I’m usually not one for bad mouthing other bloggers, but today I was led to what seemed like a promising devotional blog. I was hopeful to find some encouraging words there, or scriptures that would inspire me. Oh no…that’s not what this website was about at all. Try to find God anywhere, and it was only in the header photo with an image of the bible and the word “devotional” in the title.
Sure, the blogger has 2,404 followers, but only because it offers COUNTLESS giveaways, offers, coupons, and recipes, despite the “about me” declaration:
“Everything about my life is devotional and a living sacrifice for my Lord and Savior. In this blog, you will find prayers, inspirational thoughts, challenges, and everyday thoughts on living in the real world. I have included my passions--music and books--in addition to thoughts on real world living as a Christian and occasional giveaway.”
“Occasional giveaway”? The site was jam packed with everything about nothing. And I guess why I’m writing this and bringing this to the forefront of my blog, is because I have been desperately trying to find a way to get paid to write my devotional blog, NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God. If I were to do that, it seems God would get completely and utterly lost in the shuffle of recipes, coupons, contests, products, and other nonsense that has NOTHING to do with God or His sacred Word.
Do I want 2,000 followers? Uh, YEAH! But I want the RIGHT followers. I want the type of followers that come to my blog to find true and honest inspiration and hope. I want “followers'” of Jesus, not followers of giveaways and freebies.
Will I do the occasion book review and/or giveaway? YES! But they will truly be “occasional,” and they will ALWAYS be Christian books or products that are relevant to what my blog is about. I will never take God out of my blog…EVER!
I keep trying to find unique ways to get my name/blog out there, and the more I see of those who are “making it,” so to speak, are the ones who have utterly sold their soul for a couple bucks. I don’t see much value in many sites out there anymore. I’m sorry, but that’s a fact.
And when these so-called experts keep telling us, “Content is king,” don’t buy into that lie, because content means nothing. Half the people out there don’t even have a clue how to “write” or construct a paragraph worth reading. Any proper English/Writing teacher would gladly mark a big, fat, bold, red F on their home page. Quite honestly, most of the “sponsored” sites I’ve seen out there are obviously written by amateur writers looking to make an easy buck in cyberspace because blogging is all the rage.
My gift is writing. I use it to honor God. My content is about THE King of kings. I write to express, explain, and encourage. I take my time to write, and don’t rush things out the door just to make sure my mailing list (which I don’t have) can get the latest and greatest gadget for free in hopes of driving in faux traffic. I will absolutely have typos here and there/their/they’re, as that’s only natural, but they are not by any means intentional because I don’t have a clue how to write.
I’m truly sorry if this offends some bloggers, but I have to be honest about what’s going on out there because it’s despicable and shameful. I am publically resolving myself to that fact that if getting paid to blog means minimizing my message, I’ll gladly keep doing it for free…and for God!
I encourage you Christian bloggers out there who are trying to get your blog or website sponsored that you don’t lose focus on WHO you are, WHAT you believe, and who you believe IN. That you don’t sell your soul to the devil in hopes of sharing God’s Word (see the contradiction?).
What truly matters about your site or blog? Who is your target audience? Shoppers or Believers? If they are shoppers, don’t try to push your site off as a Godly place where followers can find and experience God. If they are believers, then don’t lose them by trying to buy them.
I am incredibly selective about the blogs I follow for this very reason. There aren’t many sponsored Christian sites that haven’t lost focus of their “faithful” following. There are a few sites that I absolutely love and I believe hold true to the values, morals and ethics of writing for God. And those bloggers know who they are because I am devout to their sites, their ministries, and their messages.
If your site is about giveaways, product promotions, contests, coupons or money saving tips…ignore me. But if you are a blogger, blogging for Christ you should consider this:
“God’s Message: ‘Guard My common good: do what’s right and do it in the right way’” Isaiah 56:1 (MSG).
Nuff said.
(I originally linked the blog that has me reeling, but I don’t feel the blog deserves anymore “mis”hits than it’s already receiving.)
0 comments:
Post a Comment