Do people post these blogs just to keep friends and family informed on their trips? Are they also intended for the general public? The reason I'm asking is because many blogs leave things unexplained such as the reason for the trip, something about themselves, etc... Also, I've messaged several people regarding their blogs, and they have not responded.
Reply to this I'd recommend leaving a comment asking these questions of someone... travellers are often to busy to respond despite the best of intentions.
My own personal reasons were to replace the long winded emails that I would have sent back anyway at least initially. Then I started getting comments and messages from strangers, and I realised that there was an audience... wow - people are reading about my travels - damn I better make my blogs better!
The profile section of someones pages is specifically designed to be a whitespace - somewhere that as little or as much can be posted about a journey or a past.
So Dan - what are your reasons for travelling and blogging? 😉
Reply to this Hey Alistair,
Thanks for the response. Since I first discovered this site a little while back, I have really enjoyed going through some of the blogs. A few of the blogs I took particular interest in, and I sent some comments and messages to them. At the time that I posted the above, I was a little miffed that I had sent messages to four bloggers, none of whom responded. (Since I posted that message, I have received one response). Upon further review, it makes sense that most people are doing this primarily for themselves, family, and friends. However, if I were to take the time to post blogs containing lenghty detailed descriptions, personal feelings/experiences, pics, etc, of an exciting adventure to some exotic locale, and a member of the general public, that I don't know, posted a positive comment or sent me a message stating that they enjoyed my blog and perhaps asked me a question or whatever, I think I would be happy that someone out there is actually looking at the darn thing, and I would likely take at least a minute or two to acknowledge the message. Anyway, that's just me. One of the bloggers actually removed my comments, and they weren't rude comments. I guess I was polluting their blog by taking an interest in what they were doing. Anyway, happy travelling, folks.
I don't have any trips planned at this time, but hope to take a big trip next year. In the meantime, I'm sure I will be spending time on this site reading other blogs. I've learned a lot from them. Some of them are quite informative and humorous.
Thanks,
Dan
Reply to this Dan,
Different people post their blogs for different reasons. Ali probably points out the reason that most people get started: making it easier for friends/family/etc. to stay updated, without the requisite mile-long emails. With a lot of blog sites, it's also easy to post pictures, so you can make your blog a sort of one-stop shop - not only for the people who want to keep track of what you're up to, but for your own personal reminiscinces.
For some people, I'd imagine that first small audience of family and friends gradually grows to include strangers, at which point the blog sort of becomes a different beast altogether. (My own blog, soon to be posted on
TravelGator, is actually part of my job. But I'm just REALLY lucky in that regard.)
I wouldn't be too offended if someone doesn't get back to you (though I agree, it's a bit tacky). Look at it this way: If it's not just you, but a few dozen strangers who leave this person comments every week, they'd have to spend a few hours at the computer every week just answering emails from strangers (not to mention all the ones from their family and friends). After awhile, they might find it easier to appreciate the comments but not respond to each one.
Still, hope you're encouraged to start a blog of your own once you hit the road.
Chris
Travel better. Travel Gator.
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