Have You Ever Met A “Blog Snob”?
I’ve met a few lately. They look kinda normal – except for a few ticks…
…the slight raising of one eyebrow, “You mean you only blog once month!?”
…or the haughty look down the nose, “I have over __ followers on Twitter and made ___ dollars as a result. What about you?”
…or how ‘bout the gun-slinging swagger of the tech wonk (I had another word for gun…), “If you’re not using such-n-such technology/application/plugin/widget/web tool/hardware/software, you’re an idiot.”
In the old days (like about 3 years ago) a Blog Snob was someone who took a ‘tude with a non-blogger. Nowadays, I meet Blog Snobs who deride their fellow bloggers for a variety of reasons:
- Not blogging often enough
- Not doing it right
- Having a “lame” blog site
- Not using the “right” technology
- Not optimized appropriately
- ….and other crimes against blogging
Blog Snobs laud their social networking prowess, as if the fantastic number of friends, feeds, fans and followers confirms their “expert” moniker and popularity. It’s like we’re back in high school – puhlease, not back there!!
Another thing Blog Snobs do is wag their finger and remind you how much you’re missing out by not playing their way; trying to impress you with their knowledge, their name dropping, and how successful they are. It’s all about them. They don’t really give a rat’s ass about what other people might need, want, or prefer – leaving them feeling somehow lacking or inadequate.
You might think I’m projecting here. Maybe I am. I’m the poster child for ‘glacial blogging’ and don’t care. I tweet when I feel like I have something to say that’s relevant, interesting, funny, or acknowledging. I’m more amused and curious by Facebook than “strategic” about it. A lot of it I find inane. I’ve been on LinkedIn for a couple of years and would probably use it more if I swam in the w2 ocean like I used to. For now, I use it mostly to check people out – like my ex-husband, whose profile is exceedingly boring and straight-laced, just like he was.
Here’s what I say: engage in your blogging, tweeting, writing, podcasting, video’ing, and basically communicating and expressing yourself in ways that feel authentic and good for YOU.
Don’t worry about frequency, style, quality, image, looking good, doing it right, doing it wrong, being perfect, screwing up, or breaking the internet. Do what you want, and don’t do what you don’t want.
And don’t try and be someone you think others will want you to be. I’ve been down that road – heck, I helped pave it – and it sucks! I have more power, am more successful, and make more of a difference to others and to my communities when I am true to myself. I suggest encourage insist you do the same. Ignore the Blog Snobs.
Stand up for who you are.
Open up to who you are.
You are totally enough!!
Next Blogging Workshop: Sept 8th
Filed under: Blog Topics, Calendar, Workshops
Co-Founders, Beth Barany and Cheryl Liquori
Join us for our next Breakfast Blogging Club workshop September 8th, 9 – 11:30am, at the Z Cafe and Bar in Oakland. Preregistration required because we only have room for 15 bloggers. See our About page for more details.
You can register by emailing us through this site’s contact form. Or, register through our page on Meetup.com.
Topic: How to Get More Comments on Your Blog
And, we’ll write a post, of course!
See you there!
Adding Images – The Reality!
Breakfast Blogging Club June '09
We recently had our 11th meeting of the Breakfast Blogging Club. It was a full house, with 10 participants – and even an unexpected drop in! – made welcome by Beth. Thankfully we were able to squeeze everyone in…barely!
It was a special ‘Tech Clinic’ (our second) with guest presenter, Lee Rodrigues from the Technology Dojo. Lee spoke to us about embedding images – where to find them (stealing, buying, making, & “borrowing”), how to embed them in your blog post, and how to edit them so they’re optimized. Read more
Your Blog Post Checklist
Blog Post Check List
When you’re first learning how to blog, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the shear volume of information out there.
Numerous other blogs, websites, articles, teleclasses, videos, books, coaching and podcasts are readily available to help you get started, stay motivated and achieve your blogging goals ~ whatever they are.
But whenever I’m looking at the El Capitan of information for something I need to learn, I like to break things down into steps and routines so it’s easier for me to apply. That way I have a convenient guide that helps me be successful, and I build competence and confidence to then go to the next level of learning. Read more
Secrets to a Great Blogging Workshop
Filed under: Blog Topics, Marketing Tips, Workshops, Writing Tips
Greetings! Beth Barany here… Our March 10th Oakland workshop was full of fun and good writing. What made it such a success? I’ll let you in on a little secret… A great blogging workshop includes:
- Full participation by our 10 participants
- Great questions
- Great exercises!
- “Excellent facilitators!” — Janet Peischel, Marketing Consultant
“I am so grateful to Beth and Cheryl for providing this forum for new bloggers. Thank you both for assembling such a dynamic and creative group.” — Isabelle Choinere-Correa, Insights and Foresights
