I've been conversing with a friend lately about why we read the blogs we read. It's an interesting subject, and I'd like to bring you (the readers) into the conversation too.
So, talk to me...
What keeps you coming back to a blog for more? What draws you in? What turns you off?
I really, really want to know.
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32 comments:
I love reading blogs written by REAL people in REAL life joys and sorrows ;)! Every blog is different, teaches me different things, and inspires me in different ways!
I like people who are willing to talk about life. Real life in all of it's messy, faulty glory. Oh, and I like to read people who I know I could be friends with IRL.
I think the main thing that keeps me coming back to the blogs I read is that once I get emotionally involved with someone, I find myself thinking about them outside the blog arena, wondering what's new or how something turned out or.....
I can't think of anything that turns me off, other than hateful blogs, blogs with adult content or political blogs. But I don't read those in the first place, so it's not a problem. LOL
Most of the blogs I read are those of my "real-life" friends, so I read those because I'm already so invested in their lives and love to know the little details of them and their families.
There are a couple of blogs I read, though, of folks I've never met. I stumble on them from other friends' blogs, and there are some that I don't connect with at all, and there are others that I "click" with immediately. The clickers are the ones I now have become emotionally invested with.
I agree with those who've posted already...but I'll just throw my "cents" in (it may more than 2) because you asked :)!
I love reading that other women share the same joys, concerns, stresses that I do and that those women aren't centralized to my home area. I think my blogger friends have inspired and encouraged me even..wether it's hiking, a new recipe, a different approach to homeschooling, or gaining new insight (thanks to my only male blogger bud, you're hysterical and talented hubby)
I think blog reading just helps me connect, in my stay at home life, to others. I like to read a lot of blogs of authors I like but I don't always comment...so, I'm really partial to my "faves" which is only 3 or so that I act like we've known each other forever and want to check on everyday.
did that make any sense at all???
I just wrote about this same thing a few months ago. I enjoyed your comment back then and totally agree that mommy blogs are what I am drawn to most because I can relate to them in my real life. The blogs I read are written by authentic people whose lives have ups and downs just like mine. Good writing (and a pretty layout) drawn me in and reciprocity brings me back.
Turn ons: walks on the beach, margaritas, shopping at Nordies at the Anniversary and 1/2 yearly sales...
Turn offs: mean people, being too cold or too hot, diesel fumes.
OH! Sorry... ;)
Blog turn ons: I seem to be drawn to two types of bloggers (though sometimes they cross into one another): the devotional/philosophical blogs, and the daily life blogger (usually Christian) of women.
I'm with Barb in terms of emotional attachment. I really do find myself yearning for relationship with the folks I read. In fact, I notice that those for whom I can't miss a post are the folks I'd be most likely to want to MIRL and hang with.
Bloggy turn offs? Not many, really. I figure I can always delete it in my reader and/or sidebar. But, I don't love hearing how we all should vote for so and so, and how as Christians, we should all be exactly alike in our thinking. God made us a diverse people.
BTW, great question. Do you have an answer to share?
The vast majority of the blogs I continue to read are from people I know IRL. I might stumble on a blog of someone I don't know and read it for a bit but it's rare that I keep reading long term. I also stick to more "daily life" type blogs and find that I tend to read more when people share personal things vs just bloggy talk - if that makes sense. I guess that is more in line with why I blog - to capture personal and family memories over anything else.
Good question though!
Oh - and turnoffs? Music and/or lyrics on the blog. I just can't listen and read at the same time!
The blogs I read are friends blogs. Most are people who now live in a different city. I am already invested/involved in their lives and want that to continue. A couple are co-workers who I no longer see often since I am home full-time.
I enjoy blogs about daily life and tell about all the little quirks that make a family unique. Things I like: the memes (hope that is correct), new recipes, your question of the week, hearing about fun things others do w/their children that I can do w/mine, and craft ideas.
Good question, Mer. I read a variety of blogs... Some from real live friends. Tis a great way to keep in touch. Others are for informational purposes.
I get drawn into blogs for most of the reasons listed. I don't know many people who blog so most of the ones I read are virtual friends. After reading awhile you do feel like you know that person. In some ways I think we find out more about someone from their blog in a shorter amount of time than if we knew them in real life!
I think you already know my answer.
*wink, wink*
:)
I am not sure how I stumbled to your blog, but I through the siesta Blog AKA Beth Moores blog found you through a series of links. I read frequently and am just loving you as a sister in the Lord! I'm not a fancy blogger although I post from time to time. I appreciate you and who you are! Tiffany For His Glory!
I've never really thought about why I like certain blogs. I think some of them are young mothers who take me back to a time when my children were small, some are of women who have already been where I've been in life and I can learn from them, and some are really great blogs that make me think about the things of God.
Hmm! Let's see. Sometimes it is because we share the same faith. Sometimes - b/c of what people have to say.Sometimes it is because the blogger just makes me laugh. Sometimes I go to blogs to get ideas for home/creative projects. Sometimes it is b/c of similarities between a particular blogger and me. Sometimes it is because we are in the same season of life and sometimes it is because we are in a different season of life. Sometimes it is b/c I know the person in real life. And sometimes it someone I have met and connected with in the blogging world. I think that about covers it! I guess in thinking about it I have branched out from when I started.
