Tuesday 28 June 2011

My place in the blogging world

The blogging world is a funny place at the moment. There is much talk of 'branding', 'PR relationships', 'sponsorships', 'functions', etc. It's fast-moving and intense.

When I started blogging just a little under two years ago, my blog was just somewhere for me to jot down my thoughts, practice my writing, stop my brain from dissolving. I didn't expect anyone to read it, I didn't really expect to read anyone else's blog. Instead, what I discovered was a world of wonderful blogs. Everyday people writing about their lives. There were fantastic writers and storytellers. There were people who took  beautiful photographs. There were people who just shared their everyday mundane moments in their own unique way. I fell in love. I loved reading these wonderful spots on the internet. Little places that people made their own. It was almost like being invited into someone's home, someone's world. I loved sharing snippets from my world and sharing my take on the world.

About six months ago (maybe a little longer) the blogging world seem to take a big dose of steroids or something. These little worlds started taking different shapes. There were now websites and seminars and meetings about blogging. How to blog. How to make the most of blogging. Realising the potential of your blog. At the other end of the scale people wonder if working with PR and making money from your blog is selling out.

I haven't been immune to this ride. I have been swept up in the excitement. I have wondered if I could take my blog further. I've wondered if I have a 'brand'. Am I overselling myself? Underselling myself?

I've been approached by PR companies. I've had ads on here. And that's all good. It's been fun to have products land on my doorstep. It's been fun to be invited to things. It's been fun to meet other bloggers. It's been eye-opening to see how far some people are going. It was a great experience to be involved in the Top 50 bloggers (as well as a huge honour).

There has also been a lot of soul searching done (by myself and others) about where they fit in all this. For me, it's complicated, yet simple at the same time.

I have to admit being saddened when I hear people wondering if they should write about XYZ in fear of putting of potential PR experiences. I've been saddened when people changed their blogs to fit a certain mould. I've also been saddened when I hear about people trying to learn how to 'blog effectively'.

I don't have a problem with people trying to make a living out of their blogs or trying to create something big, if they do that's wonderful. I just hope that we don't lose the unique blogs. The everyday storytellers who weave their own certain magic. The bloggers who blog for love of blogging. I hope we don't see lots of cookie-cutter blogs, blogging a certain way because that's how they've been told they 'should' blog.

Most of all, I just hope we don't overthink the whole thing. Blog the way you want to. Write about what you want to write about. Take photos. Don't take photos. Write five times a day or write five times a year. Whatever. Just be you. Just enjoy it. That, to me, is successful blogging.

This little blog doesn't mark a huge mark on the blogging world and that's OK. It's my little place. It's a hobby which I adore and which brings happiness to my friends and family and, most of all, to me. I'm fortunate that I do get paid to write in other formats, so this blog can be just for me. From time to time if I get sent a product that I really like then I'll share it with you, in my own special way. If I get invited to something that sounds great I'll go. If there are experiences that my kids, husband and I can enjoy out of blogging, then you can be damn sure I'm going to jump on them. I may or may not have ads, I don't know.

Mostly, I'm just going to keep writing about the stuff that pops into my head. It won't be everyone's cup of tea. Some day I'll be drinking solo, I'm sure. Other days I may be rounding the whole bar. Whatever.

Welcome to my little place on the internet. For better or worse, this is what it is.

15 comments:

  1. i feel the same way. I started blogging just a few months ago. I started because when I get older I want to be able to read back and remember what happened. I want my family to read back on their lives. The way I see it. Like leaving a time capsule for them to discover. Leaving a legacy that someone named Abbie adored and loved each one of them. What feels even better is that I still feel the same way. I may not have many follwers but I enjoy what I am doing. I hope you will always feel the same way.

    Abbie

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  2. I 100% agree with you! And I have always said when it starts to feel like work I will take up yoga.
    I love your space xxx

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  3. Having just gone through a big think about my own blog, it makes me feel happy to know that other bloggers I love are also thinking, thinking, thinking about their blogging place in the world! I decided not to change a thing about the way I blog going forward, I blog for me, for my family, for my friends, not for readership or PR deals or freebies. I blog because I love it and I read blogs because I love learning about how other people live their lives. Simple.

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  4. And I like it here, just the way it is!

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  5. Well said. I blog and I read blogs because I enjoy it. Because I like to connect with others through words.

