Business Blogging vs Personal Blogging – Never the Two Shall Meet?

by Jimi Jones

As I travel the internet and encounter bloggers from all walks of life, I find many who are simply blogging for the enjoyment of it. They are not blogging to make money; they just want to write and express their feelings and enjoy the work of others.

One of the issues for the hobbyist or personal blogger is the fact that they are often surrounded by bloggers who are building businesses and that particular blogging structure has a regimented approach with rules, dos and don’ts.

It is an environment that makes many of them feel uncomfortable or even out of place, as expressed by quite a few.

I guess some business bloggers could just have a knee-jerk reaction and tell them to surround themselves with like-minded personal bloggers and enjoy the experience, but that is 1, not very wise 2, a great way to deny access to potential future customers and 3, above all, just out and out rude and unfriendly.

Some of these bloggers feel that they will be raked over the coals if they leave just a “Nice post” comment. After all, the rules say that you should add value and continue the conversation.

Some are apprehensive about asking the most basic of questions in public, they often go without the answers and thereby stunt their own educational growth. Who wants to be seen as the “dummy” who should know this already?

Personally, I feel privileged to have received some of these concerns. I guess I at least seem approachable.

One fact that remains and always will is that we all had to start our journeys somewhere. There have also been many personal blogging journeys that became business journeys after getting a taste of the craft.

I’ll share a quick story later in the comments section, But let’s open this up for discussion.

How do you think the personal blogger should interact with those who are working toward becoming professionals?

What should the expectations be when they decide to mingle with those who seek to blog on a professional level and operate an online business?

Have you, as a personal blogger, had a similar experience?

Please discuss the matter below in the comments section.

  • It's not clear to me that there should be a difference. I am a professional. I am a blogger. Am I a professional blogger? Some might say yes, others might say otherwise. Others still will leave flame bait as a comment in my blog. I don't really know. What I do know is this, The Golden Rule probably applies, in this, as in any other case....
    .-= Matches Malone´s last blog ..The Real First Rule of 168 =-.
  • I say let the non-business bloggers have their fun. They are welcome to come by here anytime. :-)
    .-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Reader Survey Results =-.
  • The rare times people in my personal life ask for my advice about blogging, I always make the following disclaimer:

    If you're not looking to make money and just want an outlet to put down your thoughts, then you can really do whatever you want. As long as you're having fun and it satisfies your needs, don't let anyone tell you that you're doing anything wrong.

    My dad is currently in this group. Although I try to nudge him along to convince him that a blog is a great platform to start any business on any passion... he still enjoys just writing some political & social rants every so often and sharing funny YouTube videos. Who am I to change what he finds fulfilling?
    .-= Jordan Cooper´s last blog ..The Art of Crowdsourcing =-.
  • That's good advice, Jordan
    I agree, people should be able to just do what they want without being held to anyone's standards. If they are blogging as a hobby, what harm can they do?

    That's good to hear about your Dad. :-) Just hanging out doing his own thing. Pretty cool.
    .-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Reader Survey Results =-.
  • In the article above, I promised to share a short true story, so here goes.

    Some years ago a friend of mine walked into an expensive car dealership and was greeted by a salesman who told her that the pre-owned cars were just across the street. Insulted and furious, she demanded to speak with the dealership General Manager. After waiting nearly an hour (they probably hoped she would go away) she finally came face to face with the GM, who never invited her to his office but basically attempted to have a discussion right on the showroom floor.
    By then she had calmed a bit and simply asked for his business card, which she received.
    Long story short, she returned the following day driving her spanking new Mercedes-Benz that she had purchased at another dealership and wrote a check for, to the tune of more than $68,000.
    She again asked for the GM and pointed to the car through the showroom window. You can fill in the rest of the conversation, but the point is, you never know who can help you in your own journey of life.

    I though this story provided a good illustration of why it is not such a great idea to prejudge the intentions of others. We never really know what is truly on someone's mind or who they are and what they may represent.

    Another quickie
    I have a millionaire buddy who owns houses everywhere, but when you see him he looks like he wouldn't have a dime. Always needs a shave, well worn jeans, the whole deal.

    Just cannot judge a book by it's cover, as they say. :-)

    Alright, I'm stepping out of this for now, let's have some conversation. Have at it!
    .-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Reader Survey Results =-.
  • I think that personal bloggers should just stay as they are and keep doing what they love to do. Bloggers who go pro have a reason and are wanting to sell something. I believe the rules haven't changed but using a different technique might work out better for running a business being a pro rather than simply just blogging for personal matters.

    It all comes down to the individual in my opinion.
    .-= Eric´s last blog ..The Reason Nobody Knows That All They Want Is No Money =-.
  • Hey Eric!
    How goes, bud?
    I agree, personal bloggers should not change what they are doing if that is their reason for being who they are. Be true to yourself and stick by your own values I say.

    Many start out with a personal blog to test the waters, see if they even like the craft, while others have no intention of ever blogging for business, they just want to express themselves with the pressures of doing things a certain way.

    The personal blogger has the best blog of all because there is absolutely no downside to anything they do. Sure they want to be read, but so what if they don't promote on Twitter and Facebook. So what if they haven't posted in two weeks.
    That's the freedom of blogging they have and many won't give that up. Others will hone their skills and transition to launching businesses and monetizing.

    Thanks for your comment, Eric.
    .-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Reader Survey Results =-.
  • That's "without" the pressures of doing things a certain way. :-)
    .-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Reader Survey Results =-.
  • Jimi, you put things so nicely. The honest truth is that very often some "business" bloggers turn their noses up as if they are part of an elitist society. Of course I don't see it that way. I'm someone who has one foot in the door but I cringe when I hear people use the term "serious" blogger. I've seen some "serious" bloggers have their pages so cluttered with ads that you can't even find the content. Or you get bored sitting around waiting for the page to load.

    But I've grown to learn the old comparison about opinions and a certain unmentionable body part - let's just say everybody has one.
    .-= Ileane´s last blog ..So You Want To Start Blogging =-.
  • LOL - True that, Ileane. True that!
    Everyone has an opinion.
    I like to say that everyone was created equal, but some are more equal than others. LOL

    As much as I want to be very successful in the blogosphere, I hope and pray that I never become so large that I feel like an elitist. Like I said in the piece, we all started somewhere.
    There are those who see themselves as super-human, and that is just unfortunate.
    .-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Reader Survey Results =-.
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