Blogging Myth #2: Blogs are just online diaries.

Okay. Deep breath, Andy. And – exhale…

Blogs are more than diaries.

Relegating blogs to the dustbin of horny teen voyeur-cams and geek-addled techie rants is a huge dis-service to the blog format. Just because you can’t find good blogs to read doesn’t mean there aren’t any.

Blogs look like diaries.

No doubt. Entries. Archives. Chronological order. Penchant for personal revelations. But that just talks about the cosmetics. Look deeper.

The big deal is in how blogs are updated.

Shift your thinking from blogs, the site, to blogging, the practice. The idea that you can login from any internet connection in the world and publish anything you write, think, read, photograph, record or feel is a massive step forward for online publishing. The barriers to publishing online have been lowered. You don’t have to know HTML to write a blog. Sure, that means there’s a lot of amateur writing out there and pointless publishing – but how is that different from any low-entry-barrier medium like photography, photocopying or pirate radio? Don’t blame the media (blame the messengers!).

Moving from the published post to the act of blogging is key in understanding their impact. When anyone can say anything about anyone, the field is leveled and grandma can take down a national ad campaign by complaining how much their products stink. You, as a small business, have the potential to reach as many readers as The New York Times or other corporate, mainstream media channel. It is the original promise of the internet – all over again.

So, next time someone dismisses blogs as mere diaries – you tell ’em what’s up.


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79 responses to “Blogging Myth #2: Blogs are just online diaries.”

  1. Roseanne van Langenberg Avatar

    Andy
    Congratulations on moving up a notch in life’s odometer, as you so quaintly describe it.
    It is so good to see that you use your considerable influence so wisely, in spreading the message as to the importance of including Blogs and RSS as crucial marketing/publishing tools.
    Have a great 30th birthday.
    Roseanne

  2. Lyle Avatar

    Right on Andy!
    Oh, and wait till you turn 50!!
    Anyway, back to Blogging.
    Blogging is a tool for “Artists” — creative, unconventional, multi-talented, open-ended types with dendritic minds.
    Life is not linear.
    And, Blogging supports and enhances the non-linearity.
    Blog oN!

  3. Lisa Avatar

    You go, Andy! Thanks for reminding us there are no boundaries except those we create. I, too, like the creative aspects; although I think my dendrites have short-circuited!
    BTW – Turning 40 was different. Half over and all that rot… Live and love with higher things in mind and it’ll be worth it.
    Blog it, baby.

  4. mobic Avatar

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  5. renova Avatar

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  7. vioxx Avatar

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  8. elavil Avatar

    Finally we have a replacement for my long lost beloved riding crop! (The story about how I lost it is here if youÒre interested.)

  9. erythromycin Avatar

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  10. flexeril Avatar

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  11. flomax Avatar

    Kim RightÅ Look! Shadow puppets! ItÒs a dog! Ruff RuffÅ Meeow!

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    Note also his use of the word ÓliberatiÔ in the first interview.

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    I was thinking this afternoon about the old saw “A man wants all women for one thing, a woman wants one man for all things.”

  15. inderal Avatar

    PS I wonder how Blunkett would feel about the fact that this same person explained how she understood this way of using words by saying ÓitÒs the kind of thing Haider does in AustriaÔÅ

  16. klonopin Avatar

    The Female Talent can’t see what the director is asking for, so she turns around and faces the camera again.

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    Secret History featuring yet another media appearance for Bessie and Ted.

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    When it rains you can really smell the poo on the Parkland Walk

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    ItÒs the only time of the year I wish I had Sky to watch the whole terrible but unmissable award show live. We used to have Oscar parties to watch it all through the night!

  22. lortab Avatar

    Instead Cup seems like a good option, but I know next

  23. metformin Avatar

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  24. morphine Avatar

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  26. nexium Avatar

    What is this country coming to when itÒs only old gits like us (no, heÒs no relation) who can be bothered to utter a voice of dissent every now and then?

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    Think about that the next time you get off on a money shot.

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    Tim suggests that whatÒs special about Tom WatsonÒs blog is that heÒs the first politician to use a blog to tell us what he really thinks instead of just telling us whatÒs in his diary.

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    Two languagey stories in todayÒs Independent, both useable for teaching, I think.

  32. prilosec Avatar

    i could easily excape, given the chance, but i thought it diplomatic to end the situation through a request, rather than through rebellion.

  33. protonix Avatar

    Luckily, Stefan, the director of the institute, was there to discuss it all and I enjoyed listening to Alan and Stefan discussing it all.

  34. provigil Avatar

    Finally we have a replacement for my long lost beloved riding crop! (The story about how I lost it is here if youÒre interested.)

  35. prozac Avatar

    Today is the European Day of Languages. I wonder if David Blunkett is taking part?

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  40. tricor Avatar

    “P.G.S., I really can’t function without you.” I’m quite serious.

  41. tylenol Avatar

    Actually, IÒve been back for a while now but too lazy to get back to writing anything here.

  42. ultram Avatar

    Anyway, we’re alive and well & hope to be back in the swing of things soon!

  43. valtrex Avatar

    Feeling a bit like I fell down the well this week.

  44. vioxx Avatar

    Just another lesson learned. A broken rule will come back and bite you in the ass in more ways than one!

  45. wellbutrin Avatar

    And doesn’t *that* little fact make your panties wet?

  46. zanaflex Avatar

    Nigella is extremely fuckalicious. It’s just a shame that she opted to marry an insidious prick with lots of money, instead of a rich man with an insidious prick…

  47. zelnorm Avatar

    It was well worth the sleep deprivation.

  48. zithromax Avatar

    Down the roof and down the rods all around us,

  49. zyban Avatar

    You can see the rest of the column here.

  50. drugs Avatar

    ÓMy husband tells me that you know (Well Known Rope Top)?Ô

  51. irritable Avatar

    access for his gift (although it’s kind of a selfish

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    Those Friday Thing folk said that boobah is Ña bit oddÒ

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