I’m trying to figure out what Blogging without a Blog is all about? One of the archived articles is all about how to copy and paste in WordPress -huh? If you’re blogging and have no clue how to copy and paste text then you you’ve been in the dark way too long.
The interesting thing about the post is that it links back to another blog ObservationMountain.com, which is nothing more than an advertisement for Febreze. In fact, there’s an entire list of Febreze products and no doubt, this blog tends to be more about selling Febreze than a “how to” copy and paste guide for WordPress users. The tags in the Febreze article are as follows:
allergen, coupons, ergonomic design, Fabric Refresher, fabrics, Febreze, febreze air effects, febreze candles, hand fatigue, odor eliminator, pet odor, scents, spray bottle..
Besides the fact, that I don’t care much for the fragrance (if one can call it that) of Febreze, I can’t draw the line between Blogging without a Blog’s take on Febreze and it’s relation to how one can learn how to copy and paste into WordPress. If a blog is nothing more than a pitch to sell a product (or products), it’s NOT a blog but, a page in which to sell products. If the purpose of the article is show a new WordPress user how to cut and paste a picture of a Febreze bottle into a post, then something “smells” pretty bad at Blogging without a Blog and its parent blog observationmountain.com.
Those who set up blogs with the sole purpose of an “agenda” (not too well hidden) to sell products, should not clutter up space with advertisements. Of course, the placement of Google Ads, which serves to pitch Febreze products truly makes ObservationMountain.com nothing more than a “sell site” for household goods. In fact, the entire site is one big “pitch” for household products.
I think that just about everyone knows how to use Baking Soda. Did you know that you can brush your teeth with Baking Soda? I did. Were you aware that mixing Baking Soda with Vinegar are a way to go green? Boy, you can even use Baking Soda to clean your counter tops. The best one is that you can use Baking Soda in your refrigerator to absorb odors. Now, I ask any reader (above the age of eight) did you know Baking Soda could be used for all of the above and so much more?
The tagline for Swafford’s “sell site” is “Easing Your Life with Stories of Importance”. Now, I fail to see the importance of Febreze in my life. The latest post on Blogging without a Blog is “Who Taught You” Open Mic.
A list questions to elicit a response ranges from ”How did you learn to blog” to ”Was your theme free or did you pay fot it”. Who cares? Blogging is about writing and themes are free at WordPress. However, the blog author does request that you get your blog listed in her Blog Registry. What’s the purpose and/or who gains from being in that Registry?
The viral approach to marketing blogs is alive and well at Blogging without a Blog and it’s a bit more disturbing than the advertisements for Febreze. What readers could learn from Blogging without a Blog is how to blog by throwing up a few short paragraphs and then hitting the comments trail to drive traffic to observationmountain - to get a whiff of fresh air from a purchase of Febreze. The other thing everyone can learn is that you really don’t need to put up unique content, just take ten minutes a day to throw up a few paragraphs about something that seeks a response. This process will drive traffic to your blog, however, do you really want the type of traffic that is gleamed through selling household products?
It has been my experience that those who blog a few short paragraphs a day and link their blogs to product blogs and offerings, are doing nothing more than pretending to blog - they do not write anything of substance.
Dare to be different and blog about a topic, which has meaning - rather than blogging about the smell of Febreze and/or creating doorway blogs to product blogs. You can gain “audience credibility” by offering up the real deal without a coupon (or come-on) to sell a product.
I concur. I don’t think I have spent more than 10 seconds on a blog that was just blatantly obvious about “selling” something. Now, the ones that “sell” ideas, I can buy into those.
) because there are some interesting blogs that can be found within those pages. But that place is riddled with “if you’ll look at mine I’ll look at yours” and I have yet to follow one of those. Oh, and the real good ones are “hey..come visit my blog and make sure you click on my Ads, I’ll return the favor.” Ugh, makes me sick. That can not be a fun way to blog. I hope I never fall into that mess.
I’ve joined blogcatalog (not a pitch
Interesting article, with great points. Good Job!
-Scott
Scott,
Thanks for the comment. I know this blog won’t be the most popular one around as I’ve started reviewing dozens of blogs and some blog owners might not like what I have to say.
Gregg
In addition, blogs NOT worthy of visiting, will NOT be linked from Bloggrrl back to the offending blog.
So, speaking of sites that I don’t get: What is this site about? Scrolling throught the most recent posts and all I see is exactly what you criticize in this article: throwing words up in order to get traffic.
