For subscribers, you're probably seeing this going "what happened to the other blog post?" I was informed the term I was using was also used on eating disordered websites. I'd never heard it used in that way and I wasn't going to post the alternative term suggested because I'd never heard it. Honestly, I'm in no mood to deal with a potential hot topic so I yanked it.
Now I have to think of something else to write and given my literal as well as figurative pain's in the neck I'm dealing with this morning, I realize I'm just not that interesting and running out of topics. I'm torn between writing boring crap like this just to post or only posting when I feel I have something to say that's worthwhile. I check a decent amount of blogs daily (on the blogosphere, not necessarily part of a weight loss website. I'm talking Blogger, Wordpress, self-hosted, etc) and some people feel they need to post daily to keep traffic up, some only post a few times a week, others post less frequently and some abandon their blogs and have a post every few months in a desperate attempt to keep their blogs alive. I don't want to post stuff that bores people but I also don't want to cater to an audience when this is my blog, my thoughts, my experiences. Some would say I shouldn't have pulled the original post down if I didn't want to cater but honestly, I just don't have it in me this morning to deal with misconceptions of what I was trying to say.
In thinking of what keeps me interested as a reader of other people's blogs, I know that I check them daily to see if there's a new post (except weekends). I get excited to see a new post and there are some people I can count on posting daily. There are others who are so interesting that I wish they'd post everyday but the few times a week they do keeps me coming back. Those who post with no regularity are kind of mentally put on 'probation' if they're not holding my interest. Then if I find they don't post often like they were when I started following them or I can't relate with them anymore, I stop bothering. I don't know if that's how others are, it's just how I am.
Does blogging consistency keep you following a blog? If so how often do you like to see blog posts from your favorite bloggers? What makes you give up on a blog as a reader?
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(ooh, now I'm all curious about the general topic of the yanked post--way to leave me hanging! *teasing*)
ReplyDeleteI don't care for blogs that read like diaries, where the blogger's every thought is posted in real time. But I don't expect a perfectly formed article each time, either.
It seems I have a fixed satisfaction level when it comes to blog reading in general. I can get my fill with a bunch of junky posts (short pointless crap) or a few quality posts.
The only REAL deal breaker with me and blogs are when blogs turn too extreme.
If I like a blog I subscribe so that I don't have to worry about when they come back. I spend some time reading blogs each day, but I usually don't mind if someone doesn't blog on a schedule. Sometimes life is what it is and someone might be in a really busy phase, or they might be doing everything they usually do and just not have something new to say. If a regular poster disappears for more than a few weeks I stop by to "say hi" :).
ReplyDeleteThere are several reasons why I would "cut" somebody from my list, but it is rare and usually boils down to one of two reasons 1) I just can't stand them (whiney, stupid, lazy-lol) 2)They disappear first. Doesn't happen on any type of regular basis though...quite rare that I just give up on someone.
What a blogger thinks is boring, sometimes is just what someone else will need though. I can't number the blogs I've read where I've thought "that was boring" and someone else left a comment about how it was such an inspiring post. No telling what someone else is going to find inspiration in. Sometimes just knowing that you aren't the only one experiencing a slump or who doesn't see rainbows every morning when they wake up helps keep someone moving.
I think my sister ^^^^ said everything I would have said. I don't mind waiting for good blogs, and I do tend to tire of reading if it ends up being a lot of the same. But what I CAN say is that I am always excited when I see one of your posts! There are probably two other bloggers I read on a regular basis that I can say the same thing. I at least know that it will be funny, insightful or entertaining no matter what. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo I say, I'm good with once a week or every couple days. I'm just not good if you STOP! I need to have good stuff from the Mrs.!
I only have a few blogs the I make a point of reading. Yours & one other are the most regular (daily or almost) while the the others are more random and further apart.
ReplyDeleteOnce I feel like I'm invested in someone (like you) I'll usually stick around no matter how much or little they post. I do like the variety you post - one day a recipe, the next a workout, another day a gripe session... It's like Forrest's box of chocolates.
I have to say that I too am totally curious about the "other" blog topic now.
I too am curious about the other blog post LOL However, because I met you on SP and find you funny and real, that is why I follow you. The number of posts you generate is not an issue, if I only check once a week I can scroll down and get others. I also actually think you would probably benefit from taking a month or two off of posting anyway. Kind of like a destressor. Come back and post away when you are refreshed and really want to do it.
ReplyDeleteCheezchik32
Sorry! I wasn't trying to start a fire, I was just trying to help.
ReplyDeleteAs for topics, yeah. Some days I just can't think of things, but I've made my blog an all encompassing one, so it's much easier for me than you as yours has a specific focus.
Honestly, you could always choose certain days of the week that you write and post. That way, your audience would know when to expect something.
I check blogs first thing when I get to work Monday through Friday (unless I'm really busy, then I forget). I have a list of blogs in my favorites.
There is one that I only read on occassion, because they have certain interests that don't sit well with me.
Other than that, I read the same ones every day. Occassionally, I'll click over on someone's blog that commented on a blog I'm reading.
I never saw blogs until my SP experience. I've considered them to be interactive diaries. The writer writes for themselves, not for their audience. I guess they have evolved to become something else, more audience focused or "hit" geared. For myself, I subscribe to someone's blog if I like them, much as I would call my friends to see how they're doing. I've never browsed blog sites to know what strangers write. I bet I'm missing out on fun stuff. I've never had time to do that, so I doubt I'd have time to follow them even if I did find them. I have friends who blog about getting up, drinking coffee, letting the dog out... every single day. In short order, you would WRITE their blog. I tire of that brand of blogging quickly. For me, variety is the spice of life. I guess that's why I love yours so much! If a blog flows every day, write it. If it doesn't? Don't try to conjure one up. Go with the flow.
ReplyDeleteAlso wondering what the original topic was...
ReplyDeleteI count you as one that I wish would post everyday but I enjoy what you post so much that I would keep coming back no matter how often you post.
I don't really have a specified amount that I want to see with bloggers I follow. I figure if they have something they feel is pertinent for them to say, I'm good with reading it. Same with me commenting on them...some I can relate to and will comment, and other topics, while interesting, I don't always have something to say. I look at blogging as one's one therapy in a way. I don't look to be entertained, inspired or anything like that (that makes it more about me then, rather than the blogger). Like MissyE said, the ones who just give a play by play of their days don't hold my interest at all (idle chitchat is not my strong suit, which I'm trying to work on). I know for me, I do more "private blogging" where I journal more than post. I have to get back to posting a bit more though (a goal I'm working on because my tendency is to withdraw from the public). I've gone back to read some of my blogs on SP and I like that I posted them because it tells a story. Now I just need to find my cowardly lion courage and begin that again.
ReplyDeleteI usually check up on my favorite blogs about one-two times per week. Hence, the several comments you will be approving here shortly. :)
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to your blog so I don't miss when a new one is up, I don't usually have time to read them every day but am trying to get caught up so I am not reading 6 or 7 at once - but even so they are all interesting
ReplyDelete