Why I Blog the Way I Do
My blogging ideal is pretty simple: Blog the way you wish other people blogged. Back before I blogged I read different blogs and picked out what I did and didn't like about them.
The list of things I didn't like was pretty consistent:
*Bloggers always apologizing for either being late or missing a day posting*Not having pictures of the blogger or their surroundings As a visual person I found it difficult to view the blogger as a real person *Author bloggers who never posted anything non-writing-related. I get that, I really do, but eventually I lose interest because I want to read blogs where I feel as if I'm getting to know the writer behind the posts*Poorly constructed sentences, incorrect grammer, boring topics, and posts that screamed I don't care enough to take time to make this better*Black backgrounds and bright multicolored words *Extremely inconsistent blogging*Bloggers paranoid about people stealing their work and often referring to copyrights*Not being able to find a way to contact the blogger *When my comments were never replied to *When a blogger has a schedule and each day is pre-planned: Music Monday. Wordy Wednesday. Fun Friday.
I'm certainly not saying all of these things are wrong and I get that some people would actually prefer those styles to mine. Yet instead of trying to wade through all that and constantly second-guess myself, I decided to just go with what I liked. That way I would most likely attract readers who had at least some of the same tastes as I do.
The list of things I do like in blogging:
*A constant blogger who I can count on, yet doesn't apologize when they're late I'd be delighted to have your feedback on this one. I decided way back when to never say "sorry" for being late on my blog because I found it so irritating coming from other bloggers. So far I've kept to that standard. There are times when I am sorry though. Like when I totally missed posting on Tuesday (I was almost ready to publish a post, by the way, then things came up and I never got back to it). Would y'all like me to say I'm sorry when I miss a day?
*Bloggers that have a picture/pictures of themselves in an easily looked at place, such as on the header or by the author bio. Also, if said picture also helps show their interests in life, that makes it so much better.
*Interesting About Me pages. I get that some people feel it's prideful to write a section all about themselves, but I think it's quite thoughtful in helping readers be able to relate. I'm not saying we should brag, but why not go ahead and give people a little glimpse into your life?
*Bloggers who either post their email address or have a contact form so if people have questions that they don't want to publish as a comment they can still reach them, and when they do get a comment, they reply quickly Being accessible is key. I'm still working at learning to reply in a timely manner; I am getting better though. Comment/email away and test my response time if you feel so inclined
*When a blog has correct grammar, punctuation, easily read font, and clearly seen words... Wow. It really does make a difference. I know I still have grammatical mistakes and typos quite often, that's not for lack of trying. I actually re-read my work a lot. It's just I don't catch everything
*Bloggers who blog about a wide range of things: Writing, book reviews, life, art in general, etc... I realize I'm quite possibly in the minority here, but it's what I like so I'm guessing there are other people who enjoy it as well
What about you? What are some things you do and don't like about blogging? Also, I'd be delighted to hear what y'all would like to see done differently on my blog. Please, I really do want to get better, so let me know!
* * *
As you can see, I've arrived back home. Yay for home! Yay for snow! Yay for a wintery winter! I got back a little before midnight last night and as nice as Florida is, after being gone for half of 2016 so far, I am extremely happy to exchange it for the cold snow of home.
The list of things I didn't like was pretty consistent:
*Bloggers always apologizing for either being late or missing a day posting*Not having pictures of the blogger or their surroundings As a visual person I found it difficult to view the blogger as a real person *Author bloggers who never posted anything non-writing-related. I get that, I really do, but eventually I lose interest because I want to read blogs where I feel as if I'm getting to know the writer behind the posts*Poorly constructed sentences, incorrect grammer, boring topics, and posts that screamed I don't care enough to take time to make this better*Black backgrounds and bright multicolored words *Extremely inconsistent blogging*Bloggers paranoid about people stealing their work and often referring to copyrights*Not being able to find a way to contact the blogger *When my comments were never replied to *When a blogger has a schedule and each day is pre-planned: Music Monday. Wordy Wednesday. Fun Friday.
I'm certainly not saying all of these things are wrong and I get that some people would actually prefer those styles to mine. Yet instead of trying to wade through all that and constantly second-guess myself, I decided to just go with what I liked. That way I would most likely attract readers who had at least some of the same tastes as I do.
The list of things I do like in blogging:
*A constant blogger who I can count on, yet doesn't apologize when they're late I'd be delighted to have your feedback on this one. I decided way back when to never say "sorry" for being late on my blog because I found it so irritating coming from other bloggers. So far I've kept to that standard. There are times when I am sorry though. Like when I totally missed posting on Tuesday (I was almost ready to publish a post, by the way, then things came up and I never got back to it). Would y'all like me to say I'm sorry when I miss a day?
*Bloggers that have a picture/pictures of themselves in an easily looked at place, such as on the header or by the author bio. Also, if said picture also helps show their interests in life, that makes it so much better.
*Interesting About Me pages. I get that some people feel it's prideful to write a section all about themselves, but I think it's quite thoughtful in helping readers be able to relate. I'm not saying we should brag, but why not go ahead and give people a little glimpse into your life?
*Bloggers who either post their email address or have a contact form so if people have questions that they don't want to publish as a comment they can still reach them, and when they do get a comment, they reply quickly Being accessible is key. I'm still working at learning to reply in a timely manner; I am getting better though. Comment/email away and test my response time if you feel so inclined
*When a blog has correct grammar, punctuation, easily read font, and clearly seen words... Wow. It really does make a difference. I know I still have grammatical mistakes and typos quite often, that's not for lack of trying. I actually re-read my work a lot. It's just I don't catch everything
*Bloggers who blog about a wide range of things: Writing, book reviews, life, art in general, etc... I realize I'm quite possibly in the minority here, but it's what I like so I'm guessing there are other people who enjoy it as well
What about you? What are some things you do and don't like about blogging? Also, I'd be delighted to hear what y'all would like to see done differently on my blog. Please, I really do want to get better, so let me know!
* * *
As you can see, I've arrived back home. Yay for home! Yay for snow! Yay for a wintery winter! I got back a little before midnight last night and as nice as Florida is, after being gone for half of 2016 so far, I am extremely happy to exchange it for the cold snow of home.
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