Fathers reading. And a Happy Father's Day to all.
What attracts you to a blog? Obviously common interests attracts. Do you continue to gravitate to a blog where the blogger never gravitates toward yours? Does the "personality" sometimes put you off? Does the politics of the blogger sometimes put you off? Does too much blatant self-promotion repulse you? What is the biggest attraction on the blogs you seek out? The biggest reason you stop going there?
20 comments:
The blogs I follow I do so because they interest me. I like a blog that covers a variety of subjects. That's why, though I have an interest in politics, I don't read any politics only blogs.
Self-promotion is perfectly alright. They have their work to make people aware of and I see nothing wrong with that.
The blogs I find myself returning to all seem to be written by people with a sincere interest in sharing something about themselves. Whether its their published work, thoughts, musings, art, etc. They don't have to update everyday (I certainly don't have enough time to do that myself!), and even if they are just short posts I like to see a bit of the writer's personality.
Obviously we all like blogs that talk about books. I also like blogs with a distinctive voice-if that makes sense.
Yep, me too. I like a bit about the person. Now if the blog just is about their own work--that's a website to me.
I doubt the people go to blogs where they encounter personalities and content that is consistently opposed to their own personalities and interests. For example, it is hard to image a right-wing conservative (to pick on one demographic) going too often to viral liberal blogs that disparage right wing conservatives; as an another example, people who read SF almost exclusively are unlikely to spend much time on blogs that focus almost exclusively on literary fiction. That being said, here is the obvious conclusion: I think people seek out blogs that nearly mirror their own interests but add slightly different perspectives and experiences with the net effect of being discovery and growth opportunities. At the bottom line, though, the personality and attitude of the blogger--as it comes through in the site--may be even more important than content. Finally, though, the content must be updated regularly; otherwise, potential visitors lose interest and go elsewhere.
During the election period, when I occasionally introduced political topics, I had a few readers on here who violently disagreed with the rest. They swore they were readers too but once the election was over, I never saw their names again.
The personality of the blogger probably has more to do with my returning than any other factor (assuming they're blogging about a subject that already interests me). It's been interesting to note that at about the time that the primaries were over, it became nearly impossible to keep politics, or at least a hint of one's leanings out of the discussion. I think it's too much a part of each person. I'd even go so far as to say that I'm a little turned off when a blogger is too careful about politics because we all believe something. I don't mind some self-promotion as long as it's only a part of what the blogger talks about.
I'm most likely to visit a blog if I know the blogger personally (including e-mail correspondence). Beyond that, I'll visit if the topic of a post catches my eye. I don't follow any blogs regularly, but I like knowing they're there when I have the time.
Whatever the topic, but especially politics, there are "flame throwers" in the world of blogging who seem to derive perverse pleasures in attacking people with absurdly unpleasant comments. I encountered one fellow in particular who nearly convinced me that blogging was simply not worth the aggravation; I look forward to his complete disappearance from the world of blogging (though I wish him no harm) :-)
I think R.T. summarizes my feelings perfectly - a blog that mirrors my interests (mysteries, authors), with a slightly different perspective, so I learn something. It must be updated regularly, and show some personality. Thanks, R.T. for such a good summary.
Lesa
http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com
The blogs I follow are written by people I hold to be decent, intelligent and interesting folks who share at least some of my interests.
I don't buy into the blogging hype because I'm not big on virtual chat, but I will say it's grown on me. I agree with Gerald, I stick mostly to the blogs of people I know. Most of the blogs I follow because they're shameless plugs for the crime noir scene and have good interviews, or news, gossip, upcoming events, etc. I don't post many comments, just read them from the sidelines. I have a blog identity where if you click on my name it pulls up some info about me, but I'm reluctant to start an actual blog (though I'll probably give in and start one eventually).
At first, I visit a blog because there is content I want to read, usually about a topic I enjoy or want to know more about. In reading posts, I get a sense of the blogger and determine whether or not I want to spend time with that blogger. Personality plays a part and I've developed some online friendships in the blogosphere. Once I find bloggers I like, I read them usually no matter what they write about. I'll grant that if there's a topic I don't find interesting, I don't read that post. But I'll always come back to the blog because of the blogger. There are a few blogs out there that I read merely for content. Those are fewer, however, as I appreciate the individual aspects of each blog I read.
I check out blogs that engage me and give me information about genre fiction. I tend to lose interest in blogs taht are "only" self promoting.
I don't really even know how or why I compiled the list of blogs I go to. Same as I don't wonder how or why people come to mine. I just like looking in seeing a bit through the eyes of another and if there is something to say, saying it.
Beyond that *shrug* I use mine as an outlet, no specific goal or reason for what I write I just write to allow others to look through my eyes.
Interesting-because it seems like the personality of a blogger may attract us most. I know it does for me. That needs to come through to make the reading compelling.
I'll come back to a blog if it's entertaining, and can teach me something, usually about writing, but if I can learn anything of interest I'll keep coming back. The blogger' voice--or voices, in collaboratives--are important, as are, to a lesser extent, the quality and tone of the comments.
The blogs I follow have something interesting to say about any given topic. I tend to avoid posts that have a political slant.
There are some blogs I follow because I'm interested in the subject matter and some I follow because I like the blogger and what they have to say. Or else I'm a little worried about them (if they've blogged about tough times, for eg.), so I keep going back to check on their status. I'm not keen on too much self-promotion, altho I certainly like to know when someone's book's coming out or when they get their cover, etc. If someone blogs too erratically (like once a month or something), I'm not as likely to keep tabs on them.
I choose blogs as I do friends. By the authors personality.
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