Manda was asking about blog preferences today. How we all love wading in on this topic - unsurprising, given that blogging (or at least blog reading) is the common element we all share. Anyway, I'm feeling particularly opinionated today, so here's my tuppence worth. I would love to hear your take on this stuff too.
What makes you enjoy a particular blog (not just this one, any one that you read)?
Honesty, reality, humour and the opportunity to raise my game. I want to have a garden as gorgeous as yours, a wonderful relationship with my children when they are as grown up as yours, to cook the same foodstuffs as you do - simply and beautifully and to have a magazine spread worthy house. Oh and knit all my own socks, sew clothes and have a quilt on every bed, handstitched by moi. Just don't be too bloody smug about it or I might stop sighing wistfully and want to throttle you instead. Remind me occasionally that you too are human.
What type of post is your favourite?
Something that really makes me think. The very very best of posts stay with me all day. Posts which generate discussion around our community. Posts which make me determined to try something new or do something differently.
How important are the photographs?
They help. Because I suppose we're all a bit lazy and pushed for time. Bad photos are a bit of a turn off. Sarah+h gave me some great advice on blog photos ages ago and it really helped me. I unearthed her e-mail so I could pass it on to you in her own words:
The beauty of the digital age is that you can take a lot of pictures without wasting a single frame of film. You should see the number of pictures that I delete. Occassionally even when I've taken dozens of pictures I don't end up with anything that I consider useable. I'd like to think the same is true for the bloggers whose photographs I admire.
Second, get up close and personal. I almost always like the way a closely cropped photo looks better than one taken from a wider angle. Framing a picture as your taking it takes practice (another way that taking billions of pictures comes in handy) but if all else fails you can always manipulate the image with your photo editing software.
If photos are not your strongest point, try to find a blog whose photographic style you enjoy and work out what it is they are doing. Is it their lighting, their use of macro, their colours? Then have a go yourself. In my opinion, photographic style is an area you can copy completely without guilt.
Does the design of the blog attract you or even stop you from reading it?
Not really - probably because I tend to read in bloglines and just pop over quickly to comment. I have never stopped reading a blog on the basis of design. I have, however a big issue with blogs whose whole feed doesn't show up in bloglines. It drives me mad!
Do you like blogs to be colloquial/regional or fairly generic?
I like to be able to place a blog. Feel comfortable enough to use your native vernacular. We don't all have to call it a Thrift Store. I'm sure readers are intelligent enough to figure out what a Charity Shop or Op-Shop is. When I first started blogging, most of the people who stopped by were from North America or Australia. I think because craft-blogging wasn't terribly established in the UK then. But these days, I notice that more and more of my comments come from fellow Brits. Are we more insular than we like to think? Or is it just that when someone talks about buying shoes, we like to know we can get our hands on a pair without International Shipping. I would never want to read only my own nationality blog - diversity is king! But local has charm too.
An equal amount of craft and family, or does too much of talking about the kids put you off?
If I only wanted to read about crafts, I'd buy a craft encyclopedia. I love love love the backstory. Why you made it, what your Dad said about it, how you fed the children cereal 3 meals running, just so you could finish it. And while we're on the subject of children, don't brag too much about yours. Because then I just think you're a big hairy fibber - they are never perfect all the time. At least, mine aren't.
What else? What are the best words of advice you can give a blogger?
Enjoy the process of connecting with like minded people. A 'successful' blog doesn't need a certain number of hits or comments - it just needs to make the owner happy. Do it your way.
Did you get this far? Even with no photo? Bravo! What's the most memorable post you've read of late? Pop a link to it in the comments. Blogging - it's good to share.
hi Ali
what wonderful insight. I especially agree with your last point on connecting with like minded people and being happy. I am new to blogging myself and the first couple of weeks I was obsessed with the stats. A few more weeks down the line and a maturing blogger in process i have chilled out and am more interested in the quality of people and also in my learning process. I am still hesitant though about sharing personal stuff. I think there's a fine line between interesting and too much information
Posted by: oge | 22 June 2008 at 19:40
Interesting, very interesting. Off to think about mine now. It's a topic I've been thinking about recently. Someone else asked me recently what I wanted from my blog? What changes I was going to make to it this year? Started me thinking on sooo many different areas.
Posted by: Gemma | 22 June 2008 at 20:32
Really interesting post(even without photos!)- certainly made me think. I love reading all sorts of snippets about peoples lives - the children, the cakes, the knitting, days out etc. There is so much inspiration stuff and it helps make a bigger picture.
Posted by: Gina | 22 June 2008 at 20:59
I like to read lots of different sorts of blogs - rather like having a variety of articles in a magazine. The two things I can't deal with are whingeing and consistently bad spelling.
I have recently restricted my rss feed in order to reduce the usefulness to sploggers. I am hoping that people who have subscribed to my blog will be prepared to click over but I would be interested to know what you think.
Posted by: Alice C | 22 June 2008 at 21:12
"I have, however a big issue with blogs whose whole feed doesn't show up in bloglines. It drives me mad!
