Beer Bloggers Conference 2014 was an experience like no other. Here at Great Beer Now, I was fully aware of this conference and have known about it for years, but never found the time to attend until 2014. Now that the experience is behind me, I want to reflect on something that I don’t believe any other blogger has discussed but that I have experience with and can offer some perspective. I am talking about the culture of beer blogging and how different beer bloggers are from those in the rest of the blogging world.
Blogging as a Business
I and my wife run a few different web sites and I have attended blogger events that focused on a variety of areas. Gatherings are often quite interesting. You know people from reading their web site content, Twitter feed, Facebook, etc., but you don’t really know someone until you meet them face to face. Most are cordial and friendly enough, but these bloggers often seem a little bit too competitive and even suspicious. They withhold information that would benefit both of you, refuse to share corporate contacts, and seem somewhat distrusting. Some seem a little standoff-ish, like they don’t want to tell you too much lest you find out their “secrets” and use them to your advantage. Many are driven to make money and they worry that you might take their ideas, run with them, and enjoy great success.
Genuine and True
As the Beer Bloggers Conference demonstrated, beer bloggers are a unique breed. The competition among bloggers- if it even exists at all- is kept at a fun and friendly level. Beer Bloggers have no problem sharing what they know (put a few beers in someone and I guess this would be true for everyone, no?) and in fact, they even seem anxious to help. It’s similar to the support that I often see in the craft beer industry. The different breweries are competitors, yes, but most are still friends and they have no problem helping a fellow brewer in a time of need.
Support Me, Support You
Beer bloggers are a far more supportive and fun group of individuals than other bloggers I have encountered over the years. What are the reasons? I don’t have any scientific proof but I think it is due to a few key factors. First and perhaps most importantly, beer bloggers are not in it for the money! We all know that cash is very limited for the beer blogger and that is precisely why most of us work our day job and blog on the side. For many other bloggers in other fields, cash matters and matters a lot! Many of these starving bloggers are trying to scrounge out a living and have to take advantage of any edge they have over others. This is why they will often avoid providing direct answer and will withhold information when asked questions about their blogging business. They often come across as a little bit phony and disingenuous- two terms that almost never apply to the average beer blogger.
Besides the money factor, other differences include pretentiousness and unfounded arrogance. I have noticed that, with bloggers in other fields, they are often completely convinced that their blog is the greatest in the history of the web; a blog so meticulous, so informative, so creative, and so wonderful that it will win over even the most stubborn naysayer with its overflowing abundance of charm, intelligence, and wit. A quick look at some of these blogs reveals quite the opposite, as many of them are overrun with grammatical errors, are difficult to navigate, and are outdated in design. But don’t tell that to the blogger convinced that his/her blog is going to become the next Huffington Post! These arrogant bloggers are confident that they will one day rule the web once everyone comes to their senses and realizes that it is they who possess the greatest blog on the planet.
Another rather interesting observation is that these other bloggers often want people to think they are either much younger or are a different person. They will post photos of themselves taken back in the 1980’s or substitute an image of someone else, never disclosing that the person in the picture is an imposter. I cannot count the number of times I have met other bloggers and didn’t recognize them. Their blog photo, I quickly discovered, was taken when they were barely out of high school and today they are pushing 50 but don’t want anyone to know. Again, you don’t see this type of behavior with beer bloggers. What you see is what you get and older beer bloggers have no problem showing off their gray hairs and crow’s feet. They are signs of beer wisdom and beer blogger’s are happy to let the world see and know the real person behind the writing.
I Think I’ll Have a Beer
Beer Bloggers Conference 2014 taught me many things. I learned a little more about the industry from craft beer pioneer and Sierra Nevada Brewing founder Ken Grossman. I learned some of the tools of social media and how best to use them. I learned about the importance of good photography. I learned about ethics in beer blogging and the best way to handle specific situations.
But aside from the mechanics, the Beer Bloggers Conference 2014 in San Diego reaffirmed what I have known all along: Beer Bloggers are, quite simply, cool people. They love great beer and they want to spread the gospel far and wide. If you need help or have a question, they are more than willing to share. They will tell you what works and what doesn’t. They will share links with you on each other’s blogs. They will offer useful tips and suggestions. They realize that beer blogging is not a zero sum game. There is plenty of success to go around and when we support each other, we all win in the end.
Other bloggers might make a little more money. They might receive more perks and they might enjoy greater notoriety. But give me the choice and I will go with beer any day. Beer bloggers are a unique and lovable breed and while we might enjoy receiving free brew in the mail and otherwise debating the merits of brewing and the industry’s future, one thing is clear: Beer bloggers are in a class by themselves and I wouldn’t trade my beer blog for anything else.
The people, not the beer, are what set beer bloggers apart. Cheers to all who attended Beer Bloggers Conference 2014 and I hope to see all of your non- pretentious, helpful, courteous, supportive selves again next year at BBC15 in Asheville, North Carolina!
Bryan, I think this is a very interesting and accurate post. I agree with your basic premise but have a slightly different viewpoint. We run conferences for wine, food, and fitness bloggers in addition to the Beer Bloggers Conference. Most of these bloggers are blogging for the same reason as beer bloggers: passion for the subject. So I found actually most of these bloggers are similar to what you are describing.
However, even with these niches, there is a difference in that beer bloggers do seem more collaborative with each other and appreciative for what they get from breweries. I think this is reflective of the industry, as you surmise. It is a great thing for beer bloggers to keep in mind so we don’t get jaded from freebies or any perceived importance.
Great post.
Allan