Matt’s Cuppa

I really like ReadWriteWeb. Their articles are always well researched and filled with relevant quotes and links. I have this to say regarding a recent post on bloggers and the concern that our content is being devalued.

I’d say it’s fairly obvious that what we, as bloggers, write is now another part in the commodity called ‘new media’. We’ve seen our words quoted by other bloggers since the birth of the blogosphere, transported off of our blogs via the growing use of RSS feeds, and even quoted in the traditional news media.

It seems that there is an inconsistency in the model of revenue-generating blogs. Blogs were designed from the beginning to send our words out among the stars. We called this ‘discussion’. But ultimately we want people to come to us so we can make money when they click on adds or buy our products and systems.

Sarah Perez asks if we’ll embrace the commoditization of our brands or if we’ll fight. What is there to fight? Did we not create this situation in our eagerness to publish our brands? Surely, we who railed on the RIAA as they dug their feet in and tried (are still trying) to hold onto their old outdated business model, won’t make the same mistake!

I don’t know what the next thing is, but we’d better agree on it quickly! I have confidence, however, that bloggers will be among the first to recognize our new place (wherever that may be) in the consumption of media.

Luckily, I’m not dependent on my writing to put food on my table. What this means is that I can ride the current wave of “Whatever do we do next?” with minimal financial impact. As a writer, I’m quite happy to lend my words, so long as my name stays attached to them. I can fully understand the worries of commercial bloggers, however. But we, of all people, should recognize that opportunities arise due to changing circumstances. We must change with the circumstances, too.

Content Is Becoming a Commodity - ReadWriteWeb

All that’s left to decide is where you stand. Should information (even yours!) be free? Is your motto “steal my content, please?” Or will you fight this disruption and try to cling to the old model like the RIAA and MPAA did? Or maybe you think there is still some middle ground to be had.

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