image via socialcafemag.com
Recently an article on the Huffington Post caught my attention. It caught my attention not so much for its content but because it was so poorly written.
The author attempted to call out Dallas bloggers for “clicking off”. I believe the author meant creating cliques. Anyway, please read the article for yourself. I have posted screenshots below to show the article as originally posted. It may have been edited by now.
Read left to right, top to bottom
The writing…
Blogging is something I take seriously, but I also have fun with it. My goal is for readers to be entertained, informed and connected. I take my time and really try to pull together great, authentic content for readers. Yes, I am ashamed to say typos exist from time to time but, for the most part, I work hard to make sure that what I have written is clear, concise and gets to the point. The last thing I want is for readers to leave my blog confused. Most of the bloggers I know feel the same way. Why? Because as a blogger, that is how you establish credibility, connect with readers, collaborate and build your reputation. All of these things take time to develop and require a blogger to consistently produce quality content.
The length of time a person has been blogging is often evidenced by the quality of their work. If a person has been a blogger for a couple of years, the first post and the most recent post should reflect a night and day difference, showing how their voice has evolved. This is what you should desire as a blogger!! Evolution of your blogging voice is inevitable, if you are open to learning and growing.
The author of the article on the Huffington Post showed an entangled, disorganized and incomprehensible blogging voice. The author came across as very angry and, I hate to say this, immature. (i.e. speaking of “clicking off”) I am sad for the author because the platform of Huffington Post is huge and this article falls short of the caliber of content one expects to find on the esteemed publication.
In plain English, the article is horrible and lacks clarity, purpose, tact and is an insult to readers who are looking for good content. Who the heck cares who’s playing with whom on the blogging playground?! Get to work and produce good, positive content! That’s what readers care about.
A word about blogging in Dallas…
The Dallas bloggers I’ve met are very friendly and support one another when they can. Due to everyone having their own busy schedules and busy lives, it can be hard to be as supportive as one might wish to be. Some bloggers are at two to four or more events a week. Often times that means a blogger may attend more than one event in a day or evening.
I meet bloggers everyday. When I met Alex, of Small4Style, we felt like we had known each other for years after spending one afternoon together in Snider Plaza. When I met Leah, of Beauty4Ashes, we connected because of things we have in common in the blogging world and beyond. There is a mutual level of respect and trust between each of these ladies and myself.
Let’s be honest though, not everyone will get along. Bloggers are people first–if personalities aren’t in sync, relationships aren’t built. That doesn’t mean people are creating cliques or “clicking off” as the author so incorrectly states; or that they have a right to be disrespectful to others.
Why worry about cliques and what bloggers are hanging out together? That’s high school foolishness. As a blogger you must be focused and have thick skin. Some people in the general public, brands and journalists have an opinion that bloggers write low quality content, are needy and are all about collecting swag bags, getting stuff for free and being seen. A few bad apples have spoiled the bunch…a bit. The truth is that there are so many amazing bloggers working hard everyday to change that opinion.
I love that the blogging scene in my city has diversity of look, thought and voice that speak fashion, lifestyle, events and nightlife. I love that popular bloggers receive the recognition they deserve for the work they have put in. I love that when I am out with my blogging friends, we take ussies to say “We are in the building y’all!”. If this upsets others, or appears to be a clique, it is nothing personal. We are just having a good time and that is what it is all about.
Don’t play nice, BE NICE!
Pop Goes the City | Dallas Lifestyle 
I appreciate this! I can say that I also felt as if you were speaking to me and I understood. The shots you shared from HP clearly lacked creativity and tact as stated. Bravo!!!!! Great minds unite or I’m sorry engage in — “clicking up”
Thanks, Crystal! People tend to gravitate to like personalities. I hate that some consider that to be creating cliques. If two people get along, great! If two personalities don’t mesh, well…you can’t fit something square into a round hole can you? No! You can’t force it. Connections are natural, should be genuine and mutually beneficial.
Cliques happen. It’s life. Cliques don’t always intentionally keep people out so it’s not always a Mean Girls situation. Oftentimes it’s just that certain people hit it off, as you stated above. It is great to have at least one good blogger friend who you can talk to about blogging and bounce ideas off and help each other grow. I think we tend to link up with others who we consider to be on our blogging level (and that’s not meant to sound cliquish) because we can relate.
You hit the nail right on the head! I have hit it off with other bloggers and good things have come from the connection. For me, it is about helping each other grow…it’s not about who’s better or anything silly like that. I love the point you make about linking up with others we consider to be on our level. That is a true statement and few will admit it because of fear of sounding cliquish. Thanks, Tamara!
I couldn’t have said it better myself Leslie! Xoxo Alex
Thank you, Alex!