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Firstly, in response, to "why blog?" I usually state that it's a hobby. It
makes as much sense as train spotting, thimble collecting or anything else
that is classed as a hobby. I say I usually state that because Kevin hits
many nails on the head with his response!
I have two blogs. A personal one that has been going for almost 8 years (I
was self-publishing for a couple of years before that, blogging applications
just make it much easier), and a newer "professional" one on which I dump my
brain about anything related to technical communications. That blog landed
me a presentation slot at the TICAD conference, and I find it helps keep me
enthusiastic about my profession.
Technicalities aside I'd think about the personal implications first. It's
VERY hard to stay anonymous, and once you've written and posted something
then it's out there and can always be found again (so if you start anon but
decide to 'come out' later that might bite you in the butt).
I've had feedback, from both blogs, which amount to "thank goodness you
wrote that, I thought it was just me!".
And finally I do have other websites, and I've been online long enough now
that anyone who googles my name will find the websites so I just presume
that everyone is reading my blogs already (and self-censoring accordingly).
WordPress, installed on a paid-for website, is very easy to use and
customise if you are happy tinkering with a little bit of code now and then.
If not, then go down the wordpress.com route, they'll host your blog for you
(but you'll lose a bit of control over what you can do with it).
Your subject line is "practicalities of blogging" and with that in mind I'll
close by suggesting you think hard as to WHY you want a blog. Are you going
to post regularly? Are you going to try and build up a readership? Or is it
purely a place to vent?
HTH - feel free to ping me off-list, as I say, I've been blogging for
several years.
Gordon McLean
(go on, google me!)
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+gordon -dot- mclean=grahamtechnology -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+gordon -dot- mclean=grahamtechnology -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of McLauchlan, Kevin
Sent: 31 January 2008 21:22
To: Flood, Donna; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: practicalities of blogging
On Behalf Of Flood, Donna quite reasonably asked:
> I've been reading this with interest, and, for me, blogging always
comes
> back to the same question:
>
> Why? Why blog?
>
> I don't think I get it...
Why write?
It's the same question.
If you are a decently capable and engaging writer and you have something to
say, but aren't prepared to put it in a book, then why not blog? Some blogs
are very, very good.
Almost none of those are the journal type (sorry Janice, no personal slight
intended), though there have been blogs about family and neighborhood life
that had me alternately misty-eyed or rolling on the floor.
I've found practical blogs that gave me more useful info than did
semi-static websites. Often a good blog is a counter to what is offered on
a commercial or dogmatic web site, and far more responsive.
I've found opinionated b*****ds who sounded off on political and
philosophical topics in ways so interesting, quirky or compelling that I had
to revise my views (on whatever the topic was). That's significant when
you're in your mid-fifties. :-)
Bloggers have tended to yield more interesting and useful information and
viewpoints on certain health questions than could be found on "official"
websites. The websites all seem to have disclaimer first and content
second... or they're selling something. Anecdotes are not data, but good
anecdotes and well-researched opinions are at least a starting point in an
investigation.
There's the hobby thing that others are mentioning. Lots of technical
discussion, tips, tricks, little-known facts, sources of <name
something>, and general comradery are to be found in blogs.
Blogs keep some associations on track better than their more static websites
do.
Of course, to keep this topically relevant, blogs are a worthy adjunct to a
professional website, for those of us who are contractors or who have
"political" ambitions within the industry. (STC)
Many personal/professional websites are too static. Content is updated when
the owner has time, and nothing better to do. Visitors tend to come no more
than twice. Add a blog, and you've got something pressing you to keep
producing, weekly, daily.
Finally, if you like to sound off / rant then where is better than a blog?
Half the charm of writing is having (or imagining you have) an audience.
The print media will accept only so many Letters to the Editor or Opinion
pieces from an individual. The letters that don't get printed aren't
necessarily rejected for bad writing or poor content - the editors are
limited for space and they have to decide which topics, and which of several
voices per topic, will get heard. A blog is an outlet.
Instead of a harried editor, the reading public gets to decide if you are
worth reading. Even if they decide against you, and you still have the
burning urge to write... the blog is still an outlet. You at least have
some feedback that could help you improve, or shift viewpoints, or perhaps
just market yourself better.
The very open-ended-ness of the format is its attraction. Of course,
openness and ease also mean that your blog is awash in a sea of dreck, and
only some of "getting discovered" is due to your talent shining through the
fog of mediocrity which is the blogosphere (does anybody use that term, or
is it as dated and dead as I think it might be). The rest is luck and timing
- other people's timing, as much as your own.
For writers who are not socially expansive, it's an outlet and a way to
engage other people that might be easier than running your own newsgroup or
list.
One of the first things I'm going to post is how to rid your attic of
squirrels. What could be more motivating than that? :-)
Meanwhile, I've been getting some useful comments about the practical side
of the whole effort. Keep 'em coming.
Kevin
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