DISQUS

Roch · 8 months ago

Very well said! I love this post :)

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

Thank you Rochelle.

New Media Philippines · 8 months ago

Well said Janette. At the end of the day it really depends on what you want to accomplish with your blogging. Different motivations means different styles, strategies, and networks. What's good about division and formation of "clicks" and mini-tribes is that you actually get to attract more and more people to start blogging. Each group has it's own distinct flavor that can attract like-minded people.

See you tomorrow at the Social Networking Conference! Hopefully we find common time amidst the busy 2 days to talk. :)

Best,
Carlo

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

Thank you Carlo. With the diversity of bloggers, one thing that I hope critics will come to accept is the concept of respect on how others do their activities. In the end, we are all accountable for our actions and such can take us down or lift us up.

Cher Cabula · 8 months ago

I love this post! and yes..thank you for pointing out the fact that newbies should be given time to reach their full potential...I'm a newbie myself and this blogging thing is exciting and scary at the same time. I would love to be given equal opportunity but sometimes it's hard when you're on your own at first.
Keep writing more valuable posts such as this. have a great day. :-)

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

Thank you Cher. Yes, getting equal opportunity requires a lot of volunteer participation, good write-up output, and relationship building skills. But I'm sure, everything will be worth the effort as what you'll gain can be used even beyond blogging.

Badet · 8 months ago

I was once a Blogspot user and I've experienced a little discrimination in one of the events I attended to. Sad, but it does happen. Your post is an eye-opener.

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

Hi Badet. I think first-timers usually go through that process. However, once you start blogging with quality, it doesn't matter whether your blog is in a blogspot account.

aajao · 7 months ago

Ms. Badet, and can you imagine how bloggers who primarily use blogs from Multiply or Friendster are being "bashed"? wow. it indeed happens. I was once a witness of bloggers joking around that Multiply / Friendster bloggers should be disqualified from joining blogger events 'cause they aren't really bloggers. it was a joke, yes, but it isn't really a nice one.

anyway, i've been blogging for more than six years now, still on a free hosting site, blogspot, and i don't really care what others say. As i've shared with a blogger before, "we write to express, not to impress."

this is a very nice article, M. Janette. Thank you for this.

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

That is sad to hear. We need power users/bloggers from those communities to participate. They have an instant audience rin kasi for what they write.

aajao · 7 months ago

i know. :(

that's why i have a lot of respect on you. you are a BLOG AUTHORITY. You know how to reach out, extend help, share knowledge to the blogging community for it to grow, develop, and eventually become a recognized "voice" not only in the world wide web community but also in the society where the bloggers are.

Thank you and more power! :)

Micamyx · 8 months ago

I'm hoping a lot of people will be able to read this one :)

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

Hi Mica. Well at least it can give an alternative point of view. It is up to the reader to decide on its merit.

LetsGoSago.net · 8 months ago

Same here...I remember the old days...which is not so long ago, of course. :)

I love the diagram Ms. Janette. :)

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

Thanks Jonel. The diagram can also be found on the last chapter of the book. Cheers!

yapatoots · 8 months ago

Thank you for a wonderful post, Janette! I've been blogging for a long time now, but I consider myself a newbie blogger because it was just quite recently I discovered the blogging community, events, and even getting paid for it. For a long, long time I blogged as a venue to express my thoughts and explore my creative side only. Also, this was my way of being a writer, especially since it was really what I wanted to be. However, when I discovered blogging as a venue for advocacy and information (beyond my personal rants and raves), my eyes were opened to a whole new world, literally!!! I will be honest: I do get excited about the freebies I get, but I don't think this makes me less of a blogger...what really thrills me as a blogger is when I get comments about my posts, especially when I hear that the reader was moved by it. Eventually I hope I can be more than just a newbie blogger...

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

I think you are more than just a newbie blogger na as you discover how blogs can be used for advocacy. Nagka-higher meaning na siya for you.

I totally agree with you that receiving freebies doesn't make you any less of a blogger. High-five!

Meikah · 8 months ago

It's ironic, actually. Those who are really good and successful are the ones who are ready to help and lend a hand. I've experienced this with my blogger friends overseas. They helped me where I am today in my business blogs.

I agree with you, we bloggers should help each other out. I know you have been a great help to me, and I really appreciate it. All the best!

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

Hi Meikah. You have definitely helped me more and I very much appreciate it. =)

Mel Dominguez · 8 months ago

Thank you Janette for this post. Highly educational and enlightening. We will use this to educate our clients to make them understand the "politics of blogging". Your saga also applies to freelance journalists (from the traditional newspapers) who have similar predicaments.

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

Thanks Mel. I think the more perspective clients can see, they can make an informed decision with their programs.

ceblogger · 8 months ago

great post, janette!
there's this evolution of bloggers, and many of us went through this. it's not really good to look down on newbies. in three months time, they'll post a lot, network a lot, learn a lot, and earn PR3 quickly.

