Notes from Nothing

Are you a Shish-Kebab or Steak Blogger?

He he…Couldn’t resist quoting my friend Jeremiah…Thanks, buddy!

Jeremiah and I had a nice discussion earlier today about the different types of blogging and it was a great segue into my woes of not being able to find time to blog. Yes, I was struggling over the last two days to get my stuff in order since I spend an inordinate amount of time crafting each blog post. It took me over 3 hours to craft my Borat piece that’s now on the Daily Fix .

Jeremiah and I then got into discussing the styles of blogging, when he mentioned these great quotable quotes:

It’s a conversation, not a speech
It’s a coffee shop, not a podium
It’s Shish-Kebab, not Steak

So, let’s define Shish-Kebab bloggers as those who are capable of writing several pithy posts a day that grab your attention and incite debate, while Steak bloggers are those (who like me) write an essay a day and there is conversation but less of a debate.

Here’s a breakdown with examples:

Shish-Kebab bloggers

Scoble
Rubel
Jeremiah
Ann
Godin
Karl Long

Steak Bloggers

Guy Kawasaki
Eric Kintz
David Armano
Mack Collier
CK

—

Well, here’s my thought process, irrespective of how long you spend, the result is always to provoke thought. What’s important is you’ve got to stir a discussion. Another important aspect of blogging is checking out other blogs & commenting, which I’m doing less nowadays because of time constraints.

So are you a shish-kebab blogger or a steak blogger? Have you faced bloggers-block and how have you overcome it? Feel free to share.
—
Also, here’s Ann’s “blogging = cocktail party” post and here’s Godin’s “lampchop theory of success”! What’s with all the food and drink metaphors. Looks like we’re having too good a time here.

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  1. My Philosophy of Social Media Sharing « Marketing Nirvana

    […] on this blog recently. Well, interestingly, it takes as much as time to write those as did to write the essay posts I used to struggle […]

  2. Mario Sundar

    Hi David,
    You’re so right. I realized that I go back-and-forth between the tasty kebabs and the steak pieces as well.

    Either way, I enjoy the marketing banquet!

    Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
    Mario

  3. david armano

    As a practicing carnivore I can tell you that the world needs both shish kebab and steak. Sometimes you want a quick tasty bite and other times you want to savor a big ‘ol juicy cut.

    Actually I think your list is too neat and tidy–I’ve seen Ann post both steaks and kebobs. Same with me and CK and occasionally Karl will saute a nice filet. 😉

    Mmmmm. Variety is the spice of life. I’ll take both please with a side of mashed ‘tatoes and peas. Nice toast. Erm, I mean post. 🙂

  4. Mario Sundar

    Ann,

    Well, I was debating whether you are a shish-kebab or steak type blogger? Tough one…

    And you’re probably right… You may be gravitating towards the shorter version and that’s what I may have noticed.

    Mario

  5. annhandley

    Mario — Fun post. If I’m a shish-kebab sort, why does it take me so many hours (easily 3 or 4) to draft a post as well? I guess I’m an over-low-burning coals sort of kebab…

    Seriously, I’ve gotten better at shish-ing. My earlier posts were essays — more steak, I’d guess you say. But I think the medium demands something nice and spicey on a skewer — something small you can hold in your hand and eat on the run. Hence I’ve made an effort to make mine on a stick.

  6. Mario Sundar

    CK!!

    Good to see you’re back! I know I’m a “steak” blogger and it’s difficult cos I don’t find time for crafting 4 hour posts!

    You’re right, bloggers-block can be sidestepped with a tour and feedback on other blogs…

    Now that I’ve started posting, it looks like I’m finally off the wagon, or on the wagon?! whichever? 🙂

    Mario

  7. Mario Sundar

    Hi Sandi,

    Nice to see your new blog. I do notice you’re the “steak” kind a blogger. I agree there’s got to be a healthy mix of the “steak” and “shish-kebab” kind of posts.

    I look forward to continuing our conversation in the blogosphere.

    Mario

  8. CK

    Mario:
    Great post and food metaphor (now I’m hungry…). What I appreciate about blogging styles–as you point out here–is that they do differ. I would definitely classify you as a “steak” blogger, btw. Sometimes posts come to me quickly (maybe they’re side orders?) and sometimes, like you, I’ll spend hours on a post.

    Insofar as “bloggers block” I always advise bloggers to “just accept it and let it pass”–don’t force it. Use it as an opportunity to visit and consume other blogs that much more. A new post will come to you before you know it.

  9. Sandi

    I too am a bit of a “steak” blogger and I can relate to bloggers-block. Being new to the scene, I prefer to take my time to craft a post rather than slapping something together that’s just half-way decent and not entirely on topic. A food metaphor for bloggers – an interesting segue into Thanksgiving in a way…

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