How do you decide what to blog about or which blogs to read?
Whether you blog on a schedule or when inspiration hits…whether you have a narrow niche or a more general theme…when you sit down to write a post, how do you decide what to write about?
Sometimes I sit down at the computer knowing exactly what I want to write about. Other times, I’m not so sure. In those uncertain times, I use a couple of different techniquest to prime the pump:
- old-fashioned brainstorming
- free writing
- reading other blogs
If nothing comes from those exercises, I wait. I take Anne Lamott’s advice, turn off the computer and go out and live. The living is sure to bring inspiration for the writing.
As a reader, do you want instruction or entertainment?
Now, let’s switch hats…from writer to reader. When you are reading blogs, do you want instruction, entertainment, or both? Do you look for blogs that cover useful topics…health and beauty, gardening, cooking, travel guides, blogging tips, retirement advice?
Or are you more interested in engaging writing and beautiful photos that don’t necessarily teach a skill, but make you laugh, smile, or even cry?
Or is there something else entirely that draws you in?
Thinking about the blogs I regularly visit, why do I return?
I follow several blogs for different reasons…usually one of these three:
- The writing is engaging and/or the photos are beautiful.
- They offer me knowledge, insight, or inspiration on a regular basis.
- I have a connection with the blogger…we regularly communicate through blog comments. I feel like I know them.
What’s popular on my blog?
Perhaps my blog’s most popular posts can offer further insight. In the past year, four of the five most frequently visited posts promise instruction or inspiration of some sort. One is more personal (my decision to retire). Of the five posts that have generated the most comments, three are instructional and two are more personal. The most conversation took place on this personal post, Changing Course Mid Blog Post.
Are personal journal-style blogs of interest to readers?
Some bloggers post regularly about their daily lives, sharing personal photos that are perhaps not professional quality…not specifically intending to inspire or inform, but treating the blog more like a very public personal journal.
Other blogs have an educational slant overall, but the blogger occasionally publishes a more personal journal-type post.
How do you feel about that? Do you enjoy the opportunity to get to know the blogger, or are daily-life blogs only of interest to the blogger’s family and friends?
I confess, as a blogger, when I write those more personal posts, I feel a little self-indulgent. I worry that they are enjoyable (or beneficial) for me, but may try the patience of my generous readers. Does anyone really care how I spent my month, where I went on vacation, or what’s on my bucket list?
On the other hand, as a reader, I quite enjoy blog posts that give me a glimpse into the life of the blogger. Often, there are nuggets of inspiration or knowledge to be gleaned as well. Or the writing itself is entertainment enough.
Perhaps blogging…like life…is not that clear cut. Distinct lines are not so easily drawn between educational, entertainment, and personal journaling blogs.
Your turn
- What causes you to visit a particular blog on a regular basis? Is education, entertainment, or relationship the most important factor?
- If a post steps outside the blog’s usual niche, do you find that off-putting or intriguing?
- If you are a blogger, do you ever use your blog as a personal journal?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
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Image by Peter Olexa from Pixabay
Very interesting topic. For me it’s insight, inspiration, and connection. In fact, I struggle when posts are just pretty pictures, book reviews, or travel summaries (all the time). I’ve struggled also with “this was my week” posts. I do like broader taking stocks or monthly gratitudes, which I find more inspirational. The bloggers who are all about challenges or prompts are also a challenge for me – not sure why on that one! I think my own blogging tends to be insights or how-to’s and if nothing is inspiring me, I’ll not post in a given week!
I like posts that make me think and this one sure did!
Hello Pat. I think those three (insight, inspiration, and connection) are at the top of my list as well. While I enjoy pretty pictures, book reviews, recipes, and travelogs, on occasion, I don’t revisit sites dedicated to those topics on a regular basis–more if I’m looking for something specific. I like the prompts and challenges if they provide some insight, inspiration, or connection along the way. I’m glad I could inspire some thought; your blog always does that for me.
Christie, my blog is much like a photo journal that chronicles our evolving retirement years. We have learned that this phase of life isn’t just one straight line and has many twists and turns along the way. We have been at it for 15 years, but we are always learning.
I write about adaptability, positivity, and gratitude which I hope comes across in every post. I try to inform and teach when possible, but I believe that it’s the little pieces of ourselves that we share which truly inspire others to continue reading. My readers feel like friends and I look forward to sharing a conversation with them at the end of the post.
Personally, I won’t read a blog that isn’t positive and uplifting, has teachable moments, or entertains me in a meaningful way. I come here for relaxation and inspiration, not to be annoyed or stressed.
