Bloggers come in many different categories, some blog for a living, some blog for a little living, some blog for technically nothing, and some blog for nothing.
Do we realize that the general public believes that bloggers are in it for the money? I have had several questions through the past year wondering what I make! When I say I make nothing, they ask why there are advertisements on my blog. Sometimes, I don't know what to say since I have only racked up $10.00 for a year and you only get paid in merchandise when you have accumulated $100.00. Well, I calculate this to be ten years until I get paid.
I have been told more than once, we would love you to take pictures of our artwork, home, etc., only to be notified after you have spent a great deal of time, NO, we do not wish to be on a blog!
Blogs are everywhere, but have they really come into mainstream America? I don't think so, they are not in the neighborhoods, they are not down the block yet.
I guess if we exist in our own little blog world there is not a problem, but when we advertise ourselves with our friends or the groups that we belong to we realize that we are not yet understood!
I have learned so much this year about blogging, communicating, photography, computer skills, gardening, plants, plant zones, countries, people and most of all about myself! Thank you blogging friends, I look forward to an even more productive year!
Eileen
Yes I have to agree, blogging is not yet mainstream. I find that when I mention I have a couple of blogs, the younger generation ... actually my generation too! ... look at me as if I'm from another planet!
ReplyDeleteSomehow there's a perception that blogging is a thing for a certain age group and for purposes that perhaps are not all that well regarded.
But we'll show them ... we'll make sure we change the perception as we spread the word! It's fun, it's informative, it's fabulous!
Well put. Last year when I told a friend about my blog she said, "Is that the way you choose to communicate now?" I thought she doesn't know about blogs. It is a wonderful way to communicate and learn so much about other people and cultures. But most of all I enjoy the friends I've made and look forward to new ones. You find people you have things in common with which is hard for me to do living in a foreign country.I also find age doesn't really matter with kindred spirits show love beauty, art, gardening, seeing new places, etc.
ReplyDeleteBesides a few people in my family, hardly anyone knows I even blog. I think I don't mention it because I have a feeling they wouldn't really understand it. I know what you mean about our own little blog world, and that's fine with me. I've enjoyed getting to meet people I'd otherwise never meet, like you! :)
ReplyDeleteWell girlfriend, well said. Should we send this to the Leadership Committe? I love the sharing, the inspiration and the interaction between a strong community that appreciates and understands the creative process. I am so happy to be a part of the blogging community because of the friendships and the inspiration that is shared between so many. I look forward to 2011 and the sharing that this form of communication provides to so many and with each other. It is better than the best design magazine you could ever buy on a newstand..........always so much to learn and be inspired by......where else can we wake up to friends in Paris, or Provance or the English countryside without a plane ticket??? Wouldn't trade this for the world!!!
ReplyDeleteBernie, I agree, I get those looks also. Hopefully, it will become more mainstream, as it is such a good learning tool.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Jennifer, you are right. Blogging does cross all age barriers. It is all about like interests.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Thanks Catherine,
ReplyDeleteIn my excitement, I probably put myself out there to learn that it is not widely accepted. This was a surprise to me, as we even have a Chicago radio program about blogs.
Eileen
Hi MA, it is nice to know another blogger locally that is also excited about showing what wonderful things others have done with their homes, shops and gardens. It is better than a magazine and a lot less expensive!
ReplyDeleteEileen
Eileen girl !
ReplyDeleteHave you been hassled about your blog? .. My goodness !!!
Blogs are for US and if some one tries to butt in and criticize or force suggestions .. well, if you would like .. I will come over there are straighten them out for you ?
wink wink .. I have been known for being a help with naughty rude people! haha
Seriously though .. this is our own business and what ever or how ever we choose to "post" is for us in the end isn't it ?
"Blog ON" girl ! and if you need "help" just whistle ! hehehe
Joy : )
Hi Joy, thanks for your comments, not so much a hassle as the reaction that it's not always accepted. But, I agree, it is for us and forward we go. How's the snow by you?
ReplyDeleteEileen
Hi Eileen,
ReplyDeleteSome friends of my own age ask..."Why do you blog?...I wouldn't put myself out there for the world."
My answer...
It's a way for me to keep a journal and a place to meet new people and see beautiful things in the world. I'm with Jenny...we are kindred spirits.
