The Grass Roots & Boots of Blogging
20 April 2008 by 180|360
Honestly, people! Did I miss the bandwagon that told bloggers to throw weekly contests, give away loot or offer free services? Everywhere I turn I see this happening more and more- and I have to admit, it is starting to bother me.
Perhaps it's because I only have a home-schooled Blogger education. I mean, I've never gone to a blogging college, where I'm guessing the topics of conversation range from:
"How to generate and build more readership!"
to
"How to create a sense of belonging and loyalty on your
blog!"
I realize that we all blog for different reasons; some of us stay true to ourselves, while others become something very different than they are in real life. Some have the desire to share their "expertise" on various subjects, while some just share whatever is on their minds.
I say... to each his own!
That said, I have to admit I was somewhat disturbed when I discovered there are tons of blogs out there just to tell people which blog has the best contest going on. Worse, there are sites that tell you how to throw these contests to bait more readers.
"Set your objectives!"
"Are you focusing internally or externally?"
"Will your prizes be self-funded or sponsored?"
"Which type of competition will you go for?"
Comments, subscribers, links, OH MY! My head is starting to spin.
I've come to the realization that there are 2 types of bloggers out there. Actually, there are way more than that- but 2 subtypes would be: those that want to make money off of their blog and those that could care less. I definitely fall into the latter category. I'm stubborn and hard-headed that way. Frankly, I don't really like the constant barage of advertising I see everywhere these days, so why would I want to see it on my own blog? It's my little place of refuge where I can share thoughts and photos and music I like- "But hey! While you are at it, why don't you buy Veggie Harvest crackers because they carry 26 types of vitamins and beta-carotene which will make you smart and resistant to cancer!"
I don't know about you but I'm headed to the store RIGHT. NOW.
I gotta tell you, I kind of like my grass roots way of blogging. People have slowly (okay, really slowly- but I don't care) discovered it. This has not been the result of ads, not because I leave a million comments everywhere every day, and certainly not because I followed any of the marketing tools on this comprehensive list.
But what I want to know is, when did blogging start heading in this direction? Have I just been blind to what was there all along? Is anyone else irritated with all of the incentives put out there to read someone's blog? Why does this feel so wrong to me?Don't get me wrong, we are all entitled to run our sites the way we choose, but I'm curious as to what makes you choose the "Popular-$$$ blogger" over the "non blog-entrepreneur." So I ask you, my readers and fellow bloggers...
If you have contests and/or have ever sent out presents to your readers, why do you do it? And conversely, if you haven't- why don't you? Do you think this is what blogging will eventually lead to?
I pose these questions not to say that my way is better than others, but because I truly am curious. The deeper I entwine myself in BlogWorld, I personally find myself a tad frightened by its roots. While at first I was daunted by the grand scheme of social networking, I'm way more worried about social "personal advertising." Unless we actually have a service or a company we are trying to promote, has the blog become it's own monetary entity? Do you think this will be the demise of blogging- or online journaling as we once knew it to be?
And if by chance you are asking,
"180/360, does this mean you will never send me Las Vegas
trinkets or Ethel M chocolate? Will you never give me an Amazon gift card or a pair of earrings?"
Chances are, no, I probably will not. I would, however, take your photo for free or send you a mix-tape in the mail, and I might even make a custom photoshop photo of you- just because I like you. But I wouldn't expect to win anything just by reading this blog. I give out my point of view, my silly thoughts and visual imagery all for free, just by visiting this blog. There are no bells and whistles here.
On that possibly sour note, (depending upon how you look at things) I thought I'd leave you with something special...
Posts
I am one who has had two contests.
Not for the intent of increasing traffic, but in the intent of rewarding the poor suckers who read me.
I hear your point, though.
While I have ads, and a happy for the monthly deposit I get from them, I pretty much ignore them. I hope everyone else does too.
I just like that they help me pay for photography toys and my trip to SF in July.
Some blogs seem to be all about the self-promotion. I don't like that. So I don't read them anymore.
But I still read YOU. Because you are awesome and REAL.
I am so glad you posted this post. I have been finding myself in a slight panic wondering why my blog isn't as cool, or why it isn't keeping up with the times. Yes, I've felt a bit of a blog inferiority complex. But you have put everything right back into perspective for me! Thank you so much! A blog doesn't have to be fancy, gimmicky, or full of bells and whistles to be outstanding. It's the writing, perspective, experience, and topic that really count.
Thought provoking. I think the self-promotion feeds the need for attention seekers who want affirmation more than a monetary desire. I really do!
I, for one, am happy that I removed my BlogHer ads. Fuck dude, if I saw one more sad kitten with the words STOP CRUELTY TO ANIMALS next to a picture of my daughters....
Um, I hope it's not too forward of me to say, but: I think I love you.
