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10 Misconceptions About Blogging

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVU chapter.

 

1.Blogging isn’t hard work. Thanks to technology, anyone can be a blogger at any time from anywhere, and this convenience leads to many lackadaisical bloggers on the Web. But, professional bloggers, or other bloggers who are serious about what they do, spend many tired hours a week writing posts, researching information, finding or making images and editing their work over and over again. Blogging also requires the abilities to think, work and react quickly—after all, we must keep up with the latest trends in fashion, beauty, technology, health and fitness (and more!) at all times.

2.Writing is easy. Writing may seem like a no-brainer because almost everyone does it every day. Stylized writing—the kind used in blogging—however, requires a lot of thought and concentration; a blogger’s writing must appeal to his or her intended audience while maintaining a unique voice and personality. Not to mention, there are countless nit-picky grammar rules to remember, as well as style and ethical guidelines to follow.

3.Bloggers are materialistic & superficial. Fashion and beauty writers have a (false) reputation for being petty. While there are surely shallow types in every field, many fashion and beauty gurus promote self-expression, individuality and female empowerment—not just the clothes or make-up. Additionally, bloggers cover an exceptionally wide range of meaningful topics, including technology, health and fitness, travel, art and culture, just to name a few.

4.Blogging is a waste of time. To some, blogging is a career; to others, it’s a creative outlet; to others, it’s a means of raising awareness, sharing knowledge or helping a cause. Blogging is a cool way to meet new people, to make new connections and to learn outside the classroom, and as long as a blogger enjoys what he or she is doing, it’s never a waste of time.

5.Bloggers have awesome social lives. Hello, blogging is work! Bloggers have just as much time to be social as anyone else. It isn’t all fun and games.

6.Bloggers are anti-social. Bloggers are known to sit behind their computers on Friday nights from time to time, but this isn’t a quality exclusive to them. Just as there are materialistic and superficial individuals in every profession, there are introverts in every profession. Besides, for every introverted blogger, there’s a blogger who’s just as outgoing. 

7.Bloggers are handed freebies all the time. Every time you scroll through Instagram, you’re likely to spot a big-name blogger thanking a trendy company for the new swimsuit, eye shadow palette, etc. Companies like bloggers with upwards of 3,000 followers to wear their goods in hopes of growing their fan bases, which is why certain bloggers are sent certain products. Most bloggers, on the other hand, are seldom to never sent freebies during their blogging careers. 

8.Bloggers get paid to promote certain brands or products. Due to media law and ethics, bloggers must disclose when they are being compensated for promoting a product. If there’s no disclosure, chances are the blogger is promoting the product because he or she genuinely likes it and recommends it. Most commonly, bloggers will use the hashtag #Ad to let their followers know when they’re being paid to advertise a certain product.

9. Bloggers love the spotlight. Personal style, beauty, fitness and lifestyle bloggers post a number of images or videos of themselves because, well, they’re personal bloggers, not because they’re craving attention. Blogging this way is simply a way for them to showcase their personalities. Other bloggers, however, prefer staying behind the scenes in order to give their followers the inside scoop. At fashion shows, these bloggers are usually sporting ponytails, plain clothes and no make-up, and are trying to stay away from cameras as best as they can.

10.Bloggers are only after followers and fame. This is another stereotype that’s only true for a small fraction of people in the blogging sphere. Bloggers blog because they care about a topic, like to write and want to share their opinions. Whether they had 500,000 followers of five followers, most bloggers would still be doing what they’re doing. However, it can be easy to get caught up in the followers and the fame, and for some followers, this makes it difficult to stay grounded, which is where this stereotype comes from. 

Madalyn is a journalism graduate student at West Virginia University. In 2016 she graduated with a B.S. in journalism from WVU. She also completed a minor in Spanish language, literature and linguistics. When she is not studying or working, Madalyn enjoys reading, exercising (especially running, hiking and cycling), playing with her dogs, art and fashion. 
  I grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. Growing up here I knew there was a possibility of going to West Virginia University my entire life. Although I decided to start my college career at the University of Kentucky, those country roads led me back to WVU in the spring of my sophomore year. This was also the point when I decided to establish myself as a Broadcast Journalist student. Since this point I have strived to become the best possible journalist I can be. I am currently working as a weekend reporter for WDTV-Channel 5 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Prior to receiving this position, I worked as an intern with WCHS-tv/FOX11, in the summer of 2014, where I learned critical editing, interviewing, writing, and speaking skills. I worked closely with anchors, reporters, editors, directors, producers, and even the web team. Aside from the television industry, I am the Campus Correspondent for the West Virginia University Chapter of the online entertainment magazine, Her Campus. Another position I currently hold is the Social Media Chair of WVU’s Radio Television Digital News Association Chapter. In the Fall of 2012, I became a sister of the Alpha Phi Fraternity, in which I held the position of ‘Big Sister Chairman.’ My other passions include horse back riding, scuba diving, being outdoors, and running. I am very adventurous and I try to stay well rounded. My goal in life is to live life to the fullest and be the best possible version of myself. My ultimate goal would be to earn a spot as a reporter/anchor for Fox News, New York. I plan to graduate in December of 2016 and look forward to my future.