This afternoon I was listening to Spark on CBC with Nora Young. I was only half listening with my worst ear while I was doing something else.
The topic was on social media on the net and if it was effective for communication. One of the speakers said that on Face Book he had publicized his birthday and received greetings, Three or four days later he put his birthday on again and received greetings. So he did this half a dozen times and his point was that there wasn't a real communication because people did not catch on that he was repeatedly having a birthday.
What really caught my attention was when he went on to say that personal bloggers were mostly blogging to themselves! He gave an example of his blog where he had blogged about five years and made about 1500 posts and had 5000 hits and of course half of them were his. He also only got 20 comments and some of them were his.
Now I realize that some blogs may be pretty dead as very few posts are made. Some blogs may have an extremely narrow topic which few people would be interested in. Blogging requires some work and talent. But I think that bloggers do much more than talk to themselves. Bloggers who consistently post interesting material will be read. Bloggers who work at setting up a blog with proper commenting facilities will receive comments. There are many bloggers out here who are trolling for interesting blogs to follow. Other people on the net like to read blogs. I have friends and relatives who amaze me by following me continuously. One friend lists off my posts every time he goes by me. Thanks Bob.
I see many very meaningful comments on the blogs I follow. I don't have enough time to read all the comments on blogs I follow. I would like to respond to more comments but I do have more of a life than just my blog.
I can certainly find lots of blogs to read that keep me busy. I keep looking for more local blogs to follow. I would also like to find some more blogs on education, seniors and music.
So I think the commentator was off base. He should read some of the great blogs that I follow.
I agree. I would also have to say that I do in fact blog for myself in that I won't compromise what I think is right or wrong for my blog or my interests just because it's popular.. memes come to mind. But there's certainly an awareness of posting something that I feel will be interesting to others and if it weren't for them and their wonderful comments (and of course, I include you in that), I would just be talking to myself. And where's the fun in that?
ReplyDeleteHilary well said. I would go a step further back. For many people it gives them a chance to write and tell a story or create something artistic. These are necessary to let people express themselves. And expressing yourself produces all kinds of benefits.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work.
I love to blog and love the comments from those I have begun to think of as my extended family. Most of the blogs I follow are older people, a few have small children but I really like the person writing it, and I sure don't write just for myself. I need the intellectual stimulation that comes from reading posts from all over the world. Thanks for sticking up for us, Red!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! These young keener geeks have bizarre ideas and do much navel-gazing.
ReplyDeleteI have learned much from friend's blogs, card-making, shared joy and tears, exchanged ideas, e.g., full-day K!
I don't like the dude you're referring to. Heard him, too. They travel is weird worlds that exclude anyone else. Cheers from Cottage Country!
Jenn , It's rather sad when someone has an agenda and pushes it from within. I tried to have everyone on board when I brought something in so that they also had ownership of the project. I've also done that on volunteer boards It works.
ReplyDeleteThe more I blog the more benefits I receive. My goal was to blog a year.
DJan , you certainly become involved from your own posts and in comments. I'm wondering if young people blog as much as seniors. My sixteen year old neighbor blogged for her trip to Mayo and then stopped. She's very articulate and has things to say but I think she has another life that keeps her busy.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to stand up for bloggers..Thanks Red!
ReplyDeleteI have met so many wonderful people over the last four years..it is amazing!
I blog for me..it helps me to put things in perspective sometimes. I am curious about the world around me..and I share the thing I know and the things I don't know.
People can read or not..that is their choice.
I think that seniors have the time to blog where other people may not..or maybe it is that they are just getting older and have much to say:)
Far Side, your last sentence is the best...seniors have had much more experience and have more top say.
ReplyDeleteI think for each blogger there are a variety of reasons in different priorities as to why they write.