Balisha
Well said, Eileen.
ReplyDeleteI am going into year 7 of blogging - yes, I was blogging when nobody else was! I remember searching for gardening blogs and finding just a handful. I put a google alert on the word "tablescape" and I could go days without ever getting a notification that someone posted about it. Now I see them everywhere! So blogging has certainly grown.
But these days everyone is into Facebook -- it's much easier to keep updated than a blog (you really have to enjoy writing to blog and be pretty self motivated to keep at it).
Until today I did not even notice that you had ads. I guess I have been so overwhelmed with your beautiful projects that I never even glanced at the outer edges of your posts!
Balisha, I think you have hit the "nail on the head." It is being out there that makes people uncomfortable. What many do not realize is that we are all out there anyway. Just google someone and you may find out more than you want to know. Pay a fee and you will find out a lot more than about their home or garden.
ReplyDeleteSo, I guess it is more fun being out there showing the beauty in the world.
Eileen
Zoey, I am certainly the new kid on the block compared to you! I know that seven years ago I had no idea what a blog was, you are a pioneer.
ReplyDeleteI tried the ads as a tech thing, and as I noted, they don't make any money!
Eileen
Prior to blogging, gardening used to be a solitary experience. Now, we have an international community of like minded people who understand us.
ReplyDeleteNone of my friends or relatives read my blog. Most don't understand the purpose of the posts, regardless of the topic.
Thank you for your candor about advertising revenue. I wonder if any bloggers are doing any better. If they are, it would be fascinating to discover what makes them so effective.
Thanks Allan,
ReplyDeleteSome of my friends and some of my relatives read my blog, but they are gardeners.
I read a book before I began blogging and the author states that he is able to earn a living blogging. He is not a garden writer! The book is called Pro Blogger.
Eileen
Eileen, I agree, so many people just 'don't get it'. I try to explain why I write a blog and they give me these blank looks as if I'm doing something not quite right with my life. Thank goodness for my fellow bloggers, my life has been enriched so much!
ReplyDeleteKaren, thanks so much for your comments. The support of fellow bloggers means so much when you don't know anyone else who blogs.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who has just begun and has gotten a few wide-eyed looks. I will have to let her read all of the bloggers comments on this post.
Eileen
I'm looking forward to a good year of blogging. I love blogging. Blogging has helped me in many ways. I look forward to your blog in 2011.
ReplyDeleteI so know what you mean...I've just recently started to blog (August 10) and the most loyal followers are fellow bloggers...I have to email the posts to my family to get them to read it...they say they don't get the whole blogging thing! Regardless, I'm thrilled to have joined such a loving, warm, intelligent and gracious community! It's a journey I hope to continue for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI agree Becca, it is nice to have gardening in common and even nicer to find out we all have so many other things in common.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Hi Whimsical Gardener, thank you for your supportive comments. I guess we just have to put ourselves out there and let people know how great it is to be a blogger (maybe it's the word.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Hi Eileen,
ReplyDeleteGood comment about yours and other bloggers. I have learned so much from reading your blogger as well as the other bloggers that follow you. Stay warm.
Thanks Kate,
ReplyDeleteHopefully, it will be just another alternative to Twitter and Facebook if you want to write more and use photos.
Eileen
I guess I think blogging is similar to having pen pals of old. It has been great to strike up long distance friendships. I agree with you that it is a learning experience. I am so much more practiced at taking pictures (although there is much to learn). Sometimes my husband gets impatient when I go visiting, but mostly he understands. I am okay with not making money. Money isn't everything. Friends and family are so much more important!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your amaryllis in the last post are spectacular. You are making me wish that I had bought red instead of white.
Hi Jennifer, I don't think we will ever worry about making money blogging. It is such a creative endeavor that money is pushed way to the back.
ReplyDeleteI loved your white amaryllis, mine is almost done, deciding whether or not I want to save them.
Eileen
Very few friends and family know that I blog. I do it because I enjoy writing about my gardening adventures. I don't think anyone who starts a blog things they will make a living doing it. Writing a blog is addictive though, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteHi Meemsync,
ReplyDeleteI think most of us do it because we enjoy writing.
Eileen