She Returns - and Examines Her Blogginess

Yes - I'm BBBAAACCCCKKKK!! (finally!) I've had my new computer (my motherboard died - remember?) since Monday, but I am just now feeling like I'm back in the swing (and even that may be an exaggeration!). I really like my new laptop (I've named it Irving - my last one was Clyde), and am becoming quite fond of Windows 7, and Open Office (especially the price tag on the latter!).

Anyhow, my dear friend Lynn Deiner did a post on HER blog about what a bad blogger does as compared to what SHE does, based on "Lose Blog Traffic and Alienate Readers" By Monica Bhide in the Nov/Dec 2010 Writer's Digest Magazine. (click on Lynn's name to check out her blog. She's pretty awesome) Soooo, I thought, to get back in the blogging spirit, I'd do the same.

Sooo, according to Ms. Bhide, here are the things that will help you "lose blog traffic and alienate readers," and how I think I stack up.

1. Post too infrequently. For the past two weeks, definitely - but for the most part, this is NOT one of my weaknesses. They say three times a week is good, and I generally make that, with one or two extra.


2. Post too often. Well....sometimes. I have this problem with finding a silly topic or quiz or whatever and putting it up right away, even if I already have a post up for that same day. I TRY to avoid putting more than one post up a day, but it doesn't always work out (and maybe that's just my arbitrary thing. Who knows?)

3. Turn off comments. Why would ANYONE do this?

4. Be overly snarky.I am not naturally snarky as far as I know, so if I do this, it is completely without my knowledge.

5. Choose poor photos. Sometimes - I'm more likely to skip the photo and give you boring type as the only thing to look at.


6. Wax poetic about just anything. I don't like this one. No I don't. I think it should be removed from the list. ;)

7. Neglect to read other blogs. I do NOT do this. I LOVE reading and commenting on others' blogs. I've even created my own little weekly post of blog post favorites called Finds for Fridays (which will resume NEXT Friday, by the way). And just FYI - Google reader is MY FRIEND in this respect.

8. Refrain from comment. See above. BUT I should also note that it is great to interact with your own commenters through the comment section, and I am absolutely, positively LOUSY about doing that.

9. Get carried away. You mean like I did in this post? Umm...does that answer your question?

10. Be self-centered. I HOPE I'm becoming less this way. I know my blog started out as a whole lot of "me," but I'm trying to focus more on my "brand" and giving information that will HELP others (besides the amazingly wonderful benefits you get from KNOWING me hehe).

Soooo - there you go. Did I teach you anything? How do YOU stack up?

Ahhhh. It's good to be back!


Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence