Care in the Community
18. Feb, 2008 
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This is my first (and hopefully not last) post for the Reader Appreciation Project and so I thought I would try to take the outsider’s view. I imagine that after a few months of blogging everyone has questioned at least once whether it is all worth it and so the proposition I am going to examine is this:
The ideals of reader appreciation are great; but to do so much, for so many, for so little reward just isn’t worth the effort. Someone who is putting in so much effort must have an ulterior motive.
So why is it that people expend so much time and effort for the benefit of others?
I think it is a combination of four reasons:
Fear of success
The problems of success are no less than those of failure; they are just different. Giving away content for free and hoping for advertising revenue lets you succeed or fail in private without obligations to others.
Avoiding the mundane
One of my favourite shows is one where amateur cooks compete to prove they can cut it as great chefs and, without fail, they all want to convert their passion into their job.
Not everyone can successfully transform their hobby into work, and many shouldn’t. There is a risk of turning something you care about into an obligation and ruining it in the process.
Fame
Blogging can do wonders for your reputation as an expert. If you want to be considered an expert, get published, headhunted, or just gain the respect and adoration of your peers, then giving your content away may just help you achieve that.
True community spirit
I’ve left this until last for a reason. I am in awe of bloggers who appear unconcerned with power, fame and money, and they do exist, but I am a sceptical soul and I think this is usually only a small part of a blogger’s motivation.
All four of these reasons play a part in my motivation; fame is at the top of the list. I live and work in an environment where I am known for my knowledge of regulations, but it is one where people just don’t understand my knowledge of programming and the internet.
Blogging is my way of gaining respect for that aspect of my life.
If you are a blogger, what is it that motivates you to give back to the community and to appreciate your readers? Do these four come into it?
If you are a reader, do you think any less of me, or any other bloggers, because their appreciation of you may be driven by selfish desires or fear?
Finally, is there any motivation for giving back to the community that you would find unacceptable?
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Excellent first contribution Andrew.
I suppose my reasons (if using yours) are a fear of success and fame. Releasing to the community is low-risk and if done well, can allow others to know our expertise better.
If I had to add one more, it would be increased credibility. One can claim to be the best in a niche, but I would argue that there should be products or results behind the claim.
Thanks Ronald,
I suppose I was including credibility in with fame but I can see why you would want it separate. I agree that if I made any claims like that it would require backing up with results.
As long as I like the outcome (your appreciation to me, the reader), I don’t care about your motivation. Any reason is just fine. It is normal to have a reason, isn’t it?
Simonne, I think everyone has a reason; that’s what makes us human. Oddly though I don’t think we all admit it.
I’m really glad to see you writing here, Andrew. You pose some very interesting questions in this post. I was often asking myself about the same, that’s why I invited my friend – psychiatrist, to guest write on my blog and create a psychological profile of a blogger.
I agree with all the points you’ve made there but especially the one where we feel the need to be not just recognized but understood by others.
Thanks vivien, I did enjoy your psychological profile of a blogger post. It was a great idea and I recognised a lot of me in it.
I think recognition is probably pretty high up on a lot of people’s lists.
I also wonder how many bloggers, like me, skipped higher education and are more interested in learning new things as a result.
Andrew Rickmann i agree with you