Do You Have a Blog Attitude?
Written by Jason Boom on February 22, 2008 – 10:22 pm
I can’t help but write this post with a little bit of misguided anger. I read a blog earlier today (which will go unnamed) where the author lamented the make money online niche. He wrote that new bloggers to that niche would be best not to even start. Why not find a truly marketable skill?
It didn’t stop there. He felt his own grammatical prowess should be a guidepost for other bloggers. They should step up to the pencil mark on the door, and, if they weren’t tall enough, turn around and go home. What a ludicrous message to send out into the blogosphere.
Why the Attitude Sucked
First of all, I try to nurture my blogging voice. I do this by first seeing what I want to present. I enjoy being helpful, nurturing, excitable, and honest. I don’t desire to be pessimistic, downtrodden, elusive, or callous.
How do you know how you sound? Maybe this guy thought his blog post was the shining light in the middle of the dark Blogosphere. His was the pinpoint view of truth. We should all follow its guiding light to the promise land.
Maybe it would lead me where I don’t want to be — on the couch reading the newspaper, not caring about following my dreams.
Our attitude shows in our blog posts (see sarcasm above). What reader constantly wants to read depraved, arrogant drivel? I want to read positive, upbeat informative posts. The blogs I read focus on a number of things, and the ones to which I subscribe always have a positive message.
I’m not an expert. I do know a fair amount on writing, but I wouldn’t say I know every grammar rule out there. Does this mean I shouldn’t have a voice? Should I not share what I do know with others? I think I should and I should do it in the same positive manner that I have up to this point.
Some bloggers take on the antagonist role. I understand that, but it should be clear from the beginning. Even the bigger antagonists on the internet find time to relate to their readers.
I think it’s the tone used when talking about a topic. If I sound too strict, then you might think I’m an uptight guy, and my value as a blogger drops. In a certain niche, a helpful tone can carry you further. Others might not agree, but I don’t really see a need to be too caustic.
How to Change Your Blog Attitude?
We all can get off course. I have found my voice to be obtuse at times. I have to rewrite sections of posts because they portray my ideas in a way not aligned with how I want to be. I call it reinventing. I have a voice I want to nurture and, for it to succeed, I make alterations to my message, strengthening my blog’s voice.
My blog attitude refers to the implied message I give out on any subject. I can write about an iPhone and be negative.
The iPhone should come with a quarter slot in the top so I can keep feeding it money throughout the day.
I can also talk about the same thing with a positive spin.
The iPhone makes me feel like a boy with a new toy, causing me to forget how much it costs me everyday.
Having a positive attitude can bolster your readers’ confidence in your message. Portraying a negative persona can be difficult to master. One negative site portrays the make money niche as an impossible dream. The Can’t Get Rich site pulls off the voice, because he’s not constantly negative. He simply doesn’t believe you can make money online.
I myself become frustrated when I read big bloggers who post with brazen errors. Give me a break, I think. They can afford to hire an editor.
I can’t.
We create our attitude with our perception of the world. If niche bloggers are writing boring content, then we can lament those bloggers or encourage them with our own blog attitude post. When we believe we can change the world, we just might.
Money or no money, I will continue to write until the blogging wheels fall off this old wagon.
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Tags: attitude, blog attitude, Blog Writing, blogosphere, grammar, Response
Posted under Blogging |
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Great article Jason! I too think that it helps to have a positive attitude — no one really wants to have their dreams bashed by an angry-toned blogger… What readers of “that angry article” have to realize is that you shouldn’t let a blogger or his articles get in between you and your online goal. In fact, it should serve as more motivation to succeed online and share what you think like Jason did in this post!
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:55 am
I like how most bloggers talk as if they are someone others should actually listen to.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 am
Nice Article, it throws some light over what new bloggers face in the blogging community. Instead of being helpul some of them tend to smirk at a newbie’s attempt. It is how you are, Optimist or a Pessimist. You can’t make an optimist out of a pessimist.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:35 am
I wonder if you and I read the same article that inspired our most recent posts? As always, great advice.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 am
I agree with you 100% and that last line reminded me of a song by Eminem “Till I Collapse”. I think positive words go a long way and that motivation can be obtained from without and within. That’s what I aim for on MouthyGirl, not having a crappy attitude, but being proud of working hard and having your priorities right.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:49 am
@Tom: They should just listen to me. :< @Jeff: It could be. I’m not giving the guy a link though. I’ll have to go read you article to find out.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:33 am
Hi there Jason.
I just arrive from some you know what and my wife told me you were ranting about some blogger and she’s worried you might be writing about us but I told her we’re not that important, yet.
You’re right, the first thing we should be capable of is communicate, regardless of grammar. Although, frankly, I believe we can make money online, not necessarily get rich. And we believe everybody can do it.
And let’s just forget about people who make themselves feel important by putting other folks down.
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I’m all for focusing on the positive influences!
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Blogging’s kind of lifelike in a lot of ways….There seem to be some salty variety folks and some sugar variety. Personally I’m usually sugary but every so often the blood pressure rises which I can only attribute to the salt of the earth. This is off topic but I did want to commend you Jason on your template and graphics. They are quite cool and every time I start reading the post via email, I check myself and go to the site. Good work!
T
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
February 24th, 2008 at 8:00 am
One should try to teach the newbies and not to discourage them. remember no expert that did not pass the newbie.
It is also no famous website that started from 100 post.. The all started from the first post
February 24th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I think Bloggers must be unite. Everyone in this beautiful world must have a positive attitude. So, if everyone is positive, there will be no issue. BE Positive everyone.
(goshh, what happen to me today..I think I’m lost… )
Nice info anyway.. Thanks for sharing and don’t stop posting.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:21 am
February 25th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
[…] Boom asked the question “Does Your Blog Have An Attitude?” after reading a discouraging blog article this week where the author ripped on bloggers […]
March 5th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Kind of an ironic attitude, the guy says you can’t get rich, yet clearly that is what he’s aiming for. I’m thinking it’s tongue-in-cheek to start with. What’s so wrong about that?
March 5th, 2008 at 5:57 pm