When Blogs Mainstream
When will blogs mainstream? Who knows for sure, but when it happens, all us bloggers still in the first wave will benefit.
Six months back, I knew barely more about blogging than the average Internet surfer. Though my expertise had always been technology, blogging just wasn’t something I ran into often. I had played with web design and had my own site for my consulting business, but never really thought about designing a site founded on interactive engagement. Web forums were the community I knew, and I was only an occasional participant.
One day I got it in my head that I would look into these odd sounding sites. I went to my favorite book store (archaic I know) and pulled a few paperbacks on blogging from the shelf. I quickly realized these simple sites were much more than a single soul on an Internet podium preaching to those who managed to stumble by. There was a whole world out there, teeming with culture, curiosity and captivating content. Not only did I suddenly long to become a blog reader, but a content creator as well.
Blogging, the Greatest Hobby/Career In The World
Back when I was into model trains, there was an add campaign in circulation that touted these little plastic trains as the ‘greatest hobby In the world.’ The idea was, no other hobby provided SO MUCH diversity. Creating a train layout involved painting, model building, electrical work, basic engineering, crafts, history, etc. I believe blogging holds true to this concept. You create a website to record your thoughts, but are then also provided the possibilities of social networking, graphic design, moderating, advertising, community building, etc.
The possibilities are as endless as the population.
Are blogs mainstream now? No, not yet. This is only a small swell when compared to the title wave that will be coming.
There’s ongoing discussion about the future of blogging. Will the bubble pop or is it only now inflating? In an interview on “Motivate Thyself” I asked Leo Babauta of Zen Habits this very question. This was his answer:
“…I really feel like there are huge amounts of people out there, in my experience, who are using the Internet on a regular basis but who don’t know much about blogs. It’s really a huge group, and I think as they learn more about blogs we’ll all get more readers…”
Since about 2006, the blogging fad was supposed to fade. Each year has instead seen fluid growth in both blogging and social media. I see the question as not if blogs mainstream, but rather a matter of when blogs mainstream. As Leo mentioned, there are massive amounts of regular Internet users who have yet to discover the wonders of blogging. They may have heard about it, but really have no clue what a blog is or how they might benefit from participation.
The fact that this fairly new medium is continuing to grow so rapidly, shows me the idea itself has proven desirable. Blogging is by no means a niche activity. The masses WILL participate, but not until some misconceptions are conquered first.
Privacy, Privacy, Privacy!!!
Jun Loayza, from Future Delivery TV, published a very telling post the other day that opened my eyes to some common misconceptions. One example was the idea that blogging is too public for most people’s comfort. Not to say this isn’t partially true, but I know many of these interviewees wouldn’t feel this way if they were participants in the process. I don’t think the public understands the intimacy involved. From the video, you get the idea that people picture blogging as a person on a podium, screaming diary entries through a megaphone. This, along with many other misconceptions, tend to keep the average Internet user from participating in this wonderful process, thereby postponing the inevitability of seeing blogs mainstream.
Breaking barriers and BLASTING into the coming decade!
2009, I believe, will be a transition year for Blogopolis. Social crazes such as Twitter will start to take hold in the mainstream market while the border between Facebook and the average blog will start to evaporate. Before long, the tide will swell with surfers who have become bloggers without even knowing it.
2010, on the other hand, should see the beginning of blogging as a norm. Many used the Internet in the ’90s, but the masses flooded the web in the new millennium. So too is blogging only JUST entering into its own. Right now it’s in beta, and we’re the lucky souls who get to test the goods before blogs mainstream.
Eric
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You are absolutely right when you say that blogging is just the tip of the iceberg now Eric.
I worked on a newspaper where a couple of us were asked to start up blogs (a mum, a sci fi geek, a football fan etc) and the paper just treated them as little niches in the corner that no one would really read.
Then the figures came out revealing traffic numbers and I think they nearly choked on their coffee!
I suppose it’s much like texting, which I understand the mobile phone companies never thought would catch on, but look at that now!
What a fascinating angle! I’ve been blogging for almost 5 years and I think I am so entrenched in the process that I see it as a “mainstream” activity already.
Indeed until reading your post I would say that “if you don’t have a blog, you’re way behind”. Now I’m not so sure. Come to think of it I guess I’ve always been ahead of the curve and the average Internet user is yet to catch up as you say.
Your post has just inspired me to promote blogging to some friends and family
I like what you’re saying here, and I think you are dead-on that blogging, and the internet itself in many ways, is not yet mainstream. Especially if countries continue to push public-access broadband, we’ll see this jump tremendously. Already I just saw an article showing that more people are getting news from online sources than from newspapers- that see-saw just tipped.
