“And this is Tara, she’s…A BLOGGER.”
My introduction within our small group came as a bit of a shock. I’ve been described as many things in my time but these days I usually go by “freelance journalist” and while I am obviously a blogger (it says so in my Twitter profile) am I A BLOGGER?
I felt pretty cool at first, like I was going to be the next Tanya Burr. I thought perhaps I should break out my camera and start talking to myself but then I moved into feeling like a bit of a fraud (especially as I have never vlogged in my life). I mean, I was at the event so I could write about it for the blog, so I’m not sure why I was so surprised, but as blogging isn’t my main source of income I wondered whether I could really get away with calling myself one?
Is money what makes a blogger A BLOGGER?
My blog isn’t a secret. I link to it from my professional site, some of my family and real life friends read it (Hello!) and if people ask about it I will happily ramble on until the cows come home but I don’t go out of my way to talk about it. It’s not that I’m embarrassed, more that it feels like a bit of a hobby like taking photos, running or reading.
I blog for the joy of writing and the connection with other (lovely) people in what can sometimes be a lonely old world.
The trouble is, I think people in the outside world associate blogging and being A BLOGGER with trying to find fame and fortune when that’s really only a minority of people (and good luck to them because it seems like a lot of hard work).
I don’t think it’s just me having a bit of an identity crisis either. It feels a bit like blogging, or parent blogging, anyway, is also being redefined. I’ve seen several people going back to basics, turning away from all the extra stuff and reconnecting with the reason they started writing in the first place.
Of course there is nothing wrong with making money from your blog or reviewing products you like. It’s fantastic industry, especially for parents. I have always been a bit uneasy about that side of things. I turn down far more than I accept simply because my lifestyle is about needing less, not wanting more, but I am more than happy to get on board with a brand if the product is right.
While I’ve had this blog for two and a bit years, I started my original anonymous blog in the early noughties, when brands had yet to catch on to the fact that blogs were a great advertising opportunity. Obviously then it was all about the stories people told and to a degree it still is for the majority but while that means you’re blogging, does it make you (or me) A BLOGGER?
Am I overthinking it?
I’m confused.
Any thoughts?
After The Rain 
Oh I am the same, I have just told someone about it this morning and cringed. I turn down a lot more than I accept too because I don’t want bore our Ellie with product reviews and trips to places she has not got time to go to (she is the real reason why I blog). I don’t think you are over thinking it, I think we all blog for different reasons and I would be uncomfortable calling myself a blogger too ha! Have a lovely day xx
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So SO pleased it’s not just me, Lisa. Being introduced as a blogger did make me uncomfortable, I think because people might have the wrong idea about blogging.
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I think that the word blogger encompasses anybody who writes online regularly (just like your quote) regardless of whether they are paid or not (or want to be paid or not). Blogging has changed even since I started Story Snug 4 years ago, so many more blogs seem to have been turned into businesses but those of us who write for fun are also bloggers :o)
#MMBC
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Thanks for taking the time to comment, Catherine. Would you call yourself a blogger in a public situation?
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I guess there is a difference between the act of blogging and whether it forms a major role in you life such as being a source of income. But I don’t think it makes you less of a blogger if you don’t earn from blogging (and perhaps you are much truer to the origins of blogging than the marketing opportunity it has become). I think its about having confidence and owning the title, and whether you are fulfilling your blogging aims, whatever they may be. xx
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Well said, Alice. Thank you for commenting. I definitely think confidence/owning it has something to do with it. I guess if I was there to blog about the event then that does make me a blogger.
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I don’t consider myself a blogger, just a small town woman who likes to write and share it. I don’t make money nor want to from it because that means nothing to me and it would take the fun out of it. 😊
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I know what you mean. I love taken pictures but I wouldn’t call myself a photographer.
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Given that recent blogging nomination *cringe*, I’m sitting here building up the courage to post to Facebook. It feels awfully fraudulent of me, but then I think you know my views on the blogging scene. Now if only I could think of the right name for my next anonymous blog… 😉
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I do indeed but I think you’ve probably earned the right to call yourself A BLOGGER with all the award nominations you get! You have my vote 🙂
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Thank you lovely, and indeed for sharing too. At the end of the day I’ve made some wonderful friends which is far more than I could have ever imagined. 😊
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I found this interesting reading. Particularly the evolution of blogging. Thanks for sharing your blog on #mmbc so I could find you.
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Thank you, glad you found it interesting 🙂
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I get embarrassed telling people about my blog, especially when I first started. I try and avoid mentioning it and if someone else brings it up I blush.
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Do you think that will change? If you start getting invited to things would you then say you were a blogger?
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If I ever get to the stage where I get invited to a blogging event or an event to blog about then I will call myself a blogger. How often does it happen to you?
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Most events I get invited to seem to be in London which is two hours by train from Norwich so I can’t really go at the mo. It doesn’t happen that often.
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Hi Tara, how did I miss this one? I do know what you mean. I don’t ram my blog down peoples’ throats, but I will happily waffle on about the fun of blogging to any poor soul who makes the mistake of asking. I swing between feeling a confident blogger and someone who just enjoys writing and sharing ( and unintentionally boring people too, no doubt!).
I do however love the ” I ****, therefore I am a ****”. It can be used in so many instances…. “I blog, therefore I am a blogger!” repeated a few times helps me to feel like a blogger.
I do get approached by brands (sometimes), but unless I feel that the product fits my blog I don’t see the point.
I think we can safely say we are bloggers in our own right. Never mind the ones at the top of the blogging chain, they are the exception. We write, we interact, we share, we photograph all in the name of our blogs.
Thank you for linking up with the ‘#MMBC.
xx
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Thanks for your thoughts, Debbie. Very welcome, as always. Your blog is NEVER boring, it’s always full of life and energy. I think you’re right, I blog so I am a blogger – never mind all the other stuff 🙂
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