3 Reasons the Blogging Community is better than Social Media

~ K E Garland
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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?

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

  1. Completely true. I see that you have more comments than likes on this post. Something that would never happen with social media only. It remains hard to reach the right audience though, for us at least as we write about many different topics.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. That’s so true about having more comments! Not sure if it’s luck or what, but I haven’t had a tough time finding the right audience. I think it’s all in who you choose to follow, and of course the content that you post. Thanks for stopping by and adding to this convo 🙂

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  3. When I was in college Myspace became a “thing” and I loved it. It was a great way to stay connected with friends from High School, and I particularly loved the blogging feature. I kept so many thoughtful blogs, it was like writing letters to my friends from high school for them to read at their leisure. Then Facebook became popular, it felt so cold to me, there was no personalized connection (ofcourse this was before status updates, but still it’s not the same.) I held out as long as it took myspace to become obsolete, then I begrudgingly moved over. I returned a year or two ago to pull off some of my blogs before they had done away with it forever, alas although my account was still active and my pictures still available all of my blog posts were gone.

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    1. Oh no! I had no idea MySpace was still active. I used to have one too, but hadn’t tried the blogging feature. I agree that it was a little more friendly than FB. Although I can’t tear myself away, there’s something faux friendly about the site. I think it’s cause everyone tries to put their best feet forward, instead of just being themselves.

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  4. We live in a world where most people don’t even try to understand each other’s words. They scan one line, make a snap decision, and move on. They complain that poetry doesn’t make sense or is too hard to figure out. I enjoy WordPress because it is a community of writers and readers. The writing here is of a higher caliber, and as such, a pleasure to read. It is far more thought-provoking than the recycled jokes and memes and political rhetoric on other social media. Further, WordPress is a place for sharing rather than competition. In my book, WP wins, hands down. 🙂

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  8. My decision to stay away from social media feels vindicated reading this! I have always had an impression that it is often ‘more on the surface’ and then I’ve seen how stressed my niece and nephew become trying to keep up. Blogging I have found to be a wonderful experience, the reciprocal communication on a deeper level a fantastic sharing opportunity. Made some lovely friends here. 😀

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      1. It was just a waste of time, I feel more productive here on wordpress. My written English is improving, I’m getting to know very amazing people who I would have never known about, it helps me see the world from other’s perspective, all because of wordpress!!!

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Definitely some strong arguments! I guess I haven’t quiet realised until now that the “blogging community” is so much more personal compared to social networks 🙂

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  15. Pingback: After Party Goodie Bag from the Shameless Self-Promotion “5 à 7” Blogging Event | #WriterWednesday | Simply Marquessa

  16. The “like” button is my most utilized tool on Twitter – so I can find writers’ blogs to read during my down time. Going through my feed and my likes reminds me of something I always say – why am I more at ease in the virtual writing world than I am in the “real world”?

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  17. Wow! What an engaged community you have built, and in just over a year! Congratulations. I agree with your assessment. As a matter of fact, I have also written about how bloggers navigate life better than anyone.
    Janice

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  18. Could not agree more!!!! My real life friends scarcely know I’m a blogger and show little interest even though the subject matter is right up their alley. I think we bloggers are in a special club so wanna help me develop a secret handshake?! ;-). Thrilled to have met you today and following!

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  19. Hi, I just found you via http://breathethinkwriterelease.com/2016/03/03/recommended-reads-4/ so that generosity is one example of what I enjoy about blogging.

    To me blogging is like having access to a huge magazine. I flip through, pause to read something of interest and subscribe if I want to see more. I now enjoy friendship built on shared interest with people worldwide that has gone beyond the easy click on ‘follow’.

    Glad to have found you. X

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  21. Pingback: Recommended Reads #4 | Breathe Think Write Release

      1. Good point. We sometimes share more in our writing than we do in our conversations with those closest to us so a strong bond can definitely be formed from that.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. If you don’t mind check out my blog, I will post one of my favorite citations from John Flowerdew on that sentiment. I’d post it here but it’s in a picture format.

