Blogs
I've had this post about blogs floating around in my mind for sometime. The blogosphere is sure an interesting place, and I'm sure there are many students studying it for thesis papers and such. I've been thinking a lot lately about my blogging habits and I've come up with these general rules that apply to me:
1. If I know you in real life I will read your blog. It doesn't matter what you write about, how often you write ect.
2. Anonymous blogs tend to be more interesting. There is something about remaining anonymous that allows a writer to express themselves in such an honest way. Although, I hope people realize that nobody is truly anonymous. I know of two doctors who thought they were blogging anonymously. One (my favorite pediatrician blogger) was outed in pretty devastating way during a malpractice trial, the other was contacted by a business that he mentioned in his blog.
3. I like blogs with strong opinions, even if I don't share them. Only if the writer is intelligent though.
4. I like debate. I love blogs that have great debates and discussions going on in the comments. Real debates, not insults. This goes hand in hand with number three because the debates tend to happen on the blogs with strong opinions.
5. I love to see people blog about things they love. A blogger can make just about any topic interesting if they have a passion for it.
6. I don't like ranting. Occasionally, sure. With good reason, fine. But I've removed several blogs from my bloglines simply because I couldn't take the constant ranting.
7. I don't like to see a lot of clutter on a blog. And, unless the blog averages over 50 comments per post, it bugs me to see advertisements. That's just my personal opinion.
8. I want to see the blog specifics somewhere in the blog title or blogger profile. I like to know right away what the purpose of the blog is, and who is writing it.
9. Pictures really are worth 1000 words. I love to see picture posts. I also love to read lists, and reviews (movies, books or products).
10. If the blogger is pregnant, I want to see a ticker! :D
Those are what I came up with. I would love to hear your thoughts on blogs. What draws you to, or repels you from, a blog?
1. If I know you in real life I will read your blog. It doesn't matter what you write about, how often you write ect.
2. Anonymous blogs tend to be more interesting. There is something about remaining anonymous that allows a writer to express themselves in such an honest way. Although, I hope people realize that nobody is truly anonymous. I know of two doctors who thought they were blogging anonymously. One (my favorite pediatrician blogger) was outed in pretty devastating way during a malpractice trial, the other was contacted by a business that he mentioned in his blog.
3. I like blogs with strong opinions, even if I don't share them. Only if the writer is intelligent though.
4. I like debate. I love blogs that have great debates and discussions going on in the comments. Real debates, not insults. This goes hand in hand with number three because the debates tend to happen on the blogs with strong opinions.
5. I love to see people blog about things they love. A blogger can make just about any topic interesting if they have a passion for it.
6. I don't like ranting. Occasionally, sure. With good reason, fine. But I've removed several blogs from my bloglines simply because I couldn't take the constant ranting.
7. I don't like to see a lot of clutter on a blog. And, unless the blog averages over 50 comments per post, it bugs me to see advertisements. That's just my personal opinion.
8. I want to see the blog specifics somewhere in the blog title or blogger profile. I like to know right away what the purpose of the blog is, and who is writing it.
9. Pictures really are worth 1000 words. I love to see picture posts. I also love to read lists, and reviews (movies, books or products).
10. If the blogger is pregnant, I want to see a ticker! :D
Those are what I came up with. I would love to hear your thoughts on blogs. What draws you to, or repels you from, a blog?
posted by Amie at 1:44 PM
17 Comments:
I agree with all of these.
I guess I need to get a ticker, huh?
Thank you Naomi, I always enjoy seeing your comments. If you ever decide to blog again, you can be sure I would be reading it.
I like blogs that are updated often, and I like blogs that are written by someone going through a big experience and/or change (like pregnancy or med school!). I don't like blogs that are just full of links for other things or where the person is always ranting or speaking in third person, not sharing personal stories. And unfortunately, I end up giving up on blogs where all the posts are really, really long, even if I like to read what the person wrote -- it just takes too much effort to follow that much story every day. :-(
I like pictures on blogs! You'd never know it from my own blog, but I am picky about where my photos end up so I share them less and less. I, like you, don't like the cluttered look with lots of ads or flashing things.
