Even though I haven’t been blogging for long, I have discovered some stuff along the way, so today’s post is Part I of my blogging “Tips & Hints”. Please keep in mind that these items can, in no way, be considered expert advice. It’s just a collection of stuff that bugs me. But if it bugs me, it likely bugs others, so you should know about it.
Also keep in mind that I don’t use Blogger. I self-host on WordPress (and I love WordPress for those that were wondering), so I’m somewhat unfamiliar with the way Blogger blogs work. But that being said . . . here’s the first 4 things that bug me. Fix them and you’ll likely attract more readers.
1) You can not have both “word verification” AND “your comment will appear after blog owner approval” on at the same time. That’s just overkill. Really annoying overkill. It’s one or the other people! If you make it too difficult or annoying for people to leave comments – they won’t bother.
Even though both are highly annoying, I do understand your need to rid the universe of spam. But your blog really isn’t so valuable that it has to be locked up tight like Fort Knox, now is it? So what if the occasional spam gets through? We all get it too – no biggie. Just delete it when you notice it.
Personally, I use the Akismet plugin, and it does a really nice job of setting aside about 99.9% of the spam I get. And frankly, besides being annoying, spam can also be amusing. In fact I did a whole post about a spammy comment I received the other day.
2) Please don’t have your blog rigged to start auto playing music. I really don’t care what music you like – I’m there to read what you have to say. And since I do most of my blog reading at work, my boss doesn’t appreciate it either.
3) Keep your background plain and simple. No crazy patterns or designs please, and no black background with coloured font. It makes it VERY difficult to read. And if it’s difficult to read, people won’t bother. Keep it clean and simple.
4) I’m a visual person. I like to see a picture of you. Even if it’s just the standard one you use for you avatar. It helps me put a face to the blog. And when you seem like a real person to me, you seem more like a “friend”. Which means I’ll read you. Now, I do know that some of you have identity issues. Fine – I understand that. So pick a little cartoon person, or use your neighbour’s photo or something. Just give me a picture to associate with you and your blog.
What do you think – am I bang on or totally off base? Got any other pet peeves you want me to include in Part II?
11 Responses to “Tips & Hints – Part 1”
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March 24th, 2010 at 5:10 am
Umm.. yeah.. good luck with number 4 =P
I only have one piece of advice for blogging.
It is better to write for the self and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.
Yes, I stole that.. from Criminal Minds. I’m pretty sure they stole it from somewhere too.
Cher
Replied:
March 24th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Deep ScoMan . . . very deep. And true.
March 24th, 2010 at 8:20 am
I agree with your points. If people make it annoying for me to read their blogs, I’m going to stop reading. And if I have to go through too many steps to comment, I won’t do that either. There is a blog I read every day and the writer is fab and I always want to leave her comments, but her blog insists that I join whatever site is hosting in order to comment. That’s way too much work.
Thanks for sharing these.
March 24th, 2010 at 10:16 am
I agree with everything. Especially the one about the black background and colored text. I find it so annoying.
I moderate my comments though I HATE doing it. But I have had several people come to my site and say mean things about me as well as those who have commented on my blog. I would just rather not allow the meanies to have any voice on my blog.
March 24th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Dude, the black background and colored text totally gives me a headache and makes my eyes feel like I’ve been looking at one of those optical illusion things.
I’ve been getting an awful lot of spam lately and am trying to figure out what to do. Quit taking anon comments maybe? But that means my mom can’t comment. So then word verification? I hate that though. See? I’m stuck.
March 24th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I agree with them all! Very well said, it’s really interesting to read people’s opinion on this, I’m often trying stuff then not really sure if I like it or if it works for others. Feel free to send me some constructive criticism – I can take it honest!
It’s funny how everyone has their own likes and dislikes in a blog, I suppose if every blog was the same layout we’d get really bored, but there are some things which are really annoying. One thing that bugs me is when you can hardly see the blog post because more space is taken up by 3 or 4 sidebars, it all gets a bit distracting.
Hope you have good day,
Jade
March 24th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
hey girl, all good stuff
March 24th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
agreed. with all of it. i also agree with jade- i get confuzzed when peeps have like a million side bars filled with crazy business. i get distracted by blinky flashy things. my side bar is annoying me right now because it has gotten too full though, so i guess i shouldn’t throw stones from my glass house
March 24th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Oh man. Cher. I was wiggling all paranoid in my seat waiting to find something I do/have on my blog that would annoy you.
Crisis avoided for now. Already biting my nails for part 2.
March 24th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
I like it when people provide their email to respond to. If you ask a question in the comments, but don’t provide an email, how am I supposed to respond?
March 24th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Excellent tips. And yes, yes, I know I need to have my picture on there somewhere. But that half-face photo a few posts ago should have temporarilky sated your curiosity. Now you no longer have to stay up nights, wondering. You’re welcome.
I’m about to have my blog redesigned. I’ll definitely keep these tips in mind.
Finally, the word verification thing is driving me batty. Although…some of the “words” would make splendid curses. The other day I had to type in “spartzik.” I then yelled it at a driver who cut me off later that evening. Sounded pretty good, if vaguely Eastern European.