Keep doing what you are doing. Your positivity is contagious!
Hello Suzanne. I have enjoyed following your retirement years chronicle. The photos are always beautiful, and the copy is engaging and often thought-provoking. Definitely the adaptability, positivity, and gratitude come through. I’m happy to hear that I have also been able to provide that for you in return. Happy blogging!
I suppose my blog is based on a personal journal but I try to keep it discreet and concentrate instead and so far as possible on what I learnt from the experience. I am finding retirement such an adventure of discovery that I really feel inspired to share. Consequently when I read other blogs, I am looking for something similar and from which I can learn and perhaps compare notes. Indeed I see so many parallels in other people’s journeys that I find their blogs supportive if not comforting.
Hello Caree. I guess for many of us, blogging is sort of a personal journal. Personal experiences are what we know best and also where we can offer the most authentic inspiration, lessons learned, and even entertainment. The comparison of notes you mentioned is where the connection comes for me. I’m so glad we are here to support…and yes, comfort on occasion…each other.
Hi Christie – this is an interesting one…..like Pat, I tend to go for insight, inspiration, and connection. I’ve made some fabulous online friendships over the years of blogging (yourself included) and I’m a loyal follower of those bloggers (until they disappear into the ether!) I enjoy upbeat, engaging blogs that are well set out and easy to read – I find big blocks of text hard going. I enjoy a taking stock post because it gives me an insight into someone else’s world – but some of them can be a little bit ‘same old stuff’ when they’re weekly.
I tend to write when inspiration strikes and then schedule my posts. It would be extremely rare for me to write a post in the same week I publish it – too much pressure. Sometimes I’ll write a couple of posts in a week and then go for a couple of weeks and not write anything – it’s very fluid for me and I tend to write about things that catch my interest and that I think others would find interesting too. Once again, my topics vary with my life. I’ll be back here to read all the other comments – it’s a great topic. 🙂
My blog reading habits are similar to yours, Leanne. I enjoy upbeat, engaging blogs that offer some insight or inspiration. I don’t mind a heavy post on occasion, and I appreciate an authentic accounting of struggles, especially if they include efforts to overcome or acknowledgment of hope. I sometimes turn to blogs for how-to or instructional information, but those tend to be one-offs, not the blogs I return to regularly for entertainment and connection.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your blogging process. I tend to write and publish one blog at a time, often (though not always) in the same week. I do like a day or two in between when I finish writing and when I publish, so I can go back and read through the post again with fresh eyes. I use to be more strict with myself about publishing every Tuesday, but that was too much pressure and taking some of the joy out of blogging for me. Now I write on my own schedule and publish whenever it’s ready. I still publish about once a week, but there is no specific publishing day.
Great topic and I appreciate you asking the questions. When I began blogging ages ago and continued it was all about connecting to people and that I may have had something of interest to share from my life’s experiences that people might read and comment and return again.
I tried very hard not to make my blog about ‘cancer’ once I was diagnosed and made the posts as relevant and regular as they needed to be for me to let people ‘out there’ know how I was going, and for me to have a record over time of my progress. I am very glad to have taken this approach and for some people diagnosed with head and neck cancer, my blog is one place they might find of interest.
These days I am writing according to where I want to ‘fit’ in and share with others. Dropping my link up after almost 6 years was about no longer wanting the workload and to be more free in my week or not of blogging.
I do think I am gradually slowing down my blogging these days as I have seen the costs for maintaining my blog and when it comes for renewal early next year I have a big decision to make.
My fave posts are about people’s lives and how they are going. I also loved hosting Women of Courage and sharing 74 stories over 3 years. Thank you for being part of that Christie
Denyse.
Thank you Denyse. I was honored to have taken part in your Women of Courage series and was so inspired by the other women’s stories. I had no idea there were 74 of them! I am certain that your blog has been a great source of information and inspiration for those with head and neck cancer. Even though, I don’t fall within that category, I have found your journey and courage inspirational. I can certainly understand why you would want to take a step back from the responsibility of hosting a link up. And it is surprising how the costs for maintaining a blog can add up over time, especially if your blog is a hobby (as mine is) and not a money-making venture. I, for one, will miss you if you should decide to forgo blogging all together. In the meantime, I am going to go back through the Women of Courage series and read some of the early stories I missed.
Great topic, Christie. I am drawn most to blogs that are personal (although I follow – but don’t comment on – a few fashion and travel blogs) and positive. I don’t particularly enjoy blogs that offer life tips or “help” or ones that are only a litany of what the person did that day or week. I also don’t particularly enjoy blogs that are just a bunch of challenge responses. I also run from bloggers who post too often… yikes!
