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We’ve all been seeing the effects of technology in lowering entry levels for various professions. Photography is an easy example: with minimal investment, limited practice and a bit torrent account, anyone can have professional-level equipment and the ability to post-process at a level that was never achievable before. It can be argued that technical advancements have made industries overcrowded, but there’s something to be said about the new level of competition it brings. Many cling to the hope that the cream always rises to the top, and that good work will eventually be recognized regardless of all the newcomers who have not put in the necessary work to perfect their craft. This is not always the case; oftentimes it becomes hard to sift through the vast options to find something worthwhile. On the other hand, this accessibility is important for those who might not have been afforded such opportunities otherwise.

I’d like to talk for a minute about blogs – for most of us, they represent the new frontier of news communication. The internet has given anyone the ability to post their opinion so that it has unparalleled global reach. Everyone, like it or not, has now been given a voice. Some see the expression of this voice as a hobby, but others view it as a means to obtain work. Blogs have become the new résumé or portfolio – and yet, while you would never expect a CV to contain spelling mistakes, incorrect details and grammatical errors, many blogs which have accumulated huge followings are rife with such errors. Please note that I’m not talking about deliberate stylistic choices in writing, but actual mistakes: awkward/fragmented sentences, poor use of punctuation, et al. What’s more, many of these posts are written in a rushed manner (oftentimes in an attempt to beat others to the punch) and result in the proliferation of incorrect information. When a newspaper publishes something that is false, a correction is made in the following day’s paper; on the world wide web, the post is already 4 pages back. There seems to be a major lack of accountability in this particular craft. When you’re putting something into physical print, there’s a sense of finality to it when it’s sent to press. Online publications should give their posts the same type of attention and care.

What I’m getting at is this: if your blog serves as an inspiration board or a place to post your thoughts, that’s fine. If it’s a hobby and you have no delusions of grandeur about it, that’s fine. But if you’re trying to turn it into a legitimate source of income, please take a second (and third) look at what you write. Make sure what you’re sharing is accurate. Hire a proofreader if you need one. And most of all, take pride in your work and do the best job you possibly can at it – especially if you’ve already built up a rapt audience.