Vicente Wolf

I am very new to blogging and still finding my way and pondering this very question. I am currently blogging for the insights, information, and connection to others in design. I also blog to convey what I know, my thoughts about design and to show before and after pictures of my own work. Something you can not do on a website. And of course to have fun along the way! But when I realized I could read and be inspired by someone such as yourself (sorry for the gush) why wouldn’t I want to blog? I do worry long term about the time commitment and having something interesting to post on a regular basis.

I get so much validation for my art. It has amazed me the response I have had from all over the world. Also the blogging friends I have made in the art, architecture and interior design world. It is great to read and learn from the best! Including you Vicente!

Karena

Great question…one I ask myself all the time. Actually, I’m go through periods where I don’t spend much time on blogging, then I come back to it. I don’t know where busy designers get time to blog. My own pattern is to blog more when I am slower with deisgn work.

I have met some wonderful people throught my blog, and received some great rendering commissions. Even meeting one of them makes it worth while. After all, how much design speak can our friends take? lol

Love reading about your travels!!

Best,
Michelle

I too have thought all these things and hope you will read my Blog Birthday post tomorrow Vincent (when you have a minute!). To add to this I think the fact that you make yourself accessible to bloggers is very gracious and giving, especially to the designers atarting out. The mark of a very giving person and a true gentleman. I do hope you keep adding your voice as you will certainly continue to inspire many. With your talent you could certainly be superior in attitude, but you are not and it is so refreshing.
The best is how humble you are about your talent and how willing you are to sharing it.

I enjoy looking at design blogs but I find that many ‘design’ bloggers are not really looking for open discussion in the comments section if you have an opinion that differs from theirs. I have written a few comments that were not posted on various blogs because I respectfully disagreed with the view of the blogger. It’s not very democratic.

I also see that a lot of content gets recycled. This is one reason why I feel the blog cannot take the place of a magazine. That, and the fact that no stories accompany the photos. I want to know how the project was conceived and built – things you learn from magazine articles but not from blogs because they are not providing original content.

Vicente – Unlike some of the others, I don’t have a blog of my own, so this has been a first-time experience for me. But having looked around, I’m not aware of a designer of your stature that has anything like this. So I would say that yours provides a unique insight into the art and business of design (including photography, travel and writing) from one who knows best. We are literally reading the diary of a major designer in real time. But more important is the personal contact and sharing of ideas, which is very different from reading a book or magazine article. It’s as if we were able to e-mail Gershwin, Picasso or Corbu. I am glad to live in the age of technology!

It is said that if you want something done, ask a busy man. I hope that you will continue to be a busy man who finds time for us. And I hope that this will continue to be as rewarding for you as it is for us. – Gary

I have been blogging since 2006. I am one of the earlier ones. I got in because a client convinced me to — I didn’t really know what a blog was then and I figured my suburban boston clients might not either, but she pushed so I finally realized maybe she was onto something…

As for getting work–I get a lot of work from the internet. Good well qualified clients. Until recently, no one mentioned the blog per se, but after 3 years of regular writing in the worst economy of my life time, 2 smaller clients, came my way saying– I have been a regular reader of your blog for years and I told my husband that when it was time to do some work I would hire you.

I was clear from the start that I was interested in writing with my existing clients and potential clients in mind. I try to write about things that interest me. Talk about the process of being a designer and highlight ongoing projects. So a client could learn more about what it’s like working with a designer, share some tricks, things like that. I am a pretty accessible gal, so I try to keep that tone alive on the blog.

I guess you have to figure out why you are writing and what is your purpose. It has evolved for me over time, but it’s always for my clients both potential and current. I have also become obsessed with indoor air quality so I write about that too.

Another feature not to be minimized — blogging also has done wonderful things for my google ranking and less so for getting press.

I know that everyone says this is a word of mouth business, but it’s a changing business and younger people use the internet. People who move and don’t know people in your area use the internet. Some people want a *fabulous” decorator, but if they read my blog, they realize I am a smart decorator so it self selects for the type of clients I am looking for. It’s self-generated PR.

Many of my clients tell me they read my blog from time to time, so when they call me for more work, they mention that they have been reading or mention a specific thing covered on the blog. So it can be a way of keeping in touch.

I do know of some designers who are having ghost written blogs and I don’t see the point in that. It’s gotta be in your voice A ghost written blog is not authentic and I think people will see through that in no time.

And Mandy if you disagree with what I have to say on my blog, I welcome it. People do sometimes. It’s OK with me.

