If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
The other day I wrote a post called “Is your blog crap?” and perhaps I should have called it “Do you ever feel like your blog is crap?” or “Do you ever like your blog doesn’t make the grade?” because if you actually read the post you would know that was what it was about. You also would have known that I wrote it because I sometimes feel like that.
But I didn’t.
Because I was in the middle of a conference, in the middle of a holiday to New York City.
What I wanted to do, and continue to want to do, is to share some of the incredible information I have learnt over here. I didn’t have heaps of time to do that, just snippets here and there and so I wrote that post in between sessions. It wasn’t a super thought out post, just something cool that I had found helpful. Why did I write it? Because I am the only Aussie blogger, at least from the personal space, who is over here and I wanted to share what I am learning. And because I found it one of the most helpful sessions of the conference.
But as I sit here now I have been looking back through twitter and catching up (twitter is another thing I haven’t had a lot of time for) and I find that my post annoyed some people and led to some unkind, not so subtle comments.
And so I am here, a little hurt and annoyed.
So look, if you don’t want to hear about the conference or anything I have to say, feel free not to read. If you think it’s patronising for me to blog about then move right along, if you think I am just jumping on some bandwagon, then you are the one missing out. I have sat in front of some of the world’s leading blogging and social media thinkers over here and I am going to keep talking about it here – if you are not interested that is fine, but please keep you unkindness to the privacy of DMs and email…or even better, your own mind.
Edit: Actually, if you have something to say then feel free to actually say it. If you can constructively add to this, or any other conversation, with intelligence and good humor them please – I welcome that!
Mummble
Stitch Baby + Kids
I really enjoyed that post Louisa, and I thought it was really well written. Sorry about the negatively you got. This is one if the things I’m dealing with right now, especially on fb because I have quite a large page now. I find I am overthinking everything because I know, no matter what I post, someone will find something negative to say. I’m sure you’re like me and welcome difference if opinion but it’s not that is it? It’s the people seemingly on the hunt to find negative to say… Keep the posts coming love.
Kelly recently posted..Favourite Photo Editing Tricks
The Internet is a big place with lots of room for different opinions, so easy to click away, wish more people would.
I got upset comments on a blog post yesterday about kids needing more calcium in their diet and the Kids Need 3 Challenge. Baffling.
Hope you continue to enjoy your time in NYC.
Marita recently posted..Celebrating 5 years since Heidi’s Autism Diagnosis
Whhaaaaat? I thought it was a great post.
Seems to be too much of this kind of thing happening at the moment. What is going on? I just don’t get it.
I have really enjoyed reading your NYC posts Lousia….keep them coming baby! x
Unfortunately, I think we have become a society where people think it’s ok, or even their right, to put others down. Whatever career you are in, there will be some people who will put you down, just because they can. You need to focus on the many, many wonderful and productive comments which prior make on your blogs.
Louisa, I think you’re being very generous by sharing what you’ve learned from such a huge blogging conference. Unfortunately, Twitter has not been a happy place of late. Ignore the naysayers and keep on doing what you do best. If someone took the heading of your post a certain way, they were completely off track with its content.
Nikki @ Styling You recently posted..You can wear neon. Yes, you can.
I remember reading that blog post on my phone at the time (& therefore didn’t leave a comment, sorry) and feeling lucky to be receiving such valuable information by proxy. It’s a shame that your good intentions were misinterpreted.
Misha recently posted..Wordless Wednesdays: Dawn
I thought it was a great post…. some of us feel like NOTHING we do is up at the level that we want it to be, so it certainly resonated with me, though I haven’t got a blog going yet. Why don’t I? Because I’m terrified of it being mediocre crap that bores the living shit out of anyone unfortunate enough to bump into it. How will I get over that and get out there? By reading and absorbing posts like that, posts that make you rethink how and why and how else. Keep soaking up all that wonderful info….. what you and others do with it is up to the individual – but as with most sorts of imformation sharing/education/confences i would rather have heard it all and had the opportunity to pick and choose what I found relevant and pertinent then to have never heard it at all. It sounds amazing!
