Where Do We Go to Learn Blogging?
The blogging industry has now become a force to reckon with. Considering the big number of participants involved, doesn’t it make sense to have a systematized way to learn blogging? In spite of the common perception that anyone who wants to can start and sustain a blog, the latter may be more difficult to accomplish without understanding what it takes to sustain one. Where do people go to learn blogging? Are there schools that offer blogging degrees and courses or do we simply turn to the Internet for this?
The Internet
The Internet appears to be the default place to learn blogging. Since the online world is where it all started, it makes sense that information about blogging can be obtained here. The Internet does not disappoint. There are a lot of relevant information available about starting, maintaining, and ensuring success of blogs.
No shortage in reading materials exists when it comes to the topic of blogging but of course there are articles that are more helpful than others. Some may even have conflicting tips. It all boils down to specific needs and purposes. Webinarswhich allow interaction between “teachers and students” and all participants open up more aspects in learning to blog.
Seminars and Boot Camps
Seminars and boots camps in blogging are now being held in many parts of the world. These are actually short training activities to help interested people understand what it takes to blog. Some of the usual topics included are blogging platforms, blog themes, blog branding, blogging goals, blogging trends, social networking, digital marketing, writing tips, sourcing photos, and case studies.
The same topics can be found online but some people prefer the human interaction component. Newbie bloggers will learn soon enough that their blogs will need interaction from other blogs if they are to survive. It must be noted that there is at least one human being behind every blog and interaction will only happen if he or she says so.
Schools to Learn Blogging?
In spite of an extensive online search, I failed to find a single school that offers a blogging degree. The closest I can find were short talks conducted by experienced bloggers through the invitation of schools for the benefit of their students. However, these talks are merely done as support activities for degrees in Journalism, Marketing, or Information Technology.
In the event that blogging degrees actually come to be, schools should consider including a combination of courses that would help prepare students for actual blogging. These would probably include courses in Writing, Web Design, Photography, Videography, Marketing, and Journalism Ethics. Well, formal schooling may not be appealing to many bloggers but having the option for those who would like to pursue it is always beneficial.
My Say
I didn’t have the benefit of any formal training in blogging. However, I have the advantage of my natural love for reading and obtaining information from any possible source and I believe that has guided me along the way. That, and the small number of events and seminars that I have managed to squeeze in my busy parent schedule describe it more precisely. I would love to get any information about schools that offer formal training in blogging and place it here.
After several years of blogging, can I say that I now know everything there is to know about blogging? Definitely not! At the rate blogging is evolving, I am probably way off that point.
At this point though, I have learned enough to say that we can truly learn blogging only if we do it. After absorbing the basic information that every start-up blogger needs to know, it is time to act on it and blog. Experience has always been the best teacher and learning to blog is not an exception.
writermomangela
For me, part of the beauty & thrill of blogging and all social media channels is that they’re ever growing and changing! You can know everything there is to know today, and tomorrow none of it will apply. With 10 years managing social media and online communities I feel I have a degree in experience. Unfortunately lots of companies are starting to expect a degree in digital marketing to hold my position. 🙁
Teresa Martinez
This is really quite a dilemma since most companies are very traditional when it comes to degrees and educational certifications. I believe that effective management of social media and online communities is only possible with extensive experience. Traditional learning is fine but it has to be complemented by actual experiences because not everything can be learned in schools.
Jonas Labagala
I started blogging last 2011 and had no idea on what to expect. I thought it’s one way to have easy money but I got frustrated when I earned nothing and got no comments too. Since then, I stopped and continued with my life.
But then, I started again just last year and this time, I just had to share anything! From food, travel, anything that I can think of. And now, I can say that I’ve learned to love blogging as I can share and help spread the news, share my gastronomic experience and share my love of travel. If there’s one hobby that I can’t live without is blogging. 🙂
Pal Raine
Love reading your post Ms. Teresa. When I started blogging I said to myself this is just for FUN. Just to make my time useful while managing my shop. Then it becomes a HOBBY then turn into a BUSINESS…a JOB. I agree with your statement that your best teacher is your EXPERIENCES.
Marie
I’ve been hearing about blogging since my last year in high school but I never had the chance to start then until late 2009, I was 16 when I started blogging but I never had any idea what is it all about. I only know it’s like a diary that everyone in the internet can read it. Until months and months of blogging, I’ve understand what is it, what it can do in our community and what I can do with it! 🙂
Teresa Martinez
Same here, it took me quite a while to even understand the term blog.
Lainy
Blogging entails a lot of skills and the blogger’s interest to hone it is the way to learn more. Personally, I do believe that being a blogger does not mean the mere act of having a URL that gives it flight through the wide expanse of blogosphere. Running a blog demands that basic requirements are consistently maintained. I could only wish there is indeed a formal institution where we can grow our blogging know-hows.
Teresa Martinez
Maybe in time there will be but for now, the interaction between bloggers and actual experience in blogging will help us get through.
Algene
Boot camps are one of the effective ways to encourage newbie bloggers to focus into blogging 🙂 I can attest to that after the success of one of the bootcamp events organized by our local blogger group..
Teresa Martinez
I have heard a lot of encouraging stories about blogging boot camps.
JessicaWCassidy
Blogging is fun if you have the passion to write. It also fun especially when we start making money. I usually write in my journal and never thought that someday I can publish it online 🙂
Teresa Martinez
Blogging is indeed fun and productive. I never thought myself that I can self-publish my works.
channelimperial
Thank you for the tips Maam Teresa! Wannabe bloggers can learn a lot from this.
Teresa Martinez
Even long-time bloggers will have always something to learn since the blogging industry is so dynamic.
lencilicious
Learning the technicalities of blogging is very challenging. But I owe everything I know about blogging to the bloggers I met like you and rose. When it comes to blog designing and html stuff, I thank my husband for guiding me until now.
Teresa Martinez
I don’t think I’ll ever be an expert in the technical side of blogging so I leave that to my daughter. In that way I can concentrate more on writing.
kulasa
Experience indeed is the best teacher. I learned to blog way back friendster days. Life could have been a lot more fun had I discovered it earlier! ♥
Teresa Martinez
Yes, I sometimes think of it in that way also but also realize that I was busy doing something else before my blogging days which has helped me a lot in what I do today.
papaleng
Foremost, I don’t consider myself a blogger. I am a certified online writer. I believe in every aspect in life, good experience is the best teacher.
Teresa Martinez
Blogging is one area where experience counts a lot.
Rcel
Like you, sis, I have no idea what blogging is all about when I started in 2007. All I wanted was to start a blog and to eventually earn from it. Along the way, there have been a lot of knowledge learned, and the learning never ends.
Teresa Martinez
I am thankful that I found writing and blogging as it gives me much sense of accomplishment.
Tingting R.
I have been blogging since 2006, and until now, I am still learning.
Teresa Martinez
And we should never stop learning
FashionTravels
I can see this happening i guess. its a good way for students to nurture and express their feelings and at the same time can earn extra income.
Teresa Martinez
I think it will be good idea towards professionalization of the blogging industry.
Nova S
this are absolutely the right way to learn more. I assume that school is a big part of it. its where we learn the composition and using the proper grammar. and then later on the ways and perception on how to drive viewers into our blogs.
Teresa Martinez
Regular school is where we learn the basics of written communication which is very much needed in blogging. There is yet to be a school or course specifically for blogging.
Sarah G
Writing a blog is like writing a song, expressing ourselves to share our feelings, opinions, and it doesn’t matter if the grammar is not perfect but it should always share information, provide additional knowledge, and should make sense too.
Teresa Martinez
I think if we want other people to read our blogs, we must be able to offer relevant information.
Chubskulit Rose
I never heard of blogging till 2008 hahaha. Yeah, I know, I am like a cave woman who did not know that blogging existed back then but glad that I was able to discover it through a friend as I love it so much!
Teresa Martinez
I also learned about blogging quite late already. Really couldn’t understand it until I started a blog.