Facibus On Blogging

Angela Parker wrote the following comment on my John Chow gets it wrong article:

I couldn’t agree more on your definition of pillar post as “something new that adds value” — of course that’s also a pretty good definition for “service” too, isn’t it? And blogging, above all else, is adding value and offering excellent SERVICE to your readers, IMHO.

My response was:

I like the idea about blogging being of service - I have said to a lot of people in the past (not my original concept, but one I live by) that leadership is not about privilege but about service - and that which benefits the team benefits the members of that team. Great opportunity to reframe these consulting teamwork concepts in terms of blogging within a niche/community - thank you

There’s a few threads in this:

• being of service. This is basically about being useful. In consulting, we’re paid a lot and a lot is expected from us in return. Over delivery on client expectation is the norm - so the bar keeps being raised.
• leadership is about responsibility rather than privilege. The word “privilege” comes from two Latin words that translate as “private” and “law” - literally a state of having a different set of rules. Some people think that leadership means doing as little as possible while enjoying extra perks - nothing could be further from the truth.
• teams look after their members, and members look after the team. This is basic enlightened self-interest. When things are fair - and granted they are not always that way - a win for the consultancy is good for everyone within it.

So what does all this mean for bloggers and blogging communities? I could write thousands of words on this - and probably bore you to tears - so the short version is:

• Being of service. I believe that there is nothing that we can do that is as important as writing useful content that contributes something to our particular niche.
• Writing responsibly. this is incredibly important when you are new, and vital as your readership increases. Writing responsibly means only speaking what you know is true, and disclosing affiliate links. It is about being honest with your readers around your knowledge and your motivations.
• Being a good team member. While most of us do not belong to structured blog networks, most do belong to communities (like the BUMPzee Australian Blogs Community). Being a good community member means spreading the word about the community, and supporting other community members through commenting and sharing the link love.

I think that being of service is something worth aspiring to every single day.