What metaphor do you use to explain blogging?

Posted by Ian McKenzie
Written on May 28, 2007

Enquire within upon everythingLiz Strauss has kicked off a group writing project at Successful Blog. The Metaphor Project: What’s Your Blogging Metaphor? When asked to explain blogging to someone, what idea or image do you use to communicate the concept?

For the “a-little-knowledge-is-a-dangerous-thing” group, a blog is some kind of on-line diary or journal where one bares one’s soul to the web. In all fairness to the image, the diary or journal metaphor will cover a large percentage of blogs out there. I have a list of a hundred or so blogs written by friends and family, and they serve as an on-line diary providing a look at snippets of their lives.

Of course, if you tell people you’re blogging as part of your business strategy or blogging is your business, there will be a bit of a disconnect between their image of a business and that of a pet blog.

So, how do you explain blogging? Forrest Gump’s “life is a box of chocolates” might work. Derrick Sorles has already reworked that concept as blogging is a box of pizza. Or at least, .

When I first started blogging, I saw my blog as something similar to the old Victorian domestic handbook, “.” The title page of this little volume read, “Whether you wish to model a flower in wax; to study the rules of etiquette; to serve relish for breakfast or supper; to plan a dinner for a large party or a small one; to cure a headache; to make a will; to get married; to bury a relative; whatever you may wish to do, make, or to enjoy, provided your desire has relation to the necessities of domestic life, I hope you will not fail to ‘Enquire Within.’” —Editor.

In the same way, I stored reference material, website bookmarks, notes for future reference, or tips and tricks on all sorts of subjects. When I came across information that fit my nebulous definition of useful, I’d fire up Blogger and post. (Maybe Pack Rat is another metaphor. ) Now, my blog has evolved over time and these days  primarily covers productivity and time management tips, but I still see it a general reference source.

I think the Enquire Within metaphor works for blogging in general. You’ll find blogs out there that post instructions on modelling flowers in wax; a relish recipe for breakfast or supper; tips for planning a dinner party; and so much more. In fact, you’re not limited to “the necessities of domestic life.” Doctors, lawyers and business chiefs are all sharing their experience and insights via blogs.

The next time someone wants you to explain blogging, ask them for what they need to know, run a blog search on the subject and show them how to “Enquire Within.”

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    Comments

    I enjoy metaphors, but I’m not good on them… btw, nice new template :)

    Comment by Pedro Villalobos on May 28, 2007 @ 5:32 pm

    I’m not very good with metaphors, either. It took some effort to put this post together. The new template is Cutline from Chris Pearson.

    Comment by Ian McKenzie on May 28, 2007 @ 5:41 pm

    Hi Ian and Pedro,
    I think you might be better at metaphors than you think you are . . . Ian the very name of your blog, “Ian’s Messy Desk” is a metaphor.

    Your post is wonderful and so suits your blog. Thank you for being part. :)
    Liz

    Comment by Liz Strauss on May 29, 2007 @ 4:53 am

    Okay, you got me with Forrest Gump. I have to agree with you. And I think there’s other Gumpisms that we can compare to blogging as well.

    Comment by Dawud Miracle on May 31, 2007 @ 1:23 pm

    Wow I can think of way to many to list!

    Carmelo Lisciotto

    Comment by Carmelo Lisciotto on June 16, 2007 @ 3:36 pm

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