Phoning it in

by Steph on July 18, 2008

You know, today would be a day when it would be perfect for me to phone it in. I’m going to have traffic today thanks to Cary’s first post in his Women of LOTD series and Mommy Pie’s post about BlogHerNot ‘08. I could very easily post some blahblahblah and yaddayaddayadda, secure in the knowledge that the numbers were going to happen regardless of what I do.

And in thinking that, I got a glimpse into the minds of some of the “a-list” bloggers. I’m not going to name names because I think we all know the ones I mean. The folks whose days of writing anything worth actually reading are gone. The folks who haven’t managed to “keep it real” in quite some time. The folks who are trying to baffle us with bullshit. The folks who know it doesn’t really matter what they write, so long as they write something. The folks who are saying, “Yeah. You fools will just keep on coming, no matter what I do.” The folks who forgot that blogging primarily as a source of income isn’t the goddamn point. (Not that I’m knocking folks making cash from blogging, but if that’s why you’re doing this, it shows.)

That’s not, however, why I’m here. I’m here because I want to write. I want people to read what I write. I want to be a part of a community. I want to have discussions. I want to share my ups and downs and everything in between. I want to connect with other people in a meaningful way through common experiences. In other words, I’m here because I want to be here, not because this is a nifty little way to make money without leaving my house. (Unlike some bloggers I could name, I actually do use the profit from this blog to pay for this blog. Of course, I don’t make the money that some bloggers make, so it’s easy for me to say my teeny little checks go right back to the blog. Oh, what? Unlike some people, I really am “keepin’ it real.” :grin:)

I’m sure there are some who will say I’m posting this because I’m jealous I’m not an a-lister. Maybe I am. Or maybe I really, really dig the fact that I can actually answer all the comments left here, as well as reading the blogs of the commenters who leave links. You decide.

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{ 30 comments }

1
Vote -1 Vote +1Cary July 18, 2008 at 11:38 am

The trick is to phone it in from day one like I’ve done.

2
Vote -1 Vote +1Cary July 18, 2008 at 11:52 am

Some of us fall in between the blogging-for-fun and blogging-for-money camp. We started off blogging for fun, but love doing it so much that we try to make more profit from the blog just so we can spend more time doing it. Blogging is not my full-time job, and until it can support me — which isn’t likely, I realize — I need to try to make a buck or two to offset more time spent on it.

3
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 18, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Cary – You don’t phone it in, dork. Also? I’m totally NOT against monetizing blogs. (I’ve posted a lengthy diatribe about it even. lol) I am, however, calling out the mofos who are only in it for profit. FUN and profit = okay. Totally profit = it shows.

4
Vote -1 Vote +1d July 18, 2008 at 12:13 pm

And that my dear, is why I love you so HARD! Your blog makes me feel like a human and like I can relate to what you’re talking about.

These other money making tards…yeah, not so much. Kthnxbi!

5
Vote -1 Vote +1Cary July 18, 2008 at 12:20 pm

d – thank you, sweets. You make a boy feel good on a Friday.

S – gotcha. And sorry for the double comment earlier.

6
Vote -1 Vote +1matteroffactmommy July 18, 2008 at 12:21 pm

first, let me tell you that i love this… i love that you’re saying shit about the a-listers and those who blog ONLY for money. i feel the same way, and i have posted (sophomorically) about it on my blog before…

i don’t advertise on my blog. not because i don’t agree with it, and certainly not because i don’t need the extra cash. i don’t advertise because i blog in my free time and it is 100% for therapy and therapy ONLY. why place ads on my site if i’m only getting 30+ hits/day, 20 of which are ME checking to see if i have any comments…? i feel like that would be me trying to make my blog bigger than it actually is. i, too love to be able to comment on my comments and relate to strangers. something pretty fucking cool about all that…

to each his/her own, but i’m SO with steph that blogs become boring, predictable and unworthy of my time when they start caring first about advertising and secondly about content. fuck that shit.

7
Vote -1 Vote +1Auds at Barking Mad July 18, 2008 at 12:42 pm

At some point the A-Listers are going to become old and trite and worn, like so many pairs of jeans from days gone by. The fit won’t be the same.

I’ve been writing my entire life and been fortunate on some accounts. When I started blogging about three years ago I HAD NO CLUE that this community existed. I primarily wanted to keep family on opposite sides of the US and those over in Europe up to date as I was pregnant, and what better way to do than write.

