Let's Talk Blog Challenge - Magazines Vs Blogging

So it's week 5 of the #LetsTalkBlogChallenge and if you don't know what that is here's a quick explanation in the words of creator @sarah_hamersley Sarah's Blog.

So this is going to be a 6 week challenge, with a different topic each week that we'll write and tweet about. The plan is to write and schedule our posts for Monday at 8pm and then tweet our posts on twitter at that time, using the hashtag #LetsTalkBlogChallenge. That way every Monday at 8pm all our posts are live and we're all online to interact and share our posts with each other. I'll be online from 8-9pm every Monday, reading and commenting on all the posts and chatting to you all, just so there is a sense of community and interaction.

The topic for this week is; Magazines Vs Blogging!

No separate posts from Kerrie and Aishling this week as we pretty much have the same opinion on the subject, we've decided to teamed up for this opinion piece.

We are going to tackle this one on 6 essential points and discuss the merits and disadvantages of each.

Let the battle begin!!!

As you can tell, my photoshop skillz are amazing! - Aishling

Magazine - Generally you can walk into any shop and usually some type of magazine is available. If you don't live in a large town or city it can be more difficult, especially if your interest is not main stream.  It is possible to subscribe to magazines so that's great for anyone not able to access a local supplier.

Blog - Once you have internet access you can access blogs anywhere any time.  Therein lies the problem if you have no interwebs no blogs for you!

Magazine - There are very few free magazines I can think of, so generally there is a charge and in most cases a substantial one at that.  Sometimes the price is justifiable, you can be getting a very good product full of information valuable to you.  In other cases, particularly beauty magazines, the price difference between the UK and Ireland is crazy and not a good value.

Blog - I don't know of any blogs that charge so I'm gonna say all blogs are free! No buyers regret here if you read a blog and find it's not for you. 

Magazine - Magazines are usually printed on a weekly or monthly basis so you are getting up to date information.  You are more than likely going to be inundated with ad's in magazines, this may be of interest, as you can see new products or be reminded of something you like.  On the other hand this can be hugely annoying as a lot of the content can be take up by adverts.  You can flick through the mag and just have a quick browse at the pictures, read the small snippets or delve into a long article at your leisure.  When you find a magazine you like, you can be assured of consistency in the quality of the writing and the accuracy of reviews.  There may be particular writers you know or favour, who write solely for that magazine so you couldn't get that else where.

Blog - Depending on when the blog was created you have lots of options; read only the most recent article or look back through weeks, months or years of content.  A blog may be updated more frequently so you have something new to read every day.  Advertisement on blogs can be blocked.  The quality of writing and content of blogs can vary hugely so a good article can be followed by something poorly written and edited.  On the flip side there are many blogs producing well written and considered content.

Magazine - Depending on where you live, locally the selection may be limited.  That's not to say there are not magazines on a huge amount of interests.  Say you are interested in Fire Engines?! You may have some trouble finding a magazine off the shelf, either locally or in a large retailer.  But it could be possible to order from the retailer or subscribe to the magazine directly.  Walk into a large newsagents, let's say Easons on O'Connell St. Dublin and you will find a massive selection for you to peruse.  I would say hundreds of titles are available there on a wide variety of subjects.

Blog - Fire Engines you say?! Oh there will be a blog on that!  All one needs to do is type in your interest into google and there will be thousands of blogs available to you.  The only problem is which one to read first!

Magazine - Magazines provided limited interaction, there may be a "Letters to the Editor" section or questions answered but this means going to the effort of writing and mailing or emailing and waiting to see if it is published or you get a reply.  It is not instantaneous.

Blog - Most blogs have a comments section so you can comment on a post instantly.  You can communicate with the author of the blog or the other people who have commented.  You may not always get a reply however.

Magazine - Often a beauty magazine will give a free sample or full size product to entice you, these can be worth more than the price of the magazine itself!  Special interest magazines too might give you something free i.e a knitting pattern, posters, free access to a database, money off voucher, free download, cake decorating equipment etc.  You may also be able to enter exclusive competitions or have the opportunity to go to events hosted or associated with the title.

Blog - Lots of blogs hold competitions these days and lots of comps means lots of chances to win!  You may also make friends through blogs that you wouldn't be able to through the solitary world of reading a Magazine.

In conclusion we both agree that Blogs beat Magazines hands down!  

Godzilla victory dance, again my amazing photoshop skillz :P - Aishling

 We very rarely buy magazines  nowadays, as all we want is freely available online.  The only thing that would tempt us to purchase a mag is a freebie!

What do you think?  Let us know in the comments below or if you've done this challenge too, be sure to link to your post.

Bye for now!

  
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