What type of blogger are you? What do you write about the majority of the time? Here’s what I’ve noticed in the circles I’m in; perhaps you comfortably conform or you’re more of a mashup writer, like me.
- Blogger Teaches Blogger. This person continually tries to help other bloggers out of the conundrum that is blogging. It’s not always a conundrum, but it takes a lot of work. We who have been at it more than a year know and often try to teach new bloggers the ins and outs. You can often find teachings at these blogs and ; #ThatIsAll.
- Current Events With Twist. I know that I can find twists and angles at about current events relating to social marketing, media and PR. At , and you can get some goods, too.
- Family, life and happenstance. To always write about these topics the majority of the time means opening yourself up for peer commentary, feedback, support, ah-hah, and opinion. You can find this style of writing at , , , and houses.
- Industry specific meanderings. Good bets on high-end industry news are via , with Carolyn Nicander Mohr, PR news with and , plus with some great tech news. One can always count on for copywriting lore Love these bloggers. does a grand job about inbound marketing (and, woah, that man shakes the house when he speaks — like a revival ceremony!)
- Tips and Counsel. has been morphing his blog the entire time I have read him. Today, he’s back to tips and counsel with some solid experience as proof points. is oriented to business and entrepreneurship. and shares highly relevant topics every day on just about anything relating to social marketing.
- Mash Up. Well, I’m putting myself in this category. What strikes me in the moment (typically with a current events twist) is usually what you get. News of the day often gets me all axed up to write, especially when I have an opinion to expound. Then, I sprinkle in a little of this and a little of that. Not the most focused solution, but it works for me!
The big question is not what are you going to write about, but who is it for? Are you attracting folks to your blog you know you need? Is your writing matching up to the goals for your blog? Uhmm, do you have goals?
Who did I miss above? Add your blog here and the category you typically write under!
Thanks for the lovely tip of the hat Jayme, and the company you included me in. (not just the category you included me in, but all the wonderful people you mentioned)
It’s been just a bit over a year that I’ve been blogging, and I find that, like many others, the path we carve becomes clearer the longer we’re at it. I’m doing some tweaking over at my website, and pursuing some slight changes in approach, but I will continue to write about issues that affect both one’s business and one’s life. My original goal was to eliminate the self-editor in me, and to write about things that I believed people would resonate with…what you call those “ah ha” moments. Mission accomplished. Next goal: continued growth and morphing in slightly new directions…shhh…it’s a secret:) Cheers! Kaarina
@KDillabough I love public secrets; they’re so much fun not to share with the world.
I hear you! In the beginning there are goals, and then you adjust as you grow. The experience is a journey, always. And, along the way you earn friends. That’s the cool beauty of it all.
You’re welcome!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @KDillabough
I experiment a great deal with my blog and that keeps things interesting to me. I will even kill popular themes for one reason or another. Like Blog Soup.
Kaarina asks an important question. What resonates? People want what they want, right now. Do you got it? And even if you got it, do they know they can get it from you?
For example, I’m thinking right now about my recent how-to blog posts about the Facebook game, Marvel Avengers Alliance. Those posts will bring 100,000 or more readers. Less than 100 (less than 0.1 percent) will love the other things I write about. But I can say that there are few better and cheaper ways to build my long-term readership than by giving Facebook gamers what they want: instructions on how to do well in the game.
Here’s an example:
https://stanfaryna.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/how-to-crush-the-marvel-avengers-alliance-facebook-game-levels-31-to-40/
You really never cease to amaze me with what you write; a mash up of creativity, thoughtfulness and just plain oddity (I say that with the keenest of compliments!)
Where do I fit? 🙂
@jasonkonopinski Maybe the mash-up category?
@Erin F. @jasonkonopinski I’m thinkin’ so…what about you, Erin? Bloggers Teaching Bloggers?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @jasonkonopinski I think I’m aiming toward that mark, especially as I start to tailor my content more.
@Erin F. @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing In all seriousness, I think that my content is reasonably focused with occasional outliers.
