[extr0pian]

I originally started a website after I lost a digital marketing job, figuring that having a website is a great way to market myself. While job-searching, I realized that I actually hate digital marketing and got into wireless/telecom through a friend. Later I deleted my social media accounts (with the exception of forums/HN) and my website gradually evolved into a personal blog and a replacement for the likes of Facebook, IG, Twitter, etc. I think that sharing things publicly forces me to think through, flush out, and better articulate ideas than I would in on something like Facebook or tweet.

I also use a custom domain for email which still points to my resume (just in case), but I've definitely gotten value from a public facing personal website.

[solardev]

How do readers end up finding your personal website? Do you enable any sort of visitor interaction (likes, comments, etc.?)

I'm not asking from a marketing standpoint, but just how do you know you're not just talking into the void? (Or maybe you are, and that's okay with you.)

I'd love to write more for fun, but I find it difficult to do so without an audience in mind.

[extr0pian]

I've submitted my website on various places like Derek Sivers' nownownow.com, theforest.link, search.marginalia.nu, and a few other places, but also standard search engines have been picking it up as well (I've written a couple how-to's on obscure things like "How to root the Onyx Boox Poke 3").

I don't have analytics, but I get a handful of emails per month from people commenting, asking questions, and even some nice criticisms. I don't do like/comments - I think people are genuinely nicer when it's a 1 to 1 interaction like email.

[solardev]

That makes sense. Thanks for the insight!

[RamenJunkie_]

I don't know how people do it. I have been blogging for like 20+ years now sometimes regularly, sometimes with gaps. I am lucky if I get 5 visits per day.

[solardev]

I'd be quite happy with 5 visitors a day (if they're real, and not bots)!