I read your blog for it’s original content. It’s not just re-publication of pictures from other blogs and magazines. It’s not about jacking up page rankings. As to what I’d like to see– maybe just something simple like how to maintain a job after it’s finished. How to find people to get things repaired. How to clean antiques properly. These little details never seem to be covered anywhere.

Hi Vincente,
I just stumbled upon your blog and just had to answer this question. Blogging is new to me, but I have already noticed how important our opinion is to our sphere of influence, those who care about we have to say. It is a way to open dialogue about things we care about and share thoughts with like minded people, who sometimes disagree. Mine is a consumer blog with a mommy twist. I comment on all sorts of different things, including design, from a mother’s perspective. My hope is that my blog becomes an open forum where our questions can be solved or pondered upon by others in the same situation… Blogging is all about sharing and learning.

Hi Vincent –

When I started my blog I didn’t do it with the intention of making money. I started my interior design practice about a year ago and I thought a blog would be a great way for me to connect with prospective clients and let them get a feeling for who I am as a designer and a person.

I also use design babylon as a platform to educate people as to what designers do as well as the history of design and how to bring great design into their lives, whether it’s through decorating, entertaining, travel or whatever happens to be inspiring me at that moment.

I want to give my readers value beyond showing them a bunch of pretty pictures!

cheers!
brett

I think it is a wonderful way for the public to get to know me. It is about sharing and connecting. I don’t blog every day but definitely feel like it is helping me make connections with fellow designers, decorating lovers, and potential clients! I was a skeptic and not sure but now that I have done it, I am grateful that I did.

Great topic!

I do not blog, though I really enjoy reading and commenting on others’ blogs. This particular blog is wonderful, in that it’s like sitting down with a good friend who’s always have great adventures! That sounds kind of ‘twee’ but it’s really sincere. I love that you, at your rareified level in the industry, are willing to share your life and business insights with us and I learn a lot, not only from you but from your other readers.

xo

thanks again for taking the time to do thisl

Blogs are the new diary of our lives from which we don’t need a monetary income. The thrill comes from writing and reading and connecting with so many people all over the world who actually think like you do and think more than you do. It exposes you to all sorts of ideas and images that you might not be as readily exposed to if you didn’t shout out in cyberspace. It makes even the home bound feel they can travel and make and connect with new found friends.

Thanks Vicente for being honest about this blogging business. I’m pretty new to it, but have been having a lot of fun doing it. I think reading other blogs (such as yours) is inspirational and leaves me feeling part of a group of people who see things a certain way. Writing my posts helps me put my thoughts into words and helps people (some of which may be potential clients) understand how I see things. After all, that’s what makes people hire us…isn’t it? For how we see the world! Take care, cheers…Irene

I came across your blog the other day and I don’t even have one yet… But, I have always loved your work, for its refreshing and timeless beauty and it has influenced me, in my own work which is often quite limited due to my clientele in a northern suburb of NYC. And you sound so down to earth and humble — and I can’t imagine that you have any problem finding more than enough business in any economy!

I’m thrilled that you do it and that I am able to access it.

I would love to see more of your photography and how to use family or other photography in homes artfully. Thank you, thank you!

Blogging is such a wonderful way to share thoughts, ideas and stay connected with those you know and the amazing people you meet. It’s a personal outlet, with no criteria. Your blog and your work are lovely. Such an inspiration. There it is, to inspire someone in some way. xo

We are so glad you blog! I started blogging not knowing if I would like it. You are right, it doesn’t bring in the cash, but the blogging community is loving and supporting. What more do we need in life?

xo,
cristin

hi Vincent,

i’m just discovering your blog through the decor8 one and I have a feeling i’m gonna become an avid reader of it!

I agree on what you said, blogging is about passion and sharing this passion.

-Vic

Hi Vicente! I have always wanted to blog but I guess I have been intimidated about sharing all of my thoughts to the world, but have recently discovered the liberating feeling of blogging to the online community. I don’t know how to describe what a great feeling it is to start blogging and I agree with what you said, blogging is to share your thoughts in the open and the feedback gained are priceless. I hope to do that someday soon with my new blog. It is something quite therapeutic for me to do so. I love your blog, Vicente!

Hi Vicente, I’m a little late to this post but I think it is a great topic. I started blogging as a way to share my passion for all things creative. I continue to blog for the community and relationships as well as all the great ideas I get. I give information and I get it back, it’s wonderful !