So what I really wanted to say was, evolve or die. Evolve or devolve into irrelevance. That’s how I feel about the blogging industry these days. With the rise of video and micro blogging platforms, there is now more competition than ever when it comes to making your voice heard. In a world where turning heads can translate into making money, who wouldn’t want a piece of the pie?
I am a blogger first and foremost. I’ve always loved writing. Then I discovered the joy in taking photos. It was really the perfect niche for me. I honestly don’t know if I can transition to other platforms. Case in point, when I was making a 30-second IG video, I was on the verge of pulling my hair out. I have nothing but utmost respect for vloggers.
Anyway I did some random blog-hopping and discovered that over 20 bloggers whom I consider my contemporaries have stopped posting. Months, in some cases even years, have gone by with no updates. I don’t know why they quit. What I do know is, people usually stop what they’re doing when they feel it’s no longer worth their time and effort.
It’s not easy keeping up. Suddenly everyone wants Instagram (a platform I used to ignore). More people now want to watch videos. Then there’s free Facebook for virtually everyone here in the Philippines. I have to adapt in the best way I can in order to remain relevant. But the good news for bloggers like me is, as long as people still use Google to search for things, we will continue to thrive. These days, it pays (literally) to be the complete package. Perhaps someone who can navigate through SEO strategies, flatlays, OOTDs, and even videos while looking great in the middle of juggling it all. Does it sound taxing? It’s work after all.
I guess I still find what I’m doing worthwhile because I don’t have plans of quitting anytime soon.
Like this post? Subscribe to this blog by clicking HERE.
Let’s stay connected:
This is so true.
When I started blogging, I wanted to be anonymous (because internet was so scary at that time). But I realized that there are opportunities in blogging, so I started attending events – and put my blog there.
My regret is not learning earlier how to edit videos and making the most of the platform. Sana magamit ko pa the old materials and videos I got to record back then ❤️
Grabe 30-second video lang maloka-loka na ako. I don’t know if I have it in me to vlog.
I love your blog, the topics are always on point. It’s like, I will have something mentally filed, a place or something to be researched when I find the time, and then boom! Next thing I know, you have a review of it already on your blog! This has happened several times actually. I also appreciate how REAL you write without any “kyeme” or pretensions and how your blog isn’t a walking advertisement of sponsor brands. Keep on doing what you love!
It’s been hard to blog ever since I got into PhD school because we were also required to publish journal articles, books, and whatnot. So all my writing energy had to be put into those things. After graduation, it had been even more difficult because now we need to publish (and present our findings in national and international conferences) to keep our rankings up (this includes a massive rise in pay for lecturers who write their asses off to reach professor rank) hahaha! Taking photos and posting them on IG seems much easier to do if I want to document what’s been going on.
I can’t even write creatively anymore, since it’s all been academic articles. So I just pour all the creative writing into making games (easier to tell a story with visuals, music, interactivity).
So true! Hirap nga humabol, bilis ng change ng trends. Pero yes, definitely as long as there is Google we have the chance to be noticed and our blogs be read as long as we do great SEO.
Oh Ro, please don’t ever think of quitting. You are my favorite blogger.
Very true, we need to constantly reinvent ourselves and evolve to stay relevant. And achieve differentiation at the same time. Great piece, Ro!
Susuportahan po namin kayo.Please po wag po kayong mag-quit, isa po kayo sa pinakapaborito kong Blogger ❤️