On the road to one million
Writing the following post might not be great timing since yesterday’s post was clearly meant to be humorous, but…
I have this long range goal for my blogging.
Some time ago I wrote that my goal was to hit 250 K subscribers.
I was chickening out a little bit (even though 250 K subscribers is pretty freaking massive).
My actual goal is to hit 1 million subscribers.
It’s a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. It’s insane. It seems impossible. I’m out of my freaking mind.
Probably.
But, if there’s even a chance that it’s possible, why not go for it? Why not make the effort? Why not make it crystal clear?
This will undoubtedly mean that I’m going to have to broaden out my subject matter a bit (or a lot… I dunno). I can deal with that – I hope you can.
I don’t want to alienate anyone who’s already here because any of you who are currently subscribed to this blog are the core. You’re the group of individuals who were generous and patient enough to take a chance on a new blogger who entered the field at the time when blogging appeared to be hitting a saturation point. I am more grateful for that kindness than you will probably ever realize. I don’t know who all of you are, but you’re cool in my books.
Why one million? Because it fits with my concept of this being the electronic equivalent of a syndicated column. Because it could give me the opportunity to devote a large part of my energies to doing this work. But mainly because I think that I have things to say and write that will appeal to a broader audience.
Is this a selfish goal? Sure. Nonetheless, it’s something I see there above my head, a level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that gives me something to strive for.
This is a LONG term project. I could see this taking ten years or more, assuming it’s achievable. A lot can happen between now and then. The chances are small that I could succeed at making this happen.
But if I achieve even a fraction of this goal, then it’s worth it. Any fraction.
If this is too egotistical, too heady, too… whatever for you and you want to bail, I understand. This kind of journey and shift in focus might not be what you signed up for. I have no real clue of what this is going to mean. But it’s a vision and an honest vision. Even if it runs counter to a lot of conventional blogging wisdom.
Is this going to mean anything different in the short term? Probably not, at least not much, other than I’ll start broadening out on my subject matter.
If you’re willing to stay onboard, then THANK YOU. If you think anyone else might enjoy becoming part of this journey, please invite them along.
OK, I’ve babbled for a bit. Am I completely nuts here? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below? Have a great weekend.
Andrew Galasetti:
Congrats on making a BIG goal! If you want to achieve big you've got to dream big. My goal is to achieve at least 1 million unique visitors to my blog each month. I know it is achievable and I know it won't take years and years.
Keep up the good work!
-Andrew
20 September 2008, 11:23 amMark Dykeman:
Thanks Andrew. Good luck with your own goals!
20 September 2008, 12:40 pmAndrew Galasetti:
Thanks!!
20 September 2008, 2:00 pmAri Herzog:
Why stop at a million? There are 2 million Twitter users alone. Why not aim for a few million?
Seriously, why does it matter how many subscribers you have? Shouldn't your goal be to produce quality content, knowing people will find you as I did?
20 September 2008, 7:47 pmJanice Cartier:
Why not? The box could be too small for you. In your gut feelings on this one, you think you have value to add to a million people. I am thinking you better get started…one by one by one by one…I love reading your stuff. And I am an artist. What am I doing here? Do I fit that little niche? I doubt it. But you offer thoughtful insight. And you have fun with it. So here I am.
20 September 2008, 7:52 pmMark Dykeman:
It's all about the content. And networking. But definitely the content.
As far as the number goes… one million is also easier to remember, say, and write than 250,000
Thanks for stopping by!
20 September 2008, 9:26 pmMark Dykeman:
Hey, I'm working on it.
And thank you so very much…
20 September 2008, 9:26 pmTim:
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind.” –Dr Seuss
21 September 2008, 7:09 amMark Dykeman:
thanks
21 September 2008, 10:26 amTheNanny612:
You are one subscriber closer to a million…. I officially subscribed
21 September 2008, 8:16 pmthejimgaudet:
Well, good luck. I don't know if you should enable comments with that many subscribers. You could never answer everyone.
21 September 2008, 9:19 pmMark Dykeman:
You mean you hadn't already?
22 September 2008, 4:52 amMark Dykeman:
To be sure, there's a heck of a lot of logistical stuff to consider about this… but it's probably worth worrying about if I get even remotely close to the goal…
22 September 2008, 4:53 amSvetlana Gladkova:
Very ambitious goal but very achievable at that – just make best friends with the right guy from Google reader and have your blog added as a default one to one of the categories – and you are almost done
Anyway it is always better to have a clear goal – even if it sounds far from realistic at the beginning – than no goal at all so best of luck to you!
22 September 2008, 5:20 amTycoon Dreamer:
I applaud your goal. I'd love to do the same. But you're right when you say you have to pick the proper topic. A blog about social media just might not make it. But something like Steve Pavlina's personal development blog would have a better chance. Mass market is the way to go if you want massive subscribers.
With that said, I'm subscribing. Hehe. Your tactic is working.
22 September 2008, 5:33 amMark Dykeman:
That's an interesting idea about Google Reader.
Thanks, Svetlana!
22 September 2008, 5:50 amMark Dykeman:
Interesting point about Steve Pavlina, although I believe that he's focused specifically on personal development for smart people. There's an awful lot of smart people, but that's a bit less mass market than personal development in general.
Thanks for subscribing!
22 September 2008, 5:51 amSvetlana Gladkova:
LOL, it's the easiest way to do it – provided that you can achieve it. I have failed miserably myself
22 September 2008, 5:55 amTheNanny612:
I know!! That was my thought too!! Apparently, I hadn't.
22 September 2008, 7:18 amMaking great things in small places | Broadcasting Brain:
[...] Sept. 23/08 – I wrote a post where I increased the size of my readership goals [...]
23 September 2008, 5:54 amhomaid:
I love that you set a goal for ten years to come, I hope you reach it.
24 September 2008, 2:56 pmMark Dykeman:
Thanks!
24 September 2008, 6:05 pmAbout that one million subscribers goal… | Broadcasting Brain:
[...] This goal is less meaningful to me that it was a few months ago. [...]
30 January 2009, 12:32 pm