Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Five Stages of Wine Blogging*


{*The Five Stages of Wine Blogging are based on The Kübler-Ross model, commonly known as The Five Stages of Grief.}

Denial"I am NOT a wine blogger. I'm a writer! This can't be happening, not to me!" Denial is usually only a temporary defense as the individual realizes they have an irresistible urge to write a wine blog.

Anger — "Why me? It's not fair! How did this happen to me? Wine blog judges are idiots!" Once in the second stage, the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue. Anger and jealousy issues arise. "My blog is just as good as Dirty Mouth Wine or Grape-a-Saurus and Sniff This! Why don't I have more readers and awards? I want an award! And why can't I have a crazy unpronounceable name like Yalder Arrow? I'm somebody toooo!"

Bargaining —  "I will post every day for a year if I can just get a trip to France and several cases of wine samples every month. I promise I will only blog on weekends and days that end in 'Y" and I vow to see my family more than once a week."  The third stage involves the realization that you might get some free stuff because of your blog, but maintaining a wine blog is a lot of work. This stage is more difficult for bloggers who have non-blogging spouses and actual day jobs.

Depression"Hey, what's with all those other bloggers I see going on press trips? And where are my wine samples!?! How come I'm not getting all that free stuff? My blog is not the ticket to respect and credibility I once thought it would be." The sad realization you are not, and never will be, The HoseMaster of Wine sets in.

Acceptance"I am a wine blogger. I attend conferences. I have business cards. I go on press trips. I get free wine samples." Admitting that you are a wine blogger is the first step to a normal blogging life, quickly followed by complete acceptance. "I am a slave to my blog. I am so depressed." 

NOTE: I started my blog because I wanted to attend the 2009 Wine Bloggers Conference and the sign-up page required you submit the URL of your wine blog. So I bought a domain and started a wine blog. Just like that. I had no idea where this ruse would lead. But I must say wine blogging has been berry berry good to me.

If you don't have a wine blog I urge you to start one today. You'll be amazed at how many people you'll irritate and annoy if you do. Plus, the 5th Annual Wine Bloggers Conference is in Portland, Oregon this August, and you need to have a wine blog to attend. Hope to see you there.

ADDENDUM:  The Portland WBC is sold out. But I hear Ron Washam is holding a poodle grooming and blogger de-programming seminar that weekend. Apply now by sending Ron a 500-word essay on why you deserve to live, along with your $1200.00 non-refundable deposit check.

{*The Five Stages of Wine Blogging are based on The Kübler-Ross model, commonly known as The Five Stages of Grief.}

8 comments:

  1. Maybe the 6th step is being tempted to start a beer or scotch blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6th step start a Beer Blog?!? Ha! That might entail a 12 step program. Five stages are not enough for Beer Bloggers.

      Delete
  2. I'm glad you've accepted and implemented the five steps! It's healthy. So is the wine! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, wIne is the cornerstone of good mental health. ;-)

      Delete
  3. Oh my gosh you're so funny! I love the reason you started your blog. It's just so perfect.

    I just made my second three day trip back to Healdsburg last week and will be blogging about it all this week. My new goal is to be the most prolific, non-wine drinking, wine country blogger to ever hit wine country. Is there an award category for that? LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Yes Stacie-- I grant you an honorary wine blog award for achievement in non-wine drinking. The prize...wine of course. ;-)

      Thanks for stopping by see you in wine country soon.

      Delete
  4. Oh-my, thanks now I feel better, four years later, I've arrived to the sixth step, ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Bill--Somehow I don't see you entering stage 6 just yet , but maybe in Portland you will become a beer blogger....just maybe.

      See you at WBC.

      Delete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...