There’s a bit of a back-and-forth discussion over on About.com’s Freelance site about the legitimacy of weblogs as “real” writing. Some say yes, some say no, while others are just there to play Grammar Cops and rip the hostess Allena’s post to shreds (lighten up, people!). One poster went so far as to say the entire post was too boring for him, yet there he was, posting at length….
This begs the question – is writing a blog “legitimate” writing? In other words, could you or have you used your blog as a portfolio piece? Is that how you define legitimate? If not, what do you consider to be legitimate writing?
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I consider it legitimate and a MARKETING tool. I don’t use posts from INK as samples, but I do consider topic-related guest blogs on other sites as samples.
However, I rarely use blog writing as samples of my work, unless I’m shooting for a blogging job, and right now, a blogging gig isn’t going to work with my life.
I think it depends on the focus of the blog, the intent of the blog, and the quality of writing — that’s what constitutes a sample.
Well, seeing as how quite a few writers (Allena included I assume) make money from blogging, how could anyone say that it’s not legitimate writing? When I apply for jobs where the tone of the assignment is similar to my blog’s tone, yes, I do use mine as a portfolio piece.
Yes, Lori, I think our blogs are portfolio pieces. They are the sum total of who we are.
I don’t understand non-supportive writers. Why can’t we all just help eachother!?
I personally dislike the grammar police. Grammar police smack of “I am better than you.” It’s just a way of getting one up on someone else.
Thanks for posting over at this site. I will now have to go and read the rest of it. E
Blogs are a new medium, and because anyone can start up a blog with no credentials or requirements (as opposed to writing an article that appears in a newspaper, for example, which requires editor approval, a full-time job or freelance arrangement, and presumably the qualifications to land these assignments) I can see why people look on it as suspect–the barrier for entry is practically nonexistent.
However…not everyone can write a good blog. And “good” can mean different things–well-written; high-ranking and popular; award-winning. I think if you have a blog that is one or all of these, you have a legitimate portfolio piece–although it will probably be more impressive with some companies than with others, as not everyone is that cutting-edge or knows what a job it is to build a well-written and well-received blog.
I think I might write about this for my next post!
nah the grammar police had a point- I was in too much of a hurry to get back to my easter dinner- as usual- constantly rushing! thanks for the link love though. PS My reader that said that blogs aren’t legit was an older female published novelist. Interesting demographics? I dunno.