Variation on a Theme
I am having a crise du blog. It is hard to put this one into words but over the last few weeks I feel I have lost my blog “mojo” (I despise that “m” word but is the only thing that adequately describes my lack of lustre towards blogging.) It started slowly, with emails asking for blog statistics and comment numbers as proof of my worth in the blogosphere. It escalated when I was asked to remove collages for infringement of copyright. Vagabondia then seemed to sum up all my thoughts, concerns and fears in this perfect, succinct post. I too do not rely on my blog as a source of income. I am and have always remained true to my personal set of blog morals; I post things I personally find interesting and accept no freebies on the promise of a gushing post. The numbers, the statistics – yes, they massage my ego but I never began the blog for that reason.
I feel as if the last few weeks have provided essential research. I have scoured the Internet looking at the many types of blog on offer. My eyes have been opened. The Internet is saturated with blogs! Some are so similar, I wonder what it is that makes them stand out or be considered unique in any way? I put myself in the place of a publicist and started to look at the number of comments and what they had to say about the blog. The quality of the comment, not the number, revealed A LOT to me. Those with intelligent readership, elicited insightful comments that paralleled the quality of the post itself and were just as enjoyable to read. Those whose posts represented a bit of filler “fluff” to me, presented equally mundane comments, albeit in a greater number. When all bloggers attend the same occasions, how can you make your version events stand out? (See an example of GREAT alternative posting here by Isabelle O’Carroll!) I also decided being a publicist doling out tickets for Fashion Week must be a minefield! The criteria upon which they base allocation must plague their souls (I personally would go with my quality theory!) Unfortunately, my research compounded my fears; with so many great blogs out there, providing such great, regular content, where did mine fit in?
So today, I bite the bullet. I am writing and have a host of other things to tell you about lined up. I shall leave my Outsider post below sans collage, as a reminder of my mini-crisis! So here goes…
P.S. The novelty journal pictured above is available from Maiden – a great ironic gift for any blogger!
Ah thanks for the praise Rachael! I agree there are a ton of blogs out there, and a lot of them are damn fine. It’s a tough balance to strike to be both personal without narcissism, informative and irreverent and fresh.
Looking forward to your new posts! x
June 3rd, 2010 at 10:29 am
I hate it when people (PRs) ask for my stats too so I simply don’t give them. In fact, I rarely look at Google Analytics these days so I can honestly say ‘I don’t know’ when people ask. But also, traffic is only one factor of a blog’s worth from a commercial point of view. (I know you’re not blogging commercially and I wasn’t to start with, but now it is leading to ‘real work’ for me in some cases so I have to think about these things!) Anyway, glad you’re not quitting the blog. When’s your next London trip?
June 3rd, 2010 at 10:37 am
I’ll be up in London in July. I shall be in touch and will no doubt bother you senseless about meeting up ;] x
June 3rd, 2010 at 10:46 am
[…] here is why I have been absent from blogging for a little while. Secondly, I must […]
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:08 am
Stay true to yourself and your blog. Your loyal followers and readers need you to point us towards all the lovely cool things that we don’t have time to find ourselves. The key reason for being in London as a media business is purely to play the PR game, and as much as we all love the odd freebee, it is a fickle game. Your blog is an extension of you, its very personal and that’s why we love it. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. We love you just the way you are. It’s easy for people to get sucked into the backstabbing arena, it’s not a nice place, I have been there, I’m still there but trying to get out!
You have achieved so much and as long as you still enjoy it, we still enjoy reading… x
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:13 am
Your comment is too kind! Email to follow!!
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:56 am
I read the first couple of sentences and worried you were up and leaving. Glad you’re not.
There aren’t many using phrases as fabulous as ‘crise du blog’.
x
June 4th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
I tried to post a comment on your summer post above but it timed out – however I wanted to say I do love a bit of honest waxing talk and wish there was more of it!
Secondly, having just seen this post, thank you for the compliments and link. I say, don’t even try to think about where you fit in. It doesn’t matter. You’re obviously a very well-respected post-woman. Succeeding because of what you are already doing. x
June 10th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
I have been going through a similar crisis lately where I don’t want to do any of the creative things that I used to do including blogging.
In regards to the later the vapidity of many blogs(and their comments)turns me off.
As for the whole copyright thing I got into a mess with Ken Russell’s people two years ago. It left me terrified to post anything at first but I eventually got over it. Movies are a big thing for me so having a legendary director come after me broke my heart in a way.
To me your blog stands out because of your unique voice and collages so keep blogging!!!
June 13th, 2010 at 1:54 pm