…or not, as seems to be the case with many bloggers these days.
I haven’t yet read Andrew Keen’s book, “The Cult of the Amateur” and I don’t doubt that I’d probably disagree with a lot of his supposed attacks on the internet as a medium, but even reading the title, I feel some affinity for the sentiment.
When it comes to blogging, it’s really easy to put yourself forward as an “expert” – just look at the plethora of “social media experts” who’re currently out there trying to teach us all how to get the best out of the social networks.
I keep coming across the odd article from prominent bloggers who are all giving advice on how to do things, that I doubt they’ve actually ever done themselves. I may be wrong, but if you read through more of their posts you can tell when they’re writing about something they’ve done themselves versus something they haven’t – and they’re stretching.
I don’t have a particular problem with people writing about what they don’t really know, especially if they’ve researched the subject and received advice, feedback and input from those who have done ‘it’ but I personally believe that to talk/write about something authoritatively and to be able to advise others on how to do something, you should really have done it yourself.
Maybe it’s just me…but wouldn’t you rather learn how to do something from someone who’s done it, rather than someone who hasn’t?
Jonathan Woodward Studio
Kinetiva
Location Independent
Vibrapreneur
It’s true many bloggers write on subject matter based on potential search volume or perceived buzz-levels rather than real awareness of the content or even personal interest.
In order to build keyphrases and anchor text into posts, people create a strange sort of abstraction between themselves and the content – more like journalists than conversationalists.
I’m guilty of it, too, but trying harder to let my personality show – and with it my real interests. I’ve found that posts that are “closer to me” have consistently had the highest traffic and led to subscriptions.
I’ve also been pleased to get emails or calls from potential clients who stated they spent hours on my blog or website. I blush – but quickly realize our conversation is flowing like they know me – removing a barrier in the relationship.
Reading this post I had to mention that whilst in Borders book shop today I discovered there is actually a magazine dedicated to…wait for it…..Facebook!
A magazine just about networking on Facebook… in Borders!
Goes to show how huge social networking is becoming, even in the UK.
Hey Scott – what you write is very interesting…I think your observation “people create a strange sort of abstraction between themselves and the content” is spot on.
I guess it depends on the nature of a blog – but more and more people are realising that the power of blogs is in the personality/personal element and conversation which is great.
I think for me, it helps having a number of different ones now, so that I can keep the personal a little more separate from the professional and that people don’t have to read all about me and my pet rabbit if they don’t want to!!!