Like me, you probably see a lot of young bloggers consumed by the goal of attracting large numbers of viewers to their sites. Often, they pimp for sponsors and seek to make money from their audience. They give advice (often erroneous) on how to draw a crowd. And they seem oblivious to the corrosive consequences of blogging for sponsors instead of themselves.
All of us would like to be popular but, early in life, I learned that's not a good path to happiness. In childhood I discovered that it's more valuable to be interesting than popular. I can be happy in a room by myself; I don't need approval from others. My contentment is not dependent on the opinions of other people.
My blog reflects that. I'm not trying to be the most popular blogger; I'm trying to be the most interesting blogger. I reveal my authentic self to you; I play with self-expression; I exercise creativity with surprising results. These activities give *me* joy. If sharing them amuses you, that's great but, ultimately, I'm blogging for myself. And it works. After more than five years, I'm as enthusiastic about blogging as when I started.
How 'bout you? Why do you blog?
Amen to that Ally. I blog for fun, for me. I don't work for clothes, makeup, glasses or whatever. That's why you'll never find any reviews of whatever product on my blog. I mean should Lamborghini comes up to offer me the Huracan I might change my mind about doing a review, hahaha, no seriously I love to blog, but I do it for me. Just for the fun of it, although it is hard work getting everything done. But that's part of the fun, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday, Ally.
xox
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
Hey Ally. We speak often to each other about the importance of being ourselves, "just be me", and I never thought anything else of your blog other than how it is your authentic self. I blog because I enjoy writing and photography (and now also video... still learning), and like the idea of using my slightly awkward ungraceful and completely honest self to encourage others to make the most of their days. I don't expect anyone to tell me if it does or doesn't, but I like to think that I've at least tried.
ReplyDeleteYour blog achieves that effect. (Just so ya know...)
DeleteThank you. It means a lot you would say that x
DeleteTrue indeed.
ReplyDeleteI started blogging because I wanted to document my outfits and make the most of what I have - oh an avoid repeats. Then it just evolved and I started connecting with so many people that I am hooked :)
Me, too. I'm totally addicted to my friends (e.g., you).
DeleteAuthentic people are difficult to find so I really appreciate when I find someone that is.
ReplyDeleteI started blogging to promote my scrapbooking company. Then when that industry died I decided to switch over to fashion as it is always something I've been interested in.
That was nine years ago. CRAZY! Why do I still blog today? I often ask myself that question because I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't like to be more popular or make some $ from my blog. It is a creative outlet and a chance to share and connect with like minded people. It has allowed me to meet wonderful people (yourself included) that I never would have had the chance to meet otherwise. That is what keeps me blogging, even though often I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels.
bisous
Suzanne
Coincidentally enough, "spinning...wheels" is a Buddhist activity. There's some hidden Zen benefit in blogging regularly.
DeleteI blog because I was the kid who wrote my own novels, stories, cartoons and did my own artwork and craft because I loved it. When I heard of blogging, it was like this was the way I could still be that Kid, wanting to write. Having an actual audience to chat to was even better!!
ReplyDeleteI won't lie, it does make me sad at times when I try to support other bloggers by constant comments and I just get completely ignored and it is not that I really want loads and loads of followers BUT I feel a bit of a failure when someone who has blogged for a year (and isn't particularly interesting) surpasses my followers and I don't get why.
I try really hard to be approachable and keep the content varied, I hope that comes across.
But ultimately, I blog for me and if it is boring to other people, that is just life!!x
Quality, not quantity, my friend. Your blog has excellent content and is deeply appreciated by readers like me. Don't worry about the masses who don't understand and value quality. You've got it.
DeleteKezzie, please don't feel abit of a failure. Don't get sucked into the numbers game - therein lies madness! As Ally has said, quality not quantity. I really enjoy your blog and marvel at your creativity!
DeleteI enjoy the peeks into different people's lives and the chance to express ideas and myself in ways that aren't always easy in real life. I mean if I tried to discuss why I think plus size shopping when pregnant is hard or that gender isn't part of genetics in regular conversation, people might be really bored with me.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up an aspect to blogging that is really valuable to me -- the way it allows us to cross social borders and communicate important stuff. In real-life, I find it almost impossible (when perceived as a man) to compliment a woman on her clothes. The reaction (suspicion) is not what I want it to be (supportive). Online, that disappears and women eat up my encouraging words.
