This morning Gary Lamb posted to his Twitter page a comment that I have been thinking about for a few weeks now…his comment was “Pretty sure Twitter has killed blogging. Blogs seems dead lately.”
I gotta admit…other than a few blogs…most of the ones I usually read are getting stale. Many are simply becoming announcement sites for their churches…others are doing more preaching…and still a few of the “behind-the-scenes” church blogs have trickled down to a just a post or two each month because their staff members are now Twittering.
I have to admit that during my hiatus from blogging I came close to not coming back. Twitter…even with it’s occasional technical difficulties…is easier, less time consuming and more immediate than blogging. There are days when it seems like drudgery to type a complete blog post when I can just Twitter something in 140 words or less. Maybe I am just getting lazy…or maybe I’m coming to realize that blogging has become a thing to really zap my time and productivity. I don’t know, but I’m wondering if Gary is not correct…has Twitter spelled the end to blogging as we know it?
RAMBLINGS OF A FORMER STREET PASTOR 
18 responses to “Has Twitter Killed Blogging?”
I think it’s killed the blogs of those who post mostly inane stuff, since that gets Twittered now. For me, it’s actually improved my blogging, I feel, because I’m more focused on producing content that just isn’t a long tweet, but a discussion-oriented or thought-provoking idea that entices discussion and reaction. But as a faithful ClaytonBellOnline.com reader, I’m sure you already knew that…
😛
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I don’t think so. Twitter is something I’ve used but still haven’t gotten hooked on. I think with RSS readers, people will still read blogs that are purposefully put together and that’s the key. Just 2 years ago or so, you could blog anything but now, it’s become more mainstream and the same requirements we required of newspapers in years past hold true here. Thoughtful content, solid grammar, insight, and well thought out opinions will all rule the blogosphere. Mindless, ill-prepared posts will no longer be read.
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In my opinion, I think they have two different purposes. Twitter to keep up with friends, ask questions, status updates and. blogs to think out loud, explore ideas, and have conversations.
And PLEASE don’t stop blogging Chris. You have lots more wisdom bombs to drop on us.
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Clayton & Scott – I think you guys hit on the point that Gary was trying to make…and why I can see the end of ChrisElrod.com coming soon. It used to be that blogs were random, personal, original, fun and irreverent….what Twitter has now become. The days are gone where you get to know the person…the mindset and personality behind the blog posts. These days blogs have become…”establishment”…they’ve taken the place of devotionals, news outlets, press junkets and motivational books. They’ve become a “how-to” lesson for those that don’t want to buy the book or attend the conference. They’ve become boring and predictable…and anything but original.
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Agreed with Clayton, I normally write stuff that is pretty invovled (non-twitterable) and since I only write when I reeeally feel like it and have time to, it usually ends up being a long post. I don’t use twitter…I just get the feel like it’s touching on self-promotion (a la myspace). Cheers and it’s cool to see pastors blogging!
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I guess I’m in the minority but I just don’t get twitter at all. My blog allows me to communicate in a fairly meaningful way when I do it right.
I totally agree with Jason, PLEASE don’t stop blogging! I’ve gained SO much from you and Gary and all the other bloggers I follow.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see – but IMHO if blogging is old now, just think how fast a 140 word limit is going to get trite!
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I don’t Twitter.
Don’t have the time or motivation.
Blogging is better stewardship and leaves a stronger digital footprint for my son in the future.
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Sorry Chris – – that last comment was from me. Dang it.
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twitter is like masturbating for bloggers.
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Dave – That might explain why your eyesight is so bad. 🙂
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Just as I learn to blog now I gotta learn to twitter
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no.
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I’ve tried to follow a few people’s twittering…Scott Hodge, Access Elevation, and a few more. But the truth is, I don’t care whether you’re working late or just pulling into Krispy Kremes. If my wife Twittered, I’d follow it. Other than that…
Blogging gives me a chance to learn from you as well as occasionally getting a glimpse of your life.
Twittering just seems to infer that everyone is thinking about you, when the reality is…they’re probably not.
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If you can get your point across in 140 words or less then quit blogging. However, for the most part Twitter entries are stupid and virtually pointless for the broader reading public. Chris, Gary, etc. don’t quit blogging.
Dave, you may want to give up twittering.
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I always do short blog posts (compared to many). But then again, my readership is down lately. Summertime travels, maybe?
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Hmmm…since twittering, my blogging stats have jumped! I am waiting for the day when my twitter followers (775 I think) pass my RSS subscribers (1500 or so)…then maybe I’ll reconsider!
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I don’t think so. If anything, having an outlet to post quick, 140 character thoughts has freed me up to really save the “good stuff” for my blog.
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I dunno man…I just joined Twitter, and searched my 9900 Gmail Contacts to see who was already on Twitter (yeah, I’m kind’ve a power user…) only 260 of my friends are on Twitter. I’m pretty sure more than that many blog… many more. Its like ‘does the VHS kill the movie theater?” Maybe I’m being too optimistic, but I think its a both/and.
This doesn’t mean that blogs don’t get stale though. Who can write almost every day?
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