I use ad-blocking software when I read sites. I still see text ads, but no banner flashing ads (that distract from the overall design and the functionality of the site, in my opinion), and while I am happy to support bloggy friends and their desires to monetize with each visit and/or click, I don't run ads, and haven't ever. I, too, very much like it that way.
I started blogging as a way to keep myself consistently creative, and I don't think ads help (me) at all with that. In fact, I think they can actually do more harm than good. That being said, some people can use them without sacrificing content and design, and hey? Awesome.
My blog is as much of a dork as I am, and I think I like it like that. I write for myself, and figure that thopse people who 'get it' are the ones who read it. Thanks for the post.
ha ha ha i like your coupon i thought you were doing a coupon for photography discount- which i'd use but then if i had to fly to vegas then it wouldn't be much of a discount- he he
seriously my other blog had a shitload of daily readers, one asked me to write for his blog once- i was like 'no but thank you' i mean i have a hard time coming up with crap sometimes...know what i mean.
Very interesting.
I love that the minute before I read this I wrote a blog announcing the winner of my recent contest :) (which was not done for more hits, but if it had, it failed miserably- I only had one entrant)!
To be honest, I don't read many blogs that have ads, but those that do, don't bother me at all. I think that if you could make money off of doing something you enjoy- then good for you.
But the blogs I like are those that seem genuine, so I imagine if someone were to come off as too self-promoting, I just wouldn't waste my time.
I don't know, maybe I just don't read enough blogs to see the problem?
By the way, when can I cash in my coupon?
I've done one contest which was like a pay it forward thing. A blogger sent me a care package so I was supposed to send one to another blogger, etc. I didn't make them do anything special for it.
I have participated in blog contests to win stuff like a free book or something. I am shameless!
I've contemplated killing my ads. They don't really bring in enough to make it truly worthwhile. But whatever.
I don't go out and actively promote my site, but I do love the sense of community that blogging brings and when new people stumble across my site and leave a comment it always brightens my day a little. Some of the social linking tools help in that too.
But you're right, it's good to keep things in perspective. Sometimes I feel like a performing monkey and wonder if people will dislike something I've posted. (Like my recent twitter-style trip review.) But then, I giggle and remember little things about my trip from reading it and it it makes me happy... well, screw the haters! :-)
HAHAHA~ you guys make me laugh!
Angella- Rewarding poor suckers that read you??? I hadn't looked at it that way!
Jason- I don't think all the contests or gimmicks in the world will make a fluffy blog better!
LVGurl- I am happy you have seen the light. Plus your site looks instantly cleaner!
Kerrianne- I LOVE forwardness! :) And you explained it perfectly- I do it for the creative outlet, too.
Sassy- I get you! We can both be dorky together.
Mrs K.- You come to Vegas and I'll take photos of you for free! How about that? No coupon required.
Punchline- WHAT? You had a contest and I missed it??????
Sizzle- A care package contest seems pretty nice.
Glossy- I understand the sense of community thing, especially when it comes from a good place.
And to be clear, it's not that I'm against contests- I've signed up for them, too! It's just the motives behind why people do these that I am questioning.
I don't have anything anyone would want to win therefore, no contests for me!
As for self-aggrandizing and postulating of bloggying? I'm thinking this is the end result of blogging in general. I'm beginning to believe we are all whores. Some might be more shiny and heavily made up on the exterior, able to ask for high fees while others are more the crack whores. Cheap, faded and easy.
Guess which category I consider myself to be in?
I heart you. Reading your blog makes me a winner everytime.
I send some of my readers postcards & letters, because a long while back on my blog I said that people need real mail. And, if they were willing to send me their address, I would send them random mail. I still send stuff about once every 2 months, mostly because I love doing it. They send me random mail too, which I find to be awesome.
Also, once I sent a reader two packs of vintage condoms I found in some old clothes my in-laws gave me. I couldn't think of them (in-laws) in "that way" so I needed them out of my house, and someone said she wanted them.
But no, no actual contests.
GBuns- C'mon! I'm guessing you are not easy! ;)
Theresa- The love is mutual. I just wish I could write as well as you do!
WhiskeyMarie- See, that's the kind of gifting I like! It is random and offbeat- perfect!
Great post.
I do run ads but have been considering ditching them. They really don't bring in as much as they make you think. I was trying to offset the cost of merging to my own domain but, opening an esty shop took care of that a lot faster :).
I love your site for the photography and wonderfully written witty posts. I find you refreshing and honest. Therefore, I visit :). And I can say the same of pretty much most of the sites I visit. I go because I enjoy them.
Beachmama- Thanks! :)
Ha! I'm not digging that stuff either... one blog I was a big fan of has gone down that route and it's so boooring!
Still, there's plenty more out there, eh?