@jasonkonopinski @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing I would agree. I know that if I visit your site, I’m primarily going to read something about communications or about cultural theory. The poetry focus is a new one, but you already know I like that one. Poetry Friday is the best.
@jasonkonopinski You’re in a category all on your own, Jason!
@EricaAllison I’m printing this out and framing it. 🙂
Thank you for getting me thinking Jayme! It started when you put this at the end, “The big question is not what are you going to write about, but who is it for? Are you attracting folks to your blog you know you need? Is your writing matching up to the goals for your blog? Uhmm, do you have goals?”
I wrote a series for WebProfession magazine many years ago on “Websites by Objective” *no longer in print, or apparently online either* My point in the series was that the value of any website was directly based on the objectives. Somewhere along the line, I forgot that principle. My next blog topic is going to have to be on: “Who is my blog’s target audience!” or the more fine-grained – “whats the objective of my blog.” Perhaps I’m going to have to do a follow-up on “how I arranged my blog to meet its objectives.
You made me realize that I have NEVER considered my blog’s target audience. My blog has always been a random-haphazardly constructed rambling collection of fascination and thoughts: vaguely related to creativity, technical stuff, marketing, and life. It has primarily served as a personal outlet, but if I’d consider a target audience, it could be more valuable to me, and to my audience.
Wonderful topic, and a phenomenal ending question, Jayme! Thanks again…
@JohnAkerson John, that’s #RockHot those adds at the end made all the difference! V. happy. Now, just knowing the answers to those questions may be a good start or it may be more challenging to focus and write with aplomb.
Now what is that url of yours, please? Seems you’ve given me some amazing love and I must return the favor!
Great list, Jayme! I had never thought of it this way, but you do a good job of showcasing the diversity of blogging styles. I think I’m more of a mashup, personally, since I switch between communications topics, current events, and personal stuff. But it’s always fun!
@Krista It’s so interesting seeing people’s reaction today — one woulda thought peeps knew the category of their blogging; I guess it’s not that formal or thought of. Probably a good exercise, especially if there’s a purpose to this madness, right?
Thanks, Jayme! Good to know I’m ‘current’ with a twist, kind of like my martinis, no? 😉
Now, to write one of those posts….
Seriously, I feel the summer burn coming on and hope to fight off total blogging apathy! Now that Autumn is on board, I have high hopes of posting more routinely. I’ll just keep tuning into you for inspiration! Nobody can ‘mash it up’ like you do, Jayme!
@EricaAllison And, I didn’t blog all last week, either. Boy it was good not to! Yes, summer apathy; rightly put…need to keep it up. This post just came to me as I was wondering what to write about today — something simple. I’m reading everyone using the KISS thing — when we’re in a rut, I think a simple post (that pulls a bunch of folks in) is good for what ails you.
You know, I tend to get preemptively defensive when I hear/see I/WUL have been put on a list (btw, Jayme, I just shared something here that I have NEVER before shared…!) – but I LOVE the way you broke down your categories. That’s a really interesting way of looking at it, and of course I am thrilled and touched that you included WUL. And I completely agree with everyone else you selected and the categories you put them in. Thank you!
@Shonali Just curious…why is that? (About your revealed secret?) But, so glad you were not offended by being included!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @Shonali I’d love to know why, too!
@Shonali I feel the same way you do about lists sometimes – so I think I get it. Sometimes (at least in my experience) lists are created by people less interested in really providing a resource to readers and more about popularity contests or even linkbait. So I’m always skeptical. And lists are only really valuable – or meaningful – to the person who created them. So while there are myriad of lists, there are GREAT people left off of EVERY list, only because it’s impossible to know everyone. And many times lists are only created to serve the list maker. Yes, I’m a skeptic.
That makes me love what @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing did here, because her list wasn’t a traditional “these are the BEST people at XYZ,” instead, it was a post about blogging. Which is infinitely better.
@ShellyKramer @Shonali Thanks, Shelly, for shedding a bit of light; I get it now. I can see some people who want to get attention from bigger bloggers and encourage comments who might do that to cut corners on building community.
