What makes a 'Pro' Blog

Besides a 'professional blogger site' being one attempting to make money through the site, there are many sites that also promote a ‘professional’ look for bloggers. You have to get your own domain name instead of jollyroger.blogspot.com; you need to replace the word ‘labels’ for your posts with ‘categories’; you need to order your site like the ‘pros’; you should not have widgets that ‘pros’ don’t use; you must be polite and nice so as to not alienate your readers; you must post regularly; you must write and think in a way that can be easily understood - in other words, reinforce the learnt deficiencies that comes with life within an increasingly shallow, self-absorbed and consumeristic society - et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

In the comments section of one of these sites, I had to say.....

.....Well, if all bloggers begin to replace 'labels' with 'categories', the latter will begin to mean 'blogger' just as the former did wouldn't it;)

I believe that the quintessential factor that distinguishes the blogger from the 'pro' is that the latter tends to be more analytical, systematic and versatile in approach. Site design in ‘pro’ sites, of course, is generally more ordered and included widgets are relevant. But the approach is the most important.

...embellishments, such as changing one's design, getting one's own domain name, etc, is not actually an effort to make our blog professional per se, but to get around the learnt biases of a people whom aren't going to pay attention to anyone who resemble themselves. All other embellishments, such as changing one's design, getting one's own domain name, etc, is not actually an effort to make our blog professional per se, but to get around the learnt biases of a people whom aren't going to pay attention to anyone who resemble themselves. In other words, one basically has to 'look' like a 'pro', which basically means coming across as better than oneself appearance-wise, before one is given attention. Not unlike many 'black' artistes in america straightening their hair, richly-toned ‘celebs’ bleaching their skin so that they might look like their subtly-toned counterparts, or sharpening their noses and botoxing this or that part of their faces and whatnots, or people being taken more seriously or being treated with increased respect when they have a suit on.

This site itself has evolved from its ‘non-pro’ look in its previous incarnations (previous sites) to its current and relatively less-‘blogger’ look. But this is not purposed to simply ‘give it a more pro look’, but in appreciation of the fact that people generally disrespect themselves so much - given their cog & wheel status within this self-abnegating socio-economic system that turns them into nothing other than consumers, fans and reproductive units - that they aren’t going to take anyone, or even themselves seriously in arenas now largely monopolised by the ‘pros’, ‘celebs’, politicians, the wealthy, et cetera.(though the additional reason for these overhauls was to bring about more order and a less cluttered appearance so as to not psychologically inhibit one's consideration of the content as opposed to just giving it a 'pro' look)

If you want to give your site a particular look, do so because it illustrates your personality and your aims, but not because it might 'look pro'. The latter would be no different to falsely extolling the value of a product because it has a 'pro' front-end. When we appreciate this, we will learn to appreciate insight in itself as opposed to determining its value by what impresses the sight.Precious few think anything amiss with being required to wear a tie to get into certain restaurants; ‘celebs’ heading social movements and being appointed as ambassadors to the U.N. instead of the real professionals in these fields; that products’ sales tend to go up when fronted by a grimacing Clooney or stick-wielding Tiger Woods; and so on and so forth. You are nothing if you’re part of the herd that all of the above depend on to be overpriced, overpaid and basically overrated. It’s a symbiotic union that requires the existence of the inferior for the gluttonous subsistence of the former.

And it is within this context that we begin to understand why many are rushing toward a ‘pro’ or 'standout' look for their blogs. Well, I don’t blame them. They are subconsciously aware that they have to look like their overlords in order to be treated with similar respect by their peers. Well, we can’t be idealistic and stick to 'looking like a blogger' lest we be shrugged off by others just as they are accustomed to being shrugged off. But whilst we are doing it, we should spare a thought for what we are reinforcing amongst the masses, and state in no uncertain terms, that our ‘pro’ look is simply purposed to get around the masses disrespect themselves as opposed to it being indicative that we truly ‘pros’.

If we are going for a 'pro look', it should be for no reason other than creating order and not just to 'look pro'. 'Pro' is validated by nothing other than insight. If you want to give your site a particular look, do so because it illustrates your personality and your aims, but not because it might 'look pro'. The latter would be no different to falsely extolling the value of a product because it has a 'pro' front-end. When we appreciate this, we will learn to appreciate insight in itself as opposed to determining its value by what impresses the sight.


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