Blogging: Genuine Discussion or Shameless Self-Promotion?
I started blogging a month ago, after I accepted a marketing position at UpToUs, a Silicon Valley startup. I thought that top blogs would provide UpToUs with a great, free marketing platform.
It has been an intense month: blogging, and blogs, are giving me unexpected thrill and pleasure. I enjoy writing. I love the fact that I am able to publish my writing, and that some people are even reading what I have to say and taking the time to make comments. Above all, I’ve been getting to know people that are funny, intelligent and kind, people that I would never have had a chance to meet if I didn’t blog.
But it’s not altruistic. For example, I visit BlogHer daily and enjoy reading and interacting. But a major motive for coming over there is promoting myself – promoting my own blog now, and later on, once we launch, promoting UpToUs.
It’s not just me. I see a lot of self-promotion over at BlogHer. I don’t have statistics, but it looks like many people participate at BlogHer because there’s something in it for them: because they want more hits to their personal blog or free advertising for their company.
Perhaps it’s not even an issue. The BlogHer staff seems to be fine with people promoting their businesses. They support women promoting themselves and their businesses through blogging and that’s great. But what about the discussion? How real is the discussion if many of the people participating in it have some type of ulterior motive?
And what would happen if BlogHer did not allow any type of self-promotion? What if people were not allowed to link to their own blogs and websites? Would BlogHer still be as successful as it is now? I doubt it. So is it just part of the game which I’m obviously not familiar with, being so new? Is the blogosphere really more of a “marketsphere” where everyone tries to market themselves, and the real motive behind the conversation is self-promotion?
After I published this article over at BlogHer, a discussion followed in which two important points were made:
1. There is a big difference between a community member promoting herself within her community, and an outsider trying to spam the community.
2. Women should stop trying to be “nice”. It is OK to promote yourself within your community. Business and networking are an important part of any community. It is possible to be part of a community, enjoy the interaction, and also promote your business.
Image credit: nico
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Ashleigh responds:
Posted: March 28th, 2008 at 8:41 am →
I have a really hard time promoting myself. It feels wrong, you know? But you’re right: if I don’t let people know what I can do, I won’t get ahead as much as I’d like to. This is definitely something that I need to work on.
Jen responds:
Posted: March 28th, 2008 at 11:11 am →
Was good to see you on BlogHer. I lurk there almost every day.
I agree that the issue is that women are afraid of being perceived as pushy or “not nice”. I need to work on it too!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: March 30th, 2008 at 7:35 pm →
I feel the same as both of you. That need to “be nice” - it’s very female, isn’t it?
Jen, take the plunge and join BlogHer. I have found several great women over there.
Ellen Wilson responds:
Posted: June 24th, 2008 at 9:27 am →
Hey famous Vered,
Shameless self promotion is alright if you are willing to do the same for others. I get irritated with people that seem to think that it’s all about them. And yes, women always seem to walk around with a smile on their faces trying to be “nice,” and accepted. It’s part of how we are socialized. I see nothing wrong with being assertive as a woman. Some people will accept you and some people won’t.
Ellen Wilson’s last blog post..Everyday isn’t Always an Opus
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 24th, 2008 at 12:05 pm →
@ Ellen: “I get irritated with people that seem to think that it’s all about them”. There are plenty of those. I agree - it’s OK if you are helping others.