This discussion is prompted by my own personal experience and a sort of response post by Ashley from Nosegraze on What to do with blogging advice, (specially when you’re fucking sick of it). I think she has a point!
So, there is advice. There is tons of advice. Writing about blogging itself has become sort of a trend. And that is the true. Even us, most book bloggers post at least the occasional post about blogging itself, which is part of the experience and most people accept it. But getting back on track, we’re talking here about blogs that are, or are becoming dedicated to giving blogging tips.
What I think
Do we need blogging tips?
A lot of us, specially newbies benefit from these tips, so yes, I do think they’re important. And we do need people willing to share their experience and knowledge with us.
Is there really too much blogging advice out there?
Yes, I think so. Like Ashley said, there most of these bloggers are just trying to help, and hey if they’re monetizing their knowledge in some way through it, then yay for them! But now, with their success, a lot of people have started paying attention. Like, ‘Hey, I’ve been blogging for some time too. Okay, let’s do this.’ The ‘market’ has become saturated with blogging blogs.
Is that a bad thing?
Why ? There a shit ton of book bloggers and people accept it as a fact. No one that I know of has begun complaining that there are too many and they should stop. As there are a lot of writing blogs too.
In my opinion, there are just so many ways to write, to blog, that maybe it’s actually a good idea to have a lot of advice. Maybe one is for more organized, goal-oriented people, and other could be more relaxed and blog-for-fun-ish.
So, what’s the deal then?
I can see why this may irk some people.
- You don’t like being told what to do
- You’ve followed their advice and you don’t see the results you expected
- You’re getting sick of everyone following the trend
But, at the end of the day, you can’t tell people to stop doing their thing, just like no one can tell you you shouldn’t be a book blogger because there are so many already. Don’t we review more or less the same books? So why do we read different blogs? You answer that and you’ll know why I think it’s okay to have a lot of blogging advice out there.
However, I do find the trend thing bothersome when it’s just obvious that the person is only in it because of that reason, because that’s what everyone is doing. You just know when that happens.
Yes, there’s too much advice out there and it’s basically the same thing repeated over and over. However, I do think that it can be helpful sometimes, when you’re a new blogger or maybe feeling a bit uninspired hehe.
Well when I first started blogging, I would constantly seek out these blog advice post. Even now, I can’t help it! I want to know whether there’s something I could/should be doing. But so many of these posts are just unnecessary because they’re rehashing the same thing and as a result, I start feeling like it’s a waste of time. So yes, tips and advice is important but if a blog just has a bunch of advice posts that aren’t a unique ‘take’ on the same-old same-old, I’m probably not going to follow haha.
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I would agree with you that there are a TON of book blogs out there, and we accept that. But, we’re not all talking about the same books, so even though it’s the same general topic, I find the information to be diverse. I don’t feel the same way with blogging advice blogs– all of it seems to be the same content and advice just with a different voice or different color schemes or different designs on their free printable. But, perhaps I’m not their intended audience either. My end goal isn’t to monetize my blog so I can quit my day job.
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You have an incredible point there! I hadn’t thought about that. The content itself definitely makes the difference. There are some advice blogs that offer really unique content, but others that not so much. Thanks for your imput!
I never really liked anyone giving me advice. It’s kind of because I tend to be a very susceptible person and there was a while in my childhood where I would do EVERYTHING EVERYONE ELSE DID OR SAID. I’m through with that now, but I’m still really, really scared of people telling me to do stuff. But I read the posts anyway for some odd reason. *stabs self-control*
I don’t consider myself a book blogger. I consider my blog a life / personal / weird rants blog that interacts with the book blogging community, which means I get a huge amount of freedom regarding what I can post. So all the “you should do this” posts are kind of annoying…
But still. People should write whatever they want.
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I am a very new blogger, and thus like blogging advice. But I tend who avoid sites whose only purpose is to SELL blogging advice. I have been looking for advice posts on blogs that I like for other reasons
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I tend to like blogging advice posts when they’re done in a positive manner (like Shannon said). I agree with you that if you don’t like a topic, it’s easy to skip it – and it might be helpful for someone else. Of course, no one should read blogging advice posts and think of them as “rules” – they’re almost always opinions (unless it’s like a tutorial or something). So you just have to decide which advice you agree with and which advice you want to ignore!!
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Hmm this is a good question! On one hand, I definitely feel like everyone should just post what makes them happy, so in that respect, if blogging advice is making you happy, then sure, have at it! But as a reader? Eh. I mean, some advice pieces ARE phenomenal and helpful- and yes, they ARE incredibly helpful to new bloggers. Here’s my pet peeve: Blogging advice that comes of as “better than”. For example, I have seen posts that are basically just bragging under the guise of “advice”. No one needs those. But then there are some really great tips and tricks, and I am genuinely interested. I think as long as the person writing the post is being genuine about giving the advice, then I’d lean more toward it being a good thing (even if I personally don’t always care 😉 )
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OMG I hadn’t thought about that one! But it’s definitely true, sometimes it does have some bragging undertones! But yes, you’re right, generally a good thing, even though we may choose to follow some advice and others, like Ashley so eloquently put it, ‘put them in the I don’t give a shit’ folder’. :3
I think it’s great that there’s so much blogging advice out there! But I think the thing is, when it comes to any advice about any topic, you always have take it with a grain of salt. You should never just automatically believe everything you read, especially since different things work better for different people. But that’s why having so many blogging advice blogs is a good thing since it means each person can find one that clicks with them and their style. And at the end of the day, each person needs to decide what’s best for them. No one’s forcing anyone to read advice blogs or to follow the advice 🙂
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I’m actually okay with them. Sure there are tons lf them, but it’s not like it’ll damage us. I mean, you’re a newbie blogger? Then read it, and if you’re not or you don’t like being told? Just skip it. My point is, advices and tips can be important and useful for someone, but it won’t harm anyone who don’t need it. Anyway, great topic! 🙂
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I love blogging advice posts! I find it so interesting, especially if it’s different to what’s already out there, if it’s new information. I often read blogging advice posts because it interests me., especially if it integrates book blogging!
New tips and new advice is great, but when it’s the same advice and same tips, it gets tedious to read.
Jordon @ Simply Adrift
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Exactly my thoughts! I think everyone can bring new things to the table, but the same things told the same way isn’t appealing at all.
Personally, I know when I was starting out I found blogging advice posts really useful, and I still do. I get that there are a lot of posts out there and people can get fed up of it, but at the end of the day if they don’t want to read blogging advice they don’t need to click on the post, or read it.
Great topic!
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