Blogging has evolved just as societies have throughout history. What makes blogging unique, is that it encompasses the entire world, all of us together under one technology; worldwide communication with everyone using the written word.
I’ve been blogging for almost one year and I have explored intensely, learning all I can. Blogging is the only “society” where we are all together and still, we separate ourselves into cliques, groups and hierarchy. Already, bloggers are divided which is such a shame.
After looking at all of my options in what I choose to express…my chosen identity, who I am as a blogger and what is truly important; I choose to be a personal blogger who tries hard to initiate and cultivate worldwide friendships.
I’ve met just about every type of blogger and have tried to become friends with them all. One thing that stands out is that it’s very difficult to become friends with a “money blogger”. This is why I am not one. If someone makes $15,000.00 per month and has a highly ranked blog…they don’t read my blog.
Why don’t they read my blog or maybe your blog? Because we have nothing to offer them in the way of making more money. We are insignificant and the ones they prey on to earn a buck. I have yet to successfully become friends with a money blogger, yet I have tried!
“If it’s impossible to become your friend, I will probably not read your blog.”
The one thing I feel great about is that I have kept most of the friends I met when I first started. To me, a true money blogger isn’t a blogger…they are websites using the blog medium to disguise themselves as friends. Does this statement offend some of you?
We, the blogging masses have all the real power, which is universal friendship. Friendships free from the constraints of religious, political and geographical separation. This is the most incredible attribute inherent to this technology. When you throw money into the mix, it changes things.
Money doesn’t inspire me. It doesn’t excite me and it never will. People and life inspire me. Art, literature and good friendship inspires me. Blogging has inspired me to be a better person. The Internet has become a place of education to me, I use it to learn something new everyday.
Some of you may be thinking, “I’m a money blogger and I thought we were friends!”
Haha…we are friends, but you aren’t making $10,000 per month with your blog either. If you were, chances are, you wouldn’t be reading this blog! Making money with your blog doesn’t make you a money blogger. A money blogger is one who writes exclusively about how to make money on his or her blog…the most uninteresting subject I know of.
However, I could be friends with a money blogger…that’s up to them, not me. I’ll be friends with anyone willing!
#1 by Rachel at January 19th, 2008
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You know, I used to be one of those pining to get paid to blog, but I think I’ve finally come around and said, “Nah, it’s not for me.” I don’t want to get paid for something that I want to do on my own time and for my own enjoyment. Getting paid is what a job is for. Plus, let’s be friends! LoL.
Rachel’s last blog post..You Need A Better Plug
#2 by Eric "Speedcat Hollydale" at January 19th, 2008
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I like the quote … I think that holds true for me as well. Finding payed posts are not so bad, I think the difference is when someone stops at my blog to sell or market something instead of say hello. That’s spammie; OK on sammies, bad for your health!!
Bobby for Presidente`
#3 by Darren at January 20th, 2008
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well I guess I’m a money blogger – so perhaps a few commets:
1. I read your blog – have been subscribed for quite a while now and read you ever day that you post.
2. I agree that it’s sort of a shame that bloggers divide themselves up – however I think that that is just the nature of being human. When any large group of people emerge as a culture they tend to be drawn towards others who are like themselves to form communities within their larger communities. While I’m someone who doesn’t like this on some levels I do think that it’s natural – to a point.
3. I’m not sure I completely agree with you in terms of ‘money bloggers’ only reading those that help them to earn more money. I can’t speak for others so will speak for myself but I subscribe to 700+ feeds at the moment and my reason for doing so is that at one point or another they published something that interested me. In some cases this helped me to improve my business – but in many cases it made me laugh, made me think deeply, inspired me to some sort of action or informed me about a topic that I was interested in. Not all of the blogs I subscribe to are helping me to make money by any means.
4. one thought that I do have about your post as someone who has attained some level of ’success’ as a blogger (I don’t really like using that word) is that the more readers you have the harder it is to be a ‘friend’ to the majority of those who reach out to you. It’s something that I regret and grapple with every day but the hundreds of emails from readers that hit my inbox every day can’t all get answered. The comments that come in largely go unresponded to (although they do get read). The types of friendships that I grew in the early days of my blogging are harder to start and grow now – simply because so many more people are reaching out to me. I suspect that this is a problem that many successful ‘money bloggers’ face – but I think you’ll also find that it’s something that successful bloggers that are not money bloggers face also. It’s probably something that successful people of all types face (politicians, musicians, movie stars, sports people, business people). The more known you become the harder it is to remain approachable.
