Much like in “Video killed the radio star”, Facebook (and Twitter, and all the other Web 2 networking sites) has been killing off countless local Antwerp blogs this year. I was stunned counting the sheer number of fellow bloggers who no longer bother to post, since Facebook is a much easier medium, providing a personalized, targeted audience, fast comments & lots of interaction. Are you still blogging?
If you are, do check my visitor counter: when it reaches 500,000 make sure to mail me a print-screen. I still got some chocolates left and I’m looking forward to join you in celebrating having been read by half a million visitors.
This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by the city of Antwerp, Belgium.
Yup, I’m still blogging, but also notice the amazing drop in visitors. Maybe I’m not playing fair though: I’ve installed a plugin that updates my facebook status and blog via twitter
[Blog author: "guess that's the only way to survive these days Sven: by networking your blog. This blog is currently on auto-pilot at 400 uniques a day (Google feels I'm relevant concerning subjects regarding Antwerp), but you've probably noticed I'm no longer a frequent poster. "]
Comment by Sven — October 7, 2009 @ 6:00 pm |
Probably kills off blogs that are only written for a few friends to read anyway. I’m reading your blog and don’t know who you are. If you were on Facebook or Twitter, that wouldn’t be the case. I find both Facebook & Twitter annoying.
[Blog author: "I noticed your frequent visits from Austin, Texas Outis. But I used to write blog posts focusing on Antwerp, Belgium, and how we perceive what happens in the world from this tiny EU kingdom by the sea. Check how 29 people I've never heard about commented last year on an iPhone issue. That just doesn't happen anymore. I'm sure the big commercial blogs will survive, but even one of the largest blogs in Antwerp city recently folded. "]
Comment by Outis — October 7, 2009 @ 7:45 pm |
Yes. That’s why (one of the reasons) I stopped my previous blog: everyone read the news on Facebook. Lacquemant is more ‘experience driven’
[Blog author: "I guess that an authentic experience still pulls an audience Benjamin. Good luck with Lacquemant."]
Comment by Benjamin — October 7, 2009 @ 8:18 pm |
Facebook is fine. It hasn’t stopped me from reading blogs though. I would rather read an actual story than hear how someone totally hates Mondays. Or how someone is sick for what seems to be the 200th time this year. (Seriously, people. Drink some freaking orange juice or something.)
It’s weird but I also enjoy being annoyed at these people. It gives my life purpose and makes me feel better about myself. Such a jerk I am.
I’m a sponge for inane information and I will gather it in any way possible.
[Blog author: "my best friend is a 24/7 source of inane drivel Kasey - I actually posted some of her brightest ideas regarding female breasts and gravity: it became my shortest but most popular post ever"]
Comment by Kasey — October 8, 2009 @ 3:30 am |
I’m on facebook and would probably read your Antwerp musings there if they were in English. But, for now I still frequently click in here like some pavlovian trained puppy, hoping for new comments on my much loved city and the life therein.
Twitter is aptly named, and an incredible bore. Most people’s daily lives are just not that interesting, even if they think so. IMO, Twitter will go the way of the “pet rock.”
Regards,
Lee
[Blog author: "thanks for being such a loyal reader Lee. I share your thoughts on Twitter: I gave it a spin and virtually drowned in an avalanche of mindless TXT messages and recycled pieces of yesterday's news. As for Antwerp: after several years of mind-boggling pollution and non-stop traffic noise a cottage in green suburbia sounds ever more appealing. "]
Comment by Lee — October 8, 2009 @ 4:11 am |
Twitter is a cock-competition and facebook has the substance of a bad weather front. I use both platforms, but when asked to be honest, I’ll admit that I dislike any of them. I may be swimming upstream, but hey, at least I “try” not to be such a lemming.
I don’t blog for friends either. You want to call me asocial?
Don’t worry, you are probably right. I’m more the broadcasting type. Putting it out there till someone finds it useful, or even if it makes someone happy, understood, less alone.. it’s a gain. But it ain’t my goal. I guess my closest friend is Google, cause that’s where the traffic comes from. 
[Blog author: "I'm convinced you are more the broadcasting type Walter - hey, we even share mutual friends
"]
Comment by walter — October 8, 2009 @ 5:53 am |
Yep, I pretty much only FB now…
[Blog author: "well, I must say that you wrote/write an inspiring blog Terri: the building of your new home, the health issues of your son: it still remains a most honest and heart-warming account I enjoyed reading. "]
Comment by Terri — October 8, 2009 @ 2:35 pm |
I do both, as there are things I want to blog about that I simply don’t want on FB. Also, I don’t see FB as a threat to blogging. Many of the blogs I visit still get tons of traffic, from what I can tell. I tend to separate FB and blogging, using blogging strictly for my more extended thoughts.
Screw Twitter. It’s useless tripe as far as I’m concerned.
[Blog author: "I share your feelings about Twitter Mr. Nighttime. Although I'm convinced many blogs still have a very loyal audience, most of my regular readers called it quits in 2009, totally focusing their online social interactions on Facebook. It may be nice noticing that I still have 400 drive-by daily visitors with this blog being on auto-pilote, but I guess I miss my long-time loyal commenters. Thank you for being one of them. "]
Comment by Mr. Nighttime — October 20, 2009 @ 3:38 pm |