Just keep on doing what you are doing lovely xx
frogpondsrock recently posted..Sunday Selections #75
I am loving living vicariously through your trip Louisa. Please keep up the posts – I think that a quick post in between session can be a brilliant way of sharing the crux of your session. Please don’t let the small amount of negativity get to you – there are far more reading your words and enjoying them.
xo
Amy {The Misadventurous Maker} recently posted..Cauliflower and Cheese Fritters
I think it’s super exciting that you’re over there and I’m enjoying your little updates! I missed the post you speak of but I’ll go back and have a read – I’m sure it’s packed full of valuable information – thanks for sharing – that’s what blogging is, after all! If people don’t like it, they should just click away. I don’t understand the vitriol.
Cathy recently posted..Dr Alarmist
Wow, i haven’t been on twitter much so didn’t see anything but i wouldn’t have thought there was anything in the post that was controversial; it’s a great, informative post. While i want to tell you to ignore the naysayers, i’m more in favour of promoting ‘if you haven’t got anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.’ Please don’t let it stop you posting about the conference!
Kate @ Our Little Sins recently posted..day 20 | 100 Pantone postcards project
I thought it was a fabulous post. It seems the Internet is becoming a great place fothrone to display all manner of self righteousness and basically somewhere to feel better about themselves at the expense of others. Keep doing what you are doing my friend x
Hi read that post on my phone…the only thing that bugged me was that you were in NYC and I wasnt! I thought it was you being a conduit for all the great stuff you were learning. I commented on twitter the other night about watching Pretty in pink and a person who replied about men not ‘getting’ that movie got hassled for being sexist! Too many angsty people with too much time…keep writing.
Sarah recently posted..Riding in cars with…kids.
I thought the blogpost was great, it’s a shame (and kind of ridiculous) that some people are taking it personally. I nodded along through the whole blog post- They were all thing that turn me off reading that’s for sure. Keep up the good work Louisa
Are you serious? Twitter used to be a place I could spend hours and hours. I am already using it so much less.
Poor Lara Bingle got it last night, I didn’t know you got it this week too.
Can I just ask, if it is ever about me, don’t tell me. I don’t want to hear it.
Enjoy your experience, the photos look amazing, stay away from twitter and enjoy the conference and your family. There are many people wanting to hear what they can’t because they are not there, you know that. Keep up the posts.
claireyhewitt recently posted..Stress Free Chooks, from the farm to my belly.
I saw it. I will start by saying fuck ‘em. Followed closely with the fact that blind Freddy could see what your post was about. I hope it’s as obvious to you Louisa, as it is to everyone else that this is just pure jealousy and bitchiness.
Perhaps they could go visit your previous post where you talk about stopping all the bitching and bullshit. Might be like looking in a mirror.
Plenty of us got a lot out of what you had to say, and often do. Don’t stop what you’re doing. Again, I’m proud of you for what you’re accomplishing, and once again, for your ability to make your point firmly but politely.
Sharon @ Funken Wagnel recently posted..Thermomix Eggs Florentine
Hi Louisa,
Sorry you’ve had to go through this. You have a large variety of readers plus everyone is different but people don’t seem to realise these days that everything these days isn’t all about them and everything that is written, isn’t going to be all about them and have identical views.
This is what bugs me about parenting forums – there are very vocal minorities, that think that their opinion is the correct one, and they end up criticising other parents which leads to them second guessing themselves.
I really don’t know how anyone could have been offended by it. I for one REALLY loved it and got so much out of it. Keep being you, Louisa. x
bugger anyone else, I am LOVING reading your posts and seeing your tweets about what you are learning…
That blog post really hit home for me, and right after I saw this quote on pinterest – ‘creativity takes courage’ and I thought ‘that is exactly what L is talking about… it takes courage to put yourself out there, and courage to learn from the not so great stuff you create and courage to create the really good stuff…’ So please don’t stop being courageous!
katepickle recently posted..Five Fun Ways Kids can Help with Cleaning!
