Turning Three Years-Old
Is three years a long time to have been writing a wine blog? I guess in the context of the wine blogging world it ranks up there. Today marks the 3rd anniversary of Fermentation. This blog entry is number 1,446 since the beginning of the blog. That’s 1.3 blog entries per day for the past 1,095 days. I’m not sure what that means either.
The past year, as related to blogging and Fermentation, has been interesting. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking before a number of groups on the very issue of blogging. I’ve been asked consulted professionally with a number or business on the issue of blogging. Advertising inquiries at Fermentation have increased significantly. The American Wine Blog Awards were created. My readership has increased to around 23,000 Unique Visitors Monthly. My RSS subscriptions is at 800. I receive inquiries as though I were a member of the wine media at the rate of 3 or 4 per day.
All this because of my unfortunate tendency to be a Know-It-All.
I’m not a Know-It-All, even though I fancy myself one. In fact, the more time I spend blogging, reading the number of amazing wine blogs that have emerged and the longer I stay in the wine industry I discover that I’m actually a Know-It-Less-And-Less. But what I do know for sure is that in the capacity of a wine blogger I have a perfect venue for exploring those things about which I know less while still feeding my inner Know-It-All.
I find myself in a very enviable position in my professional life after three years of blogging. I’m still enjoying the blogging. It’s a source of amazing pleasure. I also find myself professionally in a position of working with a set of clients that can only be described as the best combination I’ve ever brought together at Wark Communications: Vinfolio, Inertia Beverage Group, Specialty Wine Retailers Association and Mayo Family Winery. The more astute reading this entry will notice something about that group of clients. They represent, together, an obvious point on a specific trajectory that my public relations and wine industry career has taken. I think Bill MacIver, If he keeps track of me, would be proud. Others who read Fermentation regularly will also see this career trajectory informing my blog posts.
Finally, when I reflect on three years and 1,446 posts worth of Fermentation, I always get the feeling I’m in the middle of something very unique that is churning around me in a vigorous and always surprising way. In my Bloggerviews I ask the subjects if blogging is having an effect on the world of wine. It is. I don’t pretend that Fermentation is very significant in the way that wine blogging effects the industry. But I do recognize that by blogging about wine I find myself in the midst of something that is developing into an arm of the wine industry that will cause some folks, some time from now, to reflect, "wow, do you remember where there were no wine blogs?"
This is fun.
Happy 3rd blogiversary, youngster 🙂
Congrats, Tom. You were my primary impetus to start blogging, so make sure you also revel in the influence you have had on others.
All the best,
Jeff
Well Done Tom! The community out there is so broad and passionate I am amazed at the knowledge and the information available. You have really developed a niche, your clients you mention are quite impressive I just discovered the inertia blog today I assume these are the same people. Good Job keep writing!
Long may you post, Mr. Wark. And keep on kicking butt.
Tom: You have nurtured the wine-blogging community both directly — through your posts that encourage and welcome new bloggers and frequently link to or profile existing bloggers — and indirectly, through the high level of integrity that you bring to the craft. All of us have benefited from your work.
That said, you know how this business works. What have you done for us lately? Only 1.3 posts a day — what, are you slipping?
Cheers, and congratulations!
Mark
Congratulations Tom! Keep the good stuff coming.
Benjamin
Wine Reviews at Chateau Petrogasm
http://www.chateaupetrogasm.com
Well done Tom. Congrats on turning three and wishing you many more…
Congratulations on age 3, and I hope there are many more to come!
Tom,
For what’s it worth, I love your attitude and your blog.
What’s weird is that for an online discussion guy, you seem rather sane 😉
Three years is quite an achievement. Congratulations, Tom.
Happy anniversary. If you keep writing it, I’ll keep reading it. Cheers!
Congratulations, Tom!
I think that wine blogging and social wine sites that connect people to the wines they love are going to have a seismic impact on the world of wine.
You should be proud of the community you are helping create.
Duane
Hello Tom,
Congratulations, That is a huge milestone that very few people…. bloggers will every reach. I hit 100 blogs earlier this year and thought that was a milestone…Did you Say 1446….Wow! That is amazing. about 4 years ago we began reading Vinography and shortly after that your blogs. They have been a wealth of knowledge for all of us and have influenced the wine industry we are sure.
Thank you for all you thought out and researched blogs…Sometimes it is a thankless job, but were are glad you do them.
Cheers Tom
Congrats, Tom. I don’t know how you’ve managed to keep up with at least one post per/day over such an extended period. Like Ron (above), I recently passed the 100 post milestone but I seem to have hit a wall at around four posts per/week. I definitely notice a drop in readership if I’m silent for more than two days so I’ll definitely look to your standard and pace for inspiration.
cheers!
David
Congratulations on your three years! Wishing you many more!
Arthur
If there were no passion associated with wine, I daresay there would be no Tom Wark. But there is plenty on both counts! Thank goodness.