Blogging On My Mind

ONLINE BRANDING. Okay, I’m a blogger. You’re a blogger, too. But when it comes to branding yourself as a blogging personality, are we driven in the same direction?

Yes, and no.

Personality is what attracts other bloggers to visit your site – they want to know the person behind the writing. It’s got nothing to do with the actual writing and content.

Some of the top bloggers are getting tons of eyeballs not because they write about blogging tips and ideas although these are what you’re looking for, but these bloggers come across with a unique online persona – a kind of online branding that makes them what they are.

One point to note. They were there early when the blogging landscape was wide open…less crowded, and they were smart enough to plant a flag in the ground.

They were the early empire builders. They have developed a brand for themselves with smart marketing. Obviously, they have personality to go with the branding.

Is it any wonder that people flock to these personality-driven blogs? Of course, there are some newer bloggers with chutzpah and capable of going the distance, too. You’ll get to know them if you don’t drop out of blogging soon.

They exude a kind of self-inspired consciousness in their blogging with a great mix of “sugar and spice.” Even if you didn’t care two hoots about making money online, you’ll be drawn in by the sheer weight of charisma and magnetic personality from the blogger.

I’ll refrain from mentioning some of these charismatic bloggers because people have likes and dislikes and we may differ in our opinion. Most of you will know where to find them – sooner or later.

Needless to say, the blogosphere also has a gadzillion of average and downright boring blogs. Maybe I’m one of them. I’m new and learning the ropes.

There are too many cheap imitators trying to emulate their so-called “gurus” without giving much thoughts whether they have it in them to travel down the same path.

The recent craze to redesign blogs in order to accomodate 125×125 ad units or whatever is a good example of copycat blogging. You may say it works for Mr Big-Time Blogger, so you believe it’s gonna work for you as well!

I don’t see any kind of logic there. It ain’t rational thinking in the first place and beats the hell out of my brain cells.

I’m not saying it’s not the right approach. The problem is people get caught up too easily with newfangled ideas. But can we help it? In pop culture, it has always been like that.

I came across a well-written article that spells out why blogging is dumb, stupid and successful – hopefully this will make us take a second look at why we blog.