I started Blogging when I was pregnant with my son, over six years ago. When I started, blogs were all the rage, especially mommy blogs. But something has changed, especially since I’ve been out of the game for two and a half years. Things…feel different. It makes me wonder, is blogging dead?
Why Blogging Feels Dead
Sponsored Content
First and foremost, almost every blog post I read is Sponsored. Just today, I read a recipe sponsored by a date company, another by a nut company, and three others sponsored by the writers own ‘life-changing program.’ And I get it, I used to make money blogging, writing sponsored posts, and working with companies, and I get that writers need to make money, but I just cringe a little when I see those little words “this post sponsored by…” And my bullshit meter goes off in full detection mode.
No one comments any more!
OK, not no one. I’m someone and you’re someone (ps – I super Love it when you comment, it makes me feel less like I’m talking to myself), but I’m seeing fewer comments on less popular blogs than I used to. Blogging used to feel more like an ongoing conversation, even on smaller blogs, but now a lot of the blogs I visit get little to no commentors.
I had a discussion with some bloggers recently about this, and they said that they no longer comment. They said that when they want to interact with content, they’ll do it on social media. What are your thoughts on this one?
Where have all the Tweeters gone?
This one is site specific, but I used to be a part of the SITS Sharefest every Saturday at 10am EST, and it used to be so popular that the hashtag would trend during the hour long party, and the Tweets would come in so fast it was almost impossible to catch up. Now it’s usually me, and one or two other people struggling to think of things to talk about. And the moderator, bless her heart, tries but the engagement is just not there.
Instagram, and microblogging, are easier and dare I say, more fun?
Instagram is my new favorite place to be, online. Facebook is full of downers, it’s politically charged, and some folks are downright nutty. And Twitter is fun, but it makes my blood pressure spike if I linger too long. Instagram, on the other hand, is my happy place. I have made such great connections there (check out @chocmusings) and I legitimately love the community. Also, it feels like old times sharing content that others like and interact with.
Side note on this one – I am part of a vegan FB group, and I asked one of the members if they had a blog, since their photography was really enticing, and they literally laughed and said, that they didn’t’ have a blog but they had an Instagram account. Talk about feeling old fashioned!
Who has the time?
When I’m really in it, blogging takes a lot of time. Whether it’s editing pictures, sharing content, working on a social media strategy, or writing copy, it takes precious time, that I just don’t have that much of. Hence why my last post was posted over two weeks ago.
On the Other Hand…
I love to write and I always have. I have been writing my entire life, and I really enjoy it. I’ve loved the time I’ve spent blogging, and when it’s good, it’s really really good. So I’m not going to stop, I just need to reacquaint myself with this new iteration of blogging. It’s so different from what I remember two and a half years ago. Maybe I’m becoming a curmudgeony old lady who resists change.
Or maybe I just need a good kick in the ass.
Either way, I won’t be going anywhere, and I’ve actually started some side projects that I’m super excited about. One of them is a site called Vegan Spotting, where I’ll be posting vegan restaurant, product, and recipe reviews. I’m also working on a site dedicated to bullet journaling and another related to a big life change on the horizon.
The Moral of the Story
Maybe blogging’s not dead, it’s just different than I remember. And that’s OK. I’m not above learning something new, or adjusting to a new surrounding. I’ll be posting more content here, as well as in my other web spaces, and I’m looking forward to bringing back that community feeling. I’d love to hear your input on this topic, especially if you are blogger who has been blogging for a while.
What are your thoughts on blogs and blogging? Have you noticed the change?
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