Have a blessed one sweet Meredith!
Renee
I think you get involved in someone's life by reading about them and it just draws you in. I agree with Tiffani about it helps a stay-at-home mom feel connected to the outside world. I read for encouragement and to get fresh ideas and to get insight. I think also I like to read the blogs of people who post regularly - that draws me in too!
I've asked myself this question before. Some blogs I read because the blogger is just like me and their descriptions of life are funny and let me know that I'm not the only one.
Other blogs are so different from my life that I just read for entertainment - like reading a magazine in a doctor's office.
Some blogs are inspirational. People testify to what God has done/is doing in their lives and that's encouraging. The ones that are too preachy - I quickly leave. I get bored.
Oh, and I love pictures. If I came to your house I would sit (if you'd let me) and look through every one of your photo albums and scrapbooks. That's probably weird but it's me. So I enjoy blogs with lots of pictures.
AND lastly, I love reading blogs of my IRL friends because it makes me feel close to them. That means a lot when you live in Africa and most people you love are far, far away. Blogs keep me feeling connected.
I read blogs of people that I love who are real and keep things short and sweet yet powerful and encouraging. I don't want serious all the time either.
I also read blogs more regularly of those who come to mine. Thats how we all become better "friends." I can't be all over the place.
Have a great day!
Hugs,
Fran
Generally, I visit blogs because of similar interests, happy stuff and day-to-day stuff. I visit your blog because you seem like a nice person, have happy people with you and are the type that makes yourself as well as others around you happy. Of course, recipes are a bonus!
I'm glad I came across your blog. You're nice :)
Some thing just kind of makes me connect with certain blogs. Maybe it's shared interests or stages of life - but it's hard to describe why certain blogs always keep me coming back.
Another thing that helps is when the blogger updates a lot. If someone doesn't update but about once every 2 weeks - I lose interest and quit going back.
I tend to follow a mix....I like to be stirred up some...I love people's stories so I read alot where people share that.
I do not know...something to think about, though! I'll share it with you soon...we need to have lunch again. I'm missing visiting with you! Off I go to nap--sinus headache and yucky cold has cloaked me today.
I don't follow a ton of blogs but those that I do are because I feel some sort of connection or something with that person/blog. For instance when I read yours for the first time I was intrigued by the name of your blog, then by the your posts.
I like blogs that are from real people about things that interest me. Everything from decorating, to college life, to motherhood, to work, I enjoy coming back to those who peaked my interest.
How about you??
Ok, so if a blog feels real and genuine and maybe a little edgy, I will most likely be drawn back.
If a blog is littered with churchy-ness (it's a real word) and feels plastic, it's probably not for me. I will just end up irritated.
Good question, Mer. What about you?
I love to read blogs of people I know IRL. I like to know what's going on in their lives and feel like I'm part of it in a small way. I also read some blogs that share my sense of humor. I've gotten quite attached to these people too.
Good question. I think I am drawn to blogs of people that are real people living life. I do not care for blogs that are filled with advertisements or just coupon information. I want to read about women raising their families like I am, dealing with daily struggles, but appreciating what they have been given.
Love your site.
Lisa Q
I like to read blogs that focus on my areas of interest (simplifying life, saving money, recipes, crafts for kids) or are written by those in a similar stage of life (read taking care of kids).
What turns me off? Complaining, sarcasm, politics - b/c don't most discussions of politics turn negative in the end?! Just don't want to spend my bloggy time listening to someone else's negativity!!
I have grown to care about the people in the blogs I read-they have become special to me-and I have learned so very much from blog reading. My life has been distinctly enriched from it.
I go to blogs where I have either made a friendship through blogworld or some other means.... I also go to the ones that stir my heart. There are some I go to to encourage....
I am not a blogger who writes daily things. I am stirred to write more of what Papa God is speaking to my heart. I guess you would say I'm one of those devotional type bloggers... But what I write about is not necessarily what scripture teaches, but what my heart has seen and experienced of God in the here and now.
So, in some ways I'm drawn to blogs that are geared towards the heart.
I have over a 100 blogs in my bloglines list but the majority of these are just informative (recipe, decorating, devotional, etc). Very rarely (if ever) do I leave a comments on these blogs. I check these about once a week.
The blogs listed on my sidebar (on my blog) are the ones I am invested in and look forward to seeing new posts by the author. In my list I have IRL friends but the several are people that I have met through blogs I have found through friends.
I like to read blogs where I learn about the person through their daily lives. Love to see pictures! I like when people share their joys and struggles because it helps me learn more about them. I agree with Gretchen that blogs that I enjoy most are ones by people that I feel that if we lived near each other we would be friends in real life.
To agree with Gretchen again I do not have much that turns me off. I just stay away from blogs that are not informative or of people that I have connected with.
Great question. Off to read your response.
Blogs I gravitate to are those who are real and good, clean humor. Some do include devotionals that challenge me in my walk with God. Blogs that include my decorating style or hobbies I usually just lurk in for ideas and inspiration.
God bless and have a great weekend!
Brenda :)
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