So far this year I have made 140 posts on this blog, which equates to about 160 in the full year. However, over the previous four years, the average has been 274. There has been a similar reduction in activity in the beer blogosphere in general, with some established bloggers giving up entirely and others going very quiet. For example, Tandleman has made 80 posts so far this year, or 91 in a full year, compared with an average in the past four years of 179.
For me, this year has been marred by a sad personal event, but I don’t think that has really stemmed the flow of blogging. The key reason, to be honest, is joining Twitter. In the past, there were many instances where I would make a blogpost linking to an interesting article with a few additional comments, which now I would just put on Twitter, saving the blog for the longer and more reflective articles.
However, the problem with Twitter is that it is totally ephemeral. Miss it and it’s gone, whereas on the blog pretty much everything attracts at least a few comments, and the discussion can still be read years later. So, while not planning to forsake Twitter, I will aim to post a few more links and brief comments on here where they may encourage more thoughtful and long-lasting discussion.
Everyone is different, clearly, but Twitter actually fosters my blogging (if you'll pardon the pun). I see conversations on Twitter that spark ideas for blog posts, and it's a great resource to find out what's going on so you can write opinion/reaction pieces.
ReplyDeletePlus, it works the other way and gives you a chance to flog what you've just written to anyone who follows you (although I do agree to your point about it being ephemeral).
Yes, we've noticed that a few of the veteran bloggers have been quiet lately, but that has been balanced by excellent stuff from newer bloggers such as the Evening Brews (near-magazine quality interviews with industry folk like this and this) and Chris Hall (we liked this post a lot).
ReplyDeleteAs for Twitter... well, if it stops us stretching single thoughts out into unnecessarily verbose blog posts, that can only be a good thing for our poor readers...
Maybe there is just less to write about without repetition. There comes a point where you realise that everything has been done to death. From craft beer definition, pricing, beer reviews, beer ties, pub decline. I mean, you may or may not be right about the smoking ban but is there anything more to say on it really?
ReplyDeleteMy output has more than halved when compared to the previous 4 years - a projected 82 posts this year compared to 165.
ReplyDeleteThe drop off point for me coincides with my starting work at my current job, one that keeps me engaged and interested for the entire 40 hour work week, so I am not complaining about that.
Even my tweeting has dropped off since I started work. I am though working on the long post for Boak and Bailey's project at the end of this month!
Good point, Cooking Lager.
ReplyDeleteI have also noticed the fall off in posts from certain bloggers; chief of which as to be Mark Dredge's Pencil & Spoon Blog. From a high point of 200 in 2010, Mark only made 47 posts in 2012, and this year the total has so far fallen to just 20.
ReplyDeleteI think Cookie is right, in that many of the most interesting or pertinent subjects have been done to death, and there are areas which are just not worth repeating.
I'm not sure about Twitter. I don't Tweet, and have no plans to do so, so therefore cannot comment about its effect, positive or otherwise.
As I'm sure most people do, I sometimes struggle to find inspiration for blog posts. Also, as Velky Al points out, there are other reasons, such as work or changes in personal circumstance, which mean that blogging sometimes has to take a back seat.
I have a whole theory on this which I really should get round to blogging about myself :) but its actually just the natural way blogs work, ultimately content is key and actually you could do just 52 posts a year (ie one a week) and actually be more engaged with the people who read your blog and commentators in the beer blogosphere, its not just about the sheer volume or number of posts.
ReplyDeleteI'd say Mark and Pete Brown are not benchmarks for blog productivity as they've both been busy with books
ReplyDeletemy own output has reduced because I've been busier at work...spending half a day on PC does not invite spending more time blogging when I get home...plus Daisy's here now so better things to be doing with my time. Still plenty of posts to write, its just finding the time and impetus to do them
Well, so far I've done 21 posts in November, which equals the highest month in the year so far, and there are still four days to go.
ReplyDeleteEventually I managed 166 posts in 2013, which was 6 more than forecast.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, a change in personal circumstances - i.e. taking a work contract that doesn't allow much slack time during working hours - is likely to restrict blogging still further during the next few months.
ReplyDelete