My immediate response to Mark Brinkley’s post from a few weeks back entitled Is Blogging Dying? was that while he had a point – blogging doesn’t seem to be as exciting or popular as a few years back – this shouldn’t put the best ones like him off from continuing in the medium . Looking at the overall numbers – a report by the Association of Online Publishers issued earlier this month – backs up the thought that the explosion of blogs in the past decade has slowed. Year on year growth from 2008 to 2009 for blogs and personal websites in terms of visits was healthy – 12% up – but below that of growth in news and media (up nearly 20%) and social networking (17%). The point I made below his post was that I thought many online visitors were consolidating their digital experiences somewhat. I for one have now started to cut back on the feed of sites I follow in the past few weeks, simply down to time and new interests. And as Mark pointed out I’ve not seen many great new blogs or bloggers introduce themselves to our browsers in the past year or so.
Mark’s post has clearly lodged itself into my subconscious as in the past week as I’ve been seriously considering the future of this blog. My new role as digital director at UBM Built Environment is pulling me in a new direction. Sustainability remains a passion – especially related to the makeover of my Victorian house – but I’m more likely to be grappling with spreadsheets, business plans or webstats than discussing Passivhaus, the Code or the CRC. I’ll still be close to the topic, especially in relation to virtual events such as Sustainability Now, but not to the degree that justifies my being able to keep this up. I love blogging but wonder where to go next. Some options:
- Leave Zerochampion as is and start something. Bit loathe to do that as built up a bit of brand around the word
- Relaunch Zerochampion but add other topics I’m interested in: digital media and journalism; culture. Does that dilute or confuse my brand?
- Sack the blogging and go fully Twitter crazy
So who’s happy with a diluted Zerochampion, or thinks I should move on?
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on Jan 31st, 2010 at 2:58 pm
I’ve only just started following you on twitter and reading your blog, so I donlt have much on which to base an opinion, but my favourite blogs (and indeed twitter feeds) are eclectic and multi-faceted, so I say go on and blog about anything you’re passionate about!
It’s easy enough for anyone to read blogs selectively, not really paying much attetion to those entries which may not be of immediate interest, but it’s always great to get a fuller idea of a blogger and their interests, and perhaps find something new as well!
on Feb 1st, 2010 at 10:59 am
Phil,
The thing that stops me Twittering is that I already feel overwhelmed by the quantity of information I get waylaid with every day and I just feel that Twitter is yet another move in that direction. For the same reason, I have avoided getting an iPhone — my sons think me quaint — and I have started going on holidays where there is no electronic media available at all. Oh to be in Littondale with the woman I love, listening to the curlews call and the lambs bleat in the spring time, where there’s no internet and even the mobile phone struggles to get a signal. It’s so simple, yet it feels like luxury. So if you go all a Twitter, you will lose me.
But maybe I am being silly? Maybe Twitter isn’t quite as bad as I fear?
on Feb 1st, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Mark. Loving the picture of you in Littondale.
I’ll be honest, Twitter is pretty addictive and can be as much a distraction as a use. However, like coffee, alcohol or prescription drugs (joke) small doses can provide you with entertainment and enlightenment: snippets of news, opinions and introductions to new people and events that are useful and enlightening. And it only has to be as distracting as you want it to: you control who you want to follow.
Having said all that my third option is the least likely one. So you’re probably stuck with me regardless.
on Feb 2nd, 2010 at 12:21 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Phil Clark, AECB. AECB said: RT @Zerochamp: New blog post: Blogging future http://bit.ly/9DKaJm -> please don't stop blogging. [...]
on Feb 3rd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
I don’t think blogging is dying, but it is getting less popular. Readers of my blog have dropped dramatically in the last year and may friends have cut back on or stopped blogging. I think the reason for this is that people are using Twitter, Facebook, etc instead of there blog. Also people are not bothering to read blog posts on things they have been following on Twitter. Not that this is the only reason, but it is the most significant on IMO.
on Feb 3rd, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Thanks Alistair. I agree. I also like your about page http://www.agm.me.uk/profile/
Belated response to Richard: glad to hear that someone would be interested in my wider passions.
on Feb 4th, 2010 at 11:55 am
The main reason why I follow your blog is precisely because you talk very much around the subject, not getting bogged down in CSH, BREEAM, carbon counting etc. Carbon and other bits of sustainability are important, but please let’s not forget that we need good music, books, art, debate, and randomness…
Paul Crossley
Sustainability Manager, Robinson Low Francis
on Feb 9th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
I think you’ve got to blog about what you care about (provided it’s not a total departure from the ZC brand you’ve created). If you want to include tangentially related things, I think you should do it.
If you care, we’ll care.
on Feb 14th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with Casey and Paul. I love Twitter and the way you use it, Phil, so very happy to see more! (I certainly find Twitter a zillion times easier than blogging myself). But I enjoy ZC a great deal and all its diversity, and would encourage you to continue if you can find the time.