The “B” Word: Is Blogger A Bad Word?

The “B” Word: Is Blogger A Bad Word?
By: Taylor Davies

When it comes down to it, I suppose you could say I’m a professional blogger. Though I consider IFB to be more of a website than a blog these days, it’s beginnings (and our whole foundation) is rooted in this platform. So, am I writer, an editor or a blogger?

I can’t (yet) put my finger on exactly why, but it feels like even after all this time and all the evolution the blogging industry has gone through, there’s still a bit of a stigma around the term blogger. Perhaps because people have been calling themselves writers for centuries, we’re still adjusting to considering this a serious vocation.

I’ve grown more accustomed to telling people, “I blog about blogging” recently, but I still wonder if being labeled as a blogger (either self-imposed or otherwise) – especially when interacting with people outside the industry – effects how seriously they view me and my professional career.

At larger blogs, or, online media publications, the content producers are often given the title of editor. (Like me!) True, editors at The Cut, Fashionista, and FabSugar are probably editing content as well as producing it, but let’s be real – they’re bloggers too!

So what is it about the word, “blogger?” Does the general public still equate this term with basement-dwelling nerds with too much free time and too many opinions? Within the online community, we know that many bloggers are savvy professionals in a lucrative field – one that’s at the front-lines of innovation in the digital space. But what about everyone else?

Does “blogger” have a different connotation than “fashion blogger?” I’m proud of what I do, and will tell anyone willing to listen that I write two fashion blogs and “blog about blogging” for a living – because I think it’s amazing. However, I’ve been greeted with smirks and back-handed compliments in response more often than not.

What will it take for fashion bloggers, personal style bloggers and bloggers in general to be taken seriously?

Do you think blogger is still a bad word in the publishing industry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Comments

Steal the B's Look says:

July 30, 2012 at 2:17 pm · Reply

Great article! I think people still look at blogging as ‘nerds in a basement’ or ‘mothers in their home offices’ rather than professional writers. We’re writers using a better technology than print.

Love this blog, really helps me (new fashion blogger)! Proud to say I’m a “Blogger”
Ashley Garner says:

July 30, 2012 at 2:19 pm · Reply

This has been a topic that I have been coming back to time and time again. Bloggers are still a fairly new concept in the world of social media but at the same time as they are finding their niche you are seeing people like Bryan Boy, Susie Lau of Style Bubble, and Fashion Toast’s Rumi Neely sitting at the front row of the most exclusive fashion show’s around the world.

I recently went to listen to a discussion between Andre Leon Talley and Robin Givhan (the first fashion journalist to ever with a Pulitzer Prize). Robin Givhan made some very interesting comments about how the reason that bloggers get such bad press is because many of them have become self indulging and narcissistic. None of them are making commentary on the collections and are instead praising anything that will get them free clothes and collaborations with their websites. Fashion bloggers have begun watering down their opinions to the point that you can go onto 100 fashion blogs and find everyone raving about Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld, but where is the journalism? The criticism? The other side of the story?

I may be ranting here but this has been a very big issue that is facing bloggers today. I know there are many bloggers out there who do make valid arguments and commentary on the collections and such, but there are many other bloggers that are allowing money and free clothes to over power their voice. As a fashion blogger myself I know that all of us love fashion, clothes, and free things, but it is important for us as a community to not get lost in the materialism of it all.
Another issue faced by fashion bloggers in the lack of professionalism I see in many blogs today. There are times when it is appropriate to post a snap shot that is out of focus or an Instagram photo but the majority of the time it isn’t. A blog is just another name for a website, and like any website you want to have quality photos, organization, an easy to follow layout, and a purpose. Many blogs today have poor quality photos, grammatical issues, and a lack of purpose. Thus why publishers may scoff at you when you say your a blogger. As a publisher you work with serious minded artists in graphic design, conceptualizing, styling, art direction, and more. When they see how many “bloggers” out there have no clue what they are actually doing it is understandable that the perception of fashion bloggers is low.

