When I started this blog, one thing I wanted to do was to share my experience about blogging. I’ve been blogging since 2006 and I’ve made some pretty crap decisions, I’ve made some pretty good decisions and I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to carve a career change out of it and well, make money.
But one thing I didn’t want to do is to become all preachy. I didn’t want to tell people what to and what not to do because you know what? No one is an expert on blogging or social media – no one. We can share our experiences and opinions for sure but can we call ourselves gurus? I don’t think so.
So rather than this post being a “how not to blog” I wanted to share with you 5 reasons why your blog will turn me off (i.e. things that make me click the close button before even finishing the title…)
Automatic music.
I hate this – seriously. I mean you may love that funky little tune you’ve got going on but when I’m in the middle of a coffee shop or just managed to stop the pooches from barking the last thing I want is music blaring out of my speakers – when I didn’t ask for it. I can not tell you the amount of times I’ve spilt tea down myself because of music that’s just randomly started. Too many times – that’s how many.
Copy and paste of press releases.
I know press releases when I see them and so do other people. Don’t get me wrong I believe I’ve done this myself in the past. Usually when I’ve got great intentions to write fabulous things about the subject and end up getting distracted and lacking time or when I feel pressured to post something because I haven’t hit my blogging quota that week – no matter how you dress it up, it’s not cool.
People read your blog because they want to know what you have to say. They don’t care about what some PR is churning out. The PR isn’t going to say {and believe me, I was one} it’s shit. You’ll never read a press release with the heading “This ring is totally classless, it’ll turn your finger green and it will totally look like you’ve been playing at the craft box – you must not buy it.” No. They are getting paid to LOVE the product and the release will reflect this.
If you’re going to take inspiration from a press release then please do go ahead but base your post on your own opinion.
Being anyone but you.
Don’t try to be anyone other than you. It’s taken me ages to realise that trying to write in a style because you think that’s how you should write never, ever works. It doesn’t work as a writer and it really doesn’t work for the reader either. Like I said, I’ve done it.
The fabulous Marie Forleo reminded me of this quote on her blog {which is incidentally this week is all about finding your voice} and it fits perfectly…
Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. -Judy Garland
Pop up boxes and pop up advertising – anything that freaking pops up!
I clearly have an issue with things that pop up especially when I’m in the middle of reading some pretty good content only to have it masked by a “sign up to my newsletter”, “buy my ebook”, or some other totally fancy advertising campaign which has gone bat shit crazy and taken over my whole page.
It puts me off straight away. I click off and its very rare that I’ll go back {unless it’s true love}.
So my point is if you are going to have pop ups and things that stop me from reading your work, your work had better be good!!
Don’t say sorry. Ever.
Again, I’ve done this myself and I’ll be honest with you. Unless its because of something uber dramatic people don’t usually care why you’ve not blogged for a day/week/month/year. They just don’t so why waste a perfectly good time writing a post all about how sorry you are for not posting. Especially when that’s the main purpose of your post – just to say sorry.
Like I said. I’m not an expert, because I don’t think there are any experts in blogging. I just wanted to share what I find blog turn offs and find out what you do too {mainly so I can avoid using them on this site}.
Please do share your experiences in the comment box below…
Whilst we’re on the subject of no one being an expert in blogging I just love this quote from Sarah Wilson…
“With blogging NO ONE knows what they’re doing. Even now, several years after it all took off, there does not exist a “person” out there who can show you how to set it all up, design it, get the perfect mechanisms in place. Everyone is sucking and seeing”
* repost from July 2012
Nice one Rachel! All good points well made. I wrote a thing a while back on how bloggers (well me anyway) get all worked up about people not reading their stuff. I don’t think anyone read it though
@SandyAbbot Naturally…already have 🙂
I agree with your five points, however I think the rest of the world doesn’t. The reason I say this is that I have gone to blogs that have one or more of these offenses and yet there are 94 comments. I don’t get it. I read some inane writing that would have gotten an F in my writing class yet people are falling all over themselves commenting on how great the writer is to have said these things. Much of what I read is about topics that are boring or silly yet, again, people make all these comments. I see the same thing with tweets. Ah well. It is what it is.
I am new to blogging,so very interesting and I think you are right,for me it is not a career thing just a bit of fun,well quite a lot of fun,loved the site brill
Thanks Johnny!! I’m going to be doing an ASK! series so if you’ve got any questions about blogging etc then please do get in touch….http://holistichealthhack.com/connect/
I really like how honest your post is. I am just kind of new to blogging and