Obviously I've since changed my mind. Working in PR & Communications, reading and following relevant blogs is a must these days. Simply tracking mainstream media will not give a client a full picture of what the public is saying and thinking about their products and services. I get that, and because of that I now spend several hours per day reading financial- and investor-focused blogs until my eyes burn.
It's the "other" bloggers that I could not seem to understand--the "online diary" bloggers. I was with a group of women, mostly moms, several months ago who were all talking about their blogs and how they hadn't updated in days! And there was a sense of urgency that everyone must go home and update...what if their friends had to go another day without reading an updated blog?!!? Imagine the chaos!
A few details about these women - most are unemployed, stay-at-home moms...who spend hours per week scrapbooking. Now I have nothing against stay-at-home moms or scrapbooking at all! But what I couldn't understand (it was difficult to keep my mouth shut) was what in the world these women were writing about? And what is so urgent about what they have to say that they must blog every day? If you want to share with someone that Little Johnny used the potty and did a victory dance, why don't you just e-mail them? Why do you feel the need to post these kinds of things for billions of people to have access? What makes you think that what you do and think is so important?
I have since lightened up as I've encountered blogs from almost every type or person, professional, business and group out there. And what I have come to understand is this:
1) People who want to read your blog will, and those who think that what you have to say isn't so important to them won't. But it's nice to have that option.
2) Sometimes questions are best answered by other people who are experiencing the same types of issues, problems or situations. Not by a website or company that has something to sell you.
3) It really is a great way to share information and expertise in a free and nonrestrictive environment.
4) As an business owner or professional, it's a fantastic way to reach your target audience and provide insight and information without being "salesy."
4) I was just jealous because I still can't get my 2.5 year old to use the potty.
So I have decided to try this blogging thing out. I'm not sure how it will go, and I may be bored of it within a few weeks, but I'll try almost anything once.
My hope is to not only be able to share some of my personal thoughts and professional expertise, but to also learn more about my profession and those who excel in the PR industry by continuing to read, and reply to, the blogs of my peers as much as possible.
But Twitter...still having a hard time with that one...
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