Our last conversation got me thinking, not as rare of an occurrence as one might think during these busy days. In fact, your last series of comments had me thinking in the shower, on the drive to work, on the drive home. What exactly DO we call ourselves, those of us who write about us, about life in general? Those of us without a niche?
Maybe we should start with the question, Why do we care? Well, a taxonomy can be useful in many instances. Classification provides us with an easily interpretable way of understanding who someone is, what they do, where they’re coming from (in a very general sense). In the blog world, one of very low attention spans, I’m guessing you have about five seconds to tell a first-time reader who you are. Take a look at Twitter bios; can you describe yourself adequately in the character allotment (or less)? Mine really says nothing about me, but if I decided to change that, it might read:
Kris, 30-something writing about life in DC
That doesn’t tell you a whole lot.
What about:
Kris, DC 30-something writing about cats, wine, and the famous men she keeps under her bed
Better?
Yes, but watch the confused faces you get when you say the latter. In the online world, neither carries the same weight, however, as:
Jane, Mom blogger
Or
Rico, Foodie and Lovemaker Extraordinaire
Or something like that.
BUT WHO CARES, KRIS?
Well, if you take your online writing pretty seriously, you’ll want people to see it. And you’ll want the right people to read and comment on it, people with similar interests and intentions, in the hopes of making your writing, your discussions, and your collective online experience even richer.
You may even want to get paid for it. [GASP!] Try going to a job interview next time without a clear statement about what you do.
“I’m a worker who likes people and cats and cooking and spreadsheets. I’m awesome and my mom loves me.”
Continuing on.
So I’m interested in your thoughts about what we might call ourselves. As a group. As a collection of bloggers who take time (lots of time) to write about . . . us.
22 Comments
I heard the term “lifestyle blogger” once but I don’t know if it ever caught on… I’m also not sure I would want to use it in reference to myself. It kind of sounds like one of those magazines where they show you pictures of houses people can’t possibly live in and places to go on vacation that I’d have to mortgage my house to visit. You know, if my house wasn’t already mortgaged way beyond its worth.
I’m pretty sure that I’ve interviewed some people recently who gave a very similar version of liking cats and people in their interview. People like that are one reason why I blog!
“Cat Mommy Blogger”? Seriously, I’m dry here. Entertaining, honest blogger is the way I’d describe you. That isn’t too catchy, but having been to my blog, that shouldn’t surprise you given the quality of my writing.
I hate the labels on blogs. I mean, just because I have a kid, do I have to be a Mom blogger? Doesn’t that discount the sarcastic and drunk parts of me?
Can’t we all just blog?
You’ve given me a lot to think about the last few days and this entry is no exception.
I consider myself a hodge-podge or a mishmash blogger. However, I think the word menagerie fits us collectively.
I believe the term is “Personal Blogger”, a continuation of the idea of “personal zines” or “perzines.”
I think your blog’s title is description enough. Any mention of cats and moms would send me running.
She. More than a pronoun.
-That’s mine.
Sigh. This is so hard. The label thing – I like being kick ass. But you can’t really say that on a resume, can you?
I was giving myself a headache trying to answer the exact same question in my “about” section… I’ve changed it a million times and it still says “the world’s most successful unknown blogger”… Let me know when you figure it out.
i have no clue who i am.
As for me.. I write because I’m bored and lonesome. It’s a creative outlet – gives me a reason to use my camera for pics – lets off steam when I need to and get great encouragement from my peeps when I’m in need.
For a girl (ok so i’m 49) living in the country all alone and no neighbors – it’s a “community” and it’s all I have – and I’m glad for it!!
I think I’ve heard “Life Bloggers” or “Personal Bloggers”. But aren’t ALL bloggers personal bloggers?
I remember before I went to BlogHer the first time, there was this bitchy pull-out quote in the guide about how you needed a pitch. If someone asks you what your blog is about, you need to say something more than “my life.” And then I panicked. Because my blog is about my life. It’s a humorous take on my retreat into spinsterhood. Or I think my “official” tagline is “Tales of a Chicago Singleton who Keeps the Wineries in Business.”
Anyway, NO ONE AT BLOGHER ASKED! And if they did, I’d say I wrote funny stories about my life, my cats and Bacon. And that was FINE! Most people only really ask that because they feel like they HAVE to.
This is why we need that ROYO. Because why do we need a niche? Why do we need a group to be lumped into?
It is hard, and as I said on your prior post, it is much easier for me now that I have a concrete answer to fall back on.
You know, I hate the labels, but particularly in DC, everyone wants to label you. The, So, what do you DO?” as a conversation starter always makes me want to kick people in the shins.
Lifestyle blogging makes me think of people who go to sex parties – aren’t they lifestyle parties? I’m afraid to google this at work, which is where I am right now.
well…you could go the way of Seinfeld and say “It’s a blog about nothing.”
YOU: I think I can sum up the blog for you with one word: NOTHING. You see, it’s just like life. You know, I eat, I go shopping, I read…ok, what’d you do today?
THEM: I got up and came to work.
YOU: There’s a post. That’s a post.
THEM: Well, why am I reading it?
YOU: Because it’s on the internet!
I write when I need to empty my brain. When a phrase or sentence about an emotion or idea is rolling around inside and refuses to leave until the world can read it.
Does that make me a manic blogger?
Mommakiss – I have a friend who swears in every interview she has. She has been gainfully employed as a web designer with a national newspaper for 3 years now. It can work. You’ve just gotta own it. :)
I tend to think that I write about normal stuff, in a way that makes me laugh. But that isn’t really going to fit the bill, is it?
Hmmmm.
I’m Tracy. I write about cats, and dialysis and how my body is constantly deteriorating. But you know, funny.
Yeah, I think I’m going to have to think on it some more.
Life bloggers, since we blog about our lives? It’s not quite the same as being a lifestyle blogger. Memoirists? Blogoirists? Makingupwordists?
Um, writer? Photographer? Mom? Whiner? Depends on the day. And my mood.
Nobody puts Finn a box. Or a corner.
Oh great, now I’m totally going to ponder this on my drive home. I feel like “lifestyle blogger” sounds too close to “life partner” and people will confuse me with those who have gone the same-sex marriage route. (Which I support, don’t get me wrong, I’m just not married to a woman. I think.)
I blog. For no one but myself and my random family members that stalk me online (Hi Dad!) ;) So what on earth do you call that???
ive never really even considered myself a “blogger” … mostly ive always thought of my blog as a journal-ing exorcise….
mostly – i think- because ive never pressured my self to write on any kind of schedule ie..once a day, once a week, once a month… and i always think of “real” bloggers as the ones who “commit” to some sort of regularity..
xoxo
I personally don’t think there is an appropriate label for all that I am. ;o)
Recently someone called me a “newlywed blogger” and I flinched. That label just doesn’t jive with the girl who still has her own name, didn’t use the term “fiance” or “bride,” and still only uses “husband” and “wife” when introductions demand it. Why should I be labeled that simply because I was recently married – it makes no sense. It’s so awkward how readily everyone needs labels and categorizations. Makes me wonder how many so-called “mommy bloggers” hate that moniker, too.