As social media took over the online social square, it enhanced our ability to find, build, and engage a community online. However, when a product is free, you are the product.
Over time, social media morphed into a web of clickbait-y algorithms and advertisements that track you around the ‘net – sometimes even when logged out of the platform. It zaps your attention by design, trapping users in a doomscrolling spiral of memes and rage bait.
As tech companies move to AI-generated search engine results, perhaps we should shift to a slower form of content consumption. Something that allows us to absorb and synthesize information rather than exploit our insecurities.
Let’s bring back personal blogs! Starting (or reviving) your blog can promote genuine self-expression, build online communities, and provide an alternative to the commercialized content on social media.
The Golden Age of Personal Blogging
I miss blogs. Blogs or weblogs haven’t gone anywhere. Weblogs have been around since the 1990s, with digital journaling websites like LiveJournal and Blogger popping up in 1999.
In 2000, a web feed service called Really Simple Syndication or RSS feed, was created. It allows users to subscribe to their favorite website or blog updates.
Personal blogging took off during the early 2000s with self-publishing sites like WordPress and Blogger.
Today, the web is home to over 600 million blogs per Blogging Wizard. This staggering number reflects the diverse range of topics and voices that can be found online, from personal diaries and lifestyle tips to professional insights and niche interests.
Challenges of Social Media
In 2006, Twitter, the brainchild of ODEO, launched; however, I didn’t start using the social media platform until 2013. At the time, it was estimated that 100 million users were active on the social networking app.
I’d written it off as an app for tweens and young adults posting about what they ate for brunch. Twitter felt like I was tweeting into the void; every once in a while, the void replied.
Eventually, Twitter began to feel less like drifting in the expanse of space and more like attending an outdoor dinner party with friends. I built a following by participating in live Twitter chats. However, over time I began to notice the kinks in the social networking platforms.
As more users interact with content, the algorithm pushes more of the same content to its users. Social media networking platforms are in the business of harvesting users’ data and attention. Every comment, like, or retweet tells the algorithm what content to feed us. This data is collected and is for sale. Businesses pay social platforms to target us with personalized advertisements for products, services, and political messages. Social networking platforms are free for users because we are the product. Our attention and data are up for sale.
Looking back it’s amazing how these silly little apps on our pocket-sized computers gained popularity.
Have you ever been out to a restaurant and everyone’s eyes at the table are glued to their mobile devices?
Our mobile devices and apps are designed to capture and keep our attention. It seemed like everyone was on the big three: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Dopamine coursing through my veins. I wanted to be there too. I developed a case of FOMO (fear of missing out) whenever I wasn’t on it.
As I gained more followers on the social platforms, my feed exploded with “main character” nonsense and celebrity PR blunders.
I stumbled upon some social media accounts that were purposefully hyperbolic and antagonistic. When people retweet or comment on such content, their reactions are pushed into my feed. It became a chore to filter through the increasing cesspool of reactionary accounts of bigots and misinformation.
I was tired and anxious. Who knew that an infinitely loading feed featuring doom-and-gloom posts is a bad thing? I felt like I always had to be on the apps. It became a burden.
Overall, social media platforms have become more sophisticated, well-oiled machines. Content creators make money off platforms via affiliate and sales revenue. The influencers work to create content to publish on social media platforms that aim to engage users.
5 Benefits of Personal Blogging
I remember the early morning calm of starting my day sitting with a favorite snack and beverage reading the blogs in my RSS feed.
During these moments, I can learn a new skill, develop a hobby, or simply read to understand what life is like on the other side of the planet. Reading what is possible inspired me to start my own blog.
Initially, I had no idea what to write about so I started with my interest in learning to code. Through my blog, I connected with a community of learners and collaborated on projects.
Since then, I’ve kept a blog in one form or another over the years.
Personal blogs allow for genuine self-expression without the pressure of likes and shares. To begin with, writing can help you to:
- Learn a new skill or hobby. By documenting your experiences, you create a reflective space to track progress and challenges.
- Practice your craft. Personal blogging provides a valuable space for honing your craft whether that’s becoming a better home cook or keeping up with current events.
- Build a network within your industry. By sharing insights, experiences, and expertise, you can attract like-minded professionals. Also, engaging with readers through blog comments can foster connections and build relationships offline.
- Explore new ideas or flesh out your opinion. Exploring new ideas encourages creativity and broadens our understanding of the world.
- Improve communication skills. Regularly sharing your insights and experiences, allows you to experiment with different writing styles and tones.
When you write for yourself you don’t have the pressure of writing for an engagement algorithm. I gained a sense of clarity in the absence of instant gratification.
However, if you’re hungry for some social engagement, consider joining a writing group. Pick one or two places to post your writing for feedback. During your downtime read and comment on other people’s blogs.
Eventually, you’ll develop an organically built, tight-knit community based on your shared interests and experiences.
How to Start or Revive Your Blog Today
Start by building a writing habit.
Building a habit where you can focus on writing can be a simple process.
Here’s how I approach my writing sprints during the day. I find a quiet place and set my timer for five minutes. During the five minutes, I write whatever comes to mind – not worrying about spelling or grammar.
When the timer runs out, I read over what I wrote. I ask two questions: Did I capture anything I want to explore in my writing? What ideas or topics come to mind?
Be consistent with your writing schedule.
Start by making time in your schedule to focus on your creativity. Choose a day of the week to write and publish new blog posts.
Block off time on your calendar to make sure you keep the commitment. This is your content publishing schedule.
Find a creative space to work uninterrupted.
I have a desk that I use as a workstation. I write on my laptop and keep a pen and notebook handy to capture ideas.
Though I do most of my writing at home on a desk, I sometimes go to the library or the coffeehouse for a change of scenery. You can customize your space to suit your creative needs.
Choose a blog platform.
WordPress.com – a popular free and simple blogging platform. When you sign up for an account at WordPress.com, you’ll also gain access to the WordPress Reader, an RSS feed of all blogs hosted on the platform.
WordPress.org is for self-hosted websites. This option requires a more involved setup, however, it offers the most flexibility and control over your published content.
Tumbler is a microblogging platform owned by Automattic the company that owns WordPress.com and maintains WordPress.org.
Another option is Blogger, a content management system owned by Google since 2003. Users can also use a custom domain name (example.com) to help their site stand out and improve their branding.
Medium – Medium launched in 2012 as a publishing platform for journalists, but has morphed into a blogging platform with a mix of professional and amateur writers.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of blog writing platforms. Here are some things to consider when choosing a blog platform:
- Is it easy to navigate and update your blog so you can focus on your writing and publishing schedule?
- Does the platform have a variety of templates and themes you can customize to change the look and layout of your blog?
- Are there SEO-friendly features built-in so your audience can better find your blog in search engine results?
- Can you easily scale and integrate more apps as your blog grows its readership?
Personal blogging offers a refuge for authentic self-expression and meaningful connections.
Escaping the noise of algorithms won’t be easy. However, we can learn to practice a more intentional form of writing that allows us to reclaim our narratives and engage with ideas more thoughtfully.
