Thursday, November 30, 2006
Selfish or Selfless?
Who do you write your blog for? I’ve been having this discussion with Tim Hoang, one of the team at Rainier PR who writes a regular blog-esq feature for the BBC. As an ex-hack I write with my audience in mind. Even though blogs should be honest and transparent if no one reads them then what is the point?
Tim has a far more artistic approach. He writes about whatever he fancies because he’s doing it purely for himself. And if people choose to read it or not it’s up to them. He has a vague idea of who would read it (friends, family and people going through the same situation) and is careful what he writes as it will be in the public domain, but in general his thoughts are totally honest.
Is there room for both approaches? Permalink |
Tim has a far more artistic approach. He writes about whatever he fancies because he’s doing it purely for himself. And if people choose to read it or not it’s up to them. He has a vague idea of who would read it (friends, family and people going through the same situation) and is careful what he writes as it will be in the public domain, but in general his thoughts are totally honest.
Is there room for both approaches? Permalink |
Comments:
Post more of the debate, please.
For me, I am writing for an audience. I have a vague idea of that from comments, but maybe that's just the mouthy ones (no comment).
I really don't believe there is such a thing as writing with no audience in mind. When you say "Dear Diary", even, you are formulating the idea of a perfect best friend.
On a blog, because it is public from the word 'go', you have an idea of who you *want* to talk to. Your ideal audience. Maybe you'll adapt that over time as you realise your real audience is a tad different than you hoped. Tired old hacks, and the like.
Tim's writing is really great, btw.
For me, I am writing for an audience. I have a vague idea of that from comments, but maybe that's just the mouthy ones (no comment).
I really don't believe there is such a thing as writing with no audience in mind. When you say "Dear Diary", even, you are formulating the idea of a perfect best friend.
On a blog, because it is public from the word 'go', you have an idea of who you *want* to talk to. Your ideal audience. Maybe you'll adapt that over time as you realise your real audience is a tad different than you hoped. Tired old hacks, and the like.
Tim's writing is really great, btw.
Cheers for that Ian. It's dificult to get feedback from the BBC blog because there is no where to post so i've no idea who my audience is. PR is a creative industry, no doubt, but I can find it really restrictive sometimes, that's why i really enjoy writing the BBC article. As far as I am concerned, I don't write it for Wadds, Rainier PR or anyone else, so, as selfish as it sounds, i write totally for myself, to get my thoughts down and I am not accoutable to anyone. Christine at the BBC who i write for, is totally ok with this.
But then again i am aware that the BBC will not allow me to curse in my blog or say anything that could be offensive or libellous so in fact i am writing with an audience in mind.
Despite the amount i have written, i have not actually made any contribution to this discussion have i?
But then again i am aware that the BBC will not allow me to curse in my blog or say anything that could be offensive or libellous so in fact i am writing with an audience in mind.
Despite the amount i have written, i have not actually made any contribution to this discussion have i?
# posted by 
: 4:52 PM
: 4:52 PM
Interesting debate. But I think it's more a case of the audience finding you.
There's so much choice out there that being witty or controversial is no longer enough to guarantee a sustained readership. Sure it helps, but to truly engage readers, they must already be inherently interested at some level with you're blogs topic or theme - this is what people are incresingly looking for. And as RSS becomes more widely adopted, people will become more selective.
p.s. Like your blogs Wadd and great writing Tim.
There's so much choice out there that being witty or controversial is no longer enough to guarantee a sustained readership. Sure it helps, but to truly engage readers, they must already be inherently interested at some level with you're blogs topic or theme - this is what people are incresingly looking for. And as RSS becomes more widely adopted, people will become more selective.
p.s. Like your blogs Wadd and great writing Tim.
# posted by : 1:47 PM
: 1:47 PM
it's the long tail debate again, anon. niche markets are continuingly being carved out and i suppose audiences as we know it do not exist any more. the point i think Wadds' making is that when he actually writes a blog he writes thinking of who will read it which in many people's opinion is not what blogging is about. i think there still is not a definite definition of what a blog is and i think both can exist simultaneously with totally different goals.
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# posted by : 2:04 PM
: 2:04 PM
