…over at John Haydon’s blog today and tomorrow.
After having my blog hijacked by the mysterious Jack Tweet, I’ve finally managed to get around his firewall and take back control.
While I give the blog a thorough search for any hidden clownware, I’ll be looking after John’s blog while he’s at the SobCON event over in Chicago. Feel free to drop on by and say hello.
The death of the blogger came as a surprise. Sure, people had seen a decline for a while, but still – everyone felt the shock that happens when faced with death, slow or sudden.
Death does that to you.
But this death – this death was worse than most. This was the death of a blogger. The whole community felt it. Questions were asked – if it can happen to him then it can happen to me. Suddenly, the one thing that bloggers fear the most just edged a little closer to them.
The sad thing is, the signs were there. But the blogger didn’t do anything to stop the decay and the community never spoke up. Except with their eyes – they spoke up with their eyes, and they stopped looking.
When the looking was gone, the blog decay set in mercilessly.
The authorities tried to help. They offered their services free of charge. BlogCatalog and MyBlogLog tried to get the blogger onboard and share his story with the world, but he thought the world would come to him regardless.
BackType called and let him know that people had things to say and that they could help him in his solitude. But again, the blogger said no – he wanted a closed space where only a private few could be his friends, his confidantes.
His voice was not for others to judge – he would be the judge instead and others would like it. After all, he was the blogger.
He stopped caring about his appearance. He didn’t care if people couldn’t find their way about his blog. It wasn’t his fault they were idiots – he knew where everything was, that should be good enough for anyone else.
He ignored the new boys in town. Sharing his stories with others was for the birds – no wonder they called it tweetering or whatever. Speaking with people and listening to ideas on how to improve his blog? Damn their cheek! What did they know about blogging – they only used 140 characters. Heathens!
So the authorities gave up. You can only help a blogger that wants to be helped. Technorati and Alexa said their goodbyes, and the blogger started to slip further into obscurity.
The decay was quick. People forgot. People moved to pastures new.
In response, the blogger’s health deteriorated. His mind stopped looking at ways to shine. His effect diminished and his stories no longer mattered.
Death was swift. The ripples, however, could be felt for months afterward. Everyone knew it, but wouldn’t say it: “There but for the grace…”
But lessons can always be learned. If you’re willing to listen. If you’re open to those that can – and want to – help you.
You have regular health checks, right?
They’re a privilege, not a right. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t mean that in an elitist or dictator-type way. After all, comments are the passengers to the bus driver that is the blog author. They’re what makes the trip so enjoyable.
Yet it’s still at the discretion of the bus driver whether it’s a private journey or an open one.
Which is why you’ll see some blogs requiring you to register before commenting; some with no comment options at all; and others that are open-ended and encourage comments wholeheartedly. I’ve always been of the last mindset, as are the majority of bloggers.
Yet this is what also makes them a privilege. When you comment, it’s at the invitation of the blogger. Blogs don’t have to offer comments, although they’re missing out if they don’t (just my opinion). The blogger is essentially inviting the readers into his or her house. You wouldn’t trash a house you’re a guest in, would you?
So why the equivalent in comments?
Here’s an example. On one of Chris Brogan’s recent posts, a comment was left that disagreed with the post in question by a visitor called Agitationist. Fair enough. Yet the person then went on to say, “I hope you?ll take this constructively, but your writing is very sloppy. Ending a sentence with ‘and things like that’ is just lazy.”
We all like (or need) constructive criticism – it’s how we grow and evolve into being better at whatever we do. But calling someone lazy and sloppy isn’t constructive, in my book. If anything, it seems a little vindictive. Jealousy, perhaps? But constructive – no.
Blogs used to have a reputation of being childish – a waste of time for loners in their bedrooms.This view is still entertained in certain circles, but by and large blogs are now more respected than much of mainstream media. Much of this is due to people like Chris Brogan, Rob Scoble, Peter Kim and others.
Blogs are growing up. This is thanks to both the bloggers and the commentators that combine to offer a truly interactive learning space. It’s not too much to ask that we show the host and the home a little respect, is it?
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment and subscribe to my RSS feed or via email to ensure you can enjoy the latest post(s).
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=53a56fac-b457-4ff5-9e61-69a4fb74bc2d)
Should I have a blog? It’s one of the questions I’m asked most frequently when I sit down with a new client to discuss their online presence.
They’ve seen other blogs – personal and professional – and they’re wondering if they should be part of the party. The answer isn’t always what they expect.
Are you ready to blog?
Okay, so I cheat and ask another question instead of giving them an immediate answer – but sometimes questions are answers.
Blogging is something that you really want to do – it’s not always just about the need. Especially for business blogs. Yes, it’s a great tool for offering a more personal voice to your business. And for building community, it’s priceless.
But only if it’s done with the passion and time it needs.
Look at the most successful capitalist on the planet. Bill Gates has made billions of dollars and built the business he started into one of the leading software companies today. Yet he doesn’t blog, nor does it look like he will anytime soon. (People were asking as far back as 2004 when Gates would start blogging – we’re still waiting).
Of course, you could say that Gates is different from most business owners because of his outreach. And that’s true. Still, if you have the product or service that talks for itself, size is irrelevant – word-of-mouth will spread your message.
So no, you don’t always need a blog. There are many ways to tell the world about you and your product – blogging is just one of them. The biggest mistake to make is to have one because your contemporaries or competitors do.
Getting your message out is key – but how key is it if the words are diluted?
I had a conversation on Twitter last night with a good friend, Lizz Harmon, the basis of it being why Lizz didn’t blog.
She’s one of the smartest PR people around and always has some interesting things to say, so I mentioned that it might be a good idea for her to start blogging in 2009. Lizz responded with reasons why she doesn’t blog (for now) although it may be something she’ll address next year.
We ended the conversation with Lizz agreeing to write a guest post here, so I guess I’m the winner all-round!
It got me thinking, though, that there are probably a great many that don’t blog even though they could potentially blow everyone away with what they have to say. There are numerous reasons – fear of opening up, leaving a comfort zone, there are already too many similar bloggers so where would their voice be positioned, etc. All valid, yet all equally reasons to overcome as well.
I often say that some of the best points made on my blog are through the comments – some of the best conversations I’ve had recently have been discussing the various merits (or lack of) in my posts. It often leaves me wanting to hear more on what that person has to say, but then there’s no link to a blog.
This is a shame.
So here’s what I hope for in 2009. For anyone that isn’t blogging but has either thought about it or kept putting it off, make the decision to start one. Don’t worry about being lost in the wilderness – we’re all in the same boat and we’ll help each other through. If you’re worried what topics to write about, go for what inspires passion in you. The best voices come from passionate beliefs – yours can be one of them.
Ask for help as well. If you’re unsure how to set one up, or how to design your look and feel, look at blogs that you read and which ones catch your eye. And contact the blogger in question and ask if they’d mind offering some guidance. The good ones will be only too happy to help – after all, it should be one big happy blogosphere, right?
If you really don’t want to blog, then fair enough – you shouldn’t be forced. But if you can share great views in the comments of other blogs, maybe these great views can be the basis of your own rockstar blog?
I look forward to reading you in 2009.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment and subscribe to my RSS feed or via email to ensure you can enjoy the latest post(s).
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=0ee1ee73-3ad9-45c3-aaf9-727313176359)