Hadn’t even really thought about it that way, though. When/if I do a list, it’s because I’m thinking I really do want to share and send some love to my community for real.
I think I’m just naive; sheesh.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing What @ShellyKramer said (thanks, Shell!) is part of the reason (my reason for saying what I did). It also speaks to the possible gaps in one’s own perception and that of others; e.g. if someone put me on a “newbie” blogger list, I’d be going, “Whaaa? Do people really think I’m a newbie?!” So that’s where some of my preemptive defensiveness comes from (and when I use that term, I mean in terms of – literally – how my body reacts when I read that I’m on some list).
I do think lists are subjective, and have always thought that. So I’ve never gotten upset when I haven’t been included on some list or other… UNLESS the person/outlet compiling that list is one whose opinion matters to me. That’s why I am proud to promote certain lists I’ve been/am on.
Appreciate you coming back to share your perspective, Shonali. Very interesting! We can all aspire to that!
Thanks for making sure I didn’t miss being introduced to a couple of bloggers I didn’t know. Adrienne Smith, Frank Strong, and Shelly Kramer (who I follow on Twitter but seem to miss visiting), here I come!
I like your questions here–they’re the ones I asked myself after my first 5 months or so of blogging, mostly for writers like myself. It was nice, but not who I wanted to attract. So I gradually changed it to a marketing/language focus, and I’m happy that way! I remain admiring of what you call your “mashup,” though–how you come up with your topics, bang out your thoughts about the latest, or just gather in your blog community and hold it together with that Soulati-tude thread is Wow to me. I know my own blog would fall apart if I tried.
I’ll be back with anyone I think you’ve missed.
@ShakirahDawud Wow, really? Thank you so much, Shakirah!! I’m reading that over; yeah, that’s a great compliment. Thanks, Lady. It just happens and I don’t know how. Some days I’m uninspired and I’ve learned not to force; other days, I can write 4 posts one after another. The idea for this post came yesterday; I was pondering what to write and really can’t say how this came to me.
Serendipity! What’s that word you’ve been using? Twitter-pated? Heh.
It’s always interesting to hear other people’s perceptions of blogs and bloggers – especially your own! I love that you put me in the teacher category. That’s where I’d put myself too, which is great validation for how I’m positioning myself.
Such a great list and I’m thrilled to be included. Thanks, my friend!
@lauraclick Cool, and I will adjust the name of your blog in bit…thanks, Laura!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Thanks for doing that. It just shows I need to finally transition my URL over to bluekitemarketing.com. It wasn’t available when I launched, but I own in now.
But is family life and happenstance sustainable? How many times can I write about myself that people will find readable. Ok, ok; never too many, I know, that was just a rhetorical question.
You seem to have covered all the bases; but then again, you are smart like that.
@bdorman264 You’re always callin’ me smart…carry on, King.
@bdorman264 I doubt we’ll ever tire of learning more about you, Bill. Like your connection to DB Cooper. Who knew?
Thanks for including me, Jayme! I think you did a pretty good job. If not in the category you placed me, I’d probably go in the mashup category. I think I have touched on just about every topic you mention there, with the exception of the “family, life” category, though, those are often the jumping off point for my posts.
As you said, the audience is key. For me, the primary audience would be small businesses or non-profits, not the social media or marketing crowd, though I do get a fair share of those. I try to think in terms of my clients and what I believe they need, as well as what they want. Any other audience is just gravy.
@KenMueller “Any other audience is gravy.” +1 on that note! Good to know you are fully aware of your analytics; if I recall, you look at the data to drive your content, right?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing early and often. The analytics are great indicator of what people like, and how people are finding me via search terms.
@KenMueller I knew that about you.
Great post Jayme. And I am honored to be included here.
And your point – about the omething so many writers forget. A lot of times people dive into topics that only people really immersed in “our” space care about and which are over the heads and/or completely not interesting to our collective readers. And I’ve also got a bunch of “a-lister” friends who routinely bash other bloggers for writing about what they call “101-level” stuff. My clients, large and small, are very interested in 101-level information and I think when we let our arrogance – and our knowledge about the digital space – get away with us, we do our readers, our clients and our prospective clients a disservice. Mostly our blog isn’t about us – or at least it shouldn’t be. It should be about them.
