A Blogger’s Plea: Be Proud of Us
Nov 1, 2011 General Blogging
Posted by
Allison
Friends and family members, those who are not bloggers – this is my plea: Be proud of us.
Please don’t make us hesitate to call ourselves professional bloggers because of the face you make when we say the b-word. We do no write online diaries. We write things that change the world. We shouldn’t feel like we have to cringe or use the term “writer” instead of “blogger” to describe what we do. Be proud of what we’re working to accomplish, even if we haven’t accomplished it just yet. We will.
Please don’t assume we can always afford to eat at that fancy restaurant and, more importantly, that our current financial success has anything to do with how good we our at our jobs. We work very hard, but some months are just better than others. It’s hard, especially in the beginning. We’re business owners. Be proud of the effort we put into building that business.
Please don’t forget to tell us that we’re doing a good job. We have incredibly blue days sometimes when traffic dips or sales decrease. Celebrate our victories with us the same way you’d celebrate Linda’s promotion or Joe’s new job. Be proud of our steadfast work ethic, even when things are tough.
Please don’t tell us that you don’t get the point of Twitter or Facebook because all anyone ever says is what they’re having for lunch. Social media sites have contributed to our success. In fact, we’ve met some of our best and dearest friends online. Sometimes, these are people we haven’t even met in person yet. Be proud that we’re able to form such deep, lasting connections with people.
Please don’t ask us how you can get started working online because you want an “easy way to make money from home.” Nothing about what we do is easy. Yes, there are perks to our job, but there are perks to any job. Be proud that we’re doing something not because it’s easy, but because it’s right for us.
Please don’t avoid asking us questions. We’d rather answer them so you understand what we do for a living than have you assume. Be proud that we’re knowledgeable and passionate about our career.
Please DO defend us. When you hear someone making fun of blogging, speak up. “Blog” shouldn’t have to be a naughty word or the butt of a joke. Be proud that you know a professional blogger and that he or she is awesome.
Now to readers who are bloggers, I have a plea for you too: Please go back and reread all of these pleas and apply them to yourself and other bloggers you know. Be proud of the work done in this industry and the part you play. We’re bloggers…and we’re awesome. I think we all forget that sometimes.
Tags: blogging, feeling pensive, inspiration
[...] Today, though, I want to challenge you all to think a little different. When reading something from your favorite blogger, think, “What if this is his/her last post?” Think twice before leaving that overly-critical comment where your snarky tongue was perhaps a bit too sharp. Don’t blow off the thought crossing your mind that you really should send the blogger an email telling him/her how their work has changed you in some way – just do it already. Defend him/her when the trolls attack. Hit the like button or retweet rather than waiting for tomorrow. Be proud of these new media pioneers. [...]