Sunday, August 31, 2008

What makes you want to read a blog?

I have a question: What makes you want to read a blog? I don't mean just once, but to frequently visit? Like returning to a favorite vacation spot, such as Miami Beach? Sometimes I blog hop - when I'm blocked from writing or just want see what everybody's doing. If I find a new blog I really like, even if I've never met the blog's author, even if we have no friends in common, I'll add it to my blog roll. My requirements for this is: 1) There are frequent recent blog posts. If the last post was a month ago, or worse, monthS ago, I probably won't bother to check it out again much less add it to my blog roll. 2) The posts have to be interesting. They don't have to be earth-shattering, just pleasant or fun to read. One thing I'm not thrilled with even if there are frequent and recent posts, is if the blog is only promotional. For instance, some authors only post excerpts and reviews of their books. There's no other meat to the blog. I might as well visit a book review site or a publishers' for sale pages and read them. I don't mind, and even like to read excerpts and reviews - IF there's more than ONLY that. That's pretty much my only requirements. I don't think that's being too hard on anyone. Or do you? I don't only read mommy blogs, or author/writing blogs, or how to blog better blogs. I like some variety. Heck, I even (sometimes very much) enjoy reading blogs about the gay lifestyle even though I'm not gay. So, what do you like to read/see in blogs and on the flip side, what don't you like to see or read on a blog? Does something annoy you? Is there something you'd like to see but don't see enough of? Or that you require to return? Do you ever lucky enough to find a blog where you can't wait for more? Where the entries are so enticing, you get addicted and go back for more and more? After I wrote this post (I usually pre-schedule my posts as I'm a big believer in being prepared and with the day job demanding lots of overtime, often without warning, and with being the Mom Taxi to several kids, there are some nights I can't blog or do anything I planned) I found this really cool blog that's talking about the same subject. In fact, it offers a valuable service: critiquing your blog. The name is: Critique My Blog You don't have to ask - yes, I put my blog in the queue and hope to receive a critique. And I hope he'll like my blog or at least not find much that needs to be fixed. Inquiring minds want to know :) You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, and Sandra Cox are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :) You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

7 comments:

Phoenix said...

Humor does it for me. Or something mundane but interesting about the person. Regular posts are another. And the posts of friends. I check blogs like yours everyday as a way of checking in and saying a daily hello.

Molly Daniels said...

I like checking in daily with my friends and seeing what's going on in everyone's corner of the world. I like variety; daily happenings, submission/release updates, rants about certain subjects, and discussions about almost everything.

DJ Kirkby said...

I am sure Billy will like your blog. He reviewed mine early last year just after I started blogging and said some sweet things about it. I love reading your blog but my computer does not like letting me do it, it takes forever to laod your blog and often crashes during the process, most anoying... xo

barbara huffert said...

I'm much like you. Frequent posts. Real posts, not just excerpts or book reviews although I enjoy those mixed in, both the blog owner's and those that they've enjoyed. I like variety and that's what I try to provide on my own blog.

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry DJ. I'm about ready to boot the google ads. Did my blog load okay for you before I got those? Or not?

Sandra Cox said...

That was an absolute scream. Thanks, Ash, for the laugh. If only it were that easy.....

Unknown said...

Boy, don't I wish, Sandra! It looks like a fairy tale, doesn't it? LOLOL

Website Content and Copy: Ashley Ladd, 2008.|Blog Design by JudithShakes Designs.
Graphics hosted by Flickr.