@pbcsky I kind of think of a blogger as someone who creates content (posts, podcasts, videos, etc.) and a publisher as someone who gets lots of other content creators / bloggers together and places their content on a blog.  Kind of like authors vs. book publishers – authors write the book and publishers get the book out there. Which kind of makes bloggers publishers as well since many are publishing their own content and content by others as well.

@mike-stelzner @kristi-hines  (Could we have a digital high five that I finally pressed the email links in order to reply?)

Are there common mistakes or oversights that folks make when they are coming to terms with the precision of what “publisher” means?

The reason I ask:

Perhaps others here are already comfortable with this distinction, but for me it is a big ol’ shapeshifting idea and I’m surprised I don’t see more commentary about it. I am struggling (in a nice way) to come to terms with the precision part, Michael, because it seems rooted in a much bigger “idea”: content and quality. it’s not impulsive or whimsical, it has a calendar.  It is not generated first to sell something but, first, to give something of quality away. These concepts have a gravitas that “starting a blog” simply doesn’t have. Or, at least, didn’t have for me when I first wrote one.

Starting from the first session when it was first mentioned, It’s been percolating as I do the assignments.    For example, my older blog that had some success was all about “moi”. My ideas. My writing. My photography. My. My. My. Ad nauseum.

The one I am launching now is based (at long last!) less on my opinions but endless fascination with others who fight the daily battle of weight control either personally or professionally.  And, yet, I have yet to have a guest blogger!   (I’m tryin’ I’m tryin’) 

Although a personal issue, it is shared by, well, millions.  Most blogs about this topic are selling their personal journey, advocating a secret sauce or product, or touting a national weight loss program. Many are affiliated with weight loss products.  

This is not my purpose.  At. All.  I am interested only in the state of the art science, honest narrative, and providing a platform for voices who have not been heard or need to be heard more.

Through these sessions so far, I know a few things for sure: I want to be the “magazine” not the “newspaper” of this topic. And, yet, I had chosen before the sessions, a theme from Studio Press that is Tumblr like and as I look at it now, a totally singular voice platform.  So, old habits are dying hard in my house. An example of how this idea has literally shapeshifted my blog is this–I’ll choose a “Magazine” theme today from Studio Press.  Out with Mindstream, In with Magazine.

But, it illustrates the difficulty I have in making good choices that suit my own aspirations and any more help you have for those us new to the concept I would appreciate.

Are there other common mistakes (like choosing the wrong theme)  that folks make when realizing they want to be a “publisher”??

Thanks!