Is it just me, or does blogging in 2010 feel exhausting to anyone else?
Don't get me wrong--I love to write my ridiculous little posts. It isn't hard for me to sit down at the computer and come up with something to slap up here. (I'm all about QUALITY, people. I'm sure you've noticed.)
The hard part is the freaking Empire I'm supposed to be building! I should have an active Twitter account and a bajillion followers. (My last Twitter post is from over a year ago and says, "Am I the only one who thinks Twitter is gay?" Fail.) I should have a fan page on Facebook. (Isn't the actual...I don't know...BLOG...enough of a fan page?) I should also be investing thousands of dollars into plane fares and hotels to make sure I'm at Blog Conferences across the US, passing out business cards and networking.
Since when did blogging become all about selling yourself as a brand? What happened to simply writing?
I started in late 2007 with a post about how much I hate Stouffer's frozen lasagna and it's 3 hour bake time. (Look for it no more, fair reader. It was lost in the Great Deletion.) I wanted to blog because a How to Find an Agent and Get Published book recommended having some published work to go along with your manuscript--even if it was "just a blog". (Insert artistic sneer.)
In 2010, it seems like bloggers are working backwards. Rather than polishing a manuscript and trying to publish it ye olde fashion way, they are devoting all that time to becoming popular bloggers and hoping for good things (like a book deal) to come their way. Maybe I'm weird, but I don't see how Twittering, "OMG, I got diarrhea at Barnes and Noble! LOL! LOVE THE CLEANSE!" is going to help me become the next Margaret Mitchell.
Shouldn't I be writing my book?
Maybe later down the road I'll see the importance of branding my blog, but right now? You better believe my butt will not be at any Blogging Conferences with cheesy business cards.
And my blog posts are likely to be filled with the same pointless drivel as usual. You're welcome.
14 comments:
I agree! I started blogging for myself and not to see how many followers I could get. Plus I think twitter is STUPID! Keep doing what you are doing.
finally! a sane voice among all the crazies! I dont get it either. Seriously when it becomes all about the publisity, I usually quit reading, becasue it all goes to the crapper
I too thought Twitter was stupid, started blogging to survive my parents living with me...and I don't care if I have any followers. I do like a comment every now and then....from folks I know....not anonymous ones. :-) I love reading your stuff...so keep posting.
I could never write a book! I like blogging purely for what it is...BLOGGING!
I erased my old blog and started a new one. I went from lots of followers to only 30 and i've gotta tell ya...I kind of like it!
Ever since starting my new blog I have felt really good about writing again.
I feel the same way. One of my followers recently asked me when am I going to put advertizing on my blog, WHAT? Why the heck would I want to do that this is my journal not some wacked out way to make money! Drives me nuts.
Ahhh. This is what I needed to read! I just started blogging to keep my family up to date and suddenly I am being made to feel like I am in some kind of race. I will admit that I love when someone leaves a comment about a post, but I don't blog in search of anything but the benefits of advice and connection from other moms.
I'm mostly with you Jaci. I'm in it for me and for the fun of writing and such. Having people read what I write is great validation, but that's not what it's all about. And the conferences? Honestly, some of them are really fun with the parties and things they can teach you - but I'm nowhere near some of the way over the top people you've heard about. Then again, that's probably why I have a "little" blog - but hey, at least I can visit each of my commenters each day!
I totally agree! There are some people I am blog friends with who I think take it too far! You are a mother dammit! What are your kids doing when you are Tweeting all day? And what exactly are you trying to accomplish with the blog conventions? To be the coolest blogger? So that people will sit with you at lunch? Who cares? Have fun with it! When it's no longer fun it's time to delete!
Here is my comment to validate me.
Thank you for your post for validating my little blog that started out as joyful and has turned into an obligation at times.
Aaaa-men!
There are times when I'm browsing the blogs of girls my age and I'll see they've got more followers than I do and there's this twinge of "why her and not me?!" which is when I run to my twitter and communities to promote myself. And that's when it generally hits me; what's the point? I'm blogging for myself, because it amuses me. Because it's therapeutic.
I think some of these people have seen the success of bloggers like Dooce and just take it the wrong way and see it as their gateway to fame. And THAT, my friends, is quite wrong in my mind.
xx
There are two reasons that I blog. First, I like to write, it makes me happy and I love that I can entertain people. Second, I like connecting with people through sharing stories.
I am not about branding or anything else. When I get bored with blogging, I will stop.
I like Twitter b/c it goes along with connecting with people and I can make people laugh.
That is it. Nothing else.
Yep. I made a button because I wanted to see if I could make a button. Guess what? I could!
However, that's the end of it for me. I'm not building an empire. I'm continually shocked when my 'followers' number rises, and even more shocked when i get multiple comments on any post. Cr-azy.
I certainly didn't start blogging to gain a gazillion followers. Not even to be "heard". Just to get my thoughts out there, and maybe make someone somewhere start to think about the world slightly differently.
*shrug*
I love your blog. You're real. I don't follow many "branded" blogs, and those I do...are gradually coming off the list.
I'm new to blogging and its so true! I just want to write my ideas... have people read, comment, think I am funny/smart/dumb/ridiculous/whatever, but participate in the conversation. Now I feel like I Have to bribe readers with giveaways and catchy $hit like that. well said!
Darn. So I won't be meeting you at the Blogging Bootcamp convention in Philly this Sept? Come on..it's on 9/11! ;)
I couldn't agree more. I have a little family blog that I have trouble keeping up to date.
Keep blogging...I love reading your posts. You keep it real!
ps- I don't Twit (yes, that's what I like to call it.) either!
Good Luck with that nursery!
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