@ShellyKramer I always appreciate your perspective, Shelly. We need to hang out soon. #thatisall
I think there’s an opportunity to write 201-level stuff to encourage those clients and prospects at the 101 level to think more deeply about social. I’ll admit that I, too, get tired of seeing the 101-level content seemingly flood the space but I have to remind myself that even those elementary topics have an audience.
That said, the majority of the content that I produce is written to showcase my abilities to write in a variety of forms and degrees of complexity so agencies hire mah butt. 🙂
@jasonkonopinski @ShellyKramer How’s that goin’ for ya, Jason? The butt thing?:-)
@ShellyKramer So well said, Shelly. I am always reminded just how vast a readership I have when someone comments I’ve not had the privilege of meeting and they are reading. Always good to assume we have a much wider audience than we truly know interested in more than just folks beating their own drum. Thanks for engaging today!
Stan Faryna Hope you come back, Stan! There was definitely a problem with Lifefyre not loading earlier; I couldn’t comment either about the same time you tried. Thanks for sending me a note!
You are very kind for the mention, Jayme.
Blogging is a strange beast. Beyond the human factor (to connect, collaborate, to love and to know) AND a passion to write, bloggers want the numbers and, maybe, we want our market (or markets) too. Is there any maybe? [grin]
Having your cake and eating it too…
And then again, I’m just trying to be me. Whatever that means. [laughing] But I like it and that counts for something.
I don’t get much of the social media crowd at my place – I suspect that I’m not positive and fluffy enough. Likewise, I don’t get customer leads – the people that can pay me have no time for social media, blogs, etc. – they are leading companies, dominating their industries and conquering the world.
I do get all sorts. The numbers are increasing. I may hit 30k readers this month. But I have no idea what that means beyond that I know something about social and how it can be used for various purposes. [laughing]
Recently on my blog:
When Deepak Chopra says “Do Not Panic”, you should be concerned.
https://stanfaryna.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/when-deepak-chopra-says-do-not-panic-you-should-be-concerned/
@Faryna Thanks for coming back. I’d say, Stan, your writing style is unique — a gift to mankind not any kind.
Happenstance- well I guess I don’t spend as much time covering business, politics and religion as I used to. That is ok, I like what I am doing and where I am going.
I know it is repetitive, but bloggers who don’t have fun writing just don’t last.
Your blog, your gig, TheJack. Where I tagged you is what my impression is, and that’s neither here nor there. If you’re writing for yourself, so be it; if you’re writing for readers so they take action and buy your services, it’s another thing. There is no right or wrong answer; it’s totally in your court.
Thanks Jayme for including me here and especially in such great company. I’m touched.
Personally, I try and think about my readers’ perspective as much as I can when I approach blogging. More and more I ask myself: what obstacles to success can I help my reader overcome. As you know, blogging for me is part of my business so I need to keep an eye on the ROI. This is what I’ve found works best for me, and my readers.
Case in point, Jon; “Why You Need A Unique Selling Point For Your Podcast.” That title emulates your mission — to help your community learn and overcome obstacles in business. Right on.
I like what @TheJackB says about this. I feel I started off with whatever came in my head and whatever I felt like writing about and that is just what I am continuing to do. Though I still feel I am just blogging for the love of writing and that might be my goal..always!
Brilliant. If you know that’s how you are and how you wish to proceed that’s half the battle. When you’ve got wanderlust and meandering is par for the course versus goals to reach a destination just around the corner, that’s when the confusion hits you and questions arise.
BTW, Hajra, may I please suggest you complete the LiveFyre profile so your blog post is listed when you comment? See Jon’s below “My latest conversation: title of his recent blog post.” That way I can come directly over to your house and peruse.