So my point in all of this is that “blogger” does not have to be a bad word in the publishing industry as long as you a bringing quality content and professionalism to your blog versus water-downed posts of free things and sub-par Instagram pictures. Go through the top blogs like The Glamourai, Style Bubble, The Man Repeller and see what these people are doing that makes them the best on the market and how they are trying to turn “blogger” from a bad word into a serious career.
- Neekoh says:
  
  July 31, 2012 at 1:50 pm · Reply
  
  “Another issue faced by fashion bloggers in the lack of professionalism I see in many blogs today. ”
  
  My sentiment exactly. I just can’t take anyone seriously when they don’t know how to use apostrophes correctly or can’t distinguish between “your” and “you’re.” Until you can create a credible website — one that has a well-thought-out and communicated message — I don’t think you can be called a writer. The line can be blurry, but you can’t tell me you don’t see the difference between a professional blog/website and an amateur one.
- Ana Carneiro says:
  
  August 4, 2012 at 7:06 am · Reply
  
  I agree with both your comment and Neekoh’s comments and I have only one thing to add:
  As a fashion editor, they really know the fashion industry top to bottom: That means that they know a lot more about clothes than brands’ names and their latest collections! They know the fabrics, the cuts, the name and work behind every neckline!
  Therefore, and for as long as there are successful fashion bloggers who buy clothes at Primark and such and brag about it, fashion bloggers won’t be taken seriously! How can they? Because last time I checked, there’s a big difference between styling Zara’s cotton shirts and Primark’s polyester dresses.
  - Neekoh says:
    
    August 5, 2012 at 8:07 pm · Reply
    
    @Ana, you are absolutely right and I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. Nicely put… that’s certainly the clear line between editor and blogger.
natasha @onewomansstylee says:

July 30, 2012 at 2:34 pm · Reply

I am so glad that you started this conversation. I’m concerned with this topic as well. “Blogger” has weight in New York city but not where I live although its only 2 hrs away. I used to publish a physical paper here and the reception is definitely different from the days when I introduced myself as a publisher. Just last week it was like pulling teeth to get an organization to send me their event info for a special posting that I did. In the end, I had to get it from somewhere else.

I noticed certain blogging collectives branding their bloggers as content publishers. I am getting ready to order business cards for IFBCon but I will wait to see how people respond before deciding if I am gonna go forward with blogger, online publisher or content curator.
Rachel says:

July 30, 2012 at 2:35 pm · Reply

Now I think about it, I make it clear I’m a lifestyle blogger not a fashion blogger. There is nothing wrong with fashion bloggers, I love and admire so many talented and incredible fashion bloggers, but I think I subconsciously edit it to make myself not sound stupid (and I do write more about food than fashion anyway!) I know purposely when I’m in social situations with people who work in politics, which happens a lot I make it clear I am a writer (I let gigs like writing for The Guardian online take precedence over my style blog, which is my main earner) as political bloggers in Britain have a really bad rep and I knowingly don’t want to be scarred with the same brush. If I had to choose one though, I would call myself a writer not a blogger, because I do lots of other writing other than on my blogs, and the writing I do on my blogs does still make me a writer! I have been blogging for three years, and I have been having my writing published for six years. I’m a writer who is also a blogger, I think!
Pam says:

July 30, 2012 at 2:50 pm · Reply

I see Myslef as a Writer because, I”m also a Writer in Other things also and have another blog, I see myslef as a Blogger & writer, But when People ask me, What do you do? I reply, I’m a writer & blogger, And I own two blogs,One is a Fashion Blog and another is health Blog. I see myself as Both. Most of the time people, Will say, Wow! that’s awesome! what It’s Like?? And I tell them. we can’t limit ourselves either as bloggers if You like other stuff,Put it in your blog or start another one!!
XOXO Pam
Pam says:

July 30, 2012 at 2:50 pm · Reply

I see Myself as a Writer because, I”m also a Writer in Other things also and have another blog, I see myself as a Blogger & writer, But when People ask me, What do you do? I reply, I’m a writer & blogger, And I own two blogs,One is a Fashion Blog and another is health Blog. I see myself as Both. Most of the time people, Will say, Wow! that’s awesome! what It’s Like?? And I tell them. we can’t limit ourselves either as bloggers if You like other stuff,Put it in your blog or start another one!!
XOXO Pam
the sparkle (@erincg) says:

July 30, 2012 at 2:55 pm · Reply

such an articulate article. i think it does have a negative connotation for the exact reasons you listed. i prefer to say that i run a lifestyle website… it’s not an exact title, but it’s descriptive of what i do. x

http://www.thesparkle.net
Georgina says:

July 30, 2012 at 3:00 pm · Reply

I don’t think there is a negative connotation – most notably when I tell people I maintain a lifestyle blog they seem incredibly interested in the entire process.

I also sell freelance pieces so I do consider myself a “writer,” but am proud of both titles!
J'ara Ami says:

July 30, 2012 at 3:11 pm · Reply

… in addition to my earlier comment; after reading some of the other comments I think the confusion also comes from the term not being clarified.

What exacting is a blogger? What does your space on the internet have to include or not include for it to be classified as a ‘blog’? According to the comments I have read here, blogging is about the writing? This may be the case for fashion blogs, but what about lifestyle bloggers, beauty bloggers, personal style blogs?

Blogs/bloggers like Dolce Candy, Andrea’s Choice, Beauty Crush and Xiaxue are four of the biggest bloggers around. The first (Dolce Candy) refers to herself as a blogger, she create video content as well as a ‘written’ blog. Dolce Candy’s ‘written’ blog does not have much text, the main purpose of her blog is to showcase her personal style and loves through pictures. Does this mean she is not a blogger?

Rumi Neely is another blogger who doesn’t write very much… its all about the photo’s and the style, however we still she her at all the top fashion shows across the world… Its this because she is a good writer or gives good critique on collections? Or is this because she is highly influential and can help boost sales and exposure for the designers?

What is it that makes Dulce Candy and Rumi Neely so different? Which one should we take more seriously or deem as more of a professional blogger?

What about blogs who have no text at all, only titles and descriptions with their images… are these photographers not bloggers also? There are some major street style blogs out there where the owners are making a significant living from their blog through advertising – are they not professional bloggers also?

When we as bloggers do not even understand what the term defines exactly, it is no wonder others do not take the word blogger seriously.
J'ara Ami says:

July 30, 2012 at 3:13 pm · Reply

(the 1st comment that didn’t post)

I think there is still confusion with the term blogger, I wouldn’t say it is a bad word or that it is necessarily frowned upon; just most people do not take it seriously.

I find even people within the industry look at you funny if you refer to blogging as your professional career or intended profession. I believe this is because the majority of people within the blogging community are not making enough money (if any at all) to classify themselves as ‘professional bloggers’.

I find a lot of bloggers feel ashamed to say that they take blogging seriously and want everyone to believe it is just a hobby and they are not blogging for money. Many bloggers are lead to believe if they blog for money their opinions are tainted or they will loose readers.

I think when bloggers understand a hobby/passion doesn’t have to stay that way, that it is ok to move to the next level and capitalise on something you love and enjoy – as long as you stay true to yourself and your opinions are always honest – they will take themselves more seriously and more people outside the community will in turn take us more seriously.
Pearl Westwood says:

July 30, 2012 at 4:30 pm · Reply

I think the term ‘blogger’ gets such a bad rep as there is nothing to distinguish the many different levels of bloggers, for example a top blog like The Glamouri and someone who just this minute sat down and started writing any old rubbish with grammar mistakes, unless you sit down and read the blog individually there is nothing such as a qualification or a rating system say that automatically divides the professional from the hobby. Where as if you are a writer you might have a university qualification or be a published author, there are ways to distinguish that. I think once more people get to know more about blogging and how some of us are professional ‘career’ bloggers then the term ‘blogger’ will loose its bad rep. Maybe blogging does need to have sub categories for people to understand that better? Lets not forget blogging is still a relatively new thing, many people in the street still dont even know what it is!
Jade says:

