7.5 Million views.
That’s twice the population of the state of Arkansas.
As big as the population of Los Angeles proper.
It’s going to grow.
There’s even more.
What does it mean, she asked.
She meant, do you get paid for it.
Will those views translate into clicks and conversion rates.
The lingo of letting people know where your stuff is listed so they can get it.
No, I answered.
It’s just cool.
But that was the wrong answer.
Doing something “cool” like posting photos on Google from all the neat places you’ve visited, or tying to set up shots that draw the eye and attract attention is pointless.
She said.
It’s a hobby, I answered.
She doesn’t have one.
I thought it might be more than something to do when we’re out and about.
I’m decent at taking pictures, but I’ve had a lot of practice.
I just don’t know if everything should be done “to make money.”
It would be awesome if it did make money, but what if I just like seeing things from a new perspective and sharing it?
A cold sweaty draft of golden lager is fun to share, right?
Or the way the sun sets against rock cliffs or through the trees.
Or the way the ballfield looks late at night after a full day of games.
Those could be considered hobbies too.
Pub crawling to explore local places.
Trail running beside the river.
Watching kids play America’s pastime.
I just document it with pictures and share.
Because that’s one of my favorite hobbies too.
Sharing.
Ideas. Stories. And pictures.
And sometimes in sharing, I get ideas.
For more pictures, more stories and more sharing.
It is an endless loop.
But a documented one.
There are a couple of expressions for it.
To whom much is given, much is given.
And the more you give, the more you get to give.
At least that’s how it’s supposed to work in theory.
I have been practicing it with the above mentioned list.
Ideas, stories and pictures.
And sometimes even a peek behind the curtains of what’s going on in my thoughts or past.
The theory works for me.
It might not mean much.
But that won’t stop me.
I’m targeting 8 Million by May 1.
Time to go take some shots.
Monetize, the new hobby/lifestyle.