According to Technorati, there are over 175,000 new blogs every day, over 1.6 million posts per day, with over 18 updates a second. The blogging phenomenon is well-documented. But how people find their ways to those blogs, and why they continue reading them, is another story.
About a year after I started blogging, I hit a wall. From what I gather, it’s pretty typical for beginning bloggers to eventually question their motivations and priorities. Why spend an hour (or more), a couple days a week (or more), updating a site that only a handful of people read? So when I wrote Schizo-Blog back in June 2006, I was seriously reconsidering whether I wanted to continue:
With millions of blogs clamoring for attention, making a niche for oneself is an uphill battle. I’ve always believed that if you have something to say and say it well, people will listen. But saying things well, with sufficient verve and originality, requires considerable thought and energy.
Which leads me to wonder if it’s worth it. Do the rewards of blogging outweigh the costs?
I still find myself asking those questions. But after considerable thought, I’ve concluded (1.) I have something to say, (2.) Blogging helps my writing more than it hurts it, (3.) This site has found a niche, and (4.) The blogging community is pretty cool. Having resolved that, the issue for me as a blogger now has to do with keeping things interesting, informative and/or fun, and bringing readers back, without burning myself out or siphoning writing time in the process.
With that in mind, I found the Internet Monk (aka, Michael Spencer)’s most recent post fascinating. It’s entitled Ten Reasons I Don’t Read Your Blog. Spencer offers these reasons why your blog isn’t read:
- It’s too personal.
- You have no sense of humor.
- Your level of knowledge regarding the subjects you write about is so low that a discussion isn’t moved forward by what you write.
- Your posts don’t have links that lead me to new, interesting and helpful sites I’ve not yet discovered.
- Your blog is an echo chamber.
- Your finger wagging lectures make your readers feel stupid.
- Your blog wastes my time.
- You keep telling me how much I need to read your blog posts.
- You keep playing with your site and it’s annoying.
- You think blogging is too important.
As a blog reader, Spencer affirms some of my own gripes. But as a blog writer, he confirms some things that I’d like to work on. (If you’re a blogger, you’ll want to read his entire post, as he elaborates on these points and offers some great insights.)
The big turnoffs for me are probably these three:
- Blogs that are too personal — I dislike diary-oriented blogs. Mind you, personal info about someone whose blog I read can be important to furthering my appreciation. But knowing the details of someone’s life is not nearly as important as the ideas, conversation, or information they’re sharing. As such, I can tolerate occasional forays into one’s private life.
- Blogs that are echo chambers — I’m guessing people regularly read certain blogs because they agree with the basic values, topic or gist of the author(s). However, constant agreement / kudos / amens make for boring blogs. It’s one of my biggest gripes about Christian bloggers (and especially Christian writers’ blogs) that too many commenters are clones.
- Blogs that are almost entirely self-promotional — Of course, people blog to get their ideas, person, and product out there. But if I sense that you’re ONLY there to sell something, and that I’m simply a number on your stat counter, I’m out.
But the flip side of that question is equally interesting — Why do people regularly read a blog?
I’ve conceded a long time ago that my topically helter-skelter approach to blogging is not conducive to a regular readership. People visit a site knowing that it will be ABOUT SOMETHING, whether sports, theology, film, literature, insects, or personal stuff. But I’ve decided to blog about all of them (alright, maybe not the insects), which, from what I understand, is not the best way to attract readers. Nevertheless, it IS conducive to my lifestyle and, at this stage in my existence, my sanity is more important than being in Technorati’s Top 100 Blogs.
Nevertheless, Spencer touches on something I’ve been contemplating for a while. He suggests:
Number one change you can make to improve your blog: Better, larger, plainer fonts.
It sounds so basic, so 101. Yet for the longest, I’ve felt that this layout is too busy, too visually demanding. Sure, it’s unique and all (plus it took second place in the Relief Journal Author Website Contest), but it takes away from the content.
Because of this, I am currently in the process of redesigning Decompose, going to something a bit more traditional. (In fact, you can get a preview of the new Decompose collage and layout I’m working on right HERE.) But my intent is to go to something a bit more navigable and less visually cluttered; something “Better, larger, plainer”. In the end, however, it’s all about getting and keeping readers.
I know, it begs the question. But if you’ve read this far, you’re probably the best person to ask: Why do people read your blog?
