In the world of tech blogging, it can be fairly easy to fall into the trap of being one of many reacting to the same story - whether it be analyzing Google's new mobile phone platform, the release of Microsoft's next generation Zune music player, or the latest updates on Facebook, MySpace and the social network of the month.In the last six months or so, I felt I could offer the most value by generating new stories or insight that the vast majority of bloggers aren't discussing. I would much rather cover Ballhype, PhotoCrank, Wirenode, Spokeo and FriendFeed or discuss nuances of LinkedIn and Technorati than be the 100th person in line making comments on Google and Apple and Microsoft. I don't want to be the guy responding to TechCrunch or GigaOM or writing too many words that effectively should start out, "Robert Scoble said today..."
While I recognize that may not be the best way to get traffic, I want to add unique value, not acting as a repeater or echo chamber where others make a splash and I end up being part of the ripple effect.
I noted my stance this evening in response to Steven Hodson's comments on WinExtra where he complains the thousands of blogs he cover aren't breaking real news. It just could be he's looking for the wrong things in the wrong places. I'm not looking to break the news or follow someone who has. I want to experience technologies for myself and bring them to you if I think I've found something unique or if it will be something I use on a daily basis.
What I'm not in is a race to get a story first, to drive thousands of visitors my way, or to curry favor with the blogging elite. I'm here to have conversations with intelligent people who care about new applications, gadgets and Web sites. I gave up my run at journalism in college, and don't plan to go back.
good to hear that you stand by your beliefs and try to differentiate yourself from the crowd!
ReplyDeleteLouis,
ReplyDeleteIf I gave an impression in my post that ... was complaining the thousands of blogs he covers aren't breaking news. It could be he's looking for the wrong things .. then I would like to correct that because that wasn't my intent with the post.
Rather I was trying to show that we need to work hard not to be a template style blogger. Instead as you suggest it is important that we always strive to bring value to anything we write about - even if it is something previously posted about on some other blog; top tier or not.
In effect I agree with what you believe bloggers should be doing. I would rather quote or use as a reference some-one such as yourself over rehashing TechCrunch material.
I would like to think that I do provide interesting and unique viewpoints on the things I write about .. cranky old fart personality aside and I would also like to hope that my readers would be the type to let me know when I have strayed from that style instead of just ubsubscribing.