*Blushes guiltily* ... I think mine might be one of those? I don't like to think of my making you mad :-( Maybe you're not the only one, and I should consider altering that?
This is a really good, thought-provoking posts. I like blogs which make me smile, make me think, inspire me, and who have authors to whom I feel a connection. They're the qualities that keep me reading.
And your thingy still won't remember me!
x
Posted by: Kitty | 22 June 2008 at 21:44
A great post Ali and very eloquently put. I love to read craft blogs that tell you something about the person behind the blog.
I especially like bloggers who are real people. Like you - if it's all too perfect I get suspicious!!
xxxx
Posted by: Lesley | 22 June 2008 at 21:55
This post of yours and a recent one of Alice C's have been so useful. Even though I have been blogging for a while it is fantastic to hear from others what they are interested in. I think though that at the end of the day it is about being true and authentic - that is what people respond to most I believe.
Posted by: bluemountainsmary | 22 June 2008 at 22:07
yeah, yeah, i'm one of those blogliners. but you know, i use a lot of photos, and i've noticed that with some people's blogs they get really screwed up size-wise (enormous!) and take a long time to load. or in bloglines the text is not by the appropriate photo. that's why i just do the little snippet. i hope you still come read the rest sometimes! ;)
and i loved the first paragraph of this post - the reality is SO important. i find myself not reading a lot of the 'pretty' and 'big-time' bloggers anymore - they get less and less personal and/or sappily poignant. every post! that's not what i read blogs for.
Posted by: kirsten | 22 June 2008 at 23:50
"big hairy fibber" - love that.
:) I might do this if I ever make the time, it was really fun to read.
Posted by: stephanie | 23 June 2008 at 01:39
thought provoking: check.
i agree with you and sarah about the photography. i take tons of photos...most of them are crap. but when i get a good one - woo hoo!
:)
Posted by: erin | 23 June 2008 at 02:29
I admit, I love blogs with great or eye catching photos. There are a lot of times, I only have a few minutes so I will do a quick blog look. I'm sure I probably miss a lot great words doing that. Plus, you can't really connect with people that way. I also love funny ones or where the writer is very honest they have you laughing. And you know their being painfully honest because you have had the same thoughts but wouldn't dare think of telling everyone. I also like to read blogs that seem to give a sense of peaceful family -you can do it kind of vibe but with a reality of family life and it's up & downs.
Personally for me, I like my blog and then I don't. I feel I hold back a lot, whether it be words (being a typo queen with no spell check may have something to do with that) or all my style & things I make. Maybe I should make this the year I just let go and be me?
Posted by: Gina | 23 June 2008 at 02:55
I really enjoyed reading yur points here. I agree with you on them all and I especially need to up my game on photos.
Posted by: ally | 23 June 2008 at 04:37
I can't wait to have a reason to call someone a big hairy fibber ;) I'm glad you were feeling particularly opinionated today, one of the qualities that I find most important when reading blog, is an author who feels free to be opinionated and not so worried about pleasing the masses. I don't like it when a blog seems like a well scripted production.
Posted by: Autum | 23 June 2008 at 04:43
http://www.finslippy.com/finslippy/2008/04/communication-b.html
I agree with a lot of what you wrote. The above link is one I saved on Bloglines because I just loved it. My kids are older than this now, but she captures the toddler mind so beautifully in this.
I especially like what you wrote about reading blogs to be inspired, to lift your game. I started quilting and knitting (again) through blog reading. I'm taking more care at home (sometimes) to make the place look cosy and pretty. (Got to civilise the sons somehow!) I like to have different blogs for different parts of me. I love that blogging has so many options.
Posted by: Frogdancer | 23 June 2008 at 05:10
Lovely insight and as always peppered with just the right amount of down-to-earthness.
Posted by: Zoe | 23 June 2008 at 06:20
as others before me have said- very interesting Ali!
I too like to feel I'm gradually getting to know someone a bit better with each post.
I personally can't stand the blogs that only list what is in their Etsy shop etc and I can't stand whingeing either (Henry has that covered!)
Posted by: janet clare | 23 June 2008 at 06:27
http://www.dancingwithfrogs.com/2008/06/23/blogging-questions/
I decided to answer these questions myself. It's amazing... I have very decided opinions on blogging that I didn't really know I had until I answered these...
Posted by: Frogdancer | 23 June 2008 at 06:38
I made it to the end without a single pic, it's been a while since i have done that!
Great post! Great answers :-)
Posted by: Christie | 23 June 2008 at 08:09
Great post, Ali. You're so good at putting it all into words!
It's the connectivity and sharing of blogging that really ticks my box. Plus I love good photos - first impressions always count.
Posted by: Dragonfly | 23 June 2008 at 09:24
Just to let you know you have a fan in Holland! Reading your blog from a to z and loving it. Great thoughts!
Posted by: Monique | 23 June 2008 at 10:32
Just to let you know you have a fan in Holland! Reading your blog from a to z and loving it. Great thoughts!
