I love blogs. I glean so much from them. I learned about Google Reader way back and started following blogs of people I knew, then Money Saving blogs, Computer Teacher blogs and later Home Décor/Organization blogs {starting with my all time fav… Thrifty Decor Chick!}.
I ♥ blogs. {Did I say that already?} Before I unload my complaints, I want to make it perfectly clear that I do adore reading these blogs. If a blog really annoys me, obviously I know I can just choose not to read it.
That said, Here are the TOP FIVE Things Big Bloggers do that BUG me…
# FIVE… I just want to roll me eyes and say, “REALLY?” when a big popular blogger comes out with a melodramatic post sharing how they have decided to cut back on blogging {or quit altogether} to spend more time with their family.
OF COURSE, spending more time with one’s family is ALWAYS a good thing, but come on. REALLY? You are a BLOGGER. You basically work for yourself and create/dictate your own hours and schedule. It seems especially ridiculous considering what a fragile thing a blog’s popularity can be. When that popular blogger quits, she may not be able to pick back up and resume with the same initial followers once she inevitably realizes that “Oh yeah, blogging isn’t so bad.”
# FOUR… It really is disappointing when a hugely popular blog that is awesome gets so big that they start outsourcing their writing. I mean, really. YOUR writing and thoughts and personality are the ones that made your blog popular. I want to read what YOU have to say NOT what contributors you’ve put together have to say. If I want to read their thoughts, I’ll follow their blog.
To me, it just seems like they are in essence watering down the quality of their blog which just makes me want to unfollow them altogether.
Am I the only one that is annoyed by this?
# THREE… I do not have much tolerance for snobby elitists in any form. In real life or in the blogging realm. I get annoyed when big bloggers come across as the sole authority on trends and what’s right or beautiful. There is one uber popular blogger in particular I’m thinking of that really just gets on my nerves. She starts philosophizing on life and design and all things ‘her opinion’ which appears to be supreme.
It is HER blog after all, so of course I expect to see her opinion everywhere. The problem is that as she shares her opinion on how to decorate and even live, she does it in almost a “bully” kind of way. She shares her thoughts and seems to push others to agree just cause she said so.
Her craft projects ARE interesting and helpful so I keep her on the list, but I am all for the HUMBLE blogger. That is a much better read.
# TWO… I seriously HATE IT when blogs shorten {or truncate} their blog posts in Google Reader {or on their page itself for that matter}. Basically, they have their blog set up so that only the first part of their post will show in your reader forcing you to view their actual blog to read the entire post. Grrrrrr! It is like the most obvious ploy in the world. {So I guess you can’t even call it a ploy.} We KNOW you’re doing it because you want us to view your actual blog page. We know that is good for your page views. We KNOW THAT! So is it worth it to get us to view your page if we’re doing so while we’re annoyed and grumbling under our breath? {Or maybe that’s just me that’s grumbling???}
That does not foster loyalty or “friendship” in your readers. We know we’re just a number to you. It tells us your primary concern is NOT just having a place to share your thoughts and getting your message out. Rather it’s getting the most page views you can.
Honestly, you had better be an AWESOME blogger and have a really good first two paragraphs because otherwise I’m just gonna be scrolling right past you and not even READING your post at all.
Puh-lease do NOT truncate your posts.
# ONE… The NUMBER ONE ‘TOP’ thing BIG bloggers do that ab.so.lute.ly DRIVES ME BATTY is the incessant advertising cloaked as giveaways. Give your readers some credit. We were not born yesterday. We did not choose to follow your blog because we wanted to hear about your advertisers. Just because you are “thrilled to be talking about fillintheblank” doesn’t mean we are thrilled to see that yet another ‘giveaway’ is clogging up our reader.
To make matters worse is that somehow these advertisers know all the same bloggers and contact them all at the exact same time. This makes my Reader FULL of giveaways/advertisements from several DIFFERENT bloggers ALL ADVERTISING THE SAME THING.
Really?
{If I never see another Lisa Leonard or Red Letter Art giveaway it will be too soon. Just saying.}
So there you have it. Those are my Top Five annoyances.
Remember… I love you blogs! I do.
I just wanted or maybe needed to rant a bit on what drives me crazy.
Do you agree with my top five? {Please tell me I’m not bonkers. I can’t be the only one that is bothered by these things, right??}
What drives YOU crazy?
Preach on Sister….You Nailed it!
What a great post!! I guess I never thought about it when I shortened my posts – I get a bit windy sometimes and I did that just so I don't hog someones whole feed….
