Apr 03 2008
In order to adapt to increasing competition, one must find a unique niche to occupy
I have been having a bit of a dilemma lately, so I was hoping that some of you may give me your opinions. You probably already realize that there are A LOT of h!p blogs out there, and their numbers seem to be increasing exponentially. This is a very good thing, because more blogs means more people who are big enough fans to write, and it also means more attention being drawn to h!p within the English speaking world. So this is all well and good in a general sense, but on a selfish and personal level, I find myself feeling rather limited as to what I can write about. If there are 50 reviews of the Resonant Blue PV, for example, then what’s the point of my adding another one? If 50 people write up thoughtful reactions to the latest h!p scandal, is there anything the 51st person can say that hasn’t already been written?
It brings to question who exactly it is that I’m writing for. If I’m writing for my own enjoyment, then I should just write whatever the hell I want and not worry about what others are writing. I know that I’m self indulgent on occasion, but I think that I am much more writing for you, the readers, and so I feel obligated to do my best to offer something that is unique and worth your time. I try to think about what kind of entries I would most enjoy reading and then write those. I certainly enjoy writing entries like that, but it does leave me with considerably less material to work with. Another concern with the way I’m doing things now is that anyone who comes across my blog who is not from our community will wonder what kind of crappy h!p blog doesn’t even review the new PV or bother to mention an important scandal.
Another problem is the issue of my other (Johnny’s) blog. I try to update both blogs fairly evenly because I don’t want people to get the idea that I’ve abandoned my h!p fandom in favor of Johnny’s (SO not true), but since there are far less Johnny’s blogs in this community, I have far more original material to work with and comment on there. Now, I know of many arashi and *that group I promised shall not be named here* blogs with translation, fanworks, and scans (less actual writing, but plenty of eyecandy), and as an International Wota contributor, I almost feel obligated to ask them if they would like to be included in the site. On the one hand, more Johnny’s recognition within the community, and likely more readers for me! On the other hand, more competition, less virgin territory to cover, and maybe there aren’t enough people interested anyway. Is it more selfish to contact them or to not contact them? I can’t decide.
But back to the issue at hand, this blog. I’ve posted a new poll so you can share your opinions, but I’m basically asking you to choose between two options: Only posting the updates that I feel address topics that haven’t already been covered by many blogs, meaning that updates aren’t quite as frequent, or post updates on the full spectrum of h!p goings on regardless of what the other blogs are doing, likely meaning updates on a daily basis.
Anyway, I hope I’m not offending any of the other h!p blogs or implying that my entries are somehow worth more than yours. That’s really not what I mean at all. The issue is arising more from my personal preference and reasons for blogging than anything.
Ready, set, vote!
~Celestia~
PS. 4th gen won the last poll!
When I saw your post, I was a little shocked to be honest. I don’t think you should feel overwhelmed by the increase of bloggers. Your blog was one of first few that I encountered that I bookmarked to read on a weekly basis back in January. I still enjoy browsing your blog from time to time.
Why, you may ask? Your blog intrigued me in the very distinctive posts you had on your blog. And because of your artistic originality, I don’t think you should really think much about the competition O_O.
Blogging should be fun. And because of that, you should just post whatever interests you.=P Ahaha, sorry for this. I’m not very eloquent~
Occasionally, I’ve felt uneasy towards the increasing number of blogs dedicated towards the same subject mine is (i.e., Hello! Project). But I’m reassured when I realize that basically nobody else has the same kind of perspective and “pessimistic” writing style that I have, so it helps solidify my uniqueness. I like to be around as an alternative, for people who share my views to come and seek solace from the other blogs.
I also enjoy blogging in general. I don’t know, though, if it bothers you that much, try developing a more unique outlook on H!P. Anything is better than selfishness.
[...] In order to adapt to increasing competition, one must find a unique niche to occupy [...]
It’s an interesting dilemma. Your question is one I ask myself with every blog post I write. In fact tonight I had thought of something to write about the new C-ute PV, but first checked to see if I was repeating someone else’s take on it. Actually one did (sort of), but I wrote mine anyway. Personally, I write for two reasons. To have a place to vent my enthusiasm for H!P. And since I am a recognition hog, to have a positive reaction to my posts. Since many of my posts are DVD reviews, they are almost always well-covered territory. So I usually try to present some kind of opinion or epiphany that will freshen the material. I hope I am successful more often than not.
As far as your poll is concerned, I don’t feel the absolute need to write something on every little happening in H!P unless I feel compelled to. And I try not to step on too many toes. For example, I love watching Haromoni@, but I like True Life Seek’s reviews so much that I leave that show alone. Anyway, I don’t know how to screencap!
The bottom line, I will read “51″ posts on something if the material interests me.
Celestia, just feel free to write or type whatever u want and comes to mind. Don’t be concerned with who is reading, how many, who is doing the same or not. Most important thing is that when u have a thought or something that u want to say about anything, just post it and get ur thoughts out there for the cyberworld to read.
It shouldn’t matter if ur doing the exact same thing that another is doing about the same subject. U should be able to post all thoughts and ideas that u want to get out there, it ur own thoughts and urs alone, whether if others think the same or not.
I always read many different blogs that covers the same subject. to me, everyone is entitle to their own opinions and i wanna read their own opinions about it, everyone.
In the end, it’s simple really. Just post whatever u want, don’t think too much about whether or not it’s already been said. just get ur own personal opinions out there if u want.
I’ll be dropping by often…
“what kind of crappy h!p blog doesn’t even review the new PV or bother to mention an important scandal”
*raises hand* ^_^
I’m not sure how much the average reader would expect reviews or reactions to news items, but I’ve never felt a need to write about these things myself. When I started ★MINI MONI MANIA★ back at the end of January, I briefly considered reviewing the “Renai Rider” PV, which came out the day I started the blog, but that never happened, and I haven’t felt like reviewing any release that’s come out since then. Critical analyses, on the other hand, whether they’re assessing the overall artistic merits of a PV or blowing some technical detail ridiculously out of proportion, have turned out to be much more fun, as have many of the other things I’ve done in the last couple of months, like puzzles and remixes.
So I’d say that the most important thing about blogging is writing about what interests you, whether or not it’s what you think your readers expect (and chances are, if you write about what interests you, your long-term readers will probably be more interesting), whether or not everybody else has already written something about it.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of your posts, especially the Costume Hall of Shame, which I thought were unique and enjoyable, and I look forward to reading more.