When I click “Follow” on someone’s blog, I do my best to actually read & comment on their posts the best I can. I know everyone has a life and is busy, but while I was going through my reading list, I noticed something. I guess I just don’t understand why some people only update their blog a few times in between 2-5 months. When I noticed this, I asked myself, “Would someone REALLY want to follow me if I only updated my blog a few times every few months?” Of course my answer is “No. Why should they?” Following a blog means actually reading it. If there is no available content, then why follow to not read it?
Now I know there are some circumstances to where people cannot update their blogs on a regular basis. I even know a blogger who is or use to be homeless and he even somehow had the courtesy to tell his readers he was going to be M.I.A with writing on the blog and that he would return when he could. I admire that, but dropping out of the sky just makes me think as a reader that you don’t care about me following the blog. That’s all there is to it. I love all the people I follow and if a blogger doesn’t care about their own blog than why should the followers care to keep reading? Well…needless to say I cleared a few people out of my reading list.
I guess I just wanted to ask the question of what does it mean to you to follow someone’s blog?
Let the Force Be with You All & your followers!
Well…This is a hit the nail on the head post,and I am in total agreement with you.I also clear my list from time to time,for I do read,alot,and when the inkwell goes dry,I search for a new blog to follow.I have 182 followers,and 6 that truly do,and comment.Feedback plays a major role in blogging world.
I now notice I’ve written a short story,but you,being the reader that you are,will at least read it.Continue to post,I’ll continue to read,LIKE and comment :)
Thanks. Yeah it just really got to me: the thought of people not caring about their readers. So I had to write a post about it. I try not to rant or ruffle the feathers of others, but as a blogger that took a while to get serious about my blog, it really made me think.
I follow because I wanted to read. Me, I am really trying hard to post on my blog a day for my reader. but really, there are some instances that you can not, which would lose you a reader. I am not really tracking those other bloggers and i would not know if they have updated or not. because only those who belong in my blogroll are worth reading. BTW, this rings some bells.
Not posting every single day shouldn’t lose readers, unless their just so damn picky. :p But every other day or once a week is fine with me. Well thanks for bringing some fame to your blogroll. I know who matters to you. :)
I follow because what is being posted interests me. I enjoy new ideas, new ways of viewing some topic. I want blogs that stimulate my mind and offer something to chew on. Like your blog. I agree that those blogger that only post “when the spirit move them” can get a bit madding. So I am kinda picky about who I follow. Good post!
Thanks. Yeah the idea of just posting “whenever” bothers me. If the news channel was like that, no one would want to watch the news. If restaraunts just served whoever whenever, than the place would be (should be) out of business..so why not the same with blogs right? I’m glad my blog interests you & I do my best to be up-to-date on my poetry, writing, or my basic life in general. :)
“If the news channel was like that, no one would want to watch the news.”
Now that sounds like a great idea to me. :P
so true. lol. :p
Honestly, if someone doesn’t update much, I don’t mind because I just don’t see their posts in my reader of recent posts from blogs I follow. It’s sometimes a pleasant surprise to see a name show up every now and then if I had almost entirely forgotten about that blog.
Yeah I can see how that would make sense. Sometimes the “go with the flow method” works too. :)
stuff I said said “I follow because what is being posted interests me. I enjoy new ideas, new ways of viewing some topic. I want blogs that stimulate my mind and offer something to chew on.”
Copy that. And can I add wit?
Oddly enough, I don’t have too much of a problem with the occasional poster; it’s rather the sites that turnout several posts each day; I just don’t have that much time if I’m going to write myself and have some kind of life off screen. Having said that, I will add that some sites with 2 or 3 posts a day are among my favourites. :)
As a poet I usually “follow” all the poetry e-logs, at least for a while. I never follow sites featuring exclusively short stories or chapters of novels. Again, it’s a question of time.
But the most important thing in the end is not about the frequency or volume of a site’s content, it’s about the “person” I create in my mind who shares their thoughts and interests. After a while, the best of them become like “friends”. And I am pretty flexible with friends and don’t have too many rules.