July 30, 2012 at 7:42 pm · Reply

I actually got laughed at the other week when I told someone that I couldn’t see them that night as I was creating a blog post for the next day. And I was pretty offended by it! I would in no way call myself an editor (as it’s only my own posts) or a writer/journalist (as my writing is pretty crap honestly!) But I do take my blog seriously and for other people to mock it kind of upset me. Oops, rant over
Annabel - Love My Dress Wedding Blog says:

July 30, 2012 at 11:45 pm · Reply

Wow, brilliant article.

I’ve been blogging now for 3 years and earning a living full time from blogging for around 16 months.

I feel proud telling people I’m a blogger – granted, at times it is often met with a curious look that suggests my conversation partner doesn’t understand what a blogger is, or does, but I’m really proud of what of the blog I’ve crafted and enjoy explaining to people what I do and how my blog has and continues to inspire so many.

As bloggers are are really kinda online journalists – we are reporting on trends and sharing news and information, but I don’t bestow that title upon myself because I haven’t trained in journalism – I picked up something that anyone can do – blogging – and turned it in to my profession

It’s very late {early!} here in the UK – I am up writing a very important project right now – writing that is, not blogging, for once! )

Annabel xXx
Yummy Mummy? Really? says:

July 31, 2012 at 3:49 am · Reply

Many of my real life friends don’t even know what blogging is still! And they certainly are not on Twitter yet. Social media is restricted to FB for them. When I do try what I love doing and about Twitter, pinterest etc I feel like I must be a nerd, yet actually it’s probably them that are behind the times. I somehow don’t feel I am allowed to call myself a writer as to date I’ve never been paid money to write. It must be an oldfashioned part of my psyche!

Great piece and thought provoking. Thanks
WorkOfStyle says:

July 31, 2012 at 5:30 am · Reply

This remind me of my grand-ma the other day: “what do you mean by ‘i’m a blogger’? How can on really WORK for a fashion website?” – this made me laugh because she’s just an old woman but that’s actually how most people will still react nowadays!

I think that blogger is still very much a “bad word”. Don’t define yourself as such if you want to be taken seriously. Yet, there’s been a real improvement. When you’re dealing with people from the fashion industry, they will give credit to the fact that you’re a blogger because they’ve witnessed how the influence of fashion bloggers kept increasing. i believe that in the future, more and more credit and recognition will be given to bloggers and you will be able to describe yourself as a blogger without people judging you (too much). In the meantime, we still have to be careful in the way we describe ourselves, our skills and what we do for a living!
Tanvi says:

July 31, 2012 at 10:39 am · Reply

I recently met some one at the airport lounge and we started talking and when he asked me what I do, I told him I am a blogger. His response, “Oh! We have one of those in every city, don’t we?” Now it wasn’t necessarily an insult or a compliment but I did feel belittled. Now that could be because of my own imagination. However, we have one of every profession in every city. So that remark really didn’t make any sense. Did it? But yes, the people who are not in “blogging industry”, it is hard to tell them the kind of impact “bloggers” have. I think slowly as the over all quality of content improves, the stigma will get broken as well.

