How many of you are pinning away on Pinterest!? I got an invitation from Pinterest quite awhile ago, and have witnessed some changes for the better as well as seeing a lot more participants from fellow bloggers from blog land.
One thing I have noticed in my own experience is I am finding myself more intrigued with the discoveries on Pinterest than I am in blog land. Not to say that I have given up on blog land, but lately I am more inspired by the images I am finding over on Pinterest.
There are such wonderful varieties of taste and subject matters that can be found on Pinterest. All of which are represented with a beautiful image.
I am not saying this to offend any of my hardworking fellow bloggers. I am right there with you. I am just being honest, and hopefully opening up a dialogue of how Pinterest is effecting me and the rest of YOU, my readers and fellow bloggers.
As a creative group of like-minded people we tend to be very visual. It makes sense that the beautiful images that we see on Pinterest will spur us on to become more creative, and excited about upcoming projects or dreams that we have for our lives and our own homes.
I personally have noticed that I am getting more new followers each day on my Pinterest boards than I am here on my blog. So……… my question to you all is……….
......Are you finding that you are more excited about what you see on Pinterest than you are in blog land lately? Are you becoming less interested in what fellow bloggers have to say, or are you still taking the time to read blog post?
Blogging has been such a wonderful gift to my life and I will forever be grateful. I feel that things are going to be changing in the near future for we bloggers. I am not sure if it will be a good change or just something that is different.
In talking to a few of my fellow bloggers that have been blogging for close to 2-3years I have found that we are all finding it harder to get inspired these days.
It is harder and harder to think of anything new that has not already been covered by our self or another blogger.
I know I strive to stay relevant, and hopefully bring a different take on certain subjects as I know you all do too.
Change is always hard, and when you are not certain where the change might be taking you, it becomes even harder. I am going to go along for the ride because……….
......Change can be good, and we should always keep an open mind. So for now, I am keeping my eyes, and ears open to the sights and sounds of change.
How about You all?!!!!
BTW: For those of you that would like to see what has been keeping me inspired you can visit me over at Pinterest, HERE!
BTW: For those of you that would like to see what has been keeping me inspired you can visit me over at Pinterest, HERE!
As you know, I have been blogging almost 5 years and have seen many changes over the years. Some good, others not so good. There is a definite change going on in the land of blog right now.
ReplyDeleteI pick up new Followers quite often. I don't have a long list of Followers but many of the ones I have, have been with me since 2007 and remained, even after the great blog caper of 2010.
I believe I will continue along in the blog format. I am not in a specific niche. Some posts are more popular than others. I feel if I remain true to the mission of Back Porch Musings that has continued for all these years, with just a tweak here and there, I will just keep on keeping on for awhile longer.
I just received an absolutely wonderful email today; one that echoes the sentiments of most of my readers. I love these messages so very much. My readers continue to ask me to stick around. It's not just the images that is bringing them back, time and again. The words have weight as well.
I have recently added a few photos to my boards at Pinterest, even though I have been a member for awhile I have not taken time to gather and pin. It's interesting and I like what I have seen there. Do I believe it will replace blogging? I don't believe so.
I am a visual person, however, I like the written word, properly edited, with lots of images. I don't get that feeling from Pinterest. Perhaps I am a stick in the mud. I enjoy Pinterest, but I love blogging and reading blogs.
All this wisdom, for what it's worth, from an old timer who has been around blogland and everywhere else a long time.:-) Not sophisticated, at all! Just little old me enjoying a hobby that is keeping me active and out and about.
I am a visual person, too, as you know, Kathysue, but I do not believe Pinterest is even in the same category as blogging. I love seeing the inspirational pictures of beautiful homes and places, but for me it is simply a good way to store information...ideas for future projects, parts and pieces that I might put together to create a tablescape, recipes that I would like to try, etc. It's like bookmarks, but with pictures that I can organize within categories. And since I am so visual that it's almost a handicap, I love that aspect! But nothing will ever replace visits in my blog friend's beautiful homes, which I can see from room to room after years of visiting there (yours among them ♥), or the feeling of sitting down at the kitchen table with a dear friend for a little chat and a cup of coffee. :-) You can't develop friendships with pretty pictures! Sooo...no, I think those of us who blog for those reasons will continue to blog. I'll be here! Hope you are having a great week, my friend!...hugs...Debbie
ReplyDeleteHey Kathysue, thanks for your candid post, which I am sure you probably doubted yourself for writing at least once. (In case someone were to misjudge what you are saying and thinking you are not as interested in blogging anymore).
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I am a newbie over at pinterest...its fun and I do love the endless number of visual treats but to me personally ( and maybe because I am not in full swing with Pinterest yet) I don't think they compete with each other and a blog and Pinterest mean different things to me. I am much more interested with the written word along with pictures, I connect more when there is a sort of personalitzation and following some kind of 'story" with a blog, many I follow seem to have a central theme, for lack of a better word, some are strictly about interior design, others about trends, some about travel, some more personal than others but I am always drawn, (again me perosnally) to those where there is a bit of a storyline and where I feel like I am getting to know the blogger a little better. (You are included, I know when I visit you I am going to be either enlightened about a great new project, or will be asked a thought provoking question..see that is your genre)!!
Not always but most of the time. So one doesn't replace the other for me, I think they can coexist peacefully side by side. But its an interesting topic to be sure and I am going to be really curious to see how people respond to this thought provoking quetion. Thank you as always for giving us something to think about!!
With technology and social media and resources forever changing....this whole online business is very fluid. I wonder if at some point Pinteret will become a sort of blogging platform too, (hey I might be onto something) and allow story lines or personal writings to be a part of peoples pictures, afterall they do go hand in hand. Oh boy....lots to think about!!
Enjoy your day...xoxo
I must say that I agree with Pat. I do like the written word and the thought and ideas from the bloggers. I like Pinterest too but really haven't gotten into it that much.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to have so many choices though.
hugs
Sissie
Glad I'm not the only one feeling this way. I love that I can type in a few keywords and have dozens of beautiful images appear on Pinterest. Also, there are so few blogs that represent my personal design aesthetic. It seems that most blogs I read focus on the current trends and less so on classic pieces. After awhile every room featured begins to look similar. I still have my favorite blogs that are daily reads and I won't be giving them up-your included!
ReplyDeleteKathysue, Interesting that you should bring this up. I've just recently started pinning at Pinterest and enjoy the process as I'm very visual and have learned so much through decor blogs I read that I can begin to translate the visual images on Pinterest into my own home. So the two form a partnership for me.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've noticed in blogland is that several authors of blogs lead busy lives with their young families and taking on clients for designing inspiration boards, installments, etc plus write daily blogs (at least 5/week).
Sometimes, they only have time to post an image with a brief note or share that they are swamped and will post soon. Perhaps, it would be more productive for them to post once a week and really do a great job rather than spread themselves so thin. I wonder too if some bloggers feel too much pressure to always be doing projects to share and burn out because life isn't all about decorating and thinking about the house.
Like anything else that is potentially a good thing, Pinterest can be addictive so we are challenged to discipline the amt of time we spend behind the computer, collecting images. Time flies when on Pinterest!
Might be helpful for all of us to slow down a bit. Demand and expect less as readers of blogs, be grateful for the really generous bloggers who write quality posts but be willing to remain faithful followers even if the bloggers post less. And be open to change. Perhaps, embracing the concept of "slow decorating" which Janell Beals brought up the other day on her blog, Isabella and Max rooms, might help us become more thoughtful decorators and really learn who we are over time and how our homes might mirror that reflective, though no less spirited or creative and even impulsive self!
You've made so many great points here, but I can't see my readers only visiting my board (if I had one). Sure they love to see what I'm posting, the interiors, house, but I know it's even more than that. They also like to know what I have to say, not only about interiors, but about how I share my life w/ them.
ReplyDeleteI think blog is important because creates a "connection" between you and your readers. You "talk" to them, and them to you. I hope this never ends because that's what really inspires me. More so than the interior designer world.
Thank you for this post today.
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Kathysue, I have not really gotten into Pinterest.I love blogging because of the relationships it builds. That was not expected. I started a blog because my Kravets rep told me it was a must to build my design work. I have been so surprised at all of the nice people I have meet. Do you find that at Pinterest? I have notice a lot of younger people really love Pinterest and are using it. The younger generation has become use to only text-ing and not having conversation with each other in the same way. They are use to technology based relationships. Maybe I am just to old and Pinterest will become more popular than blogging. Let me know!
ReplyDeleteKathysue, I have not really gotten into Pinterest.I love blogging because of the relationships it builds. That was not expected. I started a blog because my Kravets rep told me it was a must to build my design work. I have been so surprised at all of the nice people I have meet. Do you find that at Pinterest? I have notice a lot of younger people really love Pinterest and are using it. The younger generation has become use to only text-ing and not having conversation with each other in the same way. They are use to technology based relationships. Maybe I am just to old and Pinterest will become more popular than blogging. Let me know!
ReplyDeleteI'm not on Pinterest, but for me part of what I love about blog reading is the reading. Don't get me wrong - I love the beautiful photos that everyone posts, and haved saved many to my inspiration files, but blogs that I keep in my reader share both photos and words.
ReplyDeleteWell, I for one am inspired by those cool moving photos in your post. I have no idea how you did them, but they're amazing! I love Pinterest, but for me, it doesn't replace blog posts because I really like to read, too. Also, for tutorials, you need to read. We shall see what happens...it does worry me a bit that people love Pinterest so much, but I agree that change can be good.
ReplyDeleteStacy
I do use pinterest to store pictures I find and like, but it cannot replace the personal part of blogging. I like reading blogs and learning more about each blogger. There is just that something extra having words with the photos.
ReplyDeleteI glanced at this earlier today and have been thinking about it.I am wondering if you, and everyone here, is more interiors oriented than me. Yes, I follow a lot of design blogs... but personally I tend to tire of the ones that just show one gorgeous, over the top, room and house in post after post. And those may just be the bloggers, and blogs, that are "competing" with Pinterest for the reader's attention.
ReplyDeleteI think the broader interest blogs don't rely on Pinterest as much (don't get me wrong...I adore Pinterest!) as the interior blogs.
I do agree that things just may change, although it's impossible to know how or when...
I don't even tend to put things up on Pinterest that I plan to use in a blog; I rely on Evernote. I don't want to make them public until I post them!
Hi Kathysue,
ReplyDeleteI like a pretty picture very much, but Pinterest is like going to Fashion Week –“How does this relate to me?” feeling. I don’t come to your blog for your pretty pictures. I come for you. We all are basically curious, and we want to know how do other people deal with life. We look at your lovely rooms and hear about your Grandkids. We live in a strange world where many of us don’t know our neighbors and lack a sense of connection. I think the blogging world gives us a sense connection and we get to pick our neighbors. “Here’s a woman my age, who has interests like mine and offers interesting thoughts.”
The pictures on your blog would not be that interesting without hearing about your process :)
I hope you continue on with your blog. I for one would miss you.
Sincerely,
Miranda
SF Bay Area
Thank you for raising the question, but like others have said on here, I don't see Pinterest serving the same purpose as a blog. I also agree that bloggers could post less often and go for quality instead of quantity, not that some don't have both. I think there is room in this crazy internet world for both!
ReplyDeletePaula
i will forecast a resounding NO to pineterest overtaking blogs. this world of blogging that we all joined is so personal, thought provoking and genuine.
ReplyDeleteblogging has brought so much to my world, i can only hope to return the favor half s much. "meeting" you is one of those highlights kathysue and as the previous anonymous mentioned, it is YOU i keep coming back for. i want to know what you are doing, thinking, enjoying.........the pretty photo's cannot compete with that alone.
one bit i find myself becoming a bit particular about are the blogs that only send forth images found elsewhere, that is where pineterest can overtake. blogs such as yours are original and that counts by miles.
xo
debra
ps; thank you for your lovely comments on my blog today! and the boxwood on the ceiling is in panels. would love to do a powder room with a solid boxwood ceiling!
I'm inspired by so many things and people and find Pinterest another spot to visit, to see if anything catches my eye, much like blogs. I do sense a change in blogs, I think they are becoming the foundations for other things rather than the "thing" in and of itself.
ReplyDeleteJanell
I find blogging and pinterest two entirely different areas of this "new" world of social media. Pinning is great fun to look at and share on a written blog but blogging expresses opinions, describes details etc.
ReplyDeleteI have also noticed that the same pinterest photos appear on several design blogs as well so it is certainly not eliminating duplication of ideas.
If I had to choose I would choose blogging as it provides an opportunity for discussion and self-expression through words vs. through photos someone else has taken. And I certainly enjoy reading the comments I receive on a particular topic on my own blog.
Just my thoughts........
Kathysue, I have to admit that if I am looking for some specific image to try to get a visual I'll go to Pinterest or Houzz and do a search. But, I really don't "follow" others.......maybe b/c I don't have the time. I read blogs because I feel a connection to the authors and want to know what they have to say.....so I think they will continue to coexist....but I don't think Pinterest will replace the blogs.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is changing.
ReplyDeleteThere are many knitting blogs that use Video as a means to get their posts out to their followers.
Visuals are always popular. I think that's why blogs use photos to get their ideas across to readers.
I've not delved into Pinterest but see that it is very, very popular. Will the interest endure or just a passing interest . . . .
will the video podcasts increase in popularity . . . . .
I will continue to read the blogs I follow as well as watch the video podcasts.
I've been blogging since 2007 and find some posts come easier than others, however, since I post mostly about my daily activities subjects to post are almost pre-determined.
It's interesting reading everyone's opinion.
Thanks for bringing up the subject.
I do not think Pinning will ever replace the blogs. I too love the written stories and comments. They are far more personal and you feel like the blogger is a friend after a while.
ReplyDeletePhyllis
Kathy Sue, This IS a thought provoking post, indeed! I LOVE pinterest! And I could get lost in it. There are so many varied and interesting things to "collect" and give inspiration. It is much more of an instant visual gratification.
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER, it will never replace blogging and visiting so many of my blogger friends. I love the personal connection and the intimate level of reading posts. I don't get that with Pinterest.
If I have time I peruse Pinterest for 15 minutes a day. If not, the time goes into visiting other blogs.
