Believe it or not, I’ve actually said this to a few clients – that conversational blogging is like a conga line. I know it’s sounds funny, but it’s true.
Think about it.
- When do we conga? Usually at a party. Well, isn’t conversational blogging is like a party?
- Someone has to start the conga, of course. Who’s that? It’s me! (or you, if it’s your blog)
- Da-da-da-da-daaa…DA! – enough said!
- You know you want to join in, but you’re afraid of looking like a fool. Sounds like commenting.
- Some conga lines just go on forever.
You thought I was kidding, didn’t you? But I wasn’t. Conversational blogging is really like the conga. And to participate, you’ve gotta join in.
Of course, I wouldn’t have thought to share my blogging metaphor if it wasn’t for Char’s How Do You Explain Blogging to Your Mom? You’ve gotta take a read – she does a great job comparing blogging to a farmer’s market. Lara even picked up on the theme.
Liz also inspired me by beginning her Group Writing Project: What’s Your Blog’s Metaphor. Mine, is the conga. There are others. But this is the one I want to share right now. Perhaps more will come out later.
Other’s have picked up the writing project with some great entries. Karin thinks of blogging as Business Network International while Des sees blogging as a cocktail party. Kathy makes a nice relationship between blogging and exercise.
Off of Ian’s Messy Desk comes the idea of blogging being like Forrest Gump’s “life is like a box of chocolates”. Just so happens that I’m a big Gump fan myself. Forrest would have been a great blogger…“stupid is as stupid does”. Or…“from that day forward, if I was goin’ somewhere, I was runnin’!”
Lots of people see blogging related to food. Juggling Frogs compares blogging to a smorgasbord yet Word Sell sees it as The Salad Bar. The most interesting food comparison, though, comes from Mike – who sees blogging as Feeding on Plankton.
So how do you see blogging? What’s your blogging metaphor?
You know I have to tag a few people. So I’d love to hear from Adam Kayce, David Airey, Chris Cree, Kammie Kobyleski, Kent Blumberg, Barry Zweibel, Sean Rox, thepaperbull, Mark Goodyear, Randa Clay and the Purple Wren.
That’s a lot of folks, huh? And I still want to ask you…what’s your blogging metaphor? And, tell me how you see blogging to be like a conga line.
Koala photo from FunnyZoo.
UPDATE: Be sure to let Liz know about your blogging metaphor post so that she can give you all a little link love.
I’d have to say, if my pie was at the fair… it would definitely win the blue ribbon. I make a killer Apple pie from scratch! haha
Anyways, thanks for the link-up! Great blog here, love the design!
Thanks for the link. I’ve never danced in a conga line in my life. I can hardly wait for my next party, to give it a go. 😉
I like it!
I guess the lurkers are like the people sitting at the tables, watching the conga-line-dancers as they go by…. They don’t have to participate to enjoy the activity, but they don’t work up a sweat, either…
All the best,
CLKL
What a great metaphor! I am so impressed by all the different ways people have come up with to explain blogging.
Thanks for making me smile (well the koalas helped!) I love your metaphor – a good reminder that blogging is a fun way to make some amazing connections.
Lara,
I love apple pie. Please, send one on.
You’re welcome on the link up. I really enjoyed your post.
Ian,
If my metaphor holds, you actually have joined a conga line.
Char,
Me too. I can’t wait to see how much further this meme develops. Thanks to you and Liz.
Dawud,
Please tell them to send me their links so that I can link to them. Thanks!
I forgot to mention that the koala bear conga line is just too precious! The koala’s get it.
Dawud, this is great! I’ve got one for you: Bridges (at Middle Zone Musings.)
Liz,
I will. Make an update in just a few moments.
Char,
I love that picture too. Thanks.
Thank you, miracle man! These metaphors are just too good to have one get lost. 🙂
By the way, don’t stand under a koala when it’s sleeping.
Brad,
Thanks. I had to include it when I found it.
Liz,
I agree. I can’t wait to see the entire list.
I knew there’s a reason I need to look up when I walk through the forest.
Koala Conga. Love it!
