Is Social Media Killing the Blogosphere?
I find it rather funny, but this question (or bold statement, I should say) gets repeated all the time on the Internet. In fact, I just came across a story from Wired which states that Twitter, Flickr and Facebook Make Blogs Look so 2004. Here we go again with the whole “blogging is dead” argument.
The Wired story even starts out this proof of the author’s idiocy:
Thinking about launching your own blog? Here’s some friendly advice: Don’t. And if you’ve already got one, pull the plug.
He says your time is better spent expressing yourself on Flickr, Facebook or Twitter.
The author talks about Jason Calacanis who so publicly “retired” from blogging and has, instead, taken his thoughts to a semi-private mailing list. Jason said that the blogosphere had become too impersonal and “lacks the intimacy” that drew him to it. That is fine, and probably a valid opinion, but it is also a statement of his personal taste.
Instead of telling people not to start a blog, the Wired author would have been better to simply state that the decision to start a blog depends on your intentions and that, yes, it is a lot more competitive than it used to be. He laments that popular sites show up in the search engines before your blog post. Well, how dare those evil search engines deliver the content most likely to be relevant to the searcher!
If your only purpose to being online is to occasionally publish random pieces of your life, then social media is great. If you don’t ever want to offer anything of any length to the Internet, then social media sites are fine. If your purpose is to make “friends”, then great. Get going on Facebook.
Social media sites are great, and they should be used by anybody with any form of Internet presence. The blogosphere is not dying because of these things. On the contrary, it is evolving and, in some ways, getting better. No longer does a blog have to be a little island that you have to market to get anybody to it. A blogger can put their digital tentacles our across the Internet so much easier today – because of social media.
In fact, a blogger who is actively engaged in social media often has an advantage over some of the larger media conglomerates. The importance of social media and social proof is increasing every day online.
The Wired author is dead wrong. If you want an Internet presence, DO start a blog. It can act as a hub of your digital world. A place where you can post long-form content as you see fit. A place which can act as a hub to your activities on all social media. And in addition to your blog, you ALSO want to be active on sites like Facebook, Twitter, FriendFeed, Flickr and the like.
The motto is BE EVERYWHERE. And that includes your blog.
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Comments
I couldn’t agree more - haiku notwithstanding, a word (or character) limit on creativity is an oxymoron if ever I saw one. More here - http://diversity.net.nz/the-ultimate-proof/2008/11/12/
I am so glad to have stumbled on this post today. I agree that the Wired article is dead wrong. Blogs are not only used to make money or spout rhetoric, they are incredible vehicles for communication and community building. There billions of people with just as many interests, and blogs help facilitate interaction in a way that mankind has never experienced. Blogs are hardly dying. In fact, if anything, they are becoming a predominate resource for information. And not just the Huff Post.
My two favorite examples of how blogs can be used are:
The Roxy Theater (Yes, the famous club on the Sunset Strip. Their blog changed the face of the club) - http://theroxyonsunset.com
Local Choices - A great example of hyper local/citizen journalism. This blog acts as a hub for farmers and consumers who are interested in organic foods. A beacon for change in an area dominated by factory farming and big ag. http://localchoicescv.com
LONG LIVE THE BLOG!!!
I totally agree with you David…. Blogging or not blogging depends on the individuals’ choice…
Infact, In my personal opinion…blogging is the way to reach tech-savvy audiences…
As my friend and consultant Kyra Reed has stated above
“Local Choices” is living proof that blogging is a great community building tool, as our site has already had views from her comment which brought me here to read your spot on post…that I will now visit often!
Who’s Wired?
Happy Farming!
Blogs and social networks have different purposes. Choosing how much time and effort you devote to either one will depending on how you want your content perceived and delivered.
Great info. and message. For us newbie bloggers, this helps with our perspective on blogging.