Are you the devil? A girl? Grrl? Gregg? A boy then? A girl dressed as a boy devil?
It’s easiest to bash those things of which we are a part, just as it’s easiest to find faults in others when we ourselves have those same faults. After all, we’ve got to stand out, right?
I hope I’ve adequately proved what I mean with my own comment.
The point is that most blogs don’t have a point. Your blog doesn’t appear to–although I’m not one to say as I’m opposed to venturing into the archives of raving dooce-bags–so if a blog does have a point, even if its aim is to market nice smelling substances, it’s got a one-up on you. And me. And Joe Biden.
Oktober Five…
I bought this blog the way you see it now without the entry yuo commented on. I’m against (the existing content on this blog). What I decided to do with this blog is to review other blogs hence, the first article post on Blogging without a Blog.
I’m a guy, not the devil, my name is Gregg.
As you stated, “most blogs don’t have a point” may be true, however, Bloggrrl will weed out of the good from the bad and the truly ugly - have a nice day:-)
there is a very distinct whiff of bitterness about this blog.
Blogging is supposed to be for everyone, since when did it become so elitist?
And who died and made you the font of all knowledge?
oh boy, here come the blogger thumpers. Interesting comment from reader who’s username is…..
mrshighandmighty
enough said…
Wow, I can’t believe all the post of Rita’s are gone, that’s a real shame.
It’s fortunate Gregg that before she left Rita told you which blog to attack first. Unless of course it’s a complete coincidence that you went after a Blog written by somebody she’d just had a huge bust up with
I’m curious to know what you’re hoping from this? If people already read the blogs in question it’s doubtful that they’ll stop, and if they don’t, well you just pique their interest. Either way not a lot happens.
Anyway you’re satanic majesty, I was just wondering.
Hi Gregg,
As I’ve known it for the past few months, Blogging Without a Blog has been an effort to give free publicity to new bloggers who catch the author’s attention. These are called “New Blog of the Week,” and my blog was featured in “Not So New Blogs of the Week” on October 21. Barb is generous and unselfish, and I was very grateful for the extra traffic I got.
I can’t imagine where you found the stuff you wrote about, because that’s not what I see when I go there. Febreeze?? I checked Google to see if there were another blog with that name and a different URL, but I couldn’t find any.
Dot
Dot -
On Blogging without a Blog, you will find a link to observationmountain.com which is some type of off-shoot from the main blog. Thanks for reading.
Gregg
Honestly, Gregg, I don’t think this approach is going to work. People don’t want reviews on blogs from people who blog. They’ll go to the site themselves, or they’re already a member of that blog, or they’ll look in a blog directory, of which there are countless. Maybe if you did with blogs and their authors what the daily show writers and john stewart do for news. Or take any other late night talk show host as an example. If you could make it funny then that’s one thing, but being cynical and snarky about blogs that exist just to serve the greater blogging community is . . . blogging suicide. You’re alienating your own audience.
We want rita back.
Tim -
Rita did not point to any blog or any particular author when she left. In fact, Rita left due to health reasons. Is Rita a friend of mine? Absolutely! Would I purposefully review a blog based upon the notion that Rita left her position due to a disagreement with another blog author or authors?
Absolutely not!
There’s one common theme in all of Rita’s comments and blog entries, she’s opinionated and a straight shooter with everyone - including me:-) I’m hoping she comes back soon and begins a new blog in her area of expertise - teaching.
As the owner of this blog, I reviewed comments and entries daily. I decided to take this blog and change its direction. I offer up no agenda other than reviewing other blogs.
Gregg
Oktober5,
I’ve been trying to find a way to contact you, but you seem to have deleted everything. If you comment on my blog, I’ll deliver the message there, and you won’t have to reveal any contact method.
Dot
My biggest pet peeve with blogs is all the advertising. I advertise, sort of. What I try to advertise is sites related to who I am and what I go through on a daily basis.
However, I do NOT earn any money from what I put on my blog. I am there to provide a service, an offer of hope, not make money off people who happen to stop by.
I was wondering who would end up buying this site. Just like with the last poster (HI
) I stop in when I can. So hello for now.
As for sites you speak about above, I don’t tend to speak ill of sites that have specific formats. Obviously if it is still there and getting readers than people are finding it useful and who am I to knock that.
Christine
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