∞ © tanvii.com ∞
moiminnie says:

July 31, 2012 at 10:53 am · Reply

I think bloggers who represent them only as bloggers and their blog is not that great quality are making a bad name for bloggers who really are doing a great job. I have this opinion that blogging should be a fun activity to showcase you and your style as an individual, but sadly with the sudden explosion of fashion blogs, it’s as interesting as saying “I’m a sales person.”
http://www.moiminnie.blogspot.com
xx
Kristian says:

July 31, 2012 at 12:17 pm · Reply

Its not something I would probably mention in an interview as a hobby (I might instead say I like to write or photograph). Not because I’m ashamed, but I think in someways, if those I interview with know what blogging is at all, I think it might conjure up more of a Myspace sort of a feeling, which is not accurate at all. Of course, since I’m a teacher, maybe people tend to be more judgmental anyway (I’ve noticed some people feel they have that right since their children are left with us).

I think it would be different if blogging was my job. Then…well, you’re in a sector that should be more familiar with what bloggers do anyway, and at any rate, you are trying to make money. Being the most accurate and transparent you can would seem to help, I’d think. But, perhaps that stigma is there even in the professional realm…
Zoobia says:

July 31, 2012 at 8:49 pm · Reply

I personally don’t know anyone in real life who has a blog. This means that I hesitate to mention my blog and any of the conflicts that arise in my “blog life” to those people because I know they don’t understand or take these issues seriously. It’s not a big deal, and everyone has a right to care or not care about whatever they please, but it makes me feel like I have to hide a big part of myself from them. People who are not interested in blogging, especially fashion blogging, hear about people like Tavi and let their opinion of well-known bloggers dictate their opinions of any blogger. But there is a big difference between Tavi-esque bloggers and people who just photograph their daily style. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so, but the labels need to reflect the diversity within the category. If you take pictures of your style and blog about your outfits, that makes you a style blogger. I don’t understand why people think that’s fashion blogging, because it’s not. You’re not writing about fashion. So the blogger’s who are in it for the free clothes and designer collaborations do not accurately portray “fashion blogging” and yet many people both inside and outside the blog world equate “style blog” with “fashion blog.” When people mistakenly equate the two, it sends out an inaccurate image to the outside world, and takes credibility away from the bloggers who write about fashion in an honest yet critical way. I feel like this is a big problem.
karen says:

July 31, 2012 at 9:37 pm · Reply

well…
i am a new “fashion blogger” and i know that i have a lot to improve but the main reason i created my blog was because i wanted to meet people like me how love fashion, who can see a picture and say ” love the picture , it captures the whole look” , something that i don’t have in “real live”. I don’t know no one how loves fashion like me and if they do love it… they can named you a big fashion designer or tell you what trend is up to the season.
so… in my life i think that they see the blog whit great eyes and find it like something new and see how i follow my passion in every aspect of my life.

for the end..
i am not i writer i don’t speak English very well ( i am from Colombia ) but i love doing my blog and so many bloggers inspire me most than singers , models or some designers , so i am proud of taking the decision to make the blog and proud to tell the world that i have a fashion blog
Anne G says:

August 1, 2012 at 1:53 am · Reply

Here in the Philippines, sometimes the word “blogger” is used for entitlement and privileges which gives a bad impression in the blogging industry because not all bloggers are after those “privileges”. Some bloggers write because they just love sharing their thoughts and experiences.

There was also an instance wherein blogging was referred as “faux press”. I was really bothered by this issue but we couldn’t deny that some bloggers really write because they are paid for PR campaigns.

Personally, I love blogging because I get to inspire more readers with my little share of my thoughts and experiences and I feel really flattered to be called as “blogger”.

http://anneg08.blogspot.com/
Kirstie says:

August 1, 2012 at 7:14 am · Reply

I’m almost a bit embarrassed to say I’m a blogger sometimes, to be very honest. Like you guys have said with the amount of people who are doing it for free stuff, the people who have gained all the followers from “Follow 4 follow” campaigns, people who are trying to sell you things through SEO and people who have just created a really unprofessional looking website – they all call themselves “Bloggers” and a lot of those things I really don’t want to be associated with. If fact I even call my site a “fashion website” to get away from the term sometimes, because I know people might think “oh my god, ANOTHER blogger.” There’s so many of us out there now, if you’re not big, I think you need to differentiate yourself from all the other bloggers to make a name for yourself.
jewel says:

