Why Writing is STILL the Most Important Aspect of Blogging
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Many moons ago I read someone else's blog post about why writing doesn't really matter in the blogosphere (ugh, that word) anymore. I can't remember where I read it, but I do remember several points she made: people mostly look at the pictures, they skim the text, people are overwhelmed by large amounts of text... in three words: People don't read. While I do agree that many people simply skim the text, I very firmly believe the author was wrong about writing being unimportant. Very, very wrong. Coincidentally, around the same time I had also read a blog post titled "Is there any room for writers on the Internet Any More?". Well, I would like to consider myself at least a decent writer, so naturally my knee jerk reaction was to run outside and scream yes! Yes, there is more than enough room for us on the Internet! In fact, there should be more writers on the internet!
And there should be more quality writers. Personally, I still think writing is the most important aspect of blogging for many reasons.
One of the biggest reasons for this is, as a writer, I like to read! If you write an essay to go with your latest outfit or photography post, rest assured that I am going to read your words when they grace my screen. In fact, I would usually rather read words than have a video tutorial. (Speaking of which, video is apparently the latest fad in blogging. Well, I'm sorry, but that's not going to work for me. While I have admittedly enjoyed learning about photography, videography is not my thing, and I have no desire to be in front of a video camera, thus showing you how clumsy I can be. But that's a rant for another day.) If the author is good, and they have something worthwhile to say, I really think quite a lot of people read blog posts. In fact, I think we read, period.
You see, reading is how we learn about the world around us. We wouldn't be looking at blog posts if we weren't looking for information or at least entertainment. We don't read the news or crack open a novel only for the pictures, so why would an outfit post or DIY tutorial be any different? Why would we seek any information if we did not want to find answers to our questions? Simply put, we wouldn't. Or at least I wouldn't. When you write a blog post, whether it is a recipe, a tutorial, or even an outfit post, people get curious about your thoughts and opinions and sometimes even what you had for breakfast. Now, to be clear, there will always be people who skim, but those people are likely not coming back to your blog anyway, or at least will not be a regular contributor to your content. So please, writers of the Internet, speak to us as readers, not just photo viewers, and I promise to do the same.
Before we go any further I must say the following: I am not bashing on photography. I LOVE photography! This blog would not be the same without the photography! In fact, my photography journey has been one of the most fulfilling artistic experiences of my life. Nonetheless, if I only wanted to look at pictures, I would run to Pinterest and Instagram, just like if I only wanted to post photos all the time, I would use Pinterest and Instagram. Blogs are, in my opinion, for savoring the content, not just rapidly hitting "like." There's a little more to it than that.
Blogging is, in my opinion, a complete art form. As with all arts, the proper tools are necessary to create: cameras need lenses and dancers need shoes. To be missing writing in blogging is to have a painting without a paintbrush. Sure, you can smear the colors around, but at the end of the day the message may not be as clear as it would have been with the proper tools. Furthermore, art begets art, so to have multiple art forms together as one provides a greater perspective and a sense of completion. A blog post with only photos can be fun some of the time, but really, I want to open something with all of the pieces - a mixed media puzzle pieced together with intention, so to speak. I want to connect with bloggers and feel like there is some sort of reader-writer relationship. And I don't think I'm the only one.
What about you? Are you into writing and reading or not so much?
Stay Beautiful,
XOXO Liz
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