So.
Blogging.
All the cool kids are doing it.
There are an estimated 156 million public blogs taking up space in the expansive universe that is cyberspace. We've all got our stocked Google Readers, our Facebook pages liked and our tweets all atwitter about blogs.
Tons of people have capitalized on their online weblogs, others have chosen to keep their little posting world quiet and private. And between famous and unknown, there is a whole mess of bloggers in between: those with small or growing followings, those who businesses pitch brands to, those who post resourceful tutorials or recipes, those who use the blog for their companies, those who are incredibly humorous and well-written, those who are notable enough to host advertising, and those who just want to be somebody.
I started blogging almost 3 years ago when Little Chica was 6 months old. Becoming a Mom was overwhelming and isolating and hard. And I found very few women who wanted to talk about that. Many of the Moms I knew were basking in their Momness and always seemed to have it all under control. All the while I'm falling apart at the seams, trying to figure out which end is up (which, by the way, comes in handy when changing a diaper). I wanted a place to be real, to talk openly about the highs and lows of being a parent. I also wanted a place to be more than just a Mom - to share my thoughts and feelings and beliefs and opinions about life. I wanted to share my passions (recipes being one that come to mind). I had no direction or intention, just that I wanted a small little corner of the world to call my own.
And so this blog was born.
Here's the thing: Blogs come a dime a dozen. There are personal blogs, corporate blogs, local blogs, coupon blogs, women blogs, fitness blogs, pop culture blogs. The list goes on and on. There are an elite group of A-List blogs, who have millions of readers and make millions of dollars in advertising. There are plenty of varying levels of B-List and even C-List bloggers. Being from the Philly Suburbs, I know a great group of well-established, respected bloggers who impress me more and more every day.
So where do I fit in?
Well. I'm the D-List blogger.
And I'm proud of it.
My life on the D-List: I've never been to a blog conference. I've never met anyone famous. Big companies don't know me. I, unfortunately, don't make a gagillion dollars a year on advertising.
You see, when you enter the blogging world, you start as a peon. No one knows you from Adam. So, it is validating when people begin to leave comments on your post. When companies ask you to do a review or giveaway. Heck, you might even get offered money. It makes you feel worthwhile and important. Then you begin writing to the masses, giving them what they want to hear and what companies want you to say. You begin worrying about how much attention you garner from Google and what your Score/Rating/Rank is and fretting over how many unique visitors you have per month.
Then one day you wake up and realize: you've become a sell-out.
I do my fair share of promotion, reviews and giveaways. But it's been eating at me for a while. I can't help but wonder if doing those things means I've become a sell-out? Today's post by Liz hit it home for me. And I find myself asking...myself...ahem:
Who am I? As a person? As a blogger? Shouldn't they be one in the same?
Yes. They should. At least, for the reasons I started blogging. I wanted a place for me. To give me a voice. To be my outlet. To be true to myself. And if trying not to get caught up in all the overwhelming worrying of Blog Success (fame, fortune, etc) means I will forever remain a D-List blogger, then I wear that badge with pride.
Which brings me to my point:
I think you should start a blog.
Say whaaa?
Yes.
You.
You see, it doesn't matter if you'll become big bad SEO-savvy widespread money-making blogger. Blogging should be about being true to thine own self. Having something that brings you joy, gives you purpose. The act of blogging is cathartic, therapeutic, enlightening. We all need our own little corner of the world.
We all need a voice.
So whether it's your personal journal, a spot to chronicle your recipes, an outlet for your interior decorating passion, a place to state your political opinions, do movie reviews, share couponing advice or parenting tips, or just a schmorgasboard of randomness, do it.
Do it for YOU.
Go ahead. Start that blog. Maybe it'll become popular. Maybe it will make money. That's awesome if those things happen! But know this: It doesn't have to be pretty. It doesn't have to attract attention, be widely read or bring in the big bucks. Heck, you may forever be a D-List blogger like myself.
Do it for YOU.
Go ahead. Start that blog. Maybe it'll become popular. Maybe it will make money. That's awesome if those things happen! But know this: It doesn't have to be pretty. It doesn't have to attract attention, be widely read or bring in the big bucks. Heck, you may forever be a D-List blogger like myself.
But you'll have a nice little plot of blog real estate where you can be true to yourself.
And that's all that matters.
