It took the world by storm a few years ago, yet today, there are whispers that it is fading into obscurity. Are they true? Is blogging being pushed into the wings by social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter or does it still hold its own in the Internet where most entities are ephemeral and prone to change with advances in technology?
Well, you can argue both sides of this issue till you’re blue in the face; however, the fact remains that this is a matter of opinion. Those who are enamored by Facebook and Twitter swear by it (little realizing that these are ephemeral too and that in a few years’ time, they will be swept under the rug as newer and more innovative ways to interact online and use the web emerge), and those who love to blog continue to do it. The latter know that as long as they’re able to hold the interest of their reader, as long as they can keep churning out content that’s relevant and compelling, as long as they meet the needs of their readers, there is always a market for blogs on the Internet.
There’s also the fact that blogging is not just about readership – for most bloggers, it is the compulsive need to write that drives them to put down the words that jostle for space in their head rather than the adulation they expect from their audience in praise of those words. They are the ones who don’t compromise on their principles or personal ethics and beliefs to pander to their readers – as far as they’re concerned, their blog is their space and you’re welcome to visit and leave your feedback; but if you expect your opinion to take center-stage, then it’s best to get your own blog.
Today, it’s the bloggers who are able to adapt easily to change and go along with the flow who are able to retain their popularity. They know how the land lies, and that’s why savvy bloggers are using Facebook and Twitter to popularize their blogs and enhance their readership instead of just switching over to the shorter form of interacting on the web.
Yes, status messages on Facebook and tweets on Twitter are easier to read when you lead a fast-paced life that seems to keep you on your toes all the time; however, if you’ve ever read a blog post completely simply because you could not stop reading, you’ll know that there are some things that just cannot be encapsulated in a limited number of words. And that’s enough reason to state that blogs will certainly be around, no matter how many social networking sites come and go.
