There’s a certain arrogance that comes with blogging. The very nature of publishing a blog to the entire world carries with it the implied belief that anyone actually cares what you have to say. But at the same time – as a blogger, I often find myself questioning certain topics. I have this nagging doubt that I don’t know enough to share what I do know.
For example – with folks out there like Scott Kelby and iffles, why would I ever dare to share what I know about Photoshop or image editing? There are tons of other bloggers who are FAR more expert on those topics. And why attempt to create content about SharePoint when we have Joel Oleson? It’s fear of inadequacy that has prevented me from posting anything on those topics in this blog.
However, when you look at it that way, nobody should be blogging. There’s always someone else who knows more than you do. There’s always someone else who is more of an expert. There’s no one person who knows it all on any given subject.
I’m entitled to my knowledge. Somewhere, there’s a reader who can learn from me on any topic that I have experience with. As bloggers, we have to remind ourselves that it’s not about having ALL the answers – it’s about having some of the answers.
How do you walk the fine line between fear of subject inadequacy and arrogance? When you are creating blog posts, how do you determine if a subject area is one in which you feel comfortable sharing your knowledge? How do you know when you are expert enough to teach it to someone else?
To quote Doniree, from the Gchat that was the catalyst for this post, “As long as i convey that I’m open to learn more, then I think I’m ok because then it sounds like ‘Yes, I DO know something, but not everything… so let’s just all get on board with that’.”
I’m honestly curious to hear what you, my readers, have to say on this subject. Please let me know in the comments either a) how you’ve addressed this as a blogger, or b) as a blog reader, what is your expectation of the blogs that you read?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Right on.
Thanks for posting this, Matt. This is exactly what I have to remind myself of every time I write a techy post, especially because I know YOU'LL be reading it! ;-) How do I write about techy things when I have you to write about them?
The whole concept of my blog (and the title) is “Reality is Perception” – Life is all about how you experience it. My blog is full of my opinions, how I use gadgets and techy things, and even some experiments in cooking, but the number 1 rule is that every one of them is how things work for me, and I'd love to hear how others experience the same!
Thanks again!
I think you hit the nail on the head, Brandon. We all have different interpretations (or “perceptions”, even, heh) and even if WE don't think we are “experts” it doesn't devalue our contributions.
I always have to remind myself that while I don't consider myself an expert in, say, Lightroom, there are people who read my blog who will get value out of what I have to share. It's a sliding scale.
I was going to say, what happened? Who insulted a blogger (or you) to make you write this. Lol.
I don't feel like I'm an expert in anything so I wouldn't presume to lecture. But I am a teacher, so I can share my experiences. That's all I've got.
Oh, nothing dramatic like that. Doni and I were just talking about how there are times that you feel like you aren't qualified to share your expertise…but how you have to realize that…really, you don't have to be an expert in order to contribute. If that makes sense. The catalyst of the conversations wasn't from an insult, but rather, some introspection in the form of a google chat :)
I've been thinking about making a technical post on my blog today but didn't for this very reason I published another post instead but immediately after I decided I am going to post on the aforementioned topic anyway.
Just because you aren't the #1expert doesn't mean you should avoid certain topics. I find that some posts by people who are experts to be quite confusing. The way you explain something may make it a lot easier to comprehend than a so-called “expert”. When I'm looking for information about image editing, for instance, I look in more than one place. A lot of the really popular blogs I don't understand. At. all. But the smaller blogs seem to break it into chunks that are so much easier to digest.
I was going to say, what happened? Who insulted a blogger (or you) to make you write this. Lol.
I don't feel like I'm an expert in anything so I wouldn't presume to lecture. But I am a teacher, so I can share my experiences. That's all I've got.
Oh, nothing dramatic like that. Doni and I were just talking about how there are times that you feel like you aren't qualified to share your expertise…but how you have to realize that…really, you don't have to be an expert in order to contribute. If that makes sense. The catalyst of the conversations wasn't from an insult, but rather, some introspection in the form of a google chat :)
I've been thinking about making a technical post on my blog today but didn't for this very reason I published another post instead but immediately after I decided I am going to post on the aforementioned topic anyway.
Just because you aren't the #1expert doesn't mean you should avoid certain topics. I find that some posts by people who are experts to be quite confusing. The way you explain something may make it a lot easier to comprehend than a so-called “expert”. When I'm looking for information about image editing, for instance, I look in more than one place. A lot of the really popular blogs I don't understand. At. all. But the smaller blogs seem to break it into chunks that are so much easier to digest.
good writing, blogging is best when it is revealing. reveal I say, reveal!
your loving Aunt Rosemary,
Interfaith Pioneer in our family–that's the title I want when you tell the boys about me:)