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Scott Adams, you know, the Dilbert creator (maybe you’re like me and don’t really follow his work because you’ve never spent a day in a cubicle) wrote on his blog the other day that he was going to start posting less frequently because he wasn’t seeing the results that he thought he would from his blog.

His stated reasons were basically, and I’m paraphrasing, that he thought some negative comments weren’t worth it and, because people were choosing to read the blog via RSS, he wasn’t making more money because of it.

It’s funny but I think people with his kind of star power, much like big offline publications, never really get into blogging because they are not used to people talking back at them or giving anything away for free. They see it as A) necessary evil or B) simply another way to make money and, in the end, it’s neither.

And if you’re a Dilbert fan perhaps you should be reading Escape from Cubicle Nation for some balance.

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Posted by: John Jantsch on Nov 27, 07 | 6:06 am
Category: Blogging | Tags:

Comments

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Cam Beck

Interesting synopsis. I had no idea Adams had such goals when he started his blog, but I could only take it in small doses.

Some of his stuff was pretty good, though.

Chris

Interesting - I have heard people losing focus on their blogs because of apps like Twitter etc. But if you can't handle dialog with readers/customers or just want to make cash, your writing and passion or lack thereof will show through - at least imho.

Lars

It's really hard work to keep a blog going. It's like publishing a magazine or a newspaper. You constantly have to think of new things to write about.

I can totally see his point. He makes his living by creating original content and selling it. Writing a blog for free doesn't create much value to him.

But then there's another bestselling author, Seth Godin, who has pretty much the opposite opinion.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2007/11...

It depends where you are coming from, and what you are trying to accomplish, I think.

pamslim

Thanks for the nod John!

I was surprised at first to see Scott Adams get into blogging because he does already have big star power and obviously doesn't need help building platform. I enjoyed most of his posts since he was able to talk about a much broader base of subjects and was much less inhibited in his personal opinions than he was in his comic strip. He is very witty, and it did give me more insight into how he is as a person, as opposed to his one-dimensional persona as the creator of Dilbert.

I think to do blogging for the long haul you have to simply love to write and share information, or at least opinions.

Despite success of people like Darren Rowse from ProBlogger, if you blog purely for money or sales, you are bound to be disappointed.

All the best,
-Pam

Vanessa Salvia

Hi John, geez, what a disappointment. I'll still read Dilbert because it's a great comic but I'll always think in the back of my mind about poor Scott Adams who wanted more money and didn't get it! Starting a blog to make money is probably a poor strategy.

escapee

I think he's making a BIG mistake. For example, take the blog of Neil Gaiman (author of Sandman series, among many other literary works). He doesn't allow comments, but you CAN email him, and if he deems your question worthy he will put it, along with the answer, on his blog. I think that takes care of the negative comment debacle.

Neil's blog is about building relationships with his readers. He also really knows how to plug his projects. For example, all readers of the blog know that he is working on a novel that is almost finished. Great marketing! Also, all readers of the blog know that he co-wrote the movie Beowulf, which is now showing in theaters. Once again, great marketing.

A blog can be a great tool for an artist if you know how to use it correctly. Obviously Scott Adams doesn't "get it".

Greg

What? Someone wanted to make money from their blog? Wow, what a concept. All jokes aside, Adams needs to get involved in the conversation now more than ever. Make your points on why Dilbert kick ass and pass along his own knowledge to shut down the nay-sayers. Oh, but that would take away time from making money.

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