Daisy Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I'm just interested in knowing what kinds of features, posts, etc. attract you to a blog site. For example, is it the way the person writes? Is it the layout of the blog? Do you appreciate that they focus completely on homeschooling or do you like more variety? I'm a newbie blogger and just curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi @ Mt Hope Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I prefer a little bit of variety. I specifically enjoy pictures. Lots of them! I like a simple layout with fewer graphics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krista in LA Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 It's usually the writing style that will keep me coming back. I also like variety - not everything needs to be homeschool related. Humor is always good. I enjoy pictures, but like them if they add to whatever is being written about and/or are very clear pictures. I think what you have done with yours is very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in FL Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I would say humor. The blogs I like the most are the ones that can find humor in everyday life. I think it's important to be able to laugh at some of what happens as a homeschooling family. There are often days when I have had enough of this that I go on a couple of blogs that make me laugh about everyday homeschooling things and I feel much better. It always makes me know I'm not the only one dealing with life's difficult moments and also reminds me to find the humor in my life. HTH Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share Posted January 21, 2008 I'm noticing a lot of 3 column blogs but don't know if that is visually appealing to most people or if the 2 column looks less cluttured? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Realness! I hate bloggers who always make la-la, airy-fairy, we're-so-completely-perfect-all-the-time posts. Life just isn't like that all the time. I want nitty-gritty real -- the downs as well as the ups. The next most important thing (once I find a blog I like) is that it is updated regularly -- at least 2-3 posts a week. Dead blogs are boring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genie Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I like a visually interesting blog. I think mine may be getting a bit too cluttered, but the pictures all give insight into who I am. As far as the content I enjoy reading in others' blogs, I love a sharp wit, dry humor, intelligence, and sarcasm. I prefer blogs about life in general, not strictly homeschooling. I like reading blogs of other secular homeschoolers. I really like the layout of Jessica's blog. (triviumacademy) She has the three-column style, but her center section expands depending on the width of your monitor. I think it's called "floating" when it does that. I can't, however, figure out how to make mine do that. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share Posted January 21, 2008 That's sounds really neat. I can't even figure out how to alter my template to make three columns much less figure out "floating" stuff. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percytruffle Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I can't stand reading the three column blogs. Just looking at one makes me want to go purge closets and straighten drawers. They are too cluttered for me! A good blog, worthy of return visits must have good writing, either witty or deep; nice visuals; and some connecection to me personaly: either someone I know irl, someone who I have come to know online, someone I wish to learn from in order to grow as a person, or someone who touches me deeply with their posts. That said, if my best friend created a three column blog, I'm there.;) Lisa Percytruffle's Place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share Posted January 21, 2008 Well, I started finally blogging because my family wanted me to. I'm mostly attracted to really incredible writing (i.e. Holy Experience) and like-minded individuals (fairly normal occurance, I would assume). That said, I love a visually appealing blog and it is fun to check out blogs of folks who are incredibly different from myself. I love hearing what you all enjoy! Guess I'm sticking to a 2 column blog for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percytruffle Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Happy Birthday tomorrow, Daisy! Just in case I'm not on in the morning. Have a wonderful, blessed day! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in Orlando Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Happy Birthday, Daisy. If you're still interested, I like blogs that seem real to me - I like to read blogs and think, I'd like to be her neighbor. I don't like blogs that are preachy (in any sense of the word) - if you're that smart, write a book and make money, but don't tell me what to do. (Does that make sense?) Like others have said, I don't enjoy blogs where the posts are infrequent. What it comes down to is that I like to hear about real people living real lives and not apologizing for it. I like reading about ALL kinds of lives - not just ones like mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivium Academy Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Can I bother to ask you if you feel the same about my 3 column blog? I've tried to make it visually appealing but also welcoming and easy to use. Just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivium Academy Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I had special help, I begged the creator of the 3 column code to help me with it- he was gracious enough to do it. Awww, you just made my night! :) Especially in light of these fabulous custom-made by a web designer blogs out there, I've just piece-mealed mine together with what I thought looked nice. BiG GRiNS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in Orlando Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Jessica, I think your blog is lovely and easy to read. Personally, I don't read your blog because we don't have much in common - my kids are older and I feel like I've btdt. You seem secure in your choices and aren't looking for input. I think you have a big audience out there, they just have to find you (or vice versa). I like your three-column format and everything else about how your blog looks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percytruffle Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Yours is well done. There is enough white (read blank) space for your eyes to rest on and the color scheme is easy on the eyes as well. No doubt, there are some who dislike my blog because of all the color. It really comes down to personal preference.:) Lisa Percytruffle's Place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivium Academy Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I love the colors Lisa, it's just the black background with white text is hard to read, my eyes have to get accustomed. I think the colors show your vibrancy! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivium Academy Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Yeah I had to stop seeking so much input and just go with what I feel led by God to do and what seems right for my kids- I'm sort of head-strong. Lol. You made me laugh about the big audience, I'm a google search blog. Search for something about classical education and my blog shows up somewhere in the mix. No need to apologize for not reading my blog, not a biggie- I just wanted to see if it was aesthetically pleasing to Percy with her discriminating tastes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share Posted January 21, 2008 I love your blog Jessica. I'm over there more than I ought to be. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 A lot of what others have said. I like real, funny, touching, pictures, not preachy, not too rambling, variety, regularity of posting, not too cluttered visually, easy to find content. Things I really have trouble with are those that are extremely rambling -- telling minute details of every second of every day. Those are hard for me to read. I like to feel like I am coming in and having a good laugh (or cry) and a nice cup of tea with a friend. I like being able to learn something occasionally. I like recipe and craft sharing. They feel homey and friendly. I like good senses of humor talking about real life (not some glossy version). I like being able to easily find where things are regarding those recipes (or schooling help). So there! That's some of what is appealing (or not) to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonia Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I found a great website for creating 3-column blogs (specific to Blogger) - http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/2007/07/three-columns-rounders-4-template.html It's what I used to help me with my blog. HTH someone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristiana Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Wow, Melissa, and you read my blog!! I'm flattered. Those are actually the things I look for too though in a new blog if I don't know the person already. Some of the people I do know, I enjoy reading their blogs to get to know them better. I like ones where their personalities shine through. I never knew some of my friends were so funny! I don't like the preachy ones either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I don't read many blogs. I tend to go for "authorities" - authors of homeschooling and/or parenting books, leaders (or wives of leaders) in the church, etc. I also like blogs that have craft project directions, details about their homeschool life (currciulum, links, lists), and book reviews. I definitely prefer two columns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melora in NC Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I mostly like blogs with a little homeschooling stuff and a lot of family stuff. Humor is good, as are lots of pictures and frequent updates. The blogs I read most often are the ones where the writer reveals enough about her family and herself that I feel like I'm going to visit a real friend. In terms of format, I find three column blogs hard to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Kristiana, LOL, you are funny! You fall into all the categories of things I enjoy about a blog. You are real, nice, funny, and interesting. You do not ramble by any stretch of the imagination! Stopping by your place is a very warm and welcoming feeling!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancypants Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 The writing style and layout matter a lot to me. I probably wouldn't read an "all about homeschooling" blog to be quite honest. It would bore me to tears. I read and keep a blog to escape the ordinary. Homeschooling is ordinary (not that it's not wonderful, don't get me wrong!) and therefore something I don't need to really "escape to" on the web. I might visit a good homeschooling specific blog off and on when I feel I need inspiration or a boost or some ideas but on a daily basis, I would not go to any blog about a single topic (unless that single topic is an interesting/funny person's life or unless it was about something I'm passionate about like photography or web design.) :^D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I like blogs with a theme: business, crafts, writing, gardening, quilting, etc. I rarely ever read someone's homeschool blog. I guess my last remaining child is too old for me to be very interested in all the details of other people's kiddoes schooling. BTDT. I do like someone to post regularly, but I do not like them to post every day. I'm too busy to keep up with that, so I feel behind all the time. Love photos! Especially artsy, creative ones. I want encouragement. I want to learn something. I want to participate in a conversation of sorts about things that those closest to me care little about or maybe they do, but I still want to get a new perspective from someone else. My blog is only a few months old. In that time, I've learned it is both more fun and more work than I anticipated. But very satisfying. I like it when someone comments that I've moved them to action or inspired them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarcyM Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I like *real* blogs. I appreciate when people talk about life and all its imperfections. I can see right through the 'my life is a bowl of cherries'. I tend to shy away from preachy ones, too - also in all its meanings. I love funny moms. Give me a blogger with a sense of humor and I will show you a dedicated reader. I also tend to read blogs that are about preemies, since I work in NICU Family Support. It is my hobby, so to speak. As for two or three columns - I design blogs, so I am opinionated about this. Having 2 columns is easier on the eyes, but no one likes a long, trailing, mile-long sidebar. In that case, having 3 provides balance. OTOH, empty sidebars are just not aesthetically pleasing. If you don't have enough to fill two sidebars, gracious... just have one. I have two blogs. One has 3 columns (http://3boybarians.blogspot.com/) and one has 2 (http://graphicallydesigning.blogspot.com/). I have found that Bloggers tend to be happier with their blog when they like how it looks. When you take the time to personalize your space, invest your time and effort into your blog, it shows your readers you care about your blog. And when your blog has personality, your readership increases. Not that readership means everything, but it sure can be encouraging. SO the short version: personality, real, funny, # of sidebars is arbitrary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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