        Really loving the topic though, KE. I hope one day to have such a strong community of fellow bloggers one day. I’m only on my third day, so I’m guessing it will take a little longer.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I’ll have to take a look at the classes. Wasn’t aware that they had anything like that. I can tell my Twitter audience goes up daily but blogging it’s far slower. Definitely could use some tips.

        Liked by 1 person

  27. I found your comments on Facebook highly entertaining and true. Especially the one about people not reading the articles they post to Facebook. For instance, I once saw a headline about a grown woman marrying a nine year old boy. Some people said the woman should be shot or it was disgraceful. I read the article, and if any of the people who commented had taken the time to read it, their comments would’ve been different. I asked my friend if she read the article? She admitted that she had not. Lol. She just read the headline, and reposted her friend’s comment. 🙂

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    1. Shaking…my…head I think it’s beginning to be my #1 pet peeve. Sometimes people who post the article don’t even read it…the thing will be ten years old!!! And then the fake outrage sets in about some injustice that some author wrote ten years ago lol okay, I could go on and on. Thanks a bunch for reading and commenting 😉

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  28. Thanks for sharing. I used to move from blog to twitter for micro-blog and realised that the feel of it was not right. I gave up blogging 1/2 year ago and for like 3 months, things were not what I wanted. I joined blogging101 and indeed, the mojo came back.

    Blogging is the way to go.

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  31. So very true! The blogging community is much more friendly and genuine than other forms of social media. Sure, there are the trolls but they have a very short shelf life in blogging because bloggers tend not to be drawn into their little games and they end up without a voice. I find bloggers to be encouraging and supportive, rather than competitive and self-serving. It’s a super place to be!

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  33. Great post and I agree with you, blogging is way better. As cliched as it sounds it really is about the connections we make within the community, you don’t get that depth with social media. I personally have backed off from FB since I’ve been blogging and I don’t miss it. Blogging on the other hand is addictive but it’s a good addiction that I think we can all relate to.

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    1. Thanks for the read and comment Miriam. I agree about the connections and it’s a bit weird, right? Most FB friends are people that I actually know and love, but the connections are so shallow. Here, I don’t personally know any bloggers, but feel more connected. Again, thanks for the comment!

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      1. I so agree. I feel the same with my FB friends who are real but don’t understand my passion for writing. Here, where we know no-one personally, we’re all connected, with the same purpose and passions. It’s comforting.

        Liked by 2 people

  36. Social media has its perks, but I agree that blogging is better. I mean on social media, people will comment without reading the caption which is sometimes just one sentence. When if they took the time to read, they wouldn’t even have to question the post. Not once have I noticed people making comments on my blog without reading the content, so that is the major difference I love. Also, people overall are more likely to engage and aren’t worried about looking cool.

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    1. Commenting without actually reading or viewing whatever the content is is my pet peeve. I have a friend who starts the comment off with “I haven’t read this, but…” And yes, the looking cool part is missing, luckily. I get that sense that many bloggers are functioning from their true selves, something that doesn’t always happen on social media.

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      1. I agree. I see many [social media] accounts with very similar content, no personality or originality. I feel like I need a break from the monotony sometimes, but have never felt that way about the blogging community.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Reminds me of the poetry scene when I was in college; every poem started off describing how beauty was evinced through the womanly shape of a crescent moon. It was like everyone read the same style sheet and just mapped their new words on top of it and hit print.

        Creativity should be honest. It should be messy and it shouldn’t come in McDonald’s family pak.

        Liked by 2 people

  37. You hit the nail on the head as much as one can in a concise and flowing manner. The facet that resonates most with me is: “There’s a shared experience that invites empathy.” I feel part of an actual community, regardless of whether it is on the web.

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  38. Pingback: Three Reasons the Blogging Community is better than Social Media | A Grateful Life dotnet

  39. The thoughtfulness and hard work that bloggers put into their work is obvious. I take the time to read every word when I visit a post. And people here are nice too.

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  40. I think Tumblr makes a nice blend of the social media and blogging. Or it did before they removed comments. But not many people use it that way. But there is a tiny social group there. The connections between people are strong and people write about their lives or their thoughts about politics or sandwhiches. But – the lack of comments is killing it.

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  43. Hi I am B and I am social media junkie with extreme fear of missing out.
    I have Facebook (but that’s mainly family and friends)
    I have Twitter (that’s for fun and none of my facebook “friends” know my twitter handle or so I tell myself )
    I have instagram and pin interest.
    I have a goodreads account for my reading list and reviews.
    I have twitter for giggles and drafts and sharing my blog
    and my blog that’s for Me ^_^
    Selfishly me.
    And the community is like no other, I used to use the notes tab on my Facebook as a blog or drafts folder of sorts and to my dismay most of the comments (if any) where along lines of… “This looks interesting but way too long will finish later…”

    Then I discovered WordPress I didn’t even realise I was blogging, (I know right) It was just a somewhere to leave my words and read other people’s and was surprised to discover they in turn (not all but most) would read mine back And comment, (sometimes) what larks ^_^

    (hmmm I have just decided this is going on to a future blog post of mine, fair warning hahaha and I don’t remember what point I was making)

    ~B

    PS Oh yes, I remember now, the blogosphere rocks!!!

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    1. I’m right there with you Beaton. I’m on them all. In fact, every year I disconnect from the matrix and go on a 30 day fb hiatus; I”m on hiatus right now. What do you use Pinterest for? Kinda like IG I can’t seem to get into it too much. Can’t wait to read your post about how much the blogosphere rocks!

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      1. Careful what you wish for, you might end up in said post lol..

        Pinterest not a clue only have it, can cause something I was submitting required log in via it lol I pretty much leave it alone, though use it as photo database cause has a handy grab photo function,
        But yeah kinda like IG (which I’m new to) without forcing you to get the app for your phone hahaha why though that’s my beef with IG can’t just add pics from my PC.
        Oh the are photobloggers on IG lol some don’t know it but they are bloggers to a fashion (more visual than written) I guess that’s why it’s such a hit.

        Oh and twitter is like microblogging hahaha

        Liked by 1 person

  45. The only social media I engage in is LinkedIn and here. I thought this was social media? Perhaps just not as instantaneous and gratuitous. From my experience on LinkedIn, I know the comments, likes and posts are about carefully cultivating a personal brand. Here, it is more about the words and it takes a while to get to know the person behind the words…

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      1. *looks up ‘web 2.0’* haha yes, LinkedIn is for the most part civil but the sponsored ads and posts are annoying – and probably an issue in all other social media- if you are connected to a prolific poster, seems all your feed is just them,ugh- I am seriously considering deleting updates by one such person as I feel I just see the world through their eyes.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ha! Apologies…I teach a class called educational technology and sometimes it seeps over into this blog lol. I’m rarely on LinkedIn. I think FB does a similar ad thing. I’ve noticed that when I mention a trip or anything, then all of a sudden I get a gang of ads about whatever I mentioned. ’tis annoying

        Liked by 1 person

  47. The blogosphere and IG are my social media. I haven’t been on FB for a year and a half (joy of joys!) and Twitter I barely visit because, as you’ve said, the conversation is just so much better here.

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  48. I definitely agree about the Blogging community being better than social media. The blogging world is like being at a giant family dinner where different people share their views and recent experiences. Social media is like a post-apocalyptic wasteland where you can be torn apart any time.

    When I disagree with people about the views in their blog or my own, it’s all very civil and we attack the content not each other. Social media is a screaming match where the most personal attacks win.

    Glad you’re in my blogging family 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

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