Or, what does it mean to become a problogger?
Nope, I’m not talking about Darren Rowse here. It’s all about professional blogging in general.
I’ve been using the term “professional blogger” long before the term ever became popular. I started writing articles about problogging even before the idea seemed feasible. That’s why when you type the term “professional blogger” on Google, you’ll find ShaiCoggins.com listed at #5 on page 1. And, #s 6 & 7 on the list are both pages that I wrote (via my Web Logs site on About.com).
And now, one of the common questions I get is: “What do you mean when you say you’re a professional blogger?” or “What does it really mean to be a professional blogger?”
I’ve always answered this briefly. But, I now realise that there is more to it than simply “getting paid to blog.”
But, before I get more in to this, I’d like to ask you what you think. Should there be guidelines on who should call themselves professional bloggers? If not, why? If yes, what do you think should the guidelines be?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
AnP 09.22.05 at 2:52 pm
One is a professional if one engages in an activity as a source of livelihood or as a career; One is a professional if one gets paid for what one does; One can also be called a professional if one shows great skill or if one is an expert.
PROFESSIONAL BLOGGING is just about the same. If you earn, well and good. If you are good at it, even better.
I cannot understand people who try to make it sound as if it’s something to be put in a pedestal. It should be treated the same way other professions are treated.
[Reply]
Arieanna 09.23.05 at 7:21 pm
I agree, in a way. I am a professional blogger – the term may be novel and get some shocked looks, but in the end, it is just another profession. You don’t hear people saying they are a “professional doctor” or whatnot – I really do think it’s the novelty. Perhaps some day we can just say “blogger”, who knows.
I am a (professional) blogger because that is how I earn my living.
[Reply]
hlei 09.24.05 at 5:19 pm
I think aside from earning money, another main criteria for a professional blogger is someone who is diligent about blogging regularly (probably more than once a day); usually on a specific topic or topics.
[Reply]
Shi 09.29.05 at 3:29 pm
I was hired for the day job as a blogger, though now my assignemnt has changed. I still think I am a professional blogger because I am doing another blog for a fee. But my home page (blog) is where as a writer I refashion my ideas. That too is a professional. No?
[Reply]
Shai Coggins 09.30.05 at 12:14 pm
AnP: I definitely agree. There is more to professional blogging than just getting paid, yes. But, it isn’t on a pedestal.
Arienna: Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I think we often use the term “professional” in many other aspects where people practice something in an amateur fashion (or as a hobby). Examples: Professional basketball players, professional tennis players, professional painters, professional photographers, etc. So, it’s not really a surprise we can add “professional” to the term ‘blogger’ as there are many, many bloggers who do this on an amateur/hobby level. And, that’s okay. The thing is, it shouldn’t really be an issue.
Good luck with the pro-blogging!
Lei: I guess, that’s a different kind of way of looking at it. But, I’m not quite sure how that fits the big picture.
Shi: On your home page – I guess it depends. However, if you’re already pro blogging elsewhere, then you ARE a pro blogger.
[Reply]
hlei 09.30.05 at 2:59 pm
What I meant was that a professional blogger also has to be dedicated enough to work at blogging as they would any other job. People who want to make a go at blogging professionally and make money must treat it seriously instead of thinking they can do it haphazardly.
[Reply]