Respecting The Blog
October 6, 2008 by Deb · 5 Comments
Part 9 of the Series Remarkable Bloggers©
There are days when I think of blogging as simply an addiction. A very peculiar, almost zen-like addiction.
And then there are those other times when I read something, or see a picture, or share a story, or watch a video and the power of this medium hits me like a slap upside the head: it gives me the power to make connections, to share our common humanity, to express our creativity, to give us a voice, diverse though it may be. I also twitter, which has been called micro blogging, with some regularity.
I had one of those moments last week when I watched this video from Glenda Watson Hyatt. It’s less than 3 minutes on how WordPress (and blogging) has changed her life. Please take a few minutes and watch. If you’ve been struggling with your blog, wondering about traffic, analytics and monetizing, or just generally thinking of giving up the whole idea of blogging. I think it will change your views on so many things, but especially the power of blogging.
Watching it got me thinking about how lucky we are to have this medium at our fingertips (literally). We have the ability to instantly share our thoughts, feelings, insights and encouragements. We should both respect its power and demonstrate our respect for it.
What do I mean by showing respect?
- taking responsibility for what we write online
- digging deep to share things that are of value, that will make a difference, to us and to others (takes time, worth the effort)
- making the time to support and encourage the work of others, through comments, links and social media and sharing links and resources that are good quality, that we’ve tested for relevance and accuracy
- respecting the viewpoints of others, and writing, reading and commenting with that in mind (Remember the Golden Rule)
- explaining how it works to other people, and encouraging them to enjoy the benefits of blogging. (Melanie does a great job of this!)
- continually seeking ways to improve and enchance the way we work online
So, tell me. What does respecting the power of blogging mean to you? How has blogging changed your life?
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Wow, that was great! I love the sense of community I’ve found online. There is a lot of support and laughter. Sometimes tears too. It’s been great to meet people I never would have connected with otherwise. I now have a circle of real life friends I never would have met. I can network with people who can help make my blog and my writing better.
Melanie @ MelADramatic Mommys last blog post..I Made A New Friend at the Beach Today
@Melanie @ MelADramatic Mommy: I’m just in awe of this little lady! She’s Amazing!
OK, I’m a bit behind in my reading but this is such a lovely post! The Golden Rule is a wonderful way to sum it up.
I know some people look at blogging like a small, private, microscopic thing, but I tend to look at it as infinitely big. And if I’m going to be putting something out there into the humongous world, something that could impact even just one person negatively or positively… well, I want to make that impact positive, I guess. I want to contribute something. Not… smog.
I guess that’s my blogging philosophy, as jumbled and half-articulated as it may be.
maggie, dammits last blog post..Nights like this I’m in love with life.
How did I miss this post?
First of all, I was so wonderfully taken aback by your blog overhaul! You have really done a wonderful job with it. Massive snaps!
I’m actually going to have to think about the content of this post inline with the video posted because I have some conflicting thoughts on the whole thing lately. Whilst I know it all ties into my depression, I just don’t know how to articulate it so that it doesn’t come across wrong. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m really on the fence lately when it comes to blogging. There has been some negativity that has hit me particularly hard and I’m taking it personally.
Great post Deb. Very thought provoking. I’m going to have to come back to it.
Auds at Barking Mads last blog post..Richmond Cemetery 2 [Flickr]
This was wonderful, Deb. Glenda is inspirational, and your list of ways to respect the blog was thorough and thought-provoking.
On a selfish level, blogging is a platform to say whatever is in my head, with only the filters of decency and respectfulness in place. I can be as silly, self-centered, bloviated, mundane, or petty as I wish, whereas in real life I would apply all kinds of filters to that behavior.
On a social level, blogging allows me to start conversations right at the juicy points, without all of the layers of formalities that life usually demands (How’ve you been, How are the kids, Have you lost weight, We should do lunch some time, etc. etc.). Blogging connects me with like-minded people and with people who think I’m an idiot, as well. But I don’t have to keep running into that last group at the grocery store and ask How’ve you been, How are the kids, etc.
Great post, Miss Debbie!
Laurie
p.s. Your new site design is really dynamite.