I blog, therefore I am? (Rhetorical question)
After the dizzying experience of clearing out my Google Reader, I’ve come to the conclusion that 90% of blog posts suck. Too many blogauthors write just to write, taking us down the boring path of traditional journalism, writing about whats been written about.
If you’re re-reporting whats in the newspaper et al, spare me the noise.
Don’t blog just to blog. I’m looking for an angle, a real novel opinion…not re-digested fodder about what I can read in the Wall Street Journal or USA Today.
What makes a good blogauthor? One who writes the posts that others post about, and link too. What makes a great blogauthor? One who writes the posts that others post about, but don’t link too. In either case, a good blogger inspires, actually provokes thought rather than instills beliefs, and moves other people into action.
Blog when you are moved to do so, not just to ‘improve your SEO’.
Blog with conviction, not political correctness.
Blog like you don’t give a damn what that other idiot thinks.
Blog like no one is going to read you.
Blog what you want to blog about, not what you think others will like to read.
Bloging must maintain a rawness that ought never be tainted by the laws of conventional wisdom.
Blog because you care about the conversation, not traffic results.
Blog under these conditions, and You Shall Be…
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Yup. I want to stay in touch with the PEOPLE, but 90% of what I see is worth nothing.
You should check out ryanholiday.net. That’s a kid who’s generally worth reading.
Thx for the tip Chris…checking him out now.
Ahhh—yet another blogger blogging about blogging! Ordinarily when reading such a post I think to myself: “Eh,” and move on to the next blog in my reader. You succeeded in provoking thought—not easy for me—“thought” gives me a headache! Why do I blog? SEO? Not likely. Until I read some of the myriad posts offering blog advice, I knew nothing of SEO, and still don’t. To provoke thought? I’ve covered that here already. To keep this a comment, not a post, I’ll just move to my point: I blog for me—I enjoy it. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll just down a couple of aspirin, and move on while trying not to think anymore today!
Damn, I love this post. I may actually print it and tack it up next to my desk as a not-so-subtle reminder.
I’m with Jack – I blog to entertain myself! What a pedantic rant this is. Take yourself seriously huh!
Thx SF Curbed for the word of my day: Pedantic…
I love the word – I did see it on Curbed – i won’t lie – but i’m a fairly bright guy with an above average vocab my friend. Not many times you can use the word pedantic and not also sound pedantic – ya know – you almost are pedantic by using the word – right – huh — yup
Thanks for the inspirational post!
I was so inspired by your insights that I posted some of the points from your post to a rant of mine on Active Rain. http://activerain.com/blogsview/310156/Blog-Blah-Blah-Blah...
I gave a link and credit…will you please grant me your blessings so the folks at Active Rain won’t lynch me?
So much hollow blog minutia, so little time!
I actually disagree. I think there’s a pedigree in the blogsphere where some bloggers get on their soapbox to tell other bloggers what they should write about. I do think you should blog if you have passion, but what’s passionate for you may not be entertaining to me.
I blog because I like spreading the word. I blog about things you may find boring, like developments, communities I’d like you to know about, or areas that I find interesting. I blog 5 days a week come rain or shine and I like reporting what’s in the papers because sometimes you don’t pay attention to what’s in the.
I may not be a blog superstar, but I write about what I care about. Are some of the posts thought-provoking and earth shattering? I hope so. Are some of them ho-hum to you because you could care less? Probably. But…I like what I put out and I guess that’s what counts in the blog world.
No worries Dee
I’ll pop over to AR and bless your post appropriately.
‘I may not be a blog superstar, but I write about what I care about.’
Thats what bloging is all about Dee…keep on keeping on, doing what you’re doing