I rarely read comments on other people's blogs (except yours actually!).
How's that? :-)
Sandy,
I agree that big experiences make good blog posts. I know that my blog got the most hits by far when I was pregnant, and the closer you get to your due date the more hits you get!
I agree with your observations and preferences related to Blogging. One trouble I have is when people DON'T comment, I don't know if a post is worthy of their reading time, if they enjoyed something, etc. In addition, when things are going well, it's harder to think of something interesting to write about. Sometimes what might be interesting to me seems boring or just "everyday life" when I go to Blog about it. I'm thankful God always listens to us and "reads" our lives...
I agree with everyone! :D
I also agree with your comments and all previous ones (LOL). I have to add a thing that annoys me. I have a problem when music automatically plays on someones blog. I just want the choice to listen to the music and not have it forced on me...plus if my volume was already turned up I get a annoying jolt and I usually don't share the taste in music. I have always wanted to mention that to the "blogging world".
I also find when I stumble onto a blog and think "ug this is boring" I realize mine is written the same way. More of an family update blog and no real depth. Then I realize how boring my blog must be to others and think "man I need to actually put thought into my entries" Then I realize it is just fine that I am keeping some kind of record of our family doings for the future....plus all the ranting I do about the house will someday turn into great material for a book.....or good background info for a doctor when I land in a padded cell.
Oh....I just reread Kathryn's comments.....I love what she said about God "reading" our lives. If you don't get a lot of comments, at least you know the most important "one" is reading:-)
OK I had to add that.....now back to work!
Kathryn,
I have come to accept only a certain percentage of readers will comment. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have buttons people could click, almost like a poll at the end of a post to let you know they were there.
Denise,
I agree about the music, If I hear it the first thing I do is shut it off. That's also one of the main reasons I can't stand MySpace.
Sorry I know I'm one of the ones who has music;) I know that it has really blessed my aunt and she has made her own playlist so I leave it there. I rarely have my speakers on so I rarely know when people have music on!
Speaking of insults in the comments...did you read my latest post? I'm feeling quite insulted right now! Most especially with the comment about my children.
I like pictures too. And I agree, I like to know right away what your blog is about.
LOL - I love when you make lists. I only look at blogs of people I know or have met at some time in my life. And I am fascinated by your life. :) Somewhere deep down I want to have 5+ kids and be as cool as a cucumber like you are but that will NEVER happen. I'm too high strung and anal.
I agree with most of the things you listed. I love pictures to, but can't stand it when they are uploaded really tiny so you have to click on them to see them properly. I don't like blogs that are too wordy...and the only way I read a wordy post is if there are lots of paragraphs to break it up.
*insert paragraph break*
It is true, big happenings do make better blogs...but when I read some of the big things happening in others lives I am thankful for my dull boring everyday life where nobody is sick or dying and there are no big changes taking place...even if it does make my blog ratings go down. :)
I tend to stray from the ones that are long-winded. It's not that I don't care what they have to say, but I just don't have time to read it all some days.
Ditto on the clutter. If it's not easy on the eyes, I get a headache.
I also tend to visit the blogs I know the most. If I only have a few mins, I visit the people I actually know first.
I like to read about people's actual daily stories. Dislike really long posts without paragraph breaks.
I don't read too many blogs who don't make their full post available for RSS. What's up with the partial feed / tease?!
I like blogs who tell stories about their daily lives. Funny stories, sad stories, just stories! :) I REALLY don't like bloggers who think they're right all the time, and who act like they're better than everyone else. Love your blog! :)
Gracie
Travel blogs with lots of pictures. I never seem to have enough time and pictures tell so much.
and crafting blogs... I love to see what others are doing.
and our family blogs so I can keep track of everyone. not an easy task.
I agree with all your points, Amie, and DDK's about music... I hate automatic music! In general, I love pictures (I should remember to post more myself) and I can't stand too many spelling and/or grammatical errors. Sure, everyone makes some now and again, but if a blog is riddled with errors, I won't go back.
I also agree especially about the ads! Honestly, how much revenue can that be bringing in, really?
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