Hey everyone,

I’ve been thinking a lot about blogging and how we sometimes do things just to get more followers. Since this is my last blog post, I wanted to share some honest thoughts on being real and genuine.

As a fellow blogger, I know how much we pour into our writing. We spend hours researching, reading, and reflecting to create each post. It’s disheartening when you spend so much time on a single post, only to see someone just hit like and move on without actually reading it. I feel the same way with the two books I’ve written and published. I didn’t write them to hide them from the world; I wrote them to share them with everyone.

I’ve noticed a common trick is to quickly like or comment on other people’s posts without really reading them, just to get noticed. Sure, this might get you more followers quickly, but it has some problems. When people do this, they might think you’re interested, but they can tell if you’re not being real. This can make them lose trust in you. Fake interactions lead to weak connections and poor engagement. It can also hurt your reputation if people see you’re only in it for yourself.

It’s better to take the time to really read and appreciate others’ posts. This builds trust and stronger connections. Balancing real engagement and growth takes effort. Genuine interactions with readers and other bloggers build a loyal following. I make sure all my content fits my style and values. I take the time to read and respond to others’ content thoughtfully. High-quality posts are more likely to keep readers interested.

Personally, I don’t quickly like blog posts because I want to make sure I really like them and that they match my beliefs. I know it can be hard to read everything, but take your time. Don’t be quick to hit the like button—being real matters. If you want someone to be interested in you by reading your posts, then reciprocate that by genuinely reading theirs.

I’ve noticed some bloggers quickly like 20 of my posts in a matter of seconds. How can you possibly like 20 posts within seconds? If you’re going to engage superficially, at least spread it out to be less obvious! Authenticity is key.

I don’t want to pour out any more effort for someone not to care about why I write. Is it just for me? No, I believe that, like all of you, we have something to say and want to share it with the world. So, remember that when you want someone to be interested in what you have to say, be interested in what others want to say and share.

As I wrap up my blogging journey with this final post, I want to thank you all for the support. Building a good blog is more than just numbers; it’s about having a community of readers who trust and value your content. By being real and smart about growth, you can create a blog that people really care about.

Thank you for being part of this journey. If you feel strongly that I should continue blogging, please let me know. Your feedback means a lot to me, and I’m open to considering it. For now, I’m taking a step back, but I appreciate every one of you who has supported me along the way.

Thanks for being part of this journey.

—Josh Mullins—