It’s not the cover of the Rolling Stone, but I want to be Freshly Pressed

It worked in 1973 for Dr. Hoook & the Medicine Show.

The 1970s American band landed on the cover of the March 29, 1973 Rolling Stone after it pleaded its case in a satirical song that reached No. 6 on the U.S. pop charts.  The song was written by poet Shel Silverstein, who may be better known for this.

But if the band’s members were blogging today, they would probably record something like “Freshly Pressed by WordPress.”

For those who don’t know, Freshly Pressed is a feature that WordPress uses to feature about 10 new blog posts each weekday. According to WordPress, these posts represent how its blogging service can be used to entertain, enlighten or inspire.

And if you are an out-of-work newspaper guy who is blogging until you find a respectable way to make a living, catching the attention of Freshly Pressed would represent a big win. The blogs included in this feature get read by LOTS of people. And who wouldn’t like a big audience — even if just for a day — and the chance to see if you could convince some of those new readers to keep coming back?

It could even impress potential employers since many of the jobs I’m applying for say qualified candidates must have blogging and social-media skills.

So, what do you say, Freshly Pressed? Help a guy out, please.

Since I started this blog a couple of years ago, it has been viewed a little more than 9,500 times. But nearly 60 percent of those views — 5,400 — have happened since Feb. 27. That’s when I started blogging regularly because, as the corporate folks say, my gig as editor of the newspaper was eliminated due to economic circumstances. (Well, maybe they wouldn’t have called it a gig, but it’s my blog, so I’m trying to have some fun with something that hasn’t been much fun.)

Mostly in the past three weeks, a total of 68 wonderful people have subscribed to this blog. More are following it on Twitter and Facebook.  This blog’s readers and I have posted 237 comments. Slowly, I’m building an audience.

But I’ve noticed many of the postings featured by Freshly Pressed will get more comments than the total recorded so far by this entire blog. So, I’m begging you, Freshly Pressed.

And why not? Begging worked out for Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, which didn’t embarrass the magazine either. After getting on the cover of Rolling Stone, Dr. Hook recorded six more songs that reached the Top-20 on U.S. pop charts:

1973: Only Sixteen,  No. 6; and A Little Bit More, No. 11

1978: Sharing the Night Together, No. 6

1979: When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman, No. 6; Better Love Next Time, No. 12

1980: Sexy Eyes, No. 5

OK, granted, I may never write something as classic as “Only Sixteeen,” but “Sharing the Night Together” has to be within reach.

Give me a chance, Freshly Pressed, and I’ll give you a little bit more.

Have a question or feedback? Post it here or contact me at cs.iowaboy@yahoo.com or on Twitter @CSteinbach