By I’ve been asked a few times about blogging. I offered bits of information here and there but nothing close to actually churning out a 60 minute blabber. To jumpstart the orientation, I gave an intro talk on blogging for professionals. Guess who are my audience for this talk- people on mainstream media
Frankly, I made a mess in that tutorial. I got the audience more confused after the tutorial. But guess what? That mess piqued the minds of my audience. They never ran out of questions! Which is a good thing!
I think.
For techie guy like me, an intro tutorial to blogging is ironically, super technical. The real challenge is translating the technical gibberish into understandable concepts. To think, I was talking to mass communication people entrenched in mainstream media!
So I’m writing this post not as an excuse for that messy tutorial, but as a prologue to that tutorial. I’m drawing similarities between blogging as an alternative media and that of the mainstream media.
So is blogging right for you?
Let me answer that question with three traits I noticed with great bloggers and/or great writers. I’ve been blogging since 2006. While this doesn’t make me an expert on blogging, I fairly had a head start noticing passionate bloggers and those that just blogged overnight and left.
Bloggers read a lot.
They read everything their mind could absorb. Even with topics that aren’t in their list of interests. These blogger’s cerebrum have grey matter gyrations that can hold bazillion of information. Their thirst for information is unquenchable. They’re like informations “sponges”. How they process these information is really up to the blogger. What I’m sure is, they read a lot- a lot more than an average individual does. This is why internet is like booze to them. They are a fan of information explosion. Bloggers are voracious reader.
Bloggers write a lot
Of course. They match what they read with writing. It may be on a scratch paper, a tissue paper, on ticklers, or on notepads, ipads or what have they. Their mind is just spewing ideas every moment. Most people worry about grammars, spelling and so many things. Yes, these are valid concerns. Write first, then edit after. I’ve learned blogging this way, and every friend I have knew how much I suck with english spelling and composition. Not that blogging has greatly improved my grammar now but at least I can write with greater confidence than before. Seriously, gramar, spelling and composition is important too, but first, write. Then you worry about these stuff when you have something to edit!
Bloggers are very passionate individuals
Their passion is unstoppable. This is what drive their persistence, their determination and sense of fulfillment. Yes, you can write dis-interestingly, but with blogging, every good reader will know if your writing just for the sake of writing. Don’t ask. Blog readers are an intelligent crop of information-getters mind you. So again, a blogger should bevery passionate about blogging. Otherwise, I would recommend you stick with just writing stuff in your mind.
Last thing.
Don’t get into blogging with moneymaking as your first, main reason
I said first, because I personally knew a blogger who went into blogging for money, and suceeded. But they’re what? upper one percent? You’re chance of making it big the first time you blog is slimmer than you getting hit by a lightning. Of course you can earn money while blogging but that will come in later. Personally, I’ve spent more money on blogging that what I’ve earn from it in six years. This does not include the perks and freebies I get sometimes (that’s a different topic ), but less than more, I’m spending for it. I came to the conclusion years ago, that blogging is not my source of income anyway, or in the future.
So is blogging right for you? Try asking yourself if you’ve got the traits I mentioned above and you’ll get your answers.
Fellow bloggers, what can do you think is the best tip you can give to these new bloggers? Please comment below for your answers.
Last modified: October 22, 2011
yes!!! thank you Sir for posting this…you enlightened me 🙂 … I am a new blogger so I need guidance and stuff..thanks 🙂
@Yadu, glad this post can help you.
great piece doc! me, i love to write din,.. and my mommyjournals blog started out as a “diary” of sorts.. for me to share with my unica hija when she grows up.. i never imagined that people would be reading it 🙂 pinaytravelogue on the other hand stemmed not only for the love of writing but to showcase hubby’s photos.. i agree with you that blogging revolves around the blogger’s love for the written word .. so keep on writing!
nette I guess, bloggers need not look far to think of something to write about. Talents are just overflowing right beside you…they say if an artist can capture memories with their brushes, photographers with their camera, bloggers do captures these artist doing their stuff on their blogs!
I am just glad that there are people who blog because with blogging, they share what they know and they make suggestions on what they think is proper for you. Well, we all can write, but we have different purposes, but if we blog, we remember that other people read it, and that we are accountable for what posts we share to our readers. By saying this, I say, one should be a responsible blogger if you are to start blogging.
big responsibility indeed sheng. that comes with the passion…
i must agree with you sir,money should be the main reason to engage in blogging because it can be very frustrating especially when you see your daily income with just a $0.01.
I started blogging as a journal back in 2007 until i use it also for bookmarking interesting stuff i found on internet at the same time.. I won’t deny that i’m not really good in writing but blogging became my practice lesson to write well.
you mean you “money shouldn’t.be the reason…” Yup It can be really frustrating…;
damn! i missed that one hehe..yah it’s supposed that be “shouldn’t”
Hello dok! You hit every point here hehe.. personally there is more room for improvement about blogging for me. I think blogging is an evolving media may it personally and technically… as the blogger grows and so is his blog not to mention the rapid growth of digital media.. great post btw!
This was years ago Kasthlin, but yeah agree with you. Blogging is an “evolution” for all of us. Technical part will just follow ones you have the heart to do so. Thanks, waiting for you Chaing Mai series!