flipside: what do you love about blogs?

November 19, 2008 | bloggy things

Well it was great reading all the comments about what you don’t like about blogs! It wasn’t meant to be an attack or the rules of blogging, just personal preferences. That’s all. The comments were pretty interesting though so check them out if you’re curious to see what other bloggers think on the subject.

Since I was emailed a couple times asking to post about it, I think it would be good to talk the opposite now.

What do you love about blogs? What makes you add them to your reader or bookmark? What makes you come back for more?

Me:

good, quality writing
posts that make me think, that introduce me to new ideas, make me dig a little deeper or really question my own views and feelings
blogs that inspire me – to try something new, to keep working toward something or that just make me want to be a better me.
funny bloggers! I love to laugh and if you can make me laugh, you’re almost sure to go to my reader
blogs with great photography. I know some bloggers can’t post them being anonymous but I love getting that extra glimpse into someone’s life.
learning things. I love to find things that I can apply to my own life, whether it’s a recipe, new store or site to browse, design tips, etc
the blogging community in general. I’ve said many times before how great it is. I’ve never has such amazing conversations, emails, support – not even with some friends in real life!

Okay, your turn!

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Funny Bloggers, plus people who sound like they would make for excellent friends if we lived in the same city! Pictures included in posts is a definite plus as well

1) Funny.
2) Well-written.
3) Dynamic.

I want to read drastically different stories, not just daily recaps. You can tell which bloggers put energy into picking and choosing the best posts to share rather than just word vomiting all over the page.

Love reading funny bloggers! Love pictures. Definitely love reading up on various products (i.e. tech stuff) and clothes.

LOVE:
1) awesome easy recipes
2) hilarious nonsense
3) puppies (always)
4) awesome photography
5) random, fun finds (who doesn’t love gift ideas or shopping in general?)
6) general variety within a blog.

As I didn’t get to respond the ‘what don’t you like about blogs’ I’ll write them both here now.

Like Ben, a blog that only writes daily recaps will probably not go on my google reader, I like interesting, funny and thoughtful posts. But I also love blogs with pretty pictures, blogs like yours that really give me an insight into pop culture (I love your Etsy finds and your recaps on shows I don’t even watch.)

being genuine is my number one. i cant read through the bullshit.

humor, who doesn’t love to laugh?

brutal honesty.

geographical location ( i love reading my hometown blogs)

I like people who remind me of myself, or lead lives I would want to lead.

Bonus points if they have super hilarious sex lives and are all kinds of open about them.

I really agree with the above – you don’t have to show pictures of yourself every day or tell me about your relationship with your parents for me to feel invited in and engaged by your writing. But if posts are well written, have pictures, good humor, and are warm then I’m pretty much in.

Good audience relations, or the ability to follow someone on twitter just sweetens the pot. I really love the blogging community & am genuinely interested in other people’s view of the world, so anything that caters to that in an inviting way.

I agree with your lise 100%. The people I have met thru blogging are awesome and blogosphere is an amazing community!

If the blogger is someone I would want to be besties with, then they go into my reader. Also, points for making me laugh loudly while at work. Double points if they update more than once every two weeks. And I hate to admit it, but if they have a ton of readers/commenters and I didn’t really care for their posting style, I’ll still read them for awhile. I want to see why people love them. I am such a sheep.

funnily enough I asked the very same question in response to your other post.

I love Imaginative Titles
Easy to read layout (font and spacing really here)
A variety of subjects of a variety of lengths
A ‘theme’ day so once a week you know what you’re getting

I do like funny blogs, but I like people who are honest and unafraid.
I love reading about other peoples lives what their struggles and joys are.
Most important people who can teach me something and people I would like to be actual friends with.

it’s cool to be able to relate to other real people. we all have problems with work, demented family members and relationship issues. it’s so nice to be able to vent and share and feel like no matter what, someone else can relate!

i love funny blogs, and entries from people who i’d be friends with in real life…but i do read a lot of blogs by people i’d have very little in common with.

I have a pretty wide variety of blogs that I’m subscribed to. Some are funny, some are entertaining, some are fashion, some are thoughtful, some are personal, and some are simply reviews of things I’m interested in.

I think the main thing that I like with blogs are when people aren’t treating it like a business or taking themselves too seriously. I think that a while ago I would’ve said that I only like blogs written by people that I find I can relate to, but much more recently, I’ve opened up to reading stuff written by people with different viewpoints or background to mine.

But honestly, anything that is well written is a good candidate to go into my feed reader.

I can’t…the last post made me cry…

I love to laugh.

I don’t read blogs with tons of pictures. It’s funny that other people love them with pictures.

Funny draws me in faster than anything else. Though lately I’ve been attracted to the blogs with the really good, cheap, suggestions for how to plan weddings. I’m not there yet, but I’m hoping I will be at some point soon and I love the advice everyone has to offer!

i like blogs that are well thought out.

bonus points for making me laugh, and extra super bonus points for teaching me something i didn’ t know, but is useful, in an entertaining way.

I love funny ones. I also love ones that have a soap opera feel to them (dating stories, trying to find a job, trying to get married, trying to get pregnant, etc.) I get attached to those kinds and when the writer has successes I am truly happy for them.

I do enjoy blogs with lots of pictures; however, not ONLY just a bunch of pictures. I like variety in the things someone talks about…I usually don’t read a blog that’s just about one subject (maybe a few). I also love funny people and those who write just like they are talking to their close friends.

I really just want smart writing or thinking. It doesn’t matter what it’s about — I read a little bit of everything. I love really good writing because it’s my craft. Even if the writing part isn’t your strong suit, I’ll appreciate your blog if you share intelligent thoughs or show some depth in your thinking.