I think I had things under control until I realized the community existed. I’d just backed out of a book deal and realized maybe I could compensate out here somewhere. ANd it was at THAT moment that I realized it wasn’t gonna happen because it would all be lost in translation. I’d no longer be writing for ME but for someone else. It wasn’t an easy lesson learned. I’ve had bouts of jealousy and frustration, at times even anger. But I take a deep breath and remember to not loose my own voice in all of the others out here and to remain true to myself and my content. And if my numbers are crap as a result, of well, at least my own voice has remained faithful to it’s master.

Damn, I need a drink after all that.

Awesome post. Seems like a lot of what you said is being felt around our “community” and resonates with many.

8
Vote -1 Vote +1Jane July 18, 2008 at 1:22 pm

Not “keepin’ it real” — hmmm…whoever might you mean? ::blink blink:: LOL

I think that’s what we all love about your blog. It’s all Steph, all the time. :D

9
Vote -1 Vote +1Missy July 18, 2008 at 1:35 pm

Dude we’ve had many many many MANY conversations on this. You, unlike many other bloggers who think they keep it real but do nothing of the sort, never phone it in. Your posts are always well thought out and have a point.

Not only that but they are entertaining as shit. Goin’ all gangsta on the bitch who fucked up your man’s head at the Walmart salon…that is keepin’ it real.

10
Vote -1 Vote +1Lindsey July 18, 2008 at 1:50 pm

I’m too much of a computer idiot to ever figure out how to make money off of it. The only reason I have Adsense is because Sarah talked me through it like I was a small retarded chimp. It will probably take me 50 years to rack up $100 and get a check sent.
I think I’ve only been to one A-list blog, (’cause I like the mom-and-pop shop kind) and while at first it was interesting, after a while I got seriously ANNOYED.
Give me Steph and MOFM any day. I’ll even stick around if you become super A-list, Steph, but not if you start using the word “dadgum”. Ha.

11
Vote -1 Vote +1Celeste July 18, 2008 at 1:53 pm

Yep. They lack authenticity or something like that. lol I didn’t realize there was an A-List for bloggers.

12
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 18, 2008 at 2:10 pm

MoFM – Exactly. I monetized my blog a while back, and I did it because I could. Do I make money? A little. Would I quit blogging if I stopped making money? Newp. I’m here for me and for y’all. The money is just a nice bonus.

Auds – First, before I forget, I think I followed you on Twitter. If there is someone else who’s barking mad, I’m following someone about whom I know bupkis which is kind of rad in its own way, I guess. Not the point, but I wanted you to know. LOL

In re: losing your “voice”, I so get that. Really. As Missy said, I’ve struggled with it for a while. I don’t ever want to write for the readers, but at the same time, I acknowledge that, to a certain extent, it happens anyway. I’m always *myself, but I have to admit that’s because I make a conscious effort to keep it that way, if that makes *any sense.

Anyway, a drink? :perk: Let’s go!

Jane – I was none too subtle about the two a-listers I was thinking of, was I? :grin:

Missy – I was hot and sweaty and showing the fuck out. So yeah, that’s some serious reality blogging. :grin:

Lindsey – If I do use the word dadgum, it’s going to be in reference to, like, manspunk that’s gotten to that sticky, gummy stage. Oh eww, I just made myself gag a little. Hopefully, I’ve ruined the word “dadgum” for all y’all.

Celeste – Right? There is, though. Sadly, I’m not even sure who all is considered “a-list”. :grin:

13
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 18, 2008 at 2:11 pm

d – I’d have sworn I answered your comment. Jeebus. I need a nap. Anyway, I love you, too. I promise to keep on keepin’ it real.

14
Vote -1 Vote +1San Diego Momma July 18, 2008 at 3:02 pm

You’re A-List in my book baby. And you should be for the world.

But that’ll come, that’ll come.

Your loyal D-Lister,
Deb

15
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 18, 2008 at 7:05 pm

Deb – Pshaw. If you’re D-List, then I don’t even wanna know what letter-list I’m on. Also? You already know I think you’re knocking the socks off at least a couple of a-listers, bless their hearts.

16
Vote -1 Vote +1myra July 18, 2008 at 9:16 pm

I’m in your camp. And that’s not because I’m clearly not an “A-lister”. I like to write, always have. So I blog because I can write and meet cool people along the way. And I know that’s what you’re all about. Which makes you cool in my book.

17
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 18, 2008 at 10:07 pm

Myra – I think I’d be sad if I ever got too “big” to answer every comment. I mean, sure it would be great to be intarwebz famous, but I’m betting it’s not nearly as fun in reality as it is in my head.

18
Vote -1 Vote +1Jane July 19, 2008 at 12:24 am

No, not subtle, but that’s what makes you Steph. And if you ever start referring to yourself in the third person (”Steph thinks that…”) or sending us precious and vomit-inducing newsletters to Tricia every time she farts, you’re in the doghouse.