(One day you’ve got to ask Gorgeous about Koala’s Dawud. I promise you’ll laugh.)
Chris,
Will do.
Your conga line analogy is good. Blogging is a community and a very open and accepting one.
Mark,
And a conga is a group of people in a community coming together to support each other in the same direction…like conversational blogging.
>> Da-da-da-da-daaa…DA! – enough said!
You sold me with that line, Dawud. Now I’m humming the song and my feet are starting to move. And I am picturing Terry Starbucker and Liz Strauss at the front of the line … this is a MUST for next year’s SOBCon. 🙂
C’mon, everybody — get in line. Da-da-da-da-daaa…DA! Da-da-da-da-daaa…DA!
Connie,
I know, it happened to me too. And I did see Terry with Phil Gerbyshak at the front of the line. Liz was watching, soaking it all in before she joined in.
Juggling Frogs,
Yeah, I believe you’re right. Now we just need to dance on over near their table so we can pull them in.
Joanna,
You’re welcome. I need a reminder as well, from time to time.
Robert,
On my way. I love the stuff you write. Anyone reading this who doesn’t know Robert, you gotta check him out.
Hi Dawud,
Thanks for the tag here buddy.
I’m currently having serious issues with my internet service provider, so haven’t been able to update my blog in a couple of days.
If I don’t get around to this soon, a reminder is certainly in order.
I hope you have a great weekend!
David,
Good luck getting back online. I understand. I’ve had problems in the past.
Let me know when you’re back up. And I’ll check in with you later this week.
Jean,
Thanks. You know, I had a very interesting experience at SOBCon. There was an amazing ease with all the bloggers I met who knew me already. Really. It’s like we all were so open and honest with each other on our blogs that when we met in person, we just picked up (and deepened) the conversations and relationships we’d already started. So I’m one who has experienced how easily the blog relationship can translate to ‘real-life.’
Great picture and metaphor, Dawud! I’m the koala at the end, since I’ve just joined.
I don’t have a metaphor, but I have two images. The first is of Voltaire and his mistress in separate rooms writing to one another for hours. The other is George Bernard Shaw corresponding for years to a woman he loved deeply. They lived only a few blocks from one another, as I recall, but they never wanted to meet in person because it would spoil the specialness of the correspondence.
I’m sure no one else in this group will resonate with that, but I sure understand it. Writing can be a much deeper form of communication than face-to-face. Both kinds of relationships are important to me, but I get lonely if I don’t write.
The social part of my life is going great…but no matter how many friends and loved ones I have in my life, I need to write to be happy.
Hi Dawud
Great picture and metaphor indeed! The conga is fun, and needs more than a few persons to make it work. Like the idea of dancing close to the ‘waiting’ tables, the joy of the conga-ers must really entice some of the ‘waiting-crowd’ to join in.
Thanks for the link too.
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Karin,
Thanks. When I was tagged for this meme, the conga line was the first thing that popped into my head. So I ran with it – so to speak. Of course, there are a couple dozen more I’ve thought of since. Perhaps I’ll find a way to work them in sometime.
My post is up – 7 Ways That Blogging is Like Opera!
Hi Dawud,
Thanks for the tag. Since I’m still working on catch-up with my projects and haven’t gotten to this one, I want to at least acknowledge that I’ve seen this and want to play!
Love your metaphor.
Sandy
Randa,
I saw it. I loved it. Everyone, go read this post…
Sandy,
Hey Sandy, great to ‘see’ you. Thanks for coming by. Come out and play when you can.
Nice write up. All too often, blogs tend to become “McBlogs”. They put out extremely boring content that seems to be the same as any other blog. Its nice to see an original article like this.
Apple,
You’re certainly welcome. I know as a avid reader myself I don’t like wasting time with boring, regurgitated posts. So I just try to add great content – and conversation – to the table.
thanks for that interesting post
I’d have to cut a deal with you one this subject. Which is not something I typically do! I love reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to speak my mind!
Your metaphor works like a charm. I have also used analogies on some of my blogs with success. You made me smile many different times while reading your post. Have a very nice day!