May I also invite you into my Globe Spotting Tribe on Triberr? I’m trying to rebuild with global bloggers, and I’d love to have you. Please advise if you’re in Triberr already or if you require an invite?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing I don’t have livefyre installed so the latest conversation doesn’t come up. My livefyre account is updated and contains the names of the blogs I write on. Though clicking on my name will redirect you to my blog.
I am on Triberr. Have sent you an invite….
You’re right! Just visited!
Hi Jayme,
It’s pretty cool to even be mentioned in the same breath as the others in this post.
If anybody really wanted to know what makes my world go round’ – all one would need to do is read my blog. Business is about all that’s been on my mind for as long as I can remember.
Talk about boring!!!
I appreciate you Jayme – you’re such a great person and friend to be connected with.
I’m thankful.
Cheers lovely lady!
Business isn’t boring! Keep on! I love reading your counsel; you have a passion for how it’s shared. Warm and fuzzy and all that pizzazz!
Let me say/add that Mr. Adam Toporek is one I ought to have added above Monthly Mash: Customer Service Tools and Innovating Pizza on his https://customersthatstick.com blog. He’s been doing an excellent job writing about customer service in the …With a Twist category. Adam, thanks for sharing what you do!
I should add that this is an example of a good list post and not the lazy type that so many others put together.
Thanks, TheJack. Appreciate that.
I think there is a category for bloggers who are great curators. I think of Brain Pickings as the star in that arena. As well as Open Culture which pulls out the most educational and interesting archived materials. Love the obscure things they find on science or interviews with authors.
Hi, Susan! Great having you this evening…hmm, hmm, hmm. Yes, you get 3 of those as I’m pondering the curator blogger category. Hadn’t even crossed my mind and what’s making me think is whether a curator is a blogger or, well, just a curator?
One of my old pals Gregg Morris (who knows where he went) had a blog early on that was curation oriented to social media news. To me it was like a news of the day thing; nothing wrong with that, but the format didn’t lend well to building community or comments.
I haven’t been to the two you mention above; I need to go take a look. Interesting; thanks for the thoughtstarter.
Nicely done! Hey Soulati (man, that seems impersonal). Hey Jayme, what’s that technique called where you list bloggers? Kidding! Good one.
I love your list and there are some solid, solid bloggers there (and some friends too). There are some other great ones that I love to read like ginidietrich and skooloflife and CraigMcBreen It’s awesome, they’re awesome and you are too (even if i don’t come by often).
Which category do you think I fit into?
Will you do me the favor of adding your url here so we can all get in on which category you’re in? I need to read Srini more and honestly I don’t know Craig well at all but have heard his name. I love you stop in when you can; as for me at your house….uhhmmm; guilty!
@rdopping No, YOU are awesome!
Just visited, Mr. Dopping’s house — https://theviewfromhere.ca Am thinking he goes in a category all by himself — Longest Blog Post category…I’ll need to read some more to see if you graduate, Ralph! Heh.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Must have been one of my times. Honest, I am not always so wordy. 🙂
@rdopping @Soulati That is flippin’ hilarious. Mr. Tide Stick. OMG, that made me laugh.
It’s so funny. We insist our clients have editorial calendars yet we write as things come to us. I’ve actually been pushing the Spin Sucks editorial team to think about themes around content that fits with the webinars and all of the other things we’re doing. But, because I’m not willing to write within those themes, it’s difficult to make it happen. Some leader I am, huh?
Wait…PR Pro Charged with Barricading Reporter????? REALLY?? Oy. We’re dead.
That said, I hope the title is a mere hook to bring me over after I stop procrastinating this deadline, darn it.
I love that comment; indeed, you commented and I’m not just ranting back atcha…yep, blogging for me is not confined; the sky has to be the limit otherwise would be in that silly echo chamber?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Oh yes. Wait til you read it. You’ll be astounded.
@ginidietrich @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing There might have been a time in my past where someone locked the door because they thought that I would miss my deadline and the story wouldn’t run that day.
@TheJackB @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing That made me laugh out loud!
@ginidietrich @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing It is funny how some people forget that the best way to encourage someone to do something is to tell them they can’t.
