Since blogging platforms have been invented, almost everyone can now get published online. Gone were the days when writing was limited only to wordsmiths with Palanca awards or a list of accolades gathered from middle school contests to prestigious college papers. Today, even jejemons can start a blog.
There’s nothing wrong about people blogging their thoughts away. That’s the essence of democracy. But that freedom comes with responsibility too. Haven’t we heard for countless times GMA7′s “Think before you click” campaign?
Blogging is no different from the way we converse or interact with people from within our circles. In real life, we extend basic courtesy expected of any decent civilized man. Now if you are a blogger, with one to a thousand followers under your circle of influence, you become responsible for the information you feed them and the way it is communicated. Garbage in, garbage out. Consider yourself lucky if it gets recycled. At least someone from your backyard knows how to filter.
Are Bloggers Writers?
Writers can be bloggers anytime. A blog, by the way, is a publishing tool that can be used by everyone. Writing, like painting, singing or dancing, is a gift. Not all people were gifted with this kind of creativity and the patience for such discipline. Accolades are rare and given to select few, so writing is not like some sport trophies that you can buy elsewhere. Therefore, not all bloggers can be writers in the same way that not everyone who uses graphic design software can be called an artist.
A no-brainer you say? Some people need to be reminded at times.
Everyone wants to be read
Hell yeah, why not? This is a free world and everyone can do whatever that pleases them. You can write about your crappy or happy experiences, and choose to turn the public or private view button on. But there is such thing called “abuse” once you let power drive you. We have countless examples of bloggers who made a living out of bullying people.
Things to remember should you decide that blog to go public
Know what you are writing about. Not all of us can be experts in many fields, but please, have time to do research and do not claim to be what you are not.
Make an effort to write a good post. If you are eking out a living from blogging for certain brands, there is more reason for you to write properly – from the proper use of the language, punctuations, to grammar and all.
It’s not all about the freebie, you know. The reality is that some bloggers get invited to press cons and media launches of certain businesses, an indication that blogging has recently become the new medium in the Philippines. I have seen bloggers who would just copy and paste press materials while print journalists would usually check on creative angles and still get edited. If you are a blogger, have the decency to write something original that is worth every penny or goodie bag.
Do not bite the hand that fed you. Because I know of a blogger who asked for a free dinner in exchange for a blog entry. The following day I was aghast to read about what he had written, making him one ungrateful asshole in this part of the universe. I really would have not taken offense if he had only paid for his dinner.
Be honest. If companies ask you to write a product review, be honest but don’t get too cocky. There’s a way of writing a decent review, and some people with limited vocabulary often miss that.
Keep these things in mind and happy blogging!
