Comments on: Why A Blogger’s Union Won’t Fly

By: And the beat goes on « my(PR)palette

And the beat goes on « my(PR)palette — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:22:36 +0000

[…] and noticed most of the posts were from early August. However, there was a September 2 entry on Webomatica devoted to the union and one on September 9 from […]

By: List o’ Links : Elaine Vigneault

List o’ Links : Elaine Vigneault — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:10:11 +0000

[…] Should bloggers organize and form a union? Jason doesn’t think so. […]

By: Elaine Vigneault

Elaine Vigneault — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:05:58 +0000

I think a union has a place in a limited context. For example, an organized union could get group discounts for health insurance. And an organized union could boost up one ad network above another or boycott certain ads. A union could have a say in webmaster guidelines, too, for example, and legal help for freedom of the press and copyright law.

It’d be more like a guild or an association than a union, but the principles of organization for group benefit are the same. I think you’re conception of union is just a little too narrow.

By: Urbanist

Urbanist — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 19:30:08 +0000

I’m with you all the way … there are so many new blogs everyday, the system would never run out of blogging ‘scabs’ if there were ‘unions’ in the first place. And wages, oh my yes, I get so sad when I see new bloggers who think there is huge money in posting whatever they want to (do they want to be the next Perez Hilton?).

By: David

David — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:46:11 +0000

I agree that it can be difficult to get to the sweet spot with blogging, but again, I fall back on networking, and getting in with a blog network (one that doesn’t pay per post!). Michael, who writes on a variety of Bloggy Network sites, was picked up after only like two months of writing on his own, thanks to his passion, and networking abilities.

Get in with a network, get them to agree to a flat fee, as you are worth that. Start small, and go from there.

By: webomatica

webomatica — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 02:33:45 +0000

That’s cool — Dave you easily made the top commentators list. Honestly, I would totally be happy if one could make a decent living blogging. But it seems like the economics are a little askew right now — probably because blogging is relatively new. I would be happy if someone proved me wrong.

By: Slevi

Slevi — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 21:47:38 +0000

I think for a limited amount of bloggers a union might be welcomed, although the amount of bloggers which actually makes an income to live from is just so minimal. If I’d place my guesses on any figure it would probably not come on any higher than 1/10k blogs on the net which actually makes enough money to keep yourself alive with.

The lot of the bloggers though of which I’m definitely one as well probably couldn’t care less about a union, it wouldn’t serve any additional purpose .

By: David

David — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 20:13:18 +0000

The decision that lead me to being a full time blogger was really only that the opportunity was there, and I had no better career opportunities in sight. I agree that number five is still true, though a strike would only mean not getting paid, and when blogging pays the mortgage, car payments and food… there is just no way to “band together and strike”.

I am lucky enough though that I get paid well enough that I don’t need a union or any type of group to help support me.

By: webomatica

webomatica — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 18:00:32 +0000

I’m totally open to different perspectives, although what was the decision that led you to take on full time blogging? Second, I still believe number 5 is true. If bloggers really think that they are underpaid, I suggest they band together and go on strike. That should prove to your employer your economic value, and hence validating the concept of a union.