The Internet Monk has a post that's been getting quite a bit of attention the last couple of days. He lists 10 reasons that would keep him from reading a blog. They're good reasons, and some of them overlap with mine, but I decided to create my own list. Here are my reasons, in no particular order.
Why I don't read your blog:
- I don't read your blog because your font size is too tiny. And/or because your background is black or some other equally dark color that requires me to read reverse type. Keep the design simple and readable. Well-spaced lines and a type large enough to read comfortably will keep me happy.
- I don't read your blog because I don't want to be bombarded by music when I click onto your site. I especially don't want to have to listen to it with no option of turning it off.
- I don't read your blog because you have too many commenters who just want to say "me too"--I love a really interesting discussion on a blog, but I really don't like just hearing commenters say how wonderful you are...even if you are! This is especially a problem at some of the knitting blogs I read. We all know knitter A is wonderful. Do I have to read 150 comments on every post she writes saying that very thing? (I know I don't have to read comments, but I like comments. Unless they're the kind I just described.)
- I don't read your blog because your posts are too long. Now I've been guilty of a long post or two myself on occasion, but I do try to be aware of going way over the limit of most people's attention span. If I have a long post, I try to put it in the continuation so the length doesn't overwhelm the front page of the blog.
- I don't read your blog because you don't offer RSS feeds. I forget to read you when you're not on my bloglines. And while we're on the subject, I really do prefer full feeds instead of just the beginning lines of your post. It's like you're punishing me for not going to your blog to read your posts. I know that you'd prefer that I see your blog in its original format, and most of the time I do click on over, but give me the choice of doing that please.
- I don't read your blog because it's boring. That's not to say everyone thinks your blog is boring, but the topics that you write about just aren't my thing. I can only read so many theology blogs, so many homemaking blogs, so many families-with-lots-of-children blogs. So if you're just one more of those, you might not make it onto my list.
- I don't read your blog because it's too dramatic. I don't get into Internet quarrels or angry back-and-forths between bloggers and those who disagree with them. I'm one of the "can't we all get along" types. Argument for the sake of it just doesn't seem fun to me.
- I don't read your blog because you tell me just a little too much. Personal blogs are some of the most interesting blogs out there, but there's a fine line between revealing your personality and revealing every quirk you have in intimate detail. I don't really want to know your every thought. Transparency is good to a point. But some bloggers just don't know when to quit.
- I don't read your blog because I don't get anything new from reading it. I love blogs that connect me to other bloggers, sites, news items, etc. If you never link to anyone or anything but your own blog, I get bored quickly. I count on the bloggers I read to put me in touch with all the other good stuff out there that I haven't found.
- I don't read your blog because I just don't have time to read all the blogs out there that I'd like to. Have you ever been overwhelmed by all the blogs you'd like to read, that you could read if you had unlimited time? Sometimes I look at my favorites list to see if there's a blog I've added but haven't read in a while. There always is. We all have to be selective. So the fact that I don't read your blog doesn't necessarily mean it isn't a good one. It just means I have more to read than I have time.
I'm not usually this opinionated. Please don't think I'm talking about specific blogs as I write each of these points. I think we all fall short of what we'd like to do with our blogs at some point or another--at least I'm positive I do. I'm sure I wouldn't have to think very long before I realize some dumb thing I've done that has certainly kept many people from taking the time to read my blog. :-)
What are your reasons for not reading someone's blog?
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