We all know BuzzFeed—they have those super-fun interactive ads on Snapchat that we all flip through at one point in the day. Sometimes it’s a cliché horoscope post or a self-quiz saying “If you check off 7 out of 10 things on this list, chances are you’re a trash friend.” Whatever it may be, you’ve probably seen it before, and BuzzFeed’s name is probably on it.
Odyssey may not have cool ads on Snapchat, but we write about stuff that matters. We deserve your support just as much as they do. So, enjoy these 9 reasons why Odyssey is better than BuzzFeed, and be sure to check Odyssey weekly for new fun content to indulge in!
1. Odyssey creators are average people with a love for writing, and they aren’t getting paid.
Odyssey is so much more authentic in this aspect. When you get a group of 60+ creators writing Odyssey content for a community at free will, you get some pretty awesome results. No one is benefiting more than the next guy, and no one's kissing ass for a promotion. We are just a group of people with a huge passion!
2. No one cares about the “17 Photos Sure To Make You Cringe” BuzzFeed threads on Snapchat.
No one wants to see the nasty pictures of a hangnail being ripped up to a person's first knuckle or see a gif of someone purposely giving themselves paper cuts in the webs of their fingers. I'm cringing just writing about it. Thank God Odyssey doesn't have that, am I right?
3. With as many creators as Odyssey has, you’re sure to find a few great articles to read to brighten your week.
We may not post new articles every day, but each Odyssey creator across the country has a weekly deadline This means that we are creating awesome content for you to read as quickly as college students can! There is no chance you can get through all of it in a day, but the headlines that catch your eyes are definitely worth checking out.
4. Not everything on Odyssey is bright, happy, and rainbow colored.
That's right BuzzFeed, not everything is a meme. Odyssey creators write about their own topics of choice, which means not everyone is in a place to write about happy thoughts. That's the reality of journalism and writing. And chances are, those brave Odyssey creators talking about sensitive topics are creating a dialogue for readers in the same shadows. Sad stuff is relatable too!
5. It’s not a “real job.”
If I’m struggling with my schedule and can’t get creative juices flowing, I can text (that’s right - TEXT) my editor and ask for an extension. Can’t do that in the real world, my friends.
6. I never have to “go into the office” on the weekends.
Actually, I don't have an office at all. That coffee shop down the street can be my office on Monday, and my cozy, warm apartment can be my office on Friday. Who doesn’t love working from home?
7. Supporting Odyssey and Odyssey writers is like supporting your local businesses.
Instead of supporting the big, bad Wall Street dingos (BuzzFeed), support your local, family-friendly Odyssey writers. Give us a chance and read those articles that even spark your simplest interests. I promise you'll come back for more the next week.
8. 99% of the time, Odyssey writers don’t just write for Odyssey.
BuzzFeed is a business and a 9-5 job. A lot of Odyssey writers are also full-time students pursuing a degree in addition to writing for Odyssey. Let’s give some credit where credit is due, shall we?
9. We write relatable stuff too!
BuzzFeed is known for those “22 memes you’ll be guaranteed to send your BFF” threads on Snapchat. And I’ll be honest, 9 times out of 10, I will send them to my roommate just to hear us both laughing from opposite sides of the apartment. But, Odyssey writers are some canny, quick-witted poets, and I find some of the greatest articles to be written by underrated Odyssey creators.
Trust me, I get it. Nothing beats the cute animated pizza slice with boxing gloves captioned, "You wanna pizza this?" But sometimes, nothing can beat a well written Odyssey article with a bunch of gifs relating college struggles to The Office. Because who doesn't love The Office?