Oh fuck em.
I for one, am learning heaps about blogging from your reporting. Thank you so much for continuing to be so generous with your knowledge xx
keep it up.
Xx
Fiona recently posted..Naturally Caffeine-free Chai from RealChai
Well, I am LOVING your trip, so glad you are there, the vicarious living is fabulous! DO NOT STOP!
Gemma recently posted..The Orchard
Keep sharing. I am interested :-)
Veronica recently posted..So we’re going gluten free again.
I got the intention. Keep it up.
I have been lucky enough to be in a different time zone so I have missed most of the nastiness on twitter lately. But I have heard about it. I’m sorry I missed this. I just read the post and found it very helpful and not at all annoying.
We need to take twitter back. Nastiness breeds nastiness and I’m sick of it and bored of it and saddened by it.
Keep sharing Lou. I’m loving it.
Toushka Lee recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
I agree with you, but what about also taking back the blogosphere while we’re at it;)?
Sharon @ Funken Wagnel recently posted..Red Cross, I Want to Say Thank You
You are doing an awesome job and being very generous using your little down time to share with us – so thank you !!
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted..You are enough printable
Let it go, love. People find something to criticise wherever they look. x
Maxabella recently posted..Pantone 394
it is the world we live in and no matter where we go and what we do there is always going to be negativity. But you do an awesome job and I consider us your readers very lucky that you share what you know and have learnt. Keep up the great work.
Vicki x
Vicki recently posted..when is a kiss JUST A KISS
Hi Louisa
I don’t have much more to add except to say your posts were invaluable to me before I launched my blog. Twitter can be the worst for breeding paranoia too. Half the time when I read criticisms I think “are they talking about me?” ;)
Enjoy New York.
Carli recently posted..The Club
People are stupid. Look, I am not a particularly serious blogger, and therefore posts about blogging and blogging conferences etc don’t hold a huge amount of interest for me. So I tend to either skim them or not read them. Because, you know… I’m a grown up and I can make choices like that. I honestly don’t understand the point of commenting or tweeting just to criticise. Disagree politely and start a genuine dialogue, sure. But criticising for the sake of being negative and feeling superior is a waste of time, and usually plain nasty. It drives me crazy.
Sue Ellen recently posted..Non-foods
There seems to be lots of negativity in the blogosphere at the moment. Don’t let that get to you. You are so generous in sharing your leanings from the conference. Thank you :)
And yes, people have a choice about what they read – there’s something on the Internet for everyone.
Carly Findlay recently posted..Is being a blogger like being Lara Bingle?
I am learning a lot about blogging by reading your blogs. Thank you so much for everything you have taught me.
Nice and right to the point. My feelings on commenting is that if they are going to super nasty about it, they should like you say, keep it in their own mind.
But sometimes constructive criticism is good. It helps us grow as writers and artists. Take what you want from it and use it to learn.
And write what you want. You can’t please everyone. We all love to check out people’s blogs. Some we’re going to like, some we might hate, some we might love. But I think it is good to read all kinds, as usually most blogs have some posts that you are going to want to read and other posts that you’re going to want to skip over.
it just depends on what our tastes are.
jennifer fay recently posted..Psyche and other poems by Jennifer Jo Fay
I didn’t read that post because I don’t blog.
But I love this one.
So often I find myself shuddering like a big sister at the way you apologise for yourself waiting for criticism before it comes – a fear of rejection in cyberspace the undertone.
But not this post. It rocks!
New confidence!
I read your opinions and tips because I want to hear them – if I don’t agree – who cares
I love your blog, your ideas, your views, the only thing I don’t enjoy is your undertone of shyness about putting it out there.
Not anymore – Take it or leave it – This is ME!
What a great thing this trip has given you!
I hope that people who love you are telling you they see the change – especially if you have a big sister.
PS Please don’t take my comment as negative in anyway – the change has been growing and visible since you blogged about working on it ages ago.
It’s just that this is the best ‘if you don’t like it don’t read it’ post (and there have been lots lately) I’ve ever read