When I first came to your blog–probably from Becky’s blog (A Christian Worldview of Fiction)–I found it hard to navigate and very busy, but that’s only because I’m half computer illiterate, and anything beyond basic tends to throw me off. However, being a regular visitor here now, I find it suits you well, and your posts are always interesting, eclectic, and thoughtful. So . . . it’s up to you what you choose to do with it and to it, but I for one have enjoyed it (you) even when I’m occasionally on the opposing side of what you’ve posted. JMO.
Hummm … I’ll miss this layout; I’ve always really liked it and thought it fit well.
Why do I come here? Because I trust you … you are solid, thoughtful, not flippant, you back up what you say.
Why do I blog? Cause I want to write about what I want to write about … and, yeah, it’s too personal. But I was never one who cared who or how many come to visit, so I write just for me.
And the bonus? The community I’ve found out here. So, I guess I’ve found my “niche” after all. And, oddly enough, I seem to get the most comments on the most personal stuff. Go figure. But, being in the top 100 of any blog group is not only *not* my goal, but it would probably stress me out, so writing for me on my blog works … for me.
And how you write here at Decompose works for you. I love visiting here. And, another thing I like about you is that you can respectfully disagree without looking down on anyone.
I’m also fairly good at not answering questions . . .
I couldn’t tell you why people read my blog. Most of them are those who write and desire publication. Very occasionally an author has stopped by to comment on my review of his/her books. Some have come because of the spiritual slant to the posts.
I have found it’s an outlet for my writing, try to keep it from being a diary of any kind though I will throw in the personal stuff once in awhile. It is an avenue to glorify the Lord and has produced new friends and a few professional contacts.
#3 is the reason I read blogs – The level of knowledge about the subjects moves the discussion forward. Unless its just reporting news, I read blogs that seem to know what they’re talking about or put a different spin on a tired subject.
Thanks for the comments! Ame, I probably should clarify my comments about blogs that are “too personal.” I do not mean to insinuate that personal blogs are irrelevant or something. Lots of people do them and it doesn’t seem to hurt their readership. The topics you address obviously relates to someone and, in that sense, you HAVE developed your own niche. However, for me personally, I read blogs to stay current, think through issues, and further my knowledge of certain subjects. Unless I’m really interested in someone, reading their personal diary seems somewhat tedious and voyeuristic, which is why I tend to avoid blogs that are overly personal in nature.
People read my blog? 😉
We could do a whole psychological study on this. I bet women have more relational motives and men…I can’t predict men. Anyway, I read Mike’s blog because, A.he’s one of my Pennie Peeps, and B. it’s interesting. Mike’s posts make me think about things I normally might not think about. It’s challenging. Sometimes it’s annoying. Often it’s funny. It’s culturally relevant and current. And always God-honoring. I dig it. And when he’s famous, I want him to remember who I am:)
Mike – didn’t take it personally at all. I understand what and why and where you’re coming from … and it’s all good 🙂
Hope I didn’t sound like I was trying to “defend” myself so much as I was just stating what it is … and finding what it is amusing given the information. I’ve found many who stress over who and how many read their blog … that has befuddled me b/c it’s just never been a concern for me.
It just may be that I’m “rare” out here! But then, I find that most everywhere, so, I guess, that makes me “normal!” HAHAHA!!! 🙂
And … ditto Janet … especially, “and men…I can’t predict men.”
🙂
When I had a blog, it was intended primarily for humor–I enjoy poking fun at the absurdities of the world. Then I learned the hard way that a couple of my readers didn’t necessarily have a sense of humor. D’oh.
Anyway, I just did it for fun, and to practice my writing. Why anyone would care what I think is beyond me, but I have some good friends who were faithful readers.
I enjoy your blog, Mike, just because your posts are always interesting, thoughtful, and well-written. The discussions are fun and respectful as well, whether I agree with you or not.
Because I’m exceedingly brilliant, infinitely interesting, and a gushing fountain of wisdom.
Not to mention charming and funny.
But then again, it could be because I pay them.
Dayle, I could get PAID for reading your blog?? That’s it, no more free visits.
Oh Dayle, I think it’s your humility that draws the masses really.
Check’s in the mail, Janet.
I don’t know why people read my blog. I assumed they are interested in the topics I write about.
I would have added a point 11 to the list. Blogs with long posts. In that regard, your posts are generally rather long, Mike, but I read them anyway (most of the time—unless they’re too personal— 😉 ) because your ideas often challenge me and I like to know what you’re thinking.
Becky