The one thing I disagree with you is about the intimacy. And, it’s less about those who choose to be the writers- those of us who are writers can handle stepping outside our comfort zone and being visible in public.
It’s the public commentary. The vast majority of people who access blogs will be, as they are now, lurkers. And so it will take a real change in mindset to shift folks from the “broadcast” generations, where we were used to just receiving from broadcast media, print, radio, and TV, to “interactive.”
You could actually term this a return to the town hall meeting format, or the public house, where everyone is invited to join in the discussion. But, it’s going to take a mindset shift for the majority of the population- the mainstream is going to learn that it’s okay to participate. But, how quickly or slowly that will shift, I have no idea.
“people picture blogging as a person on a podium, screaming diary entries through a megaphone.”
– So true, and the news media doesn’t help with all the emphasis on left-wing or right-wing political bloggers.
I think blogging will be viewed as verbal upchucking of the few instead of a sharing process as long as we see it through the eyes of old-school media, entertainment, and advertising. Fortunately, Seth Godin’s Tribe concept shows how we can bypass all that to get the message out. Everyone has an interest, need, or hobby — and a blog author can help tap into or create a tribe or community with answers and insight:
*First-time moms need product or service reviews
*Old car restorers could use reviews on vintage car sellers
*DIY jewelry makers want to know the best wholesale sources
*People wanting to save money and cook at home seek recipes & ideas
*Avid online readers need trusted e-book reviewers to sift through what’s available
The list can go on and is as varied as our humanity. Yes, blogging can tap this. Authenticity, trust, and value will be the keys to success.
Hey Eric, thanks for the link up!
It is very true, undergraduates are afraid of blogging because of privacy. However, take a look at all of their Facebook pics where they’re half naked.
I think it’s more a lack of knowledge towards blogging and laziness that prevents them from taking that step.
Despair.com has a Demotivator poster on Blogging – “Blogging – Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few.” LOL! Quite true in some ways.
I agree blogging is not mainstream, but those who jumped in often jump right back out in less than a year. I am working on not being one of them. So I am looking forward to great tips from you to get my blog out of the sidelines.
Thanks for this site.
@Tara: “…and I think they nearly choked on their coffee!”
I LOVE this line! It gave me a *chuckle*.
I truly enjoy hearing these kinds of stories because it just punctuates what I already know, which is that blogging is the real deal.
@Marc: That’s awesome, Marc! It certainly is easy to think that way, though. When you in it, you feel like it’s everywhere. But step outside our little bubble and you realize that most people know no more that a rough definition of the word blog.
@Mark: “Especially if countries continue to push public-access broadband, we’ll see this jump tremendously.”
That’s a great point!
I see what you’re saying about the majority still being on lookers, but I do feel that there will be a shift that will take place that will cause this all to change rapidly. Just like email was considered a ‘business person’s’ tool and the idea of a grandma using it seemed to be a stretched. But we’ll see what happens.
@Lori: The media point blogging on the map, but as you point out, painted the wrong picture for the public. I guess blogs about hobbies or niches just isn’t news worthy.
@Jun: Good to see you at the Blueprint!
“I think it’s more a lack of knowledge towards blogging and laziness that prevents them from taking that step.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
@Katy: That’s what it’s all about! Not only making a name for yourself and gaining respect from the community, but sticking with it long enough to outlast the ‘15 minute bloggers’. Eric.
I took a poll when I started my blog a couple months ago, and out of every 10 people I asked only 1 or 2 people heard of the word blog and half of those people thought a blog was something where a person talked about their day or their family life. Blogging is still very new, people just need to hang in there, and come to blogs like this that inspire and motivate.
Without a doubt blogs are becoming more mainstream. To see where the net has gone from the first I used it amazes me. I mean, I started on a little telnet chat describing the rooms and surroundings (with words) and now I talk about life and death, and everything in between; it’s just mind boggling!
Great article. Great site. I came here via Writer Dad’s blog.
Hey Eric,
Awesome article, I saw the link from twitter. The article made perfect sense. Before a few months ago I had no idea what blogging was all about. Forwarding to now I am starting one up and will be keeping at it
Nou.
@Jay: That’s a great poll idea. Thanks for sharing the results. I’m always amazed at how few people have an accurate understanding of the concept of blogging.
@Secret Agent Mama: Thanks! Love the name, BTW! I think we forget how far we’ve come in such a short time because everything is moving so stinking fast.
@Nou: I know what you mean. 6 months ago I didn’t know much more than the word itself. It certainly has a way of catching on quickly. Eric.