Me? Professional Blogger? And You?

Today's post is a NaBloPoMo* prompt with the following questions, "Do you consider yourself a "professional" blogger? Why or why not? What does that mean to you?"

My immediate response is "No, I am not" as firstly I do not write frequently - daily? (is that required?!) - enough, except for when I partake in blogging challenges due to various reasons. For some of my reasons, read my post as follows: http://www.xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/talented-thursday-blogging-and.html.

And secondly, my interpretation of a professional blogger is one who is either a professional and/or an expert in a particular field to blog about.

For better or worse, I consider myself a generalist as you can probably tell from the nature of my blog as I am familiar, slightly more or less than others on numerous topics. I think this is due to a friend I admired years ago who possessed this trait and I so admired that quality in her. Though I imagine it also has a lot to do with being interested in a wide array of subjects, as my profile to the right of my blog post testifies. No wonder: I have a sense of curiosity like a cat and wonder like a child! ;)

I have explored various subjects through formal and informal courses including school, workshops, research, i.e., reading, volunteer work, and the like. Also, in meeting friends with different backgrounds opens up a whole new world of discoveries.

And essentially, I love to learn and grow. I believe this is the underlying reason as I know that if I don't, I feel dead inside. Don't you? I think our soul is meant to blossom, not stagnate!

But hey, wait a minute! Am I not getting ahead of myself (here)? What is a professional blogger anyway?!

When I google it, Wikipedia of course does not have a direct definition. Other blog sites do though. When I type, "What is a professional blogger" I get John's post with some detailed ideas of what it means: http://john.do/professional-blogger/. He states: "A Professional Blogger is a person who blogs for a living." Essentially, one who blogs full-time.

Here's another great post with an idea I had mentioned as #1 on this guest blogger's list, and also with three recommended posts on blogging: http://www.problogger.net/?s=professional+blogger.

And lastly, the story of a former part-time software engineer who became a professional blogger along with his story and helpful tips based on his experiences: http://www.shoutmeloud.com/how-to-become-a-full-time-professional-blogger.html.

A professional blogger posts on a consistent basis once or more per day or even once a week, though as referred to above, there are other layers to that position.

I know, for example, that I am not a professional blogger though before these challenges I did write generally consistently, although usually once every two weeks. And, after reading the blogging links above, I am not sure I want to be one, at least not at this time: my life is too full with other commitments...did you read my somewhat amusing post that I mentioned near the top of this post? ;)

Now your turn: After perusing some of the sites above on professional blogging, would you consider yourself a professional blogger or a hobbyist blogger? There is no right or wrong here or better than in this regard. It is whatever works best for you based on your aspirations, values, and time commitment.

I am linking this to NaBloPoMo, Write Tribe, and Ultra Blog Challenge.