I like a variety of blogs but mainly anything that I can relate too. And pictures are great!

I like balanced blogs, honestly. Though some people I read just because they are consistently funny, I like people who keep me on my toes. One day, it is commentary on a social issues, the next day, it is something personal, the next it is a series of funny observations. Think Brandy from “It’s Like I’m… mmmmagic”.

I like funny. Gimme funny.

Life is stressful and hard. Tell me the fun stuff and I will love you.

Blogs that make me laugh is my priority I think . . .

there are definitely a variety of blogs i subscribe to.
blogs with good solid content, definitely.

some graphic design (freebies, design inspiration, tutorials, etc)
some shopping blogs. some fashion + design blogs. well written blogs, witty, honest.

i’m a visual person so i also like blogs with lots of graphics, but they don’t necessarily have to have graphics. well, for some of the shop blogs and stuff, graphics are nice.

i love funny blogs. and i’m with you, i love seeing personal pics, always so fun to get a glimpse into the blogger’s life. i also love positive posts…i mean i am totally for venting and getting stuff off your chest, but if someone rants for a whole week, i can’t guarantee i won’t hit “mark all as read.”

I love blogs where the person writing it really comes through…whether that’s with funny, brutally honest, or slightly random posts. When I can feel a connection to the person behind the posts, even if we have nothing in common, that’s the best.
I also love photos, if they’re well done..I can’t handle post after post of pics from you cell phone camera.
If you’re funny, that can be a bonus, but only if it’s done right. Of course, right is very subjective.
I also love the community of blogging. Whether that’s through comments, email, forums, Twitter, what have you…I like to know you’re a person who in engaged with their readers, not just talking AT your readers.

I LOVE blogs with pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. Okay, not just any picture. High quality pictures, professional pictures. Like for decorating, photography, or recipes. If there are no pictures, I like lists. Or ideas. I’m a sucker for structure and visuals.

Design and style inspiration make me happy.

Ideas about how to live my life better are fab.

I adore gorgeous photos!

Friends through blogging are the best.

Oh, and winning free stuff through blogs. (Hint, hint. I love your etsy giveaways. Even if I’ll never win, they are thrilling. ha.)

Blogs that are consistently interesting and well written, humor is a plus, and interesting topics. I think someone said something about balanced

I love blogs with pictures but not just pictures, need to have some content. I also agree with Ginger in that you can tell the persons personality through their writing and if they seem like someone I would get along with, I’ll enjoy reading them. I also like to read people who come from different backgrounds/have different lives than I do so I can live vicariously and learn!

The biggest thing out of all of this is that the writer is respectful of others, even when it is their blog.We’re all allowed our opinions and can state them freely but as long as its done in a way that it doesn’t attack someone else (especially if its directly)

Wow way to not finish my sentence. “….balanced and well rounded blogs are enjoyable as well.”

Ditto all of that, and also: puns. I like puns. And talking about movies. And, well, talking about pretty much anything else, too.

Good writing. Something that keeps me interested. And if they are linked by blogs that I already enjoy.

That’s pretty much it.

LAUGHING! Seriously…if a blog makes me laugh I will immediately subscribe.

And if the person behind the blog seems awesome that’s a plus.

I think I always start from the fact that a blog is good. Then, if there are things that “turn me off”, I leave it. Otherwise, I keep reading. Every blog is different and there might be things I like in one, but not in the others.

This is hard. It’s difficult to put into words exactly why I like certain blogs. I generally like blogs that:

Make me laugh
Make me think
Written by someone in my field (though there are those teacher blogs I really hate)
Written by my readers — I think there is more of a connection when you both read and comment regularly

I like variety and consistency… But if a blogger is a *really* good writer, I’ll keep them on my reader even if they don’t update for months at a time.

Definitely humor. I love to laugh. I also read my share of fashion blogs, but if the person seems full of themselves I’ll stop. I just like reading about their fashion finds.

One of the things I love most about blogging is reading a post that I can really relate too… it makes me feel not so alone. And of course funny posts or well written posts are great too, especially ones that inspire.

Blogs that truly engage you as a reader. I love that I have so many bloggie friends that I never would have known had I not started blogging.

I love blogs that inspire me, make me laugh, give me easy recipes, and unique ideas.

[...] at Oh! How Lovely! has started a discussion regarding blog annoyances and then she presents the flipside. The comments alone are worthwhile — It’s interesting to see what people hate about [...]

I agree! I love the community it fosters – I’ve (virtually) met so many amazing people (like you!).

I love the people who open up on their blogs so you feel as though you know them.

The 20SB blogging community is incredible, too. That’s put me in touch with SO many bloggers — a lot like me.

I love the blogging community.

[...] the day before Thanksgiving and it seems timely that Complement Week at 20SB is huge and Jamie at oh! how lovely! included the blogging community in her list of things she loves about blogging. Among many things, I [...]

I love blogs because they connect me with the outside world. They add a lot to my intellectual growth. I learn about many subjects and get to see others’ insight. I have always been curious about people’s mind because trying to understand them, in my opinion, place me closer to them. Blogging is not only a great form to acquire knowledge buy also a valuable tool to express myself. It is the place where I can free my spirit and say openly what I think. It is also where friends can be made and support can be found. Bloggers might be funny at times, and that helps me clear my mind and see life from a different prospective. In other occasions, they are informative and offer useful information about the community or current issues. Blogging makes me feel engage in some type of social interaction; it makes feel that there are others out there that can be reached. Without a doubt in my mind, blogs are great source to socialize.

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