It’s pretty silly the conversations I have estranged colleagues and/or friends via social networks like Facebook or even in real life.
After we re-connect and chat for a bit we obviously get to the point of asking questions about what we’re doing with our lives and of course I end up sharing that I essentially blog for a living, among other exciting things.
Sometimes there’s an awkward pause by the person as if to feel out if I was just joking or if I was, in fact, serious.
I love this brief moment of tension:
Really?
“Yes,” I say with confidence.
What I have learned is that I’ve gotten better at this over time because I haven’t always been so outwardly enthused about my so-called profession.
Perhaps it was because it felt like I had to explain too much or because I too felt like it was some sort of silly joke. Or even perhaps because I couldn’t possibly believe it was a “real” job.
But it definitely is.
One thing that we all can learn to do better is continue to be even more confident about who we are as bloggers and the reasons why we blog.
This is not a suggestion that you should be too confident as to seem arrogant but rather a quiet confidence that’s proud that you have chosen to spend writing digital letters on the internet.
And it’ll make a difference in your writing as well, I guarantee it.
Stay confident and love what you do and write about!
The status quo has always made fun of artists at levels under “famous”. In 2011, bloggers are included in that art and most people think of it as being super easy, but we all know in order to be successful, you must be a renaissance man/woman and are constantly at the mercy of your niche.
Keep bloggin!
“mercy of your niche”…? expand on that… i feel like I disagree with what I think you’re saying here, but, love to hear it out!
the other stuff I definitely agree with!
If he means that the popularity of your niche has a major effect on an individual blog, it likely will effect how seriously you’re taken.
I know I have to consider what I tell people, since I introduce myself online as a writer, game designer, and student. Maybe eventually I’ll add ‘blogger’ to the list?
i think you can be quite “serious” about generally un-serious things, right?
I hope so, my blog is on games and game design.
I just meant perceptions.
ah. i see. neato.!
Very good. I often wonder what my friends think when they see me post on Twitter, New Post: “Blog Title” and the link, but I have to do it. I love posting articles I write and I get pumped up on the few hits I get, let alone an actual comment. (My heart would explode if I got more than one.)
This post helps me reflect on my “whys”. I really hope to grow my blog, because I have something to say.
Thank you for this!
sure thing kelly! tell me about your gravatar…?
Answering the “what do you do for a living” question is an interesting one for me too. Yes, I do construction, but I spend more effort and a lot of time into other things that I want to become my living. I feel like I am making a living (as in living life to the fullest) doing these other things, but I get paid to do construction.
it is an interesting question, right? it could go so many different ways.
I don’t really understand what this post has to do with it’s title, but I strongly agree with you. It’s not easy to keep going, especially if you are only in the beginner phase where you don’t earn money. People keep asking weird questions. But at the end of the day it’s important to stand your point for yourself and keep going
it was from the comic. and it describes one step after the initial tension of a conversation with those estranged friends.
Well, I’m in the Navy, so that kind of answers any questions about my “job” as it were. However, I am starting to treat my blog like it’s my piece of the web. I’m growing in confidence while thinking that way, and it helps me when I tell people about it. I’m calm, but far more confident about it than I used to be.
do you tell your fellow seamen about your blog?
I have told several of them, and most of my Facebook friends are Sailors I have served with. It does generate some response.
that’s pretty neat!
Haa…good to see this post…I started my blog in Dec 2010. Don’t know why…but feel shy to send an email to my friends…and ask them to have a look at it…
you need to!
Actually, I was hoping to hear something about your new baby today.
i know… me too…
I loved the multiple blogs comic, because I’ve been there myself before! Every time I had a new idea I’d be creating a new blog somewhere. Apparently, I can’t keep 5 blogs running at once. But behind the joke is a valid point: we need to be focussed in topic on our blog for it to draw consistent visitors, and for there to be growth. I believe that’s something you and Sir Michael Hyatt (honorary knighting there I guess) have been talking about a lot recently.
Since I got things narrowed down in focus, I’ve been way more consistent in my blogging and hopefully the content will prove to be valuable to the community for raising discussion and referring to good culture.
focus is always a hot topic… because very few people do!
For me, confidence comes in waves. Honestly, on the days I feel confidence waning, I just remember my commitment, my reason for writing and just keep going. It’s about believing in what you do at the end of the day, right?
Wrote a related blog post. http://wp.me/p1aPVD-eA
sweet! thanks randy!
I would love to be able to say one day that I am a professional blogger.
I have 2 blogs now and I plan to have more in the future. Your site is really helping me get things going in the right direction and I realize there are some things I need to change and do differently.
Maybe it is the name people have problems with.
We could do like every other profession and come up with a fancy name.
I am a:
Digital Writer
Internet Consultant
Online Psychologist
Electronic Journalist (or Tronic Journalist)
etc.
I really like the term Blogger though!
wow. i like tronic journalist… never heard of that one before!
ha! i made it up.
Like your Tron theme, by the way.
thanks bro! we’re releasing it as a child-theme for standard theme.
Totally needed to hear this.
“…a quiet confidence that’s proud that you have chosen to spend writing digital letters on the internet.”
Thank you.
sure thing. how are you doing today?
I love it when your “repost” stuff “from the archives”. This gave me another boost of confidence this morning. Thanks
sure thing ben. sent you an email.