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Probably because blogging is a being a huge commitment, especially at first. The good news is, however, that it really is as flexible as you need it to be. It all depends on how you define "success" for yourself. Much more flexible than feeding schedules of every 2 hours like with an infant!
I simply say that because many people don't realize that most of the experts who blog about blogging, for example, have great ideas about how to be successful at it, and their ideas work, because they actually make money doing it FULL TIME, as their job - while most of the rest of us are doing it as a part time, no-pay gig. And that's ok!
If you have the passion, the drive, and the rest of these things you've listed, you come up with a forumla that works for you.
Also, if you're one of those people that is bad with keeping in touch, bad at replying to emails, and generally doesn't succeed in keeping organized, blogging's probably not a good idea.
So many people have the attitude that everyone should own a blog - my point is that there are other ways to brand yourself that may be better suited to your personality. And starting a blog is pretty time-consuming, so unless you are making a long-term investment to keep it updated, it's better to spend that time elsewhere.
Torbjorn, I like the points you added. Blogging is definitely about connecting with people, and even running a small blog can mean a few emails a day requesting favors or advice. If you are not good at responding timely, a blog is not going to benefit you much.
I also love what you wrote about blog writing styles. Blogging is definitely its own medium with a completely different writing style than other forms of media. Being a great writer doesn't necessarily mean you'll have a great blog, and vice versa. The key is adapting your writing style and voice to fit a blog post.
Great points, and thanks for the comments!
Blogging is also about courage to say something to make the Right Conversation. Many blog and does not actually pass the message,your ten ways will really make a good blogger.
Thanks.
Because, you know, 99.9% of the earth's population doesn't have a blog.
I started a personal travel blog when I went abroad for a year so that I could share my experiences with friends and family. But I also used it as a medium for creative expression, writing about things that interested me. I was an "expert" only to the extent that I was an "expert" on myself.
Blogs can also be news or scholarly mediums, covering a variety of fields and ideas. Our current blog, Tropophilia, covers the broad theme of "change" in art, technology, philanthropy, government, etc. We're not change experts, per se, but we are interested in it and like writing about it. Even if we only have 20 people read our blog every day, it still serves the purpose of letting us research and write about our interests.
I'm wary of the idea that blogging is a skill to be learned. Why does someone need to decide if they're a "good blogger" before they even start? Does someone need to decide if they're a good writer before trying to write? A good photographer before they start snapping some photos? Sure, if you want to market your blog, grow your readership, maybe serve some ads and make some money, then you'll need to reserve lots of time and energy for it. But I'm not sure blogging is something for which you can predetermine your aptitude. I think you only need to predetermine your desire.
Blogging, at its core, is just another medium for writing. Writing can make money or help you brand yourself, for sure, but it can also be a way to relax, to create, and to share.
The most interesting thing to me is that we still refer to all these widely varying (in terms of content, function, purpose, audience) things under the one generic term of "blog" - when a blog is really, as you mention, merely a publishing tool that can be used in many different ways.
Part of my research (for the moment, anyway) is targeting identifying the differences in norms, practices, forms, etc. between these different forms, and I am hoping that some terminology will emerge as a byproduct of it to help further differenitate and define these dispirate types of blogging.
In the meantime, it's interesting to observe conversations like these, because it really is a great pulse on how ultimately, the what, when, why, and how of blogging truly belongs to the individual blogger!
I definitely knew what Monica was getting at, though, and I didn't mean to sound like I was accusing her of missing any kind of point or of being misleading. She definitely seems to be talking more about blogs like yours and mine, ProBlogger, and more high-end blogs like TechCrunch, etc. But that is a certain form of "blogging," and not encompassing of it.
I just want to encourage anyone -- but particularly members of the twenty-set who are in jobs that don't allow them to express themselves as much in writing as they did in school -- to consider blogging without any sort of self-analysis. Don't worry if you're going to be good or popular or have enough time to post regularly. Do it for yourself first, when you feel the urge. If you love it, people will see that love and read more. Even if you're not an expert! I think readers value passion just as much as content.
Rick - it's perfectly normal to not enjoy blogging. In fact, I think most people wouldn't enjoy owning a blog - because in order to write you have to enjoy reading, and over half of college graduates never pick up a book again after getting that degree. My point was that there are other ways to build an online profile, so you have to find a good one for your personality. Sounds like you've tried a few other blogs and lost interest, so yeah, no need to feel bad about saying you don't like blogging!
Jenny, that's awesome. Welcome to the blogosphere. I'm glad you found the 10 points useful - and you certainly don't need to fit all ten to get into blogging. But if you don't fit any, then maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Let me know if you need anything!
Jarred, I agree, there are other blogs that are for personal use and really fall outside the scope of the article. (Tiffany brings up an interesting point about the blanket-term "blog.") My only disagreement with what you wrote is that you do have to have certain skills as a blogger. Certain personalities are attracted to blogging - opinionated people who keep up-to-date on some topics and then want to write about them. There's a definite "blogger" profile, and it's silly to tell people who completely don't fit this mold that they "have to" have a "personal branding" type of blog.
Koka, thanks for the comment! Happy to link to your article.
Loved your thoughts and like all the links.
I wanted to write that was a guide to branding yourself on the internet. I am a bit of an information junkie, and love to find useful information. I want to share what I find useful with others..
Hope you don't mind, but I have used your post here, at .. FULL KUDOS TO YOU!!
That's why I don't put ads on my site - so little payoff - not worth the space it takes up. Thanks for the comment!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I'v just started to learn this language ;)
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo
Good luck!
I just started a Small Business Advertising blog at http://www.uticalounge.com
Thanks for the tips!
Respect
Linka
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jaine
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Immediately, she is curious: he has equipment that she doesn't have. She asks, "What are those round things hanging there, daddy?"
Proudly, he replies, "Those, sweetheart, are God's Apples of Life.
Without them we wouldn't be here."
Puzzled, she seeks her mommy out and tells her what daddy has said.
To which mommy asks, "Did he say anything about the dead branch they're hanging from?"
respect
Ferguson
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