Some thoughts on blogging that have been rattling around my brain:
1. Sometimes I am asked by companies (like BlogHer, for example) to check a box which indicates what type of blog I write. I’m always at a loss. I know there are many, many bloggers who blog about one thing, whether it’s DIY, design, fashion, books, coupons, whatever. They’ve found their niche and almost exclusively write posts that have to do with that subject. I suppose that makes their blogs more marketable, in terms of ad revenue, etc. If I was to write only about decorating, for example, I would become known for that and eventually, sponsors and big corporations would take notice and all sorts of opportunities would come my way.
But here’s the problem: I have too many interests. I love to decorate. I love to read. I love to garden. I love to DIY. I love to write the occasional thought-provoking post about life. I could never narrow down all my passions to one. If I did that, I wouldn’t be speaking in my voice. I’d be shaping the blog with an end result in mind that simply isn’t me. I’m not at all saying that niche bloggers are doing that. Not at all. They are blogging about a particular passion. I’m just saying that, for me, it wouldn’t ring true.
You know I love my work in the theater. There are other teachers/coaches out there who live for their work. It is all consuming. I’ve never been that way. This may be a failing on my part, but I have too many interests other than theater and I like to make time for all of them. Same thing here on the blog.
I usually just check the box next to “Life” because that seems to make the most sense. I blog about my life. That certainly won’t appeal to everyone and I understand that. But it is me, warts and all.
If you had to, how would you classify your blog?
2. You all know I have advertising on this blog. It brings in some, not a great deal by any means, much needed income. I try to limit the amount of advertising so that the blog doesn’t become all about the ads. Right now, I’m just using BlogHer ads. BlogHer has been very good to me. Their support of all kinds of bloggers – giving their voices a chance to be heard, as well as the opportunity to earn some income – is admirable.
It’s a balancing act. The most important thing for me is to share my thoughts with you each day. The writing is, and always has been, the most important thing for me. Writing is cathartic. The discipline of writing a post each and every day has been enormously important for me. And finding the best way to put those thoughts down on ‘virtual’ paper, finding the right word, the right phrase, is what I love. I’ve become a better writer since I started this blog over 4 years ago.
I share the occasional book review and book giveaway and the rare sponsored review. But almost every post on this old blog is about my life – good, bad or indifferent. I want you to know that I strive for authenticity and this blog will never be solely about advertising or sponsored posts. Far from it.
Advertising on blogs has become accepted. Not long ago, many of us questioned whether there should be ads on blogs, myself included. Over time, I realized that bloggers put a great deal of work and research into their posts and why not be compensated? More power to them.
But it is a balancing act. Too many ads are a turn-off. Too many sponsored posts are a turn-off. Too many “look at what I got from such-and-such a company for free” posts are a turn-off.
I don’t claim to have the answer, but I will always strive for an original content-heavy blog. The words and photographs are the most important thing. Without them, MHC would be just another blog. Who am I kidding? Maybe it is just another blog. But it’s my blog and I’m proud of it.
Any thoughts, my friends?