I really enjoy good and engaging writing, beautiful photos, and interesting topics. I have lately given myself permission not to comment on each and every post, although I try to be a generous commenter when I do (meaning I don’t leave “nice post” type comments).
I have been thinking about my blog lately, and what I want it to be. After 8+ years of retirement, I am no longer focused on the “how and why” and more on just enjoying this sweet spot of my life. My non-existent posting schedule has become even more haphazard. The friends I’ve met through blogging, both virtually and IRL, have been the greatest gift blogging has given me.
Thank you for that in-depth response, Janis. As you said, your comments are always generous and meaningful, which I appreciate. I can see where it could become challenging to write detailed responses like that to every blog you read. I couldn’t agree more that the greatest gift of blogging is the connection with other people, and now that I’ve been at it a while, the opportunity to see how those bloggers and what they write about transform over time. I am curious to see where you go next with your blog, and I am happy to hear that you are enjoying this sweet spot of life!
Educational/informational blogs don’t appear on my regular radar. When I’m researching a particular subject, I will read those posts which are relevant, but rarely stay subscribed.
For me, it’s about connection. I prefer upbeat, entertaining, amusing, thoughtful and thought-provoking posts. Daily posts of everyday doings don’t draw me, except when the blogger leads an unusual/varied life or weaves something more into it – while weekly or monthly roundups work well. What has been notable is that almost all my readership (and all the blogs I read) are from outside of the UK, primarily in the US. I guess, once an expat, always an expat rings true here.
It sounds like we have similar tastes in blogs, Debs. My readership is primarily from the US, but quite a few of those who regularly comment are from the UK, Canada, or Australia.
Christie,
Often I’ll start off writing in my journal and some of it will end up as the basis for a blog post. I’m not very good at researching, but will throw something relevant in if I thinks it’s important. My thought is to entertain and connect with others; hopefully, mostly, in a humorous way! If they learn something from my post or the comments others make in my post, then that’s the cherry. At the moment, one person commented on a product called Choc Zero and described that what she enjoys from that company as “angel tears in a jar.” (Don’t you just love that?) Another reader has since made a purchase for one of their products based upon what the first wrote. She’s going to give me her two cents about what she thinks when it comes in. I’m still looking for a place that stocks the product in my vicinity. I like different things in different blogs. I like different things in the same blog sites as well. That’s me, though. I WANT IT ALL!!!!! AND I’M WILLING TO ADMIT TO THAT!
If a post is too slow paced, I have to wait until I’m in that kind of mood in order to read it. I’m ADHD if you haven’t already been able to tell. If I think a blogger is too mean or too arrogant, that’s a big turn off. I don’t care much for political discussion either, but I will put up with a little if I really like the blogger. I like amusing and humorous and thought-provoking posts. Sports aren’t my cup of tea either.
I remember hearing that it’s best to write about something you know…ergo, that’s what I try to do. Mostly, though, I want to hear from others who will share their stories and thoughts with me!
When I look at the posts that get the most views, ironically, one is about sex (go figure), but no one comments; and the other is about karma. Again, no one comments. I have no idea what any of that’s about!
I really enjoy your posts! You do an awesome job!
Oh, also, I tried to comment on your last post, but it didn’t seem to go through, so I copied it and I’ll put it here. Hope you don’t mind. Fingers crossed this goes through!
Mona
Christie, so much I want to say, but right now, before I forget, what is this technical blog audit of which you write? Can you give me a few details and how to go about getting one? I think Wayward Sparkles needs its oil changed and a little fresh air in its tires. Any info you have to share would be much appreciated!
Also, you sound like you got tons done during your first month of retirement. Congratulations. Money and I are both complicated…together and apart. I am “trying to get around obstacles” driven. You know that song “You can’t always get what you want” by the Stones? My ex used to say that to me all of the time. I use that as my, “Oh, yeah, just watch me!” trigger to get me going when little seems to be going my way!
I hope all goes well in Alaska! That must be bittersweet. Also, what does “walking a Camino” mean? Mona
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on blog writing and reading. Like you, I enjoy blogs that tell personal stories in entertaining or enlightening ways that create a connection. I know my post topics are all over the place, and I appreciate my blogging buddies patience with that.
Thank you for your persistence in commenting on my previous blog post. I’m sorry you had trouble getting it to go through, but it does appear to have worked, so I answered your questions there.