Why Do You Want to Blog?
This is my commentary about Prof. Danny Arao’s blog post: Huwag Kang Magblog Kung…
Prof. Danny Arao’s blogpost about bloggers who become “sell outs” in the blogosphere is indeed thought provoking. I have been blogging for a long time but it was only until now that I get to meet some other bloggers in “real life” through the the different blogger or media events organized by different marketing or pr agencies. It’s only now I realize that there are some perks by becoming a blogger. I must admit it was fun since I get to experience things I have not done before ( especially the food that I have not tasted before). In exchange of letting me experience those perks of course I should return the favor by writing about their product or event etc. That’s ’social exchange theory’ in real life, but it’s not being forced. Even though they feed me with all the food they want, nothing can control me on what I will say. I will still write a bad review if I didn’t like the taste of the food or if the service is bad. I make sure that it’s being done constructively and not because I am being too personal about it.
Prof. Arao’s article poses a question towards bloggers self motivation in blogging. It is a fact that there are some bloggers who are just concerned about blog monetization and not about the content. Spamming their blogs with topics that are “marketable” or has “high value” leaves the objective of the whole blog itself. I am not saying that everything should be political or highly intellectual. There are lots of things to write about not just “high valued” topics. These “high valued” topics are then translated into monetary value and that’s how the ad networks work. I learned this from Karla, who is a geek in those kind of stuff, and explained to me on how to earn money by just blogging. It was only a few months ago when I started Google Adsense and I only have a few dollars. I appreciate the dollar amount but it’s not really the end goal.
Another thing also that he mentioned was to consider our audience, i.e. our readers. Prof. Arao mentioned that we have to be responsible on the things we write or what would be the consequence and outcome of this to the audience. Yes, the blogosphere is a public domain, however this is a different kind of domain wherein audiences can create their own identity, i.e. reality. We cannot say that the intention of the blogger would reflect in what he/she writes. In this scenario, the blogger can transform his/her identity without the readers knowing it. The identity of the blogger is not attached to the article he/she wrote. As for the readers, they have their own mind as to how they will interpret the things we write. I believe that agency ( the individual) is still important and that not all human beings are always pre-determined by market forces. It is a give and take relationship. Readers will say what they want to say, or they can also re-interpret what we say and make it into their own ( like what I am doing now 
).
In conclusion, I think that people have different motivations on why they blog and we should respect that. Blog monetization is not totally bad at all, being a ’sell out’ is bad. I think that Prof. Arao’s post excludes people who really do blog monetization ( coming from the title of the blog post itself). I would like to say that they are also writers who contribute and create meaning to the blogosphere. It somewhat creates “exclusivity” among ” responsible” bloggers (as what he is imposing) vs the “irresponsible” bloggers. Does this mean that there is a distinction being made? What makes a blogger “responsible”? If there is such thing, what are the criteria on being “responsible”?
Now for you as my reader right now I pose these questions to you:
Why did you read this blog post?
(if you are a blogger) Why do you blog?
What do you think is a blogger?
You might want to read this related blog post about audiences
http://www.rockerfem.com/2008/08/20/expecto-patronum-to-the-dementors-who-want-to-stop-the-magical-mystery-tour/
Tags: Blog Monetization, blogging, Google Adsense
4 Responses to “Why Do You Want to Blog?”
I read this blog post because it’s a topic that concerns all bloggers.
It’s interesting and noteworthy yet it’s already an old topic ever
since when people were given a chance to monetize their blogs/websites.
I started blogging years back and when I first started it, my sole purpose
was to have my own space online where I could write my thoughts
Thank you for your reflection regarding what I recently wrote. Please allow me, however, to clarify a few points.
My column article does not denounce ALL forms of blog monetization, but only those that involve deception. As an experienced blogger, you know what I am referring to: Advertising that can be easily customized to give an illusion that it is part of media content, particularly blog posts and static pages.
You wrote: “I would like to say that [there] are also writers who contribute and create meaning to the blogosphere. It somewhat creates `exclusivity’ among `responsible’ bloggers (as what he is imposing) vs the “irresponsible” bloggers. Does this mean that there is a distinction being made? What makes a blogger `responsible’? If there is such thing, what are the criteria on being `responsible’?”
Mine is not an imposition but more of a suggestion. Responsibility is important as the blogosphere is part of the public domain. We have different reasons for blogging, in the same way that we all have our own agenda in writing. The reasons can range from the shallow to the serious, from the personal to the political. But there are standards that must be observed in the writing and production of media content.
As regards what makes for “responsible blogging,” I wrote about it in an old Pinoy Weekly column article titled “Gusto mo bang mag-blog?” but a more detailed discussion may be found in the paper I delivered at WordCamp 2008 titled “Blogging and Journalism in the Philippines: Journalistic Writing for the People.”
In addition, you wrote: “We cannot say that the intention of the blogger would reflect in what he/she writes. In this scenario, the blogger can transform his/her identity without the readers knowing it. The identity of the blogger is not attached to the article he/she wrote. As for the readers, they have their own mind as to how they will interpret the things we write.”
Whether it’s journalistic or creative writing (or blogging for that matter), your output is a reflection of who you are. Tolkien’s discourse on middle earth is partly due to his experience as a soldier. Hemingway’s novels reflect his experience talking to different kinds of people. Even a recluse like Salinger draws widely from he had been through. While we acknowledge that there are bloggers who prefer to be anonymous, their writings reflect either their actual or desired goals in life. Living in a fantasy world, after all, has material basis as the choice of fantasy is normally inversely proportional to one’s interpretation of the “real.”
In this context, we can draw lessons from journalism’s role in shaping public opinion by providing relevant information. The latter, as you correctly stated, may not be political or intellectual. Bloggers, however, should be conscious about the impact of their posts on readers.
Even if we have very discerning and intelligent readers, we should always strive for presenting what I refer to as the “literal truth” so that there is little or no room for misinterpretation. There is nothing wrong with being direct in our message, a main characteristic of quality and responsible writing.
In any case, it is good to know that there are bloggers like you who maintain independence in writing reviews/posts despite what you referred to as the perks you receive. All the best!
@Prof. Arao,
I just became curious on what you wrote, I know it’s an old, old topic but I still want to write about it anyway. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend your talk during the WordCamp, I could’ve picked up some other enlightening ideas from you. Kudos to you fellow UPian. 
Wow, it’s an honor for you to comment here in my blog.
P.S.
) But the reality of it, I couldn’t do it due to time and financial reasons. Don’t mind me, I’m just thinking aloud here 
How I wish I would be able to take up Masters in Media Studies, I am really interested about the social aspect of media. That’s the reason I blog, it could be my “intellectual outlet” ( slight lang naman
I don’t want to clutter your comments field here, so I’ll keep this VERY short.
If you have financial problems, you can still enroll in an MA degree program of your choice at UP CMC. The tuition is relatively cheap, only P600 per unit.
Ateneo and La Salle also have good graduate programs in journalism and communication, respectively. These two universities have scholarship programs available for “financially challenged” people like you and me. In case you don’t know, I finished my MA at La Salle on a scholarship, though my graduate major is Philippine Studies, not Journalism.
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