I think our daughters might be sisters from another mother :p Mine is 7 going on 16 as well…
I'm not even sure how to truncate posts- is my blog like that? If so, tell me how to "untruncate" it. ;) I only know enough about blogging to blog- not even sure what some of the settings in my design page are for.
I don't read a lot of big name blogs, but if I did, I'm sure I would agree with you. :)
I agree with #2 – I hate truncated posts in readers. I usually don't read them either.
As for #1, I've really struggled with giveaways, because I don't want it to water down my writing, which is why I will never do more than one a week, and usually much less often than that. BUT, I have polled my readers time and time again, and as a whole, they seem to like the giveaways, so I haven't quit. Also – there's rarely anything in it for the blogger (unless they're a REALLY SUPER HUGE blogger) except for maybe the product itself to review. But if bloggers ARE getting paid to review products, that's the most unethical practice in the blogging book. I just do it every now and then because some people really love giveaways, and if people are offering me free stuff to give to my readers who want free stuff, I figure it's silly not to take them up on it – as long as it's quality free stuff. I turn down crappy stuff constantly.
Phew! :) that's just my thoughts on it :)
Leah, yours are not truncated, don't worry. :)
Rachel,I think there is a difference b/w a once in a while giveaway from a company not in anyway affiliated with you and constant giveaways from advertisers on your blog.
I rarely enter giveaways since a lot of times there is so much effort involved with detailed instructions on entries. :) I guess I'd just rather read real content not giveaways. :)
I don't think you are a giveaway whore. You are one of the good ones…
LOVE it! We must be "related" or something 'cuz I agree with you on every. single. one! LOL!
so true!!!
I'm late on this post, but oh my gosh, if I could high five you I would! With the exception of #2 I'm with you on every one of these! Some people seem to have an inflated opinion of themselves.
I have to say that I was thinking the other day how I miss when "big" bloggers don't just stick to what they started with to get them there – there are a few that do though. Their talent gets pushed to the side, which is why you went there in the first place, and it's replaced by showcasing everyone else's talent. I WILL say that having grown a lot in the last month, I now started advertising and it's insane at how pageviews really make a difference. It also now takes much more of my own time to do the actual blogging that I run out of regular time to do more projects – ironic, isn't it? This is super to hear from a blogger/reader what you like and don't like. I actually hate giveaways – ironically I have my very first one this week, but it was only because my guest insisted on doing it – but have decided they will be rare and directly related to my blog topic. Thanks for being so frank and honest!
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
I agree with every single thing you said, and I JUST started following blogs. Those are all the things that annoy me to death, and I hadn't even realized it. Great post!
Most of these things don't really drive me batty – but the truncated thing DOES!! I read on my iPhone and it's a bit of a hassle to go from my Reader App and send it to Safari, let it load, blah, blah, blah….I mean, really it's not that bad, but usually I just won't do it. :)
I love blogs though!
I completely agree with you, especially #1: I am from europe, I can never participate to giveaways and they are so boring to me!! Also, I hate reviews and ads: isn't it enought to have them in tv and magazines??
Wow…how enlightening! I am still new to this blogging world and I have to say that a few of your "peevs" get to me too!
First…hate the advertising…not so much on the perimeter in the blogs but it's the pop-ups that drive me nuts. I'm here at your blog because something peeked my interest and now I have to deal with the pop-ups obscuring the screen!
Giveaways…too much work involved…click here and do this, click there and do that…leave a comment here there and everywhere…do I really want this thing…if I do I may participate but if I don't then the answer is…Nooo! At this point it becomes more about the clicks than the body of work being produced.
The breaks in post are more work fo me too…my computer is not always friendly to me so waiting for the screen to switch to catch a button or post takes time…time lost from other things I can be doing!
Hey I am as guilty as the next person as far as looking at my stats…who doesn't want to know who's reading you. But I share what is real in my life…personal past present and future…I think maybe somewhere along the line it will connect with someone and be some sort of help. But by no means will I take or even give the illusion that I am an authority on anything.
As far as outsourcing…not a fan of letting too many people interject on my blog, but as long as they have something interesting and informational which I think my readers would like and not compromise the integrity of my blog,then I will appove of it.
So many good points here in your post…as a blogger I know I need to keep everything very real and very honest, kind of like the way I try to live my life. This is a web log…a diary of sorts…if you can't be real with it then why bother!
I just found your blog looking for ways to improve on my blog. I just love all your tips and suggestions. Thank you for all the help. My blog is a work-in-progress and I need all the help I can get. :)