Posted by: Monique | 23 June 2008 at 10:32
i love reading your blog Ali! I've been so slack with the whole blog reading thing, but you are so in my top 5 regular reads...you should publish a mag!!
Posted by: tiel | 23 June 2008 at 11:55
I like to see a person's humanity - if that means the occasional stuff up or silly story then all the better!
Posted by: tracey petersen | 23 June 2008 at 11:59
Well said Ali! I read to connect with all the wonderfully funny, inspiring, creative people out there who give me lovely glimpses into their daily lives all over the world. It's made me so much more productive and I feel I know me better for reading about all of you. And I think like meeting people in real life - you click with some and not with others - and that's ok too!
Posted by: Louise | 23 June 2008 at 12:06
Absolutely. I second everything you say, my friend.
(and your kids are angels... you should try mine sometimes!)
Posted by: monica | 23 June 2008 at 12:25
this is an interesting set of questions, something i think about a lot. for me, it's all about the work, don't get me wrong, i do alsi like a bit of background to the crafter, but it's the creations i find the most inspiring.
Posted by: lucykate crafts... | 23 June 2008 at 13:08
I love your post - its really honest! I'm going to try and follow your guide lines ;-)
Posted by: Rachael Rabbit | 23 June 2008 at 15:48
I like blogs that aren't cluttered, have nice photos etc. but the main thing I look for is that they have similar taste and that they aren't too perfect. Oh, and I'm not happy that people keep posting loads of gorgeous meals lately, but that's just a jealousy thing...
Posted by: Lil' d | 23 June 2008 at 18:38
Hi ali, I read this last night...then went away to think about it. For me it's being inspired to have a go at something, and connecting with like minded people. I love little slices of family life with a mix of how wonderful and then how awful the kids are. Makes it more real and human. Great photos make a huge difference, crap photos are a real turn-off. It's the photos I see first, and they invite me in - especially pertinent if it's a first-time visit. Blog design also makes a difference. Dowdy visuals are not enticing. Poor spelling and grammar also wind me up....okay, I'll stop the rant now!
Posted by: Diana | 23 June 2008 at 19:11
I love it when you become opinionated, Ali - it has produced some of my very favourite posts (although I assume you are always opinionated, so I really mean that I love it when you actually vocalise it!). I would agree with what someone said earlier about reading the bigger blogs less and less, I suppose because as they become increasingly professionally sucessful, so too their need for privacy and more of a business-front grows - but with that they become less personal...which seems a shame.
Posted by: Florence | 23 June 2008 at 22:19
http://www.joleo.co.uk/todayweare/?p=370
Had to answer these myself :) Considering that I'm barely blogging at all this month it seemed perfect to have lots of opinions about it...
Posted by: Jo | 24 June 2008 at 10:06
Just to say that I've answered them on my blog too! Although I now seem to have more questions in my head than I had before! :o)
Posted by: Gemma | 24 June 2008 at 10:56
Excellent post! I read blogs to learn new things, understand other folks' points of view, discover new recipes, and anything that celebrates life makes me happy.
Your discussion about photography for blogging is helpful. I'm learning and trying to improve that aspect myself.
The only thing that makes me crazy about some blogs are those that use dark backgrounds. My eyes just can't handle the strain of trying to read the text on such blogs so I don't read them--which is a shame as they probably have lovely things to share.
Posted by: June | 24 June 2008 at 15:48
Thought provoking as usual. I have finally found my blogging groove. Its taken a while to feel that I can write about whatever I feel like. Although I originally intended it be more of a crafty place, the truth is I cannot "churn" stuff out for the sake of it if I'm not in the mood.
Posted by: lina | 24 June 2008 at 18:03
Hello dont think i have forgotten you, for some reason my update thing wasnt updating me with your blog!!! so i just thought you had gone quiet and now it has popped up with 9 of them all in one go, so i will quite happily read them through this evening.
Posted by: Joanna | 24 June 2008 at 19:16
"I would never want to read only my own nationality blog - diversity is king! But local has charm too."
Amen to that. I really love the international-ness of blogging.
Posted by: Lisa Lam | 24 June 2008 at 23:09
I love your last point.Thats it isn't it-if you have two people who read your blog and they love it thats plenty. Its about sharing yourself and what you do ,I think, whether with a few or thousands.Anyway I threw in my thoughts on my blog too :
lulucarter.typepad.com
Posted by: clare | 26 June 2008 at 03:01
Love this post, such an interesting subject and it's wonderful to see everybodys preferences. I'm off to work now or you could have mine too! Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed reading :)
Posted by: asti | 30 June 2008 at 21:05
I'm new to blogging but not new to reading many craft blogs. It seems so easy to make a good blog when you're simply reading them, but once you start writing, you can see the challenges. Thanks for this post. I really take it to heart.
Here's a blog I've been into recently: http://mollyirwin.typepad.com. Check it out!
Posted by: Jill | 18 August 2008 at 00:46