    I have pondered a few times where do I fit in? I'm a general blogger. I'm not crafty or foody or an organisational guru. Like you I blog about whatever comes into my head.

    Occasionally I wonder why I'm doing what I'm doing and why other people have more followers than me. Then I remember. I do this for me. It's not a popularity contest, for me it's an outlet. One that I enjoy. And when I stop enjoying it then I'll stop blogging. Until then you'll just have to put up with (or unfollow) me.

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  6. I like your space as it is! x

    It saddens me too when I see x space change to satisfy y PR company/advertiser. I much prefer to see people blogging for themselves. Building communities and friendships, sharing stories with like-minded people, having a space to express yourself/to vent/to ramble. That's what blogging is to me. Everything else is a bonus.

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  7. I share your thoughts too. There is a place for pretty much every type of blog. I dont mind ads and PR posts and stuff if the rest if the blog is a good read. I find I kind of connect with certain blogs and read whatever theynhave to say.

    I would notice if that changed to suit a more marketing tailored format and probably start to read less but so far I think most have balanced their ad posts with the general pretty well.

    As for branding, every single blog has is branded. Be it just your name, your banner, your URL. You have something that people use to recognize you, thus the beginning of a brand image. You don't have to work on it, it just evolves.

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  8. Yes. Perfect sentiments.
    I overthink absolutely everything else. For me, blogging is the outlet and escape from that.
    Do what you do - because it's great!
    :-)

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  9. Perfect timing - I just linked to an old guest post of yours over at Mother Media on the whole bloggers vs journalists thing. I have been reading a bit about the whole debate recently and came across your post and it made a lot of sense to me. For me blogging is about enjoyment...and I have learnt a lot from fellow bloggers since I entered this online world. For me, the situation is not so much whether who is right or wrong in these debates but WHY we need to have them. Interesting post! Gill xo

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  10. I saw your comments on Digital Parents and just had to see what you wrote on your post. I love your attitude to blogging. I 'celebrate' my first blogiversary this week and have been struck dumb, unable to focus my attention on writing. Perhaps I've just overdosed on chocolate cake! Looking forward to reading more of your work.
    Cheers, Di

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  11. I also 100% agree. It frustrates me that blogging is turning into what the rest of the world is already caught up in (although I guess that's inevitable) ie. popularity, fame, rewards. Like you, I hope that all those amazing blogs that are sharing their lives with us all, stay true to who they are and don't try to fit a 'mould' that you so perfectly described! PS. I LOVE your blog and hope you don't change!! xx

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  12. I have struggled with this whole commercialising of the Mummy Blogger set for a while, and stopped blogging because my blog was (is) like a strange fruit in a basket of apples, I just don't conform or play ball. Because of this I'm unlikely to make a gazillion dollars from my blog. But I'm ok with that, because like you Corinne, I just need a space that is mine to bleat on about nothing on. The moment I start caring about saying the right thing (and I've tried sometimes) I lose the "voice" that keeps my blog mine, and my writing something I'm proud to have others read. Thank you for keeping it real.

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  13. Bravo Corinne! I love your little space and always enjoy a visit :o)
    I agree wholeheartedly that it's nice to read about people's lives and/or experiences, over product placement. To me, that is what blogging is about. But as you said, it means something different to everyone. Sometimes I do think my posts might be a little boring for the majority of people, then when I see a comment it just lights up my day. I am pretty sure I will continue to write the way I always have though, as first and foremost, my blog is for my boys one day... or their families... to read. Also, it will be good to have a record for when I'm too old and senile to remember what went on ;o) xo

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  14. Well I for one just love what you do, Corinne and there is (thank god) nothing cookie cutter about you! I support people blogging in whatever way is right for them. If you can make money from your blog, and that is what you want to do, then go for it, I say. But it won't be the same blog and you will not be the same blogger.

    I am a bit weary of all this PR frenzy that's around lately... In my 'day job' (as opposed to my 'real job', which is mumma!) I have seen products go belly up because they make choices based on 'the brand' and they have actually completely lost touch with their customers or why they developed the product in the first place. I see many blogs going the same way. They become a bit souless and vanilla. x

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  15. Don't change a thing. If it's not from your heart then it won't be enjoyable and truthful reading.

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Thank you so much for your comments! I'm always thrilled to hear from you.

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