August 1, 2012 at 8:45 am · Reply

It was great to read this piece. I work in an office setting and my coworker the other day said “you don’t seem like one of those ppl who are into themselves.” When I told him I had a personal style blog.
Alexandra says:

August 1, 2012 at 9:09 am · Reply

“What will it take for fashion bloggers, personal style bloggers and bloggers in general to be taken seriously?” One thing bloggers can do is stop navel gazing—produce quality content consistently and those who are interested will take you seriously; if you just provide pretty pictures of yourself in pretty clothes you’ll never be seen as anything more than a potential platform for cheap advertising or, worse, a narcissist.

Realize that there is much more to the real world and the digital world than what you, or the current celeb flavour of the month, wore yesterday. Increasing your relevancy will increase your readership, a readership that can take you seriously.

I’ve been writing for over two decades and my blog (I hate the word blog, phonetically it sounds like something you do after you’ve had too much to drink) is just another in a line of venues that I’ve been published in. A good writer is a good writer and the requirements for good magazine and newspaper writing are the same for blogs, taking into account the limitations of the venue.
Ayesha says:

August 1, 2012 at 9:47 am · Reply

I completely agree with Alexandra. I am a writer and an editor, my blog is one of many ways I publish my work (I have worked in print, journals, books, etc.) Blogging has a frivolous connotation because, at least my favorite blogs, present their lives as fanciful and luxurious. We work hard to hide how hard we work on our blog (learning to produce quality photos, topics, SEO, revision) so a lot of people look at us as hobbyists or as someone mentioned above: narcissists.

I find that my readers take me seriously but my actual friends and associates are quite dismissive. Perhaps because the fantasy isn’t real for them: they see you taking photos of your dinner/outfits/cupcakes and the element of glamor and spontaneity is lost on them.

Thanks for such an interesting post… this is a great conversation to have.
KissMyFashion says:

August 1, 2012 at 10:06 am · Reply

This topic has been on my mind for a few months now. My blog is only five months old and already I have felt both the positive and negative attitudes over introducing myself at Fashion Shows or Socials as a blogger. I honestly feel like this is one of those conversations that can go on forever because there is no ‘real’ answer yet! To the world outside of blogging it all comes down to a matter of opinions.

As a real blogger we see all of the time and dedication it takes to find good content, double check our grammar, edit our pictures, and if we handle the photography also getting that great shot.

I’m going to admit growing up I always wanted to be a writer! But now my grammar isn’t quite up to par. Even so, I am a fashion student, photographer, and stylist so that most definitely takes precedence over the blogging title. As with any job, there will be individuals on both the great and lazy end of the spectrum. I’ve met so many tumblr junkies that claim reblogging photos all night makes them a blogger. The great bloggers are helping to save our reputation and the lazy ones won’t last long(cough tumblr junkies).

For now I think it’s safe to say the difference between a writer and a blogger is what you believe yourself to be.
misslikey says:

August 1, 2012 at 4:43 pm · Reply

i think I have a problem every time I put b-word in my resume.
savvynista says:

August 1, 2012 at 4:49 pm · Reply

I love this article and all the comments! I started out as a journalist/editor and when the blogging evolution came about, I did scoff a bit. When I looked at it from a more creative, personal and transparent perspective – it peaked my curiosity and I gave it a whirl. To me it was free-form writing, jotting down thoughts and opinions without worrying if I’m following the AP writing format. Professional writers started their own blogs as well. Does that make them writers blogging or bloggers? The definition is definitely one to still debate. I’m okay with telling people I’m a blogger and I usually don’t get a turned up nose with an eye roll for it…yet.
xo, M
http://savvynista.com
Ana says:

August 1, 2012 at 7:54 pm · Reply

I never thought that the stereotype of a blogger was a basement-nerd kind of person, I thought it was more of a your everyday Joe/Jane, writing about their everyday life – which, to me, seems even further away from a today’s blogger than the former.