The thing about those “A-listers” is that their blogs are, in large part, their livelihood. If I could make my living by offering up my life online, I’d not skip a day. I’d not take a day’s worth of pictures and spread them out over the next two weeks and give a new subject heading each day, you know? If this is your damn JOB? Work it!

19
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 19, 2008 at 12:49 am

Jane – Do you want to know something absolutely bizarre? I’d never even *heard of Dooce until Robbi mentioned her a couple of months ago. No shit, I’m serious. How crazy is that?

Anyway, I won’t be doing any of that anytime soon. I gotta be me – I’m too fucking crazy to try to be anyone else. ;)

20
Vote -1 Vote +1Jane July 19, 2008 at 12:58 am

Steph, You’re too fucking Steph to be anything else. And that’s that.

And Dooce? I’ve been over her since I read page one. Bossy I can tolerate and PW, sort of. Whoops, guess I’ve outed the whole convo. Sorry.

If I had two links to follow each day, it’d be you, Steph, and my beloved The Food Pornographer. If I had to choose, you’d win. :D

21
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 19, 2008 at 8:15 am

Jane – LOL. It’s probably good that they don’t read my blog – I’m not ready for the Doocearmy. Srsly.

Also? Does Missy know of this Food Pornographer? If not, you should share that.

22
Vote -1 Vote +1Jane July 19, 2008 at 11:16 pm

Well, I swan she’ll read this, so http://www.thefoodpornographer.com Man, I love that blog, second only to yours, of coursely.

23
Vote -1 Vote +1threeundertwo July 20, 2008 at 9:36 am

Stumbled.

I thought, as a newbie, there was something wrong with me for not understanding all the hype about Dooce.

24
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 20, 2008 at 9:41 am

threeundertwo who is totally Lit&Laundry in my head – First, thanks for Stumbling this. Second, no. It’s not just you. :grin:

25
Vote -1 Vote +1Jaci July 21, 2008 at 5:16 am

You just said what I have been thinking. I checked out the standard big name blogs that are attached to every wannabe-big-time blogger–and I don’t get it. I laugh when I see a blog stuffed with 21 pieces of flair and the author is practically setting out a mason jar to collect change in. I might be naive, but I’m thinking that if I write well enough, the ads and money will just come to me. I shouldn’t have to beg.

I found you through the bloghernot article you wrote, that made me snort out loud. I love it!

26
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 21, 2008 at 11:39 am

Jaci – Well, thanks for stopping by. That BlogHerNot bash was almost too much to handle, wasn’t it?

Re: making money with a blog, sometimes they’ll come to you. BlogHer actually sent me an invitation to participate in their ad program, but AdSense is something I signed up for on my own. Project Wonderful is an experiment for a post I intend to write on ways to monetize. :grin: But there’s not a dadgum thing wrong for wanting to get paid for blogging; like I said, if that’s the ONLY reason you do it, though, it totally shows.

27
Vote -1 Vote +1Foolery July 22, 2008 at 12:23 am

Hi Steph!

You have a great voice, and this post resonated with me. Just so you know, I’m trying to get ready for a trip tomorrow night — after working a full day tomorrow! Yikes! — and also attend to my blog and say hi to the new people who visited.

I’m failing.

But I’ve had The Stephford Diaries open on my desktop for a day and a half, and I’m NOT leaving town until I say hi. So HI! I like you, I’m pretty dadgum sure. You said crabs, huh-huh huh-huh.

Now I’ll stop because I have about 4000 things to add and I’ll never shut the hell up.

Cheers!

Laurie @ Foolery

28
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 22, 2008 at 6:25 pm

Laurie – I’m glad you dropped by. Truly. I’m one of your new fans in a big way. BlogHus? GENIUS.

At any rate, have a relaxing/fun/pick your own desired adjective trip. :)

29
Vote -1 Vote +1Devilish Southern Belle July 25, 2008 at 6:41 pm

I’m the same way….I want to write and be read, and to relate to people. However, I rarely have anything exciting or worthy to say. I try, I really do! But more often than not, my posts just aren’t all that ‘filling’. However, I have noticed several really, really popular bloggers who posted similar drivel and still got tons of followers and commenters, so I don’t know how all that works :)

30
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 25, 2008 at 7:59 pm

Devilish Southern Belle – I read a blog entry about driving traffic to your blog once a while back. The author said that high traffic is sort of self-perpetuating.
From the article:
“High traffic leads to even more traffic-building opportunities that just aren’t accessible for low-traffic sites.”

So. There you go. ;)

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