That story ran on schedule.
It’s a terribly sad day for PR; WTF. I’m so pissed off at this behavior; incensed. The man must’ve tripped a wire to behave like that.
@ginidietrich Right there with you. Meet the shoeless cobbler’s children. I help clients with editorial calendars, but don’t have one myself. Oops. I need to change that. But, the thing is, editorial calendars still need flexibility so you can write about the latest happenings. Need to go check this one out!
Hot damn but I’m in some fine company here. Think I’m aiming for the Mash Up category, because while I do try to stay current, I also want to remain relevant. Per my non-official only-in-my-head editorial calendar (cc @ginidietrich ) I am wanting/planning to touch on almost all of these. Because we write for a variety of audiences, in service of not only our blogs but our businesses, I want more Industry Specific and more Tips and Counsel too. Don’t care if it’s ‘PR 101’ (cc @ShellyKramer ) – if I write it well, my way, hopefully everyone will find it worth their time. I want to keep doing what I do, just also toss in some practical info that offers tangible, applicable value.. something a business owner or communications manager will think, “hey, smart idea.. let’s try that.” FWIW.
@3HatsComm @ginidietrich @ShellyKramer Hola, Chica! How’s biz these days? Have been thinking on you and loved the IRL experience in Knoxville. Thanks for coming over.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @ginidietrich @ShellyKramer You know, Knoxville showed me that many of my online connections are just as real as anything else. Great hanging w/ you too.
Our site is still evolving and fits into a number of categories you mentioned above (current events, industry and tips). As @ShellyKramer mentioned in her comment below, you have to be cautious about who your audience is.
Firmology has posts about small business technology and innovation, but we’re not writing for the TechCrunch, Mashable, Bloomberg or industry crowd. When we write our posts, we think of mom and pops, slow tech-adopters and immigrants (I use my dad as the litmus test for our posts as my parents immigrated to the US from Poland).
The worst feedback I get from him is when he tells me that a post or topic went over his head. That means we have to take a step back, break difficult concepts down into easy to understand nuggets of information. We also fully embrace splashy headlines that hook you, otherwise the topics can be rather dry.
@ginidietrich and her team do a great job with attention-grabbing headlines, but it helps that the PR industry lends itself well to generating mind-numbing stories like barricading a reporter in a room.
@PhilipNowak @ShellyKramer @ginidietrich Dude. I just spit my peach green tea all over my desktop. It was that last graph that done it.
Is your blog evolving because it’s new’ish? Man, if I used my parents as the pulse for blog fodder…uhmm…woah; that’s scary!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Ha! Which graph are you talking about?
Yep, our site is relatively new. Launched in June 2011. Choppy getting started, but we are finally posting consistently 5 business days a week.
LOL! We don’t use our parents for blog ideas/fodder. We just make sure we are breaking down complex topics into simple terms.
@PhilipNowak @ShellyKramer @ginidietrich PS — AWESOME YOU STOPPED IN!!! That’s a #RockHot! Thank you!
Hi Jayme, Thanks for the shoutout! As you mentioned, I blog about personal technology. I really admire people like you who can blog about anything and everything. Having a wide range of choices might be overwhelming to some, but you always find interesting topics!
Thanks for this list of bloggers. I know most of them but others I have yet to discover!
Nope I do not recognize any of these bogging types. I spend a lot of time in Vermont and I seriously have been by a lot of bogs and never seen any like these types. And you say they all have names? What would a @ginidietrich bog look like and would it attract moose? and seriously a bog named for @bdorman264 for seriously be bizarre. I mean we don’t have names like Dorman in the north east. Unless he was some really old explorer fur trapper type.
@HowieSPM @ginidietrich @bdorman264 Hey, that’s my fur trapper bog you’re talkiing about:) It is Canada eh? :))))
@HowieSPM yeah Howie, what yoo talkin aboot buddie?
interesting observations – I’m not sure what my blog fits into – only that the style is “Gonzo” and by the traffic,fairly well appreciated…