Category Archives: Blogging

April 9, 2013 · 11:12 pm

My Blogging Reality, Guilt and Hopes

Sydney Harbour - HannahAll I can seem to write about lately are random (somewhat homesick) posts about being an expat, thoughts on being American and reflections on what I miss the most about Ohio. The Tribe season opener was yesterday, and I wanted to be back in Cleveland so badly (and I’m not even that huge of a baseball fan). I don’t publish most of what I write. I just enjoy venting sometimes.

I feel like I should be writing more industry posts related to my work. I’ve had some great learns from my most recent work with Rocketman. However, it feels forced. I sit down to write and I feel so flat about it. I don’t want to publish posts on my personal blog that I’m not feeling passionate about. It seems pointless.

The posts that I really want write and share are about my life in Sydney. I want to record foodie adventures and discovering local venues in Darlinghurst. Instead I just write the occasional 100-word Yelp review. It feels like I never have time to blog, but I guess I just haven’t made it a priority.

Any advice for me on how to get out of this blogging slump?

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August 7, 2012 · 8:22 pm

Blogging for a Cause

I love storytelling through blogs. I wish I told more meaningful stories here actually (need to work on that). Blogging is one way you can give a voice to a person, group or organisation that might not have their own voice online yet. I like shout-outs and links on Twitter, but those short-forms posts don’t always deliver.

I experienced the idea of what blogging for a cause means firsthand a few years ago. I wrote a blog post about a volunteer group I absolutely (and still do) adored called Columbus Gives Back. The next month while helping out at one of their events I was talking to my friend Steph who was volunteering for the first time with that group. Even though she was someone I regularly caught up with, she told me that she had found out about Columbus Gives Back from my blog post. I was amazed. Firstly, because I didn’t think anyone besides my mum and flatmate read my blog and secondly, that my writing could cause someone to take an action (that was awesome).

I’m not telling this story because I think I’m special or because I believe that I’m motivating people to volunteer. Steph was a friend, that’s why she read my blog post and she’s a wonderful, caring person so that’s why she signed up to volunteer. This experience was insignificant in the wider scheme of outcomes, but an important lesson for me personally. It introduced me to the idea that we can share a message that’s worth sharing and reach people online far beyond our day-to-day interactions.

While I’ll always tweet links to stupid YouTube clips, and blog about my favourite foods in Sydney, I hope that I also make a choice at times to talk about meaningful topics on my blog. I like having conversations that matter offline and online. Just something to think about more I suppose.

Share your story. Have you ever blogged for a cause? 

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March 4, 2012 · 11:28 pm

My Neglected Google Reader

The way I consume blogs has changed. I used to follow specific blogs and people. I enjoyed this. You appreciate blogs that you follow over a period of time — you learn things about that blogger that help to fill in the gaps when reading. It gives new posts context. I’ve also found that following a blog over time is like watching a comedy series on TV. The humor grows on you at times. I think reading the same blog long term can make you appreciate that blogger’s wit and writing style.

Over the last couple years I find myself still reading a lot of blog posts, but few blogs. I read articles shared on Twitter and Facebook, while my Google Reader is rarely checked.  I feel that that still enjoy and connect with the content, but often know nothing of the author.

I’m not entirely sure why this happened. Part of it might have been the explosion of blogs out there. It seems like everyone and their dog has a blog now. I don’t mind this, but it’s tough to comb through all the information. I also can’t keep up with such a long list of blogs. I feel as though I need a curated cut of the best posts. By only reading posts recommended and shared on Twitter I hope that this is what I’m getting. However, I still miss following blogs. How do I find a balance in this without spending an insane number of hours reading blogs?

Do you follow specific bloggers on a day to day basis?

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