It seems that the word is still either bad or not fully understood: people think you’re just writing about what kind of detergent you bought today and what pizza topping you chose.

And, of course, it’s not ‘actual’ print, ‘actual’ art, ‘actual’ anything – bloggers are just playing make-believe.

Sure.
Art Diva says:

August 3, 2012 at 10:49 am · Reply

I’ve been been writing and taking photos about style/fashion on and off since 2006 but recently decided to make this type of content its own entity, rather than published on my main website (I’m an artist) or more casually on Tumblr/Flickr. I decided to call it a “style zine” since to me, the term “blog” conjures up a site with a ton of whitespace and softly-lit photos with blurry backgrounds. While I admire that look on other people’s blogs, it’s just not for me, and a zine sounded like it could be a little more creative, random and rough around the edges, which is exactly what I want. If I wanted to make blogging a career, then I would probably mimic other well-known sites, but I’m mainly just here to have fun. What is interesting is that, while a commercially successful model has emerged over the past couple of years (whitespace, etc. mentioned above), the web offers constantly evolving modes of publishing that there is huge potential for sites currently on the fringes of design and photo/written content eventually to become commercially successful themselves. So for one, I think it’s the similar aesthetic that gives bloggers a bad rap. Of course, not everyone is a pro programmer or photographer, so the mainstream fashion publishing industry will have to get over their own limitations and evaluate the quality of what’s really there. Brands are already doing so.

Second, different types of formats are always going to appeal to different people. To me, a blog is awesome simply if the reader/viewer gets a sense of the owner’s true self-expression, but to others, perks, $$ and freebies are the benchmarks they seek. Define what you want out of your site, what success means to you, then define your job description (writer, journalist, curator, photographer, blogger, creative director, grand poo-bah…) and own it. But don’t just throw it around, back it up by giving your best efforts. People won’t take you seriously unless you take yourself seriously first. And while most of us are doing that, I’m sure many readers can spot a self-serving blogger in a matter of seconds, which could be another reason why the word “blogger” can be a turn-off. But the great thing is, whatever you call yourself, there’s room for all of us.
Art Diva says:

August 3, 2012 at 10:59 am · Reply

P.S. Sorry for the long-winded response, I had no idea I’d written that much!
Jaclyn Joslin says:

August 3, 2012 at 11:23 am · Reply

I couldn’t agree more with the comment made by Ashley Garner. I have sadly come to view many bloggers as people trying to get free stuff from various companies. It is a major turn off for me, mainly because it seems shallow and lacking of character. And because there are so many blogs today I don’t really have the time to sort through which ones are actually worth reading and which ones are self indulgent free loaders. Maybe there should be some sort of “blog certification” that distinguishes a well written, professional and insightful blog from those that are not.
Campus Sartorialist says:

August 4, 2012 at 1:52 am · Reply

I think the reason why a lot of people still don’t take blogging too seriously is because it’s so easy for someone to become a “blogger” and therefore say that they “blog” It’s sort of equivalent to being a “tweeter”. The ease of blogging is a double-edged sword….sometimes amazing material comes out of non-professional blogs and sometimes what comes out is just sub par.
Julia says:

August 8, 2012 at 9:24 pm · Reply

I believe people don’t take bloggers seriously because in their minds, they wonder how anyone could make a living off of “throwing a few words and pictures on the web.” Just like people stigmatized modeling as a profession, it took some reality TV shows to expose that there’s much more to modeling than just standing in front of a camera with a giant grin. It’ll take some time…and perhaps a little more exposure.
Ruzu says:

August 9, 2012 at 2:07 am · Reply

I am new in blogging, I have 3 years, but I started taking serious this blogging thing just in 2011. I want to become pro, for me is when a blog earn money, but also is very responsable, blog with a good topics (does not matter the type of blog) teach something, and more. I think I have to talk about this in my blog
xo.