Whether we care to admit it or not, Blogging is an industry. There’s money involved, competition, sponsorship, statistics, events, awards, associations and in some cases even agency representation.
We enter this as a hobby, happy with our first five readers and a little bit blind to some of the things that go on in the industry. This past month or two, a number of things have taken that blindfold off for me.
First on the list, I passed 1200 comments last month, all lovely supportive readers, not one negative and then up popped a troll at 1203. I’d escaped it for so long but it seems as readers creep up, they appear. The thing I don’t understand is why stick around to read a blog you don’t like? The little cross on the tab is very simple to find.
This leads me on to this forum, Guru Gossip’s Abhorred Bloggers. That is such a strong word! Do we really need a place to be so venomous? As bloggers we put ourselves out there in a way that can feel vulnerable. We’re sharing parts of our life and thoughts with our readers and we trust them to be gentle with us, but that’s not always the case.
Nothing about it is easy. You have to learn to be your own photographer, editor, writer, web developer, marketer, PR. Just when you think you’ve got it all together, you’ll question skills, the way you do things and find room to feel you aren’t good enough.
In the past six months I’ve helped 4 people set up their blog and get started, not one is still blogging. It takes time that some people just can’t find and effort that not everyone can offer. If you’ve made it past the six month mark, well done to you – I bet it wasn’t as easy as you thought.
It’s hard, so why are we making it harder for each other?
If you comment on this post, can we make this a happy place? Share a link to a blog you love or a post you’ve enjoyed reading this week.
Elle @ (Eat.Style.Play) says
I don’t want to click the forum because I’m afraid I’ll be upset but you know I think it’s wasted time to rag on folks. Yeah you might get snarky a bit every now and then just because a lot of blogging is the same stuff over and over until you find that speical group of bloggers who really are themselves and outside of the box. I mean who doesn’t tease abou the carbon copies of some of the other bigger bloggers but if you don’t like what you see then leave and keep it moving. No sense in going and getting pleasure out of being completely rude and nasty about folks.
Vicki Higham says
Well said Elle, I don’t understand it myself. I really don’t have a clue who set that website up but it sickens me that they’re reeling in advert money from it.
katiebumble8 says
i clicked on the forum.. it makes me so angry! can’t believe there are so many people who honestly spend their time hating on other! especially when they’re naming names of the people i love to follow. I’ve only been blogging a month or so and I agree, it’s pretty tricky.. and dreading the sadly inevitable nasty comments.. 🙁 I love your blog because it’s honest and interesting and delicious, don’t let number 1203 get you down, keep up the good work! 🙂
Vicki Higham says
Welcome to the blogging world Katie 🙂 It is a wonderful place to be I promise, only the odd stumble. Don’t let this post put you off – I do love it!
ninegrandstudent says
I’ve had a few troll comments on my blog, mainly on any budgeting posts as they claim I’m not poor enough to offer advice. I think its sad, because as you say they don’t HAVE to read it!
http://ninegrandstudent.wordpress.com/
Vicki Higham says
Wow, people are mean! I’ve just taken a look at your blog for the first time today. I think it’s an awesome idea. It’s nice to see something original but I’m afraid with that seems to come trolls. Boo! Money and the concept of wealth/poverty is all relative.
Lyndsay ? (@BlondieLyndz) says
I really don’t understand some people! Does it really give them that much pleasure to put someone down? They must be very sad people if thats what makes them happy. But keep your chin up, with 1202 happy comments, one negative in all of that is not bad at all 🙂 We all love your blog.
Lyndsay xx | Fizzy Peaches ?
Vicki Higham says
Aw thank you Lyndsay that’s very sweet! How did you get the little heart next to your name? It’s very cute.
Sarah says
It is really horrifying how people can be so intent or spreading hate. However, I find hope in that fact that almost every interaction I have in the blogging world has been positive. Although there are tons of trolls and negative people, I think that as a whole the blogging community is positive and always want to step up and support each other when they need it– even complete strangers. I’ve found that so comforting during the time I’ve been blogging. I’m sorry to hear that you had your first troll, but also happy that it took 1203 comments before it happened! Hope it will stay at just that one negative comment among tons of positive ones.
Vicki Higham says
Thanks Sarah. It’s overwhelming at times how kind total strangers can be, as you say. I’ve met some wonderful people – perhaps I should have mentioned how much I love blogging in the post too!
kerrycookscom says
I’ve been blogging for over two and a half years now and was worried about privacy/trolls. But I have only met lovely, kind, wonderful people, hundreds and hundreds of them. I know negativity may happen one day but the positivity is so overwhelmingly in the majority.
Vicki Higham says
I’m so glad you’ve been surrounded by lovely positive people. It does feel awesome to focus on that doesn’t it?
Janice Pattie (@FarmersgirlCook) says
I’ve been blogging since 2007 and fortunately have had no problems. I guess it also depends on how controversial you want to be on your blog. Those people are always out there in all spheres of life, I’ve known others who have suffered from negative comments and how hurtful it can be. I don’t suppose it will ever be completely stopped but hopefully reporting it will become more transparent and the norm. Great article Vicki.
Shaun says
Unfortunately its not a new phenomenon, I spent many years working with, assisting and preparing food for Keith Floyd’s programmes around the world, although email wasn’t widely available, the number of letters we got from what you would now call ‘trolls’ was still quite unbelievable. They were, I’m happy to say eclipsed by the number of nice letters he got… but the point is i think its part of human nature, and you just have to take solace in the fact that the number of people you provide pleasure and entertainment to, far out weighs the ones with nothing better to do in their life but try and drag you down.
The little red cross is the most powerful tool on the internet, don’t be afraid to use it !
Vicki Higham says
Wise words there Shaun. What an experience your work has been