Yes, if people are going to be so long winded and write a complete novel on a post, I won’t follow or read it. UNLESS…it’s someone I follow that is really good, or I’m just interested in the post. Otherwise, why write a novel on just 1 blog post? Blogging multiple poetry doesn’t bother me much. I’m just a “short, sweet, & to the point” kind of writer. I can’t deal with too much hot air in writing.
good question. I follow blogs mostly because they have interesting content that i like to read, like poetry, art, photography. It’s good to occasionally evaluate our own goals for our blogs and try to determine how much time we have to put into them. I would love to read everyone’s blog on a daily basis, but it is overwhelming at times, so I have to alternate between reading and posting, depending on how much time I have that particular day.
Exactly! That’s what I try to do. Some days I post or at least try to post some poetry, while other times I go through and like and comment. It’s the give and take of blogging. Kind of a balance if you will. :)
besides that, a lot of people have multiple blogs.
true. I don’t think I could do more than one “main blog.” It would be a bit difficult for me.
it’s complicated. LOL
Following a blog is more personal then following someone on Twitter and that should be reflected in the posts and comments. It is more of a give give relationship.
For sure! I completely agree. I think Twitter is a waste of time unless it’s strictly for advertising purposes only. lol. But blogging is more of a give/give relationship.
On the other hand, there are some people I have followed in the past who blogged a bit too often! I began to feel I was following a Twitter account with no character limit, and they were just blogging whatever thoughts came into their heads. I don’t mind irregular blogging as long as there is some consideration put into the entries!
I understand that. It’s as if they don’t know when to stop typing. lol. I just can’t stand a huge “novel-like” post. If the writer isn’t going to make the post enjoyable to sit and read through 800-1000 words of writing, than why should I read it? I completely get where you’re coming from. :)
although the ‘like’ button is not a Hallmark® Card, it is a great way to acknowledge that you enjoy the post, and the person creating them. to follow someone also tells them you care…
giving someone an award, well that does too, but it also carries requirements you didn’t ask for, so i do not post awards on my space, because i prefer to focus on why i created my space and enjoy those who share themselves and not requirements.
i click ‘like’ because ‘i like’ – that is how i met you – and ‘i like’ that…
David in Maine USA
Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Tales of a Wayside Inn 1863
Well I don’t see the distribution or posting of awards to be a bad thing. It’s just having pride in yourself, your blog, & recognizing others who have put forth effort. :) But I understand your reasoning for not doing it.
This was a great post. I couldn’t agree more. I post minimum twice a week and when I don’t post at least 3 I’m upset with myself. There’s something serene for me about writing my blog – I really like to sit there with myself and write whatever I’m feeling – it’s such a great outlet and a personal journey. However, readers ARE SO IMPORTANT unless you plan on your blog being your private diary. I write my blog FOR the interaction with other bloggers and just readers. I love to discuss books with them or find out someone loved a book that I hated and they can give me some idea about things that I missed. It’s so so so important to me. You’re so right – GO YOU GIRL!
Amen! :D and I really do enjoy your blog, it’s just that I don’t get to read a lot or I’m a slow reader, so it’s hard. But the book reviews are always great and I love how your personality shows in your writing. It’s never boring reading your posts. Thanks for liking.
I love the forwardness and thoughtfulness of this post. I tend to inadvertently veer away from posts specifically addressing the world of blogging, its inhabitants, and/or criteria inherent to “successful” blogging, but this had a personal feel.
Honestly, the blogging world seems inundated with blogs about proper blogging, blog formalities, and how to become the best blogger in the history of blogging by building a beautiful bodacious blog… You catch my drift. Kind of nauseating.
I’m new to it. So far, I’ve enjoyed the mass room for shared brainwaves, the infinite inspiration at my fingertips, along with many other unexpected breaths of fresh air. It’s awakened my senses, on many levels.
I’ve also slammed head-first into a maniacal onslaught of Don’t-you-dare!’s and Did-you-see-what-she-said?’s and various other spontaneous popularity contests, masquerading as etiquette infomercials. Painful and mindless, to say the least.
Thanks for mixing things up a bit. I dig it. And I agree whole-heartedly.
:)