I think the problem I am having now is that I am seeing a great deal of copyrighted material showing up on blogs with no credit to the original source! I have seen my work altered and without credit being passed off as other blogger's own. After e-mailing these bloggers I found out that they found my images on Pinterest and could not locate the source. This is very disturbing when this happens to you! I share my images but expect to be credited too.
Blogging is changing... it will be interesting to see what direction it will take! No matter what I'll always be passionate about blogging.
Thanks for this great post!
Yvonne
Love all the conversation that you have provoked...and that's what you do best...I love pinterest. I admit that it has taken away time from visiting some blogs that I used to, because I only have so many hours in the day and frankly my business is getting in the way more and more which was the reason I started blogging in the first place. That being said...pinterest will never replace relationships for me and that has been the biggest blessing and surprise that came with blogging. I've received more than I have given. That whole conversation leads back to comments. I don't blog for them... but it's how the relationships have been built. Like any other friendship it has to be nurtured. That back and forth connection is where I find myself spending the time in blog land. Where there is no connection or great content...that time has gone to Pinterest.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, and I think with me its b/c after starting a new job and feeling so busy I just don't have as much time to read all my favorite blogs! simple easy and beautiful images. What more could you want ya know!
ReplyDeleteI still prefer to go to blogs and read them and see pretty photos and the inspiration behind them. I only really go to Pinterest for my own personal reference if I need images for a blog post, but I don't go there on a daily basis to see what's happening. Haven't got the time.
ReplyDeletePinterest is very addictive. I will have to follow you over there if I'm not already. I am hooked on Tumblr. I actually prefer it to Pinterest and I find incredible inspiration over there. Have you checked it out? I can promise you will love it!! xo
ReplyDeleteI must admit I have not taken the pinterest plunge. The invitation has been sitting in my in-box for weeks. I can seem to find the time to sit at the computer long enough to really check it out and creat something.The images you show her are beautiful, but I still like the written word and the relationship aspect. There are days when time and interest do take me awy from my blog and visiting others, and as I approach the end my 2nd year...I do wonder want the blog future holds? A great discussion from you!
ReplyDeletexo,
~R
You have hit on a very hot topic floating around. I was an early Pinterest "member". It is a fabulous resource and I think might very well replace those blogs that just post pretty pictures (of which there are many by the way). Even the blogs that are "curators" of photos are going to face some stiff competition since so many Pinterest boards do the same by creating categories. For those of us who love the interaction with our blogging friends, obviously Pinterest can never replace those conversations. And what Pinterest will never replace are the the blogs that feature original content. Content is king and that will never change.
ReplyDeleteI read your blog and others because I want more than just pretty pictures. I enjoy getting to know the bloggers and their homes. I also am very particular about who I follow. Pinterest has only pretty pictures and too many are duplicates I have seen before. I also especially enjoy the process!
ReplyDeleteI love that you raise questions that I'm thinking about but have not blogged about. I have gotten into Pinterest pretty heavily, and I've even started boards for client projects. They can follow me and see what I'm thinking about for them. That's been cool. I've not been a prolific blogger over the last few months, and I think it's because I'm not sure what direction I want to go with the blog. The teacher in me wants to motivated and inspire...the business person in me wants to market my business, and sometimes I'm not sure I do either one very well. I know that for me, Pinterest has had an impact...mostly on my time. I don't do a detailed read of many blogs anymore because I'm not inspired within the first glance. I guess Pinterest is faster and easier....cop out on my part. I guess if I want others to be committed to my blog, I've got to give them something to commit to, and I think that Pinterest has muddied the waters for me. I'm not sure if any of this makes sense....glad you're my friend anyway!!
ReplyDeleteKathysue, I think that
ReplyDeletelooking at Pinterest is
a lot like flipping through
a magazine and not
reading the articles.
That is where blogging
comes in; it is the writing
piece, which is what drew
me to this medium to
begin with. For me,
Pinterest serves as an
inspirational jumping-off
place, for both my home
and for my writing. And
of course, as so many
have mentioned, the lovely
friendships that evolve
from reading and leaving
comments on other's
blogs can't be replaced
by looking at pictures on
Pinterest! That said, I
do think that bloggers
are starting to post less
frequently and include
more meaning in the posts
that they do create. Blogging
does come from the term
"Web LOG," meaning it is
a place for thoughts. When
one is reduced to a picture
and a few quick words, is
it still, truly, a BLOG? Hmmm...
all great food for thought.
And I do love your images!
xx Suzanne
I still like the aspect of how personal a blog can be...as opposed to just view ing pictures. I would find it hard to get a real sense of who a person is without the conversation :)
ReplyDeleteI am also spending a lot of time on Pinterest. I can't stop looking at all the beautiful images. I am now also following your pinterest as well as your blog.
ReplyDelete