For me this is illustrated by events of the last 24 hours. Last night while I slept I had 13 phone calls to my cell phone. The first one work me in the early hours of the morning (I then put it on silent). Up until today I’ve included my cell number on my contact page simply because I want to be as approachable as possible. The result is that I’m constantly called – to the point that it can be quite disruptive. Today I regretfully removed the number and replaced it with a skype voice mail box to screen calls.
I’m not looking for sympathy with my story – but wanted to share it to hopefully give a little insight into the challenge that I’m sure many bloggers with a sizeable readership can face.
Anyway – will leave it at that. Thanks for your post – it’s good to think about this kind of stuff.
Darren’s last blog post..14 Blogger Jobs That You Can Apply for Today
#4 by Loz at January 20th, 2008
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I’m with you Bobby. For me blogging is first and foremost about the friendships and money bloggers don’t see that. I bet they don’t read my blog and for the most part I don’t find enough on their blogs to perk my interest enough to keep me coming back.
Loz’s last blog post..Carol’s Blogging Meme
#5 by Andrew at January 20th, 2008
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Couldn’t agree more. Top Post. And as a business graduate from college, i can’t understand why people would want to write about making money and being a money blogger. Its so boring even for me and i work in business every day of the week.
Regards Andrew
#6 by Nenette at January 20th, 2008
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Couldn’t agree with you more! One of the things I love most about blogging is the social aspect, and I’d have a hard time being social with a money-blogger for the reasons you’ve stated… this is true in the blogoworld and in the non-blogoworld as well. It’s all business.
I have few insurance broker and financial adviser friends because many have approached me with business in mind, not friendship.
Nen
#7 by Lady Banana at January 20th, 2008
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Great post , so true.
I considered the money type of blogging but decided against it. I blog for fun and friendship and never want to feel I’m not making enough money!
Lady Banana’s last blog post..LIVE From The 21st Floor!
#8 by Brown Baron at January 20th, 2008
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I’ve had the privilege of being befriended by fantastic bloggers (you’re one of them Bobby). For that fact alone, I’m already successful. Heck that makes me a roaring hit
Brown Baron’s last blog post..Rumor: Windows 7 Scheduled For 2009?
#9 by emila at January 20th, 2008
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Hi Bobby! Great post again! Lucky I didn’t write exclusively about how to make money. But I make pocket money out of commission of my artworks and 2 ads recently (hmm, the offer is good – I can’t resist!). I also put up my online shops’ widgets and guess what? I just sold 100 pcs of my cards! Yay!
emila’s last blog post..Plain – Illustration Friday
#10 by Madhur Kapoor at January 20th, 2008
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I agree with you buddy. I have known a few persons like that myself , they started blogging at the same time like me and when there blog became famous, they didnt have time to even chat with me . Thats the effect money has i guess.
Madhur Kapoor’s last blog post..Reveal Hidden asterisks password using Revelation
#11 by Square1 at January 20th, 2008
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I’m just letting you know, you’re blog has been roared at.
Square1’s last blog post.. Home Making
#12 by Genie Princess at January 21st, 2008
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Hi Bobby, GP here again! I need some tips on how to boost my Alexa ranking, it’s just plunging down like nobody’s business, my Techno too!! Care to come up with a post on that? Would love to hear your ideas!
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Melbourne Memories
#13 by Aaron Cook at January 24th, 2008
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What?! You’re not a money blogger?! That’s it. I’m never coming here again!!!
Shine on,
Aaron
PS: Cudos to Darren for commenting on this post. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’ve always thought Darren to be a cut above the rest for many reasons. He has proven that view correct, yet again.
#14 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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Hi Rachel! It’s really great to see you…it’s been a long time since you’ve visited. My blog is where I have fun and unwind. People can blog about whatever they want to…that’s one thing about being free I love!!!!
#15 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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Since you mentioned it, I have a smoke damaged leather jacket I’m trying to unload on somebody…$250.00…interested?hahahahahaha
#16 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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Hi Darren! It’s nice to see you. Thanks for reading..you are one of the only money oriented bloggers that come here and leaves comments.
It’s just like life…people do divide themselves. Because of my philosophical background…I amazed how people live and choose sides, so I don’t follow the mainstream. I know you really don’t either. It’s much like the fact that the Britney Spears saga is more important to Americans than the fact that there are people starving to death all over the world.
Society dictates that money makes the world go around and unfortunately, it’s true. I understand how being well known makes one less approachable. Money changes everything in most areas. We live in such an overly complex world and with money being the main driving force behind most everything…the seeds of destruction are woven into the very fabric of life itself.
