Falling Back Into Old Bad Habits: Blogging vs. Social Networking

by Joshua Dorkin on August 20, 2011

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Blogging vs. Social Media Habits

Image: Steve Jurvetson

The eternal debate over moving your social identity from blogging platforms to other social media like social networks will never die (for the foreseeable future, at least), but I for one believe that you should never cede complete control of your personal brand to the innumerable social networks. A personal or business blog, hosted on your own domain, is truly the only way to completely control your own message, without fear of being moderated – “accidentally” or on purpose – or even closed.

As someone who oversees a large growing community for real estate investors of almost 75,000 members, I understand the need to moderate your community, and that’s exactly why I think people have to have some kind of home base outside the rules and regulations of other sites.

Falling Back Into Old Bad Habits . . .

I’m guilty of losing focus and posting exclusively on other social networks at the expense of this blog. That said, while I have certainly ignored this blog from time to time over the years, I do manage over a dozen posts per week on the BiggerPockets Blog and our new weekly Investor’s Corner column on Realtor.com.

I should be focusing my efforts here once again and will be doing my best to share content and ideas via this platform . . . if I have a lapse, just scream at me (or remind me on any of those other platforms: G+, Facebook, Twitter); I’ve got to thank Dave Taylor, who inspired me about a week ago to get off my backside and revive this place.

What about you? Are you still blogging or have you given it up to the great black hole of the social networks?

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

Nick Johnson August 20, 2011 at 1:17 pm

Nice to be reminded that you blog here Josh! I remember you having this blog a long time ago and forgot it even existed until I saw the FB wall post(via tweetdeck I think). I certainly look forward to more from you.

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Joshua Dorkin August 20, 2011 at 1:22 pm

Thanks, Nick! Sometimes I just get so busy with everything else that this place falls through the cracks . . .
Speaking of things like that, are you going to get the Motiv8td site back up and running sometime soon?

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Hemendra Kumar Saini August 22, 2011 at 10:04 pm

Yep, Social Media addiction is sort of addictive and with new social networking sites flooding in it is really hard to stop yourself. Being a Blogger, I open my Blog dashboard in one tab and my social account in one tab. As lots of social media website have new QNA trend, so i use that for for my time and post my links whenever i it is relevant.

That’s solve my problem for social addiction and blogging.

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Joshua Dorkin August 22, 2011 at 10:08 pm

Thanks for sharing your insight, Hemendra!

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Mel Lifshitz August 24, 2011 at 8:16 am

There’s always a time that we lose focus on something so that we can do better things after we realized that we need to refocus again.

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Barry Wheeler August 28, 2011 at 4:04 pm

With so many social media sites out there right now, it’s difficult to remain focused. I’m finding I’m spending more time blogging, less tweeting and even less on Facebook / Google+ … and I’m enjoying things much more.

Even though I realize there will be a hit in rankings because of my lack of social interaction, I’m still trying to find my “way” I guess.

Thanks for sharing your insights!

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Russell Davison August 31, 2011 at 4:53 am

I agree with you that, “A personal or business blog, hosted on your own domain, is truly the only way to completely control your own message.” I sometimes feel as if Facebook or Linkedin can be a little too parasitic, thriving off the efforts of others.

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Erin S. September 9, 2011 at 6:56 pm

Social Networking is powerful and blogging is more personal wherein once you get the reader’s attention you can expect some actions.

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Ted September 14, 2011 at 7:24 pm

I have struggled with the same question. Like you, I too am not willing to put all my eggs in the social networks basket. Blogs are better, more personal and more permanent. Those other services will come and go.

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Ben @ Design Rush September 17, 2011 at 2:24 am

Hi Josh. Just found your blog. I agree that your blog HAS to be your base and you need to keep it ticking over, however, as long as what you do elsewhere benefits the reader and enhances your reputation online what the hell. I write occassional short Wordpress articles but most of my stuff is elsewhere too.

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