DeleteI prefer to read blogs that are interesting and real. If somebody has gobs of followers and is making some bucks, well that's a nice little bonus for them. But I started blogging to amuse myself. If somebody reads my blog then that makes me happy but it's more about quality than quantity. I'd rather have just a few loyal interesting blogger friends than a bunch of blah di blah strangers.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Well put.
DeleteSuperbly said, Ally. There are a lot of different reasons why I blog, but certainly, since day one, a key driving force for me has been the fact that the blog gives me an incredibly important outlet that has little to do with my severe chronic health problems. It is really and truly my happy (online) place and one that is rewarding, fun, inspiring, and a beautiful way to make amazing friends, like you, around the world.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
well said, Ally. I blog for fun and try to avoid stress. I do run ads and make a few $$ from my blog, but not enough to cover the electric bill : >
ReplyDeletestay true to you, you're fab. xo
I started my blog for two reasons: To expand on skill set as I work in print graphics/design in the publishing industry and am a bit worried about the future of this and as a creative outlet as you would think what I do sounds creative but 70-80% is just technical grunt work. The blog is MY dog and pony show which is rewarding.
ReplyDeleteAllie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com
I blog because I like to share my world and discoveries...mostly creative.
ReplyDeleteIt's often hard as an artist to find an audience, so this helps me feel heard.
Hopefully I can make someone's day better as a nice bonus!
I have "met" so many wonderful people online, which I never expected. Such a lovely community. Now to meet in person one day!
Xo Jazzy Jack
PS Your blog for you has a wonderful insight into the world which I enjoy!
DeleteThanks, JJ!
DeleteYour comment here: "I can be happy in a room by myself; I don't need approval from others." makes me think it's this trait that leads to blogging for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'm all about intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, but I've met plenty of people who are the opposite. They just live their lives in a way that would be a living hell for me, but that works for them. I assume they likewise would die of boredom or tear their hair out trying to live mine. :D
i blog because i love all things beauty, and wanted to help those who are interested but not sure where to start. while we all have our own reasons, i never blog for money. i blog because i want to. if they outlawed making money, i would still blog. i wonder how many still would.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog because it is interesting. I never know what I am going to see, but I know I will be intrigued. I sometimes support local businesses or charities, but not for money. I do like to encourage the idea of different kinds of shopping, second-hand ,most often. I worry that young people spend too much on clothing that they can ill afford.
ReplyDeleteI love the self expression part of blogging , but I really started as a way to "picture myself well", as I have a pretty serious AI disease. My blog is quite fun to work on and is helping. I am so glad to have read this today, it is affirming for me, and interesting read your thoughts on this.
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
This is such a great piece of writing and I agree with many things you have said . I am like you love people but also happy with my own company !. I started my blog as I so enjoyed reading wonderful blogs out there yours included , I thought I give it ago I maybe hopeless at grammer , the pictures are never going to be high end professional pictures as my 13year old daughter takes them but I wanted also to help get over my body hang ups and accept my body and it's faults ! . sometimes I do wonder why some newer blogs have better views but hey ho that's life ! . sending best wishes to you .
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, Lesley. Where's your blog? I'd like to visit it.
DeleteAtmydressingtableblogspot.com lovely to meet you have a good week .
DeleteI'm catching up on my blogs so I'm slightly behind but I love this post. I really enjoy reading your blog (I really do read it, even if I don't comment regulary) as I know it will be worth my time coming here because it's you, the whole of you and not someone trying to keep up with the jones, or spouting some 'guru' type rubbish on certain topics when that person has no credentials to back up what they're spouting. As the lovely Suzanne has said finding authentic people is rare so I treasure them when I do.
ReplyDeleteI started blogging for a few different reasons! It's a way of letting my hair down, having fun with my clothes as I felt I was getting in a rut, being creative. It's an antidote to the responsibilities I have in my life (overseeing the care of two elderly parents, one with dementia). I enjoy the community I've found through blogging. A wonderful, international community. Yes, followers would be good but sharing thoughts, ideas, inspiration, that is what ultimately matters - well to me, anyway!
www.petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk
What a thoughtful comment. Thank you, buddy. Blogging serves a similar purpose for me, "an antidote to the responsibilities I have in my life" (as you lucidly put it).
DeleteI blog because I get tired of all these ideas bouncing around in my head - they need to go somewhere. Plus, I'm a Simon Sinek fangirl, and he's a big proponent of blogging. (He's been known to say that your ideas need an outlet, so give them one.)
ReplyDelete