Humans are animals! Until we possibly evolve into something new (if you believe in evolution) or we all become selfless, philosophical beings who have spiritual and intellectual actualization; it will always be that way.
It’s really great to have you here…I think I really needed to hear from you on this one. You have given me something to think about too.
Even with this blog, it is impossible to become friends with everyone that comes here. I have received thousands of comments that I haven’t approved because they are meaningless or filled with cursing. I guess I would prefer to be a less popular blog as my choice of subject matter is generally not popular anyway. I do wish that love and world peace were “hot” but they are not.
I have thought about having a money oriented blog ever since I started blogging. If I do, it’ll be business only, with no commenting allowed. It will present the information and will have nothing to do with friendship or people…just money, monetization and success. That way, if it did become popular, I would avoid many of the general problems extremely popular bloggers go through
#17 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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I think what it boils down to is that I would sacrifice success and popularity to keep the friends I have and make new ones as I go…keeping them too. That will prevent me from ever becoming “big”. I could never ignore my true friends and want to be there to read all their posts…that alone takes up all my blogging time and I’m happy with it!
#18 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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Though I’m not a money blogger, I have nothing against a person who is – regardless of what people may think. We are free to blog about whatever we want! I am merely a novice blogger who is learning more and more each day. The truth is…I will always be a novice blogger, but a very confident novice!
#19 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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I often think of how some of these rappers who come from poor slums; they make millions and then they outfit themselves in extravagant jewels and super expensive cars…to show off, differentiating themselves…bumping elbows with the rich crowd. Bling means greed and empty shallowness
#20 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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I know how to develop a cash blog but cannot bring myself to do it. Besides, with the amount of links I hand out to unknown blogs (on my own without them asking) My page rank would be 0 as it is now
#21 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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I feel the same way! I consider myself successful simply because I have good friends and would gladly avoid garnering a financial fortune to keep them (even though I will probably never actually meet any of them). My blogging friends, like you, are real friends and are PRICELESS
#22 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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Emila, you never write about how to make money! You are my friend forever and I am beaming with joy over it!!!!!
#23 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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Hi Madhur! How could a friend just forget about someone? It’s something I don’t understand but people do it everyday over money. Sticking by our friends should always be more important than money
#24 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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Grrrrr….I must come see!!!!
#25 by Darren at January 20th, 2008
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“I have thought about having a money oriented blog ever since I started blogging. If I do, itll be business only, with no commenting allowed. It will present the information and will have nothing to do with friendship or people just money, monetization and success. That way, if it did become popular, I would avoid many of the general problems extremely popular bloggers go through
”
Interesting idea. The problem I think you’d find is that it’s difficult to become popular as a blogger about money unless you have some interaction and relationship with readers. The reason is that there’s a real lack of trust in the niche (and rightly so – there are some complete charlatans out there). Keeping aloof from readers doesn’t help that much with this type of blog.
Anyway – good discussion you’ve got going here.
Darren’s last blog post..Win a share in 5000 Entrecard Credits
#26 by Revellian at January 20th, 2008
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Hi Darren, I really don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m just trying to learn as I am just an infant in blogging. I do believe that many folks start a blog to try and make money long before they are truly knowledgeable enough to do it successfully. I know it’s not easy to do, otherwise everyone would be making a bundle.
I am in school for networking and am far from done. I do believe a money blog or any professional blog should be planned and not thrown together like mine…haha!
I’ll have a clearer idea of what I’ll do in the future as I learn a lot more. I do value your insight and listen with an open mind.
#27 by Revellian at January 21st, 2008
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Hi marzie! Hahaha…mine too! Everyone’s does.
You see, technorati links last 180 days and Alexa is updated at 3 month increments. Remember all those viral tag links? Well, they don’t count anymore. The only way to get higher ranking, is to artificially pump them up with viral tags or huge memes which link to your home page. However they only last 180 days…then you revert to what your real rank actually is.
I am not concerned about it. Really, it’s just a number that isn’t going to help you. You and I, along with with most of the blogs we frequent, are personal blogs and will probably never stay too high anyway. To raise Alexa…you will need to convince all the people who read your blog, to install the alexa toolbar so it will raise your rating. That doesn’t sound like fun does it?
I do my part, I have the tool bar installed and try to link to a wide variety of homepages here and there. Just remember…memes and viral stuff don’t last! I didn’t know any of this back when we had viral fever…hahahaha
#28 by Revellian at January 25th, 2008
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Can I borrow $20.00 Aaron…I am really hungry…hahhahahaha