Let me ask you this, Raul. Why does the word “professional” matter to you? What does it mean? It certainly implies that blogging is a profession, whereas I think probably it’s writing, not blogging, that’s the profession. But that would also indicate that people were professional writers who are introducing themselves as professional journalists right now. Does the medium matter?

I think I can still call myself a professional musician, since I used to do it full-time, made nearly half my income from it for a few years after that, was in the Musicians’ Union, and still declare musical income and expenses on my taxes (and I charge GST for my services). Similarly, my writing and editing projects made up most of my income when I was freelancing, and comprised most of the work at my day job — or they did before I went on medical leave for cancer treatment in 2007. I’ve taken a lot of photographs as part of my job, but it’s really a hobby for me because that’s not why people hire me (at least, not usually), and most of what I photograph isn’t determined by the needs of any customer or client.

These days I spend quite a bit of my time blogging and podcasting, but I’m not a professional in either field, because I do it for my own whims, and don’t make substantial cash from either one. But don’t forget, being an amateur is not somehow inferior: amateur means someone who does something out of love, and a lot of amateurs are more enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and talented than professionals in the same field (or they’re in a field where you can’t make a living very easily). An amateur can still be an expert.

I’d be perfectly comfortable running a course, leading a seminar, being interviewed, or offering my opinion as an expert on blogging, podcasting, or photography (or writing or musical performance, for that matter). And I have. You don’t need to be a pro to be good, or to be able to give advice.

I take a lot of photos, have a big camera but am not a professional photographer although I get called one a lot. Some people buy a pile professional camera gear and call themselves a professional without actually knowing how to take a good photo.

I blog on my website about photography and technology. I am not a professional blogger…again I sometimes get called a pro blogger because I get interest from various companies that send me stuff to review. If I register “imaproblogger.com” does that make me a professional blogger by default?

My day job (I guess that makes me a professional e-business analyst) pays the bills so I can buy my camera gear and technology. Occasionally I get paid photography/video gigs but it isn’t enough to quit the day job quite yet, and I’m not quite sure I’d want do that full time as it would become, well, work, rather than something I’m immensely enjoying as a creative outlet.

How you approach something (professionally, casually, passionately) shouldn’t really matter…as long as what you’re creating is quality. Flip flops or penny loafers, the output is the same.

I’m also surprised people actually care if bloggers get paid for a blog post?

Define payment…ads versus outright payment from a vendor to discuss a product or service (or getting those products/services for free in exchange for writing about them).

Both avenues end up putting $$ or stuff in the blogger’s pocket that ultimately means more content will be created. Most bloggers I know tell the truth and aren’t afraid to criticize something regardless of how they got it. If it’s all happy happy joy joy product love, then people will find another site as they can see through the bullshit.

Does it really matter as long as there is useful, compelling or fun content being created, and given away for free on the internet? I certainly don’t care how it got there and who got paid for it.

Some much for a short comment