Snow · 8 months ago

Thanks Miss Janette for pointing them out! The post is educational so I hope this can be a wake-up call to some people who perceived that they own the blogosphere.

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

Hi Snow. I hope we will just all get along with each other and embrace our differences.

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

That is so true. Some evolve too in due time and take their blog to greater heights - that surprises us all.

Chris A. · 8 months ago

Read and noted this one.

I am also a witness (and maybe participated) in/to some of these bloggers politics which I am not really proud of. No need to wash hands about it. With these kinds of informative posts there will always be a bright light that will guide a mislead blogger back to his/her roots (if it is not that late). Will do spread this and hoped other bloggers may learn from this.

I all noticed that all the examples you've given only leads into one main negative human trait... being judgmental.

Janette Toral · 7 months ago

I guess it can't be helped at times when you see new kids on the block coming in strongly or aggressively in this space - that can be intimidating. I hope the presence of new ones will keep our feet on the ground.

Spyfrat · 8 months ago

wonderful thoughts. been "blogging" since 95 using a free site geocties.com. it was all passion, passion to teach and be heard. it was only last oct2008 that i actually used wordpress when i cannot accomodate the time needed to update my geocities site. last week i got myself a blogspot for a simple reason; mirror my wordpress and earn a buck or two in my blogspot's adsense. am i deviating from my passion (teaching technical analysis without expecting a return) or this is just the reality of life?

Ed · 8 months ago

Very well-said Ms. Janette. This is a reminder for everyone, popular or not, newbie or not.

earthlingorgeous · 8 months ago

Very Well Said! I hope "they" read this :)

batangyagit · 8 months ago

Thanks for this good post. It's good that someone see things at a different perspective. :)

Zhey · 8 months ago

Nice post Janet! You hit the nail right on the head with this one. A very big reason why I have grown weary of networking with fellow Pinoy bloggers is this. There is that "star complex" that make others feel like they are the "lesser and not-so-bright stars" in the sphere. It's sad that this is happening and it will really be a better blogosphere if it isn't so.

brVince · 8 months ago

Sometimes, we become bias to those who just started to blog. There's prejudices. Because I use free hosting site, it doesn't mean, I can't blog whatever I want; just like that...

Not only that. We tend to ignore, the worse, become indifferent to those bloggers who don't belong to our social network...

laskwatsera · 8 months ago

hi, ms. janet, this is an eye opener for me, i'm really new in blogging and i didn't even know yet about the politics going on here, well i guess whatever niche u go into, there will always be politics behind it, it's a matter of upholding ur principles that you are just doing what makes you happy without trampling someone else's , reputation or looking down at other people, although this is rather sad that instead of helping the new ones to reach their potential, they pull them down

Russell · 8 months ago

For a non-blogger, it is quite surprising to read something like this. Politics should always be shunned. We have more than enough with our own trapos.

I guess one reason this has become more widespread is because of competition. Competition for views and clicks and ads. And I think the main reason why there is an issue here is because of the objective bloggers have. I've always thought that bloggers merely wanted to have the chance to write about there own thoughts and experiences not really to have other people read it but just to have the chance to do so.

Blogie · 8 months ago

Very well put, Janette! I'm behind you 100%.

Cris N · 8 months ago

Hey this post is so timely. I'm now probably among those bloggers who finally decided that it's time to get his own identity by getting his own domain. This week I'm into an unexpectedly tedious task of migrating my wordpress.com blog to wordpress.org.

I'm also planning to get some ads and sponsors along the way.

Thanks again for this info.

Rom · 8 months ago

very true indeed, i have experienced such discrimination until now. one thing that i lay low on blogging and focus on creative writing. however my blogging spirit hasn't wane over yet, yes, it still here and not yet defeated and will not allow discrimination to trample it down. thanks Janet for a very warm insight. sa totoo lang i heard from a lot of people who knows you na mahirap kang abutin kaya sila nahihiya minsan na dumalo sa mga events mo, and sometimes i share the "hiya" though unfounded. Thanks again for this.

Roy · 8 months ago

this the absolute truth that others refused to acknowledge.

they just think they do, but after reading your post, they go back to their blogs and start classifying bloggers like they are the authority when it comes to bloggers and blogging -- all in the guise of 'an opinion'

I find it funny that you even qualified it by saying 'Even this post' but you are right. I understand why you took time to create this post, because by doing so you might become what they are.

But there's a difference, yours doesn't judge and doesn't qualify. In fact, you mediate as you stand in the middle. 'Theirs' were one-sided and with total disregard of the others POV and state of being, it's like blogging at the expense of other bloggers.

and lastly, I just want to quote my favorite part of your post:

"At the end of the day, bloggers can't be generalized and no one has any right to say who is superior and who is not. Even this post, take it with a grain of salt. Don't count on it. Use your own practical judgment."

Thanks for this article... let's hope it reaches THROUGH them.

Ariel S. Betan · 8 months ago

Well said Janet.

This is the essence of democracy and blogging is just one of the venue (using technology) for free speech. If they don't like what is written or the writer they have the option not to read just as much as we have the right to express our opinion and the right to earn a living.

jangeronimo · 8 months ago

Ah, the insulares of the Pinoy blogosphere. Maybe we should do as Donya Victorina does - run after these guys and take out their dentures so they will do no further harm.

I like the tone of your post - very rational and even fair to these insulares. Indeed it is true, blog readers take verbal cues from the author, positively influencing the readers tone as well. I'm now constrained to temper my language to suit the marvelous levelheadedness you so amply put into this post. Which is a strange experience for me because I tend to fly off the handle easily.

Lovely read for a gloomy overcast Wednesday. I can only agree with your concerns. This perks me up. Splendid post. Thanks...

islandhopper · 8 months ago

For the longest time, I have "blogged in private." I know that sounds like an oxymoron. I meant I blogged for my own expression and sharing with family and close friends. I knew there was a world out of there of bloggers, a subculture so to speak, that I was reluctant to join because most seem so savvy in the game. Very intimidating to me.

This post proves that idea that I know so little about this world.

But I like your attitude. I like how humble and level headed you are, even if you are, with no argument, one of the forerunners of Philippine internet. I remember writing papers in communication class where I cited or quoted you.

Great message.

Dinah · 8 months ago

Thank you for this post. It is very encouraging to new bloggers like me who gets branded just because.

Sonnie · 8 months ago

the blogosphere is like the real world, harsh and cruel at times, but that's life. while we have an "ideal" world, it's far from reality. posts like this restores the balance and make people (and bloggers) strive to meet in the middle and co exist peacefully. opinions are generated based on set values which differs from person to person. both sides are right from their perspective. to express an opinion is not wrong per se, but to impose it to another is a different story.

Prejudices exist, between those with their own domain and those with none. Those who accept paid reviews, and those, for some reason, finds it unethical. To those banned by google and those who are not. Those w/ PR and those with 0. Those who sell text link ads and those who don't. Those who are giving (paid or not) their services to politicians and those who don't. Those who got invited to events and those who are not. Those who attend events for freebies and those who don't. And the list just goes on and on.

We all share the same space in the blogosphere and sparks are bound to happen. This post, hopefully, will sharpen the saw (for improvement/maturity).

Great thoughts Janet and see you on I-blog 5

Jing · 8 months ago

for me, i just concentrate on my own niche. don't want to attend blog events. i just write good stuff and no trash.

elmot · 7 months ago

i agree with your last point. sometimes being quite and letting these types of nasty name-calling pass thinking that "it will pass and let us just move on" makes the issue more complex the injury perpetuate even longer.

people like carlo who does not seem to show respect to fellow bloggers needs some spanking to let them know that their freedom ends at the tip of their nose.

WhatsACoder · 7 months ago

What a cool post, I never know that blogging has politics behind it. You're such a great writer, I hope i have your skills too, simple and straight... I'll be following this from now on...

cpsanti · 7 months ago

i've had both good and bad experiences since i started blogging. but i try to brush off the detractors and stick to those who seem nice. i think blogging is all about the golden rule ;-)

pinaymommy · 6 months ago

I really like this post. I hope some bloggers will have the chance to read this.

I for one felt so sad when someone labeled me as "a bad blogger" for accepting paid posts. Though I don't have a disclosure policy, I have been transparent since my blogging existence that I am indeed doing paid posts. It's my way of earning online and yes...I put food on the table, pay bills with it and trying to make ends meet. So, I think nobody has the right to label anyone.

Like aajao said, "we write to express, not to impress" and if we earn from expressing our opinions and thoughts, I guess that is an added benefit of blogging.

Thanks Ms. Janette for a wonderful post!! Kudos to you!! ^_^

Millionaire Acts · 6 months ago

Different persons blog for different purposes. Most people blog for extra income. Others they blog for expressing their thoughts And others blog to impress others. Nonetheless, bloggers should network from each others, learn from one another and build a very good and useful blogosphere.

Jerome Baladad · 3 months ago

great reading this piece; will be reading your updates on this topic. yes, very very true, i agree with a lot of points you covered in your posting. am myself a bloggger and a freelance online content writer. i sense similar things even here in the USA (NYC), where i'm based. yes, it's actually very political, since certain bloggers are getting clout, or some sense of power nowadays, whereas before, they're just being ignored. i think part of these developments has been an indirect ploy from well entrenched groups in the publishing or media industries & other related groups, as they're gradually losing business from bloggers. but i've also read certain bloggers come up with a condescending attitude toward other bloggerss (i guess that's human nature) ---i'm just on the view that these things will continue to happen. in the meantime, i just have a lot to do, that i can barely notice who's saying something "negative" to others.

Janette Toral · 3 months ago

Hi Jerome. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you that it will just continue. Posted this just to air my position on the matter to be clear or transparent with bloggers and advertisers who wants to work with me.