“A Blogger? What’s that?”
Tuesday, July 18th, 2006It’s hard to get excited about a title for yourself, when a lot of people don’t really know what it means. Today I read an excellent article by Liz Strauss at Successful Blog, “What to Do Before They Ask What Do You Do,” that crystallized my concerns.
Just last night, I was feeling like the title “Blogger” just didn’t fit me — although I do love blogging! Liz’s article talks about “Naming Yourself So Others Know.” I feel like that’s the problem with the “Blogger” name — a lot of people just don’t know.
Many otherwise normal folks, it seems, see the Blogosphere as a bizarre, new dimension filled with cat photos and bad writing. And Bloggers are the odd (maybe even green and big-eyed) beings who hook up to keypads and send their thoughts zipping around outer-space at high-speed (no flying saucers needed anymore).
Overall, telling people that I’m a Blogger feels like I’m trying to squeeze into a weird suit that’s three sizes too small. That title is simply too limiting for the great work a lot of us do!
Last night, I started trying to come up with a new title: hmm….Blogineer? Well, maybe we need to get away from anything beginning with “Blo…” — it sounds too much like “blah” (which we’re certainly not). Perhaps we can combine terms that have some connotation of credibility?
Maybe I am an Online Discussion Facilitator? An Online Interpersonal Communication Specialist? An International Ideas Distributor?
Today, I’m seeing myself as a Writer who publishes some material online — that’s the suit that feels like it fits, for now. But I’m still missing a snappy title.
So, tell me, what do you do?
July 19th, 2006 at 8:25 pm
“Web Geek” or “Web Developer” seems to work for me when I’m talking to the proletariate. They may use the internet but do not care to understand it. People rarely probe past that initial description but some will venture a guess: “So you design web sites?”
The answer to that is of course quite complex. I don’t usually design the graphics or layout, but I am often responsible for the design of the database and user interface. How does one describe these differences to somone who doesn’t care?
Yes, I design web sites.
Someday I may try my hand at being a writer.
–anton
July 19th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Cuileann,
I tell people that I write about Practical Life Philosophy.
When they go, “Huh?” I tell them, Check out my web site at ChrisCree.net. If you like what you see come back for more. I update my site about once a day. And if you don’t then just surf on past.”
If they express further interest I explain how I am disciplining myself to write daily, by providing something of value for folks to read if they want, because I’d like to write a book one day. At the same time I am learning tons about web sites, their design, and promotion, etc.
Of course that is if the conversation isn’t about my day job, which is a whole different conversation entirely!
July 20th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
Hi Anton!
How bourgeois of you to refer to the proletariate!
It’s interesting that you’ve got some really simple terms to give people a fast and basic impression of what you do.
Your comment got me wondering: is it actually important for others to understand our occupations? Do we get too caught up in work identities? It’s all something to think about.
As far as being a writer someday, I think you’re on your way already. I really enjoyed your story, BitTorrent vs BitKeeper. It’s a great piece about high-tech office politics (and I got a kick out of the ending)!
Thanks for chiming in!
Cuileann
July 20th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Hi Chris!
I think you sum up your writing well when you call it “Practical Life Philosophy” — it’s super stuff! And your idea of directing people to your blog when they have questions is fabulous. Way to promote!
I admire your discipline of posting everyday, especially with the demands of your day job. Yeah, your day job…I’m one of those folks who does quite grasp that yet (hmm…something to do with naval consulting???)
As far as writing a book someday, I think it’s a great idea to develop a readership with your blog. I think that showing you have an audience already could really help interest an agent/publisher (that’s what I’m hoping for with my blog, too).
As far as content goes, you may or may not be able to include your posted material in your book. From what I’ve heard/read, writing that appears on a website/blog can sometimes be considered already “published.” Book publishers might wonder why people would pay for material that they can get online for free. Because blogs are so new, there aren’t any absolute answers about what is considered previously published. So, for now, we all have to be careful.
Personally, I’ve been keeping my online writing separate from anything that I might want to publish in novel or magazine form. That’s just me — some might say that I’m playing the game too safe, and that’s fine (everyone’s welcome to an opinion).
If you learn anything more about what’s considered published and what’s not, I’d really like to hear about it.
Thanks for continuing the chat!
Cuileann
July 21st, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Cuileann, for me it is not so much that I’m trying to accumulate material for a book as it is that I’m developing the discipline of writing. Although who knows, I might use the stuff in my blog. I really haven’t thought it all through yet.
And then as far as my day job goes, don’t feel bad. It’s confusing even for my wife sometimes.
I’ve never had a job where I could just say a title and folks would have an idea of what I do. And my current title of “Marine Surveyor” doesn’t conjure up any meaningful images for most people. The short version is that I do inspections of cargo mostly on ships.
July 22nd, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Hi Chris!
It sounds like you’ve got a great plan! And while I still don’t have a clear understanding of what you do (thanks for the reassurance that that’s okay), it’s sounds like you’d have a great collection of unique experiences that could fuel your writing.
Write on!
Cuileann
July 22nd, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Thanks for the complement on my writing. I know I just need to practice and learn to edit better to have a chance at writing something longer or profitable.
I do have to credit Ed at work for giving me the idea for the story, he jokingly mixed up Bit Torrent and Bit Keeper in conversation the other day.
–anton
July 24th, 2006 at 9:39 pm
Hi Anton,
You do sound just like a writer — picking up story ideas from everyday (and office) life!
Looking forward to reading more!
Cuileann
July 29th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
I agree–we need a new title besides blogger! My colleagues all look at me with their eyebrows raised when I tell them I have a blog on teaching. And even more so, when I shared that I had a class blog for my graduate class this summer. It’s as though they don’t see it as quite…profesional…
July 31st, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Hello Dr. Kirk!
I checked out your blog and really like it! Being a former college teacher, I suppose I was destined to become a fan.
I can see how the titles of professor and blogger might not seem to match well. Hopefully, with some more time and more high-quality blogs emerging, the general perception of “bloggers” will become more positive.
Your creation of a blog for your graduate class is a great idea! How innovative! If/when it’s successful (which I’m sure it will be), perhaps you could discuss its value with your colleagues? Just a thought.
Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Cuileann
August 2nd, 2006 at 8:12 pm
Thanks for coming by my blog. The grad class one is now up for view at:
http://delaney.typepad.com/managingdiversity/
I was very pleased with the participation and the
way it allowed us to continue the conversaton outside of class. I’m now trying to decide if I can do a class blog with an undergraduate class. Think it will work?
August 5th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Hi Delaney,
Thanks for coming back to continue our chat! I’m so very sorry for not replying before now: I’ve been quite sick for about a week and a half, but I’m finally feeling like myself again.
Thanks for passing on a link to your class blog! I checked it out, and enjoyed the chance to be a fly on the wall. What a powerful and successful blog — the students really embraced it!
As far as my opinion goes about whether a blog would work for undergraduate students, I must clarify that I’ve never taught at the university level, just at the community college (and high school) level, so I’m not the best qualified person to give an opinion. With that being said, I’ll still offer my two cents (since you asked).
Given that you’ve already created and managed a class blog with success, I think you’ve got the experience and knowledge to offer a blog to other classes, too (if you’ve got the energy and time for the extra work, of course).
Since this is still such an innovative and unusual teaching approach, I initially started thinking that the safest expansion might be to offer a blog to your senior undergraduates, since they’ll be aware of graduate school and/or employment plans for the next year and would, therefore, (presumably) take the blog the most seriously. However, you might also have a freshman class made up of very keen and conscientious students — perhaps you’d find them to be the best student-bloggers?
I’m thinking now that the decision to add a blog might have less to do with course level than with the students themselves. Every class develops its own personality. Perhaps you could get to know your students a bit and introduce a blog mid-semester to whichever group it would match best.
Overall, though, I think your class blog creation is amazing, and I hope you do it again (at some level) next semester!
I also checked out the syllabus for your graduate class, “Managing Diversity.” I’m impressed by the areas you cover and believe passionately in promoting an understanding of diverse groups in the workplace (and in the rest of life).
I see that your course includes a section on physical disabilities — this is a topic that affects me personally. I have MS and now walk using a wheeled walker (rollator). Interestingly, I’ve found that the most frustrating and crippling aspect of my disability is not my difficulty walking, it’s encountering the lowered expectations that people have for me.
Courses like yours help lessen those obstacles, so I must say a very sincere thank you! As well, if I can be of any assistance to your class by offering a personal perspective on disability, just let me know — I’d be happy to help.
Thanks for working to help people become more understanding and accepting of each other’s differences!
Cuileann
August 5th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
Hello again, Delaney!
Just when you thought I couldn’t possibly add more words to my reply…
I wonder whether your experience with blogging in the classroom could lead to an article for an academic journal? You’ve certainly completed some primary research. Just a thought.
Blog on!
Cuileann
August 5th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
Hi Cuileann,
Glad you are feeling better. Thanks for the suggestion on doing an article–great idea. I did feel I learned a lot from the class blog experience and am looking forward to trying it again. I really appreciate your offer to assist–Perhaps you might think of doing a blogpost on how to help students with disabilities–who just want a chance to prove themselves but may need some accommodation. As I teach workshops for other college professors to improve their teaching and classroom management skills, I am always interested in learning more myself.
August 6th, 2006 at 11:39 pm
Hi Delaney,
Thanks for suggesting that I do a post about students with disabilities. Balancing my blog with some education posts would be a good idea.
Lately, I’ve been focusing all of my energy on revising my novel and finding an agent (along with blogging), so my attention has been shifting away from education. Still, I’ve always loved teaching!
Good luck with your next class blog!
Cuileann