increase the readership. I will view growth in the number of subscribers as God’s confirmation that I am being used of Him to encourage and bless you.

     So today I am “planting the seed.” My part is to let you know that you can help me grow as a writer by helping me know my audience. Your part is playing Apollos who “waters the seed.” Then God will grow my readership. Please know that I am not presumptuous or naive. I have a long way to go as a writer.

     So here’s my request. If you connect with my writing, even if you read my blog every now and then, would you please subscribe? I know that some of you believe you already subscribed months ago, but if you’re reading this post because I emailed you, then you are not subscribed. There’s a strong chance you missed the required confirmation step. Please know I won’t be offended if you don’t subscribe. It  means God is not prompting you! It also means I won’t feel guilt when I stop the email blasts. I simply desire to understand who God is putting together as my audience.

     Assuming you’re led to assist me to grow as a writer, WordPress requires some steps to get subscribed:

1. While you’re reading this post, look for the rectangular box right above the icon “Sign Me Up” and type your email address. (The box is in the upper right hand corner of the blog.) After typing your email address, click “Sign Me Up.”
2. WordPress will send you a confirmation email. You have to open their email and find the icon that says “Confirm Follow.” You have to click it to confirm your subscription. Upon successfully subscribing, you will receive a second email notification from WordPress that says, “Congratulations, you are now subscribed to the site of LAPenick’s Blog.”

     For those who are already subscribed, THANK YOU!! I feel honored to serve you. Do you read my blog? If yes, please subscribe. I’m ready to continue our journey if you’re with me!

Blessings,                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Lee Ann