3 Reasons the Blogging Community is better than Social Media

~ K E Garland
Royalty Free Image.
Royalty Free Image

I’ve been blogging for about three years now. And one thing has become pretty obvious. The blogging community is not only different than social media, but it is also better.

Here’s why:

Bloggers are readers. Most writers are. I’m willing to bet almost anything that no matter how many WordPress bloggers you have, they read what you write. It’s because they find reading enjoyable. It’s also because they want people to read what they’ve written as well. Social media doesn’t always yield readers. There have been times when I’ve commented on a person’s post, only to realize s/he hadn’t fully read the link themselves.

Bloggers reciprocate activity. If you read, like and comment on their words, then they’ll probably read, like and comment on something that you’ve written too. There’s a shared experience that invites empathy. Writers know the painstaking task of finding just the right phrase to convey just the right message. It can take hours! Consequently, if you took the time to write it, then a blogger will take the time to read it. Seemingly, the quick culture of social media, coupled with an imbalance of newsfeed updates from all several hundred of your social media friends and followers makes it difficult to reciprocate reading/liking activity.

Bloggers post thoughtful comments. Similar to number two, your blogger-followers have probably written, deleted and re-written their comments to express like, love and support for your posts. Sure, some only use the “like” button, but more than not, your blogger-followers have sought thoughtful words to communicate their feelings about your content. Social media friends and followers do not always seem to honor the “thoughtful” part of commenting. Whether it’s the use of text/IM language or the more recent and popular posting of memes as communication, social media comments just don’t seem to be as considerate or attentive.

What did I miss? Do you enjoy social media better than the blogosphere?

214 thoughts on “3 Reasons the Blogging Community is better than Social Media”

  4. This is so true. The blogging community is so supportive and civil. I’m truly proud to be a blogger. Alot of other communities tear people down our community does the opposite. I love it!

    Side note: how do you repost previous posts?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I change the date of the post so that it re-post, instead of re-blog. When you re-blog people have to go through the hassle of clicking and then clicking again (and I find that ridiculous) lol

      Like

      Reply

      1. I see. I always wondered why I saw posts pop up on my feed that I had already read and liked with hundreds of likes and comments on it. At first I thought I was crazy but then I would read the comments and they would predate the post haha.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. You are part of the reason blogging is better than social media for me. I can’t count how many times you’ve graciously disagreed with me, and I appreciate both the thoughts and the attitude. Blogging is emotional in many ways, but it is not emotional outbursts. While I recognize the limitations, I consider many of my “blogging buddies” to be friends, and I value those friendships.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Awww thanks Belinda! That many huh? lol Seriously, blogging has helped me to politely disagree with others because rarely am I looking for some online argument situation. I like how you differentiate between “emotional” and “emotional outbursts.” This is important.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. oh yeah, this strikes sooo true.
    Plus, a lot of the people who liked and left a comment here are also regulars either in my blog or on the blogs i follow. it’s a tight community, though there are communities inside this larger community, like the writer/reader/poetry, the photographs/travel, the food and health eaters and so on. I have a toe on most of these groups, as i have different tastes and hobbies, and i know, and read, a lot of bloggers who share the same.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m glad to hear that! This is true. Blogging is easier to have a niche community, as opposed to the others, which brings all these like-minded people together to really just be supportive and spread love.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. It’s truuuu!!! I enjoy blogging world more whenever I just sit and start reading and commenting on bloggers. I start getting ideas on what to write and am like “this is gonna be good” 😂😂 it such a beautiful and engaging community out here.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. I totally agree with you on this! Social media still has a very “fast” and “instant” approach whereas blogging is more authentic and traditional (if that makes sense, haha). By far, I’ve made much more meaningful connections with fellow bloggers. To see people who actually read everything word for word, and stay up to date with mostly every post is so awesome! Such a warm and loving community on WordPress that so far I haven’t found anywhere else 😊❤️

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

      1. Go to thejobblog.net and to the blog page. There is much there. Sorry my blog and reader aren’t the best of friends. I’m working on that. If you like what you see, the best way to have my blog posts show up is to enter thejobblog.net into your managed sites. Voilà!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. I agree! I also find interactions on here (generally) less superficial + more meaningful. I certainly feel more connected with folks on here vs, say, Twitter.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  15. I agree with you on all counts, Kathy. For bloggers who are willing to take the time to read and comment on other blogs they follow, special connections can occur, as in my experience.

    My experience on Facebook, in staying connected with old friends from Guyana and Brazil, was negative. Too much junk news to filter through.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you mentioned that Rosaliene. I really think that Facebook shows how we’re actually supposed to move on from some relationships. All relationships are not intended to last FOREVER, but I’m still on there though lol

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      3. Honestly….it’s not really strength. I just don’t want to learn the platforms. But….I’ve been told when I finish my book I’m going to need to increase my presence.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Yes, blogging is better if you are trying to truly communicate. I find that bloggers are much more interested in sharing positivity. I use Twitter as a tool to market my book and to help others do the same. I do find, however, that Twitter is not necessarily the nicest place on the internet. People are liable to say anything. I am wondering also, do you blog on a smartphone?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Most definitely Elva! Twitter can be negative, but I’ve also noticed it can be filtered a lot more than other social media sites. I only read and comment via my phone. Otherwise, I’m on a laptop or desktop.

      Like

      Reply
  22. Pingback: Reclaiming My Time | black|burgundy

  23. I am brand new to the blogging community! I have long since deleted any social media accounts to my name. I would say you’re absolutely correct! I couldn’t agree with you more!
    I love how you pointed out about the reciprocating/shared experience, I definitely relate there, being new here and all! Thank you so much for sharing this!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  29. Very accurate post! People actually read, relate and discuss the content on blogs. And others on social media just retweet or like links to blog post, w/o reading and finding out the purpose of the post lol + social media can be toxic. The blogging community tends to be more intentional, which is more fulfilling- imo. Thanks for this!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for reading and commenting! Yes, intent is an important part of what seems to make blogging a little more authentic. I guess that and I haven’t met anyone on here who is concerned about appearances 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. Pingback: Picking Favorites: Jan. 14, 2017 Links | The Englishist
  31. Pingback: Three Reasons the Blogging Community is better than Social Media — K E Garland – Social Media Dezign

  32. Just read this and reflected it was nice to see you jumping in to tackle the subject of which angle is better. Whether one is better than the other, it was interesting to see from some of the comments you got how people feel (and how often they cheer for WordPress!). Good luck with your WordPress narrative, and maybe you will persuade a few more of your readers that you were right all along (that WordPress really is better). I value both approaches.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. lol – thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting. It seems that I didn’t have to do too much convincing for many bloggers. Each one has its benefits and challenges, I suppose.

      Like

      Reply

  33. I just love coming to blogs and seeing people I know in the comments section lol. Makes me feel like my whole family is connected and I didn’t know lol! This post and these comments make me happy. Whenever I’m away from the blogsphere, I feel like something is missing!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. i understand what you mean. There are days when I’d rather be blogging than holding small talk with people in person. I find the blogging community to be a much more meaningful experience.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Most definitely! That’s cause we’re over here pouring out our hearts and souls and listening to others do the same. That’s the stuff that “real” connections are made of. Thanks for stopping by luv!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. True indeed! This is some what in response to a comment that you made on my post! We are being and sharing our authentic selves and for other people from different parts of the world to relate is (I can’t think of the word LOL).

        Liked by 1 person

  35. Pingback: week 44 || 2016: Blogging Over Everything! | gray suede

  36. I agree that blogging is much better than social media. I created a Facebook account 6 months ago (I know, I was late lol!) and would post long messages, only to receive a couple of “sympathy” likes from family members.

    That is why I created a blog page: to find serious readers. Another reason I created a blog was to find serious writers – thus getting away from all the non-sense on social media lol

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Uh, I’ll pretend I didn’t see you say you just joined FB six months ago lol Seriously, though it took a minute for me to figure out how to engage on each social media site. You’re right. People on FB don’t want to READ much. They’re on there for entertainment purposes only. Glad you found WordPress, because we’re all definitely serious about our topics over here 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  38. I have only been blogging since April but I wholeheartedly agree with everything you wrote in this post. The responses I’ve received from this amazing community have kept me motivated to write more. And, the connections I’ve made mean a lot to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  39. Pingback: Say Hello To The Beautiful, Smart Professor Kathy Garland. | a cooking pot and twistedtales

  41. I just love to be a part of the WP tribe 🙂
    Reading, learning and getting inspired, what more can a person want!
    However, I’m still struggling with not being able to pay a visit with all my followers (yet)…or the ones I do follow not being able to read all of their posts.
    XxX

    Like

    Reply

  44. lol – never thought about the posts hanging around longer…I’d have to agree. You can always find someone’s post! Totally agree about Twitter. Tweets are literally gone in seconds!

    Like

    Reply

  45. Personally, I prefer blogging. For one thing, I find it easier to read and comment on posts because they tend to hang around longer. I also find Facebook intrusive and difficult to use. As for trying to comment on tweets, that’s much like being a small dog barking at cars as they whizz past. They’re here and then they’re gone. WordPress is the place for me, definitely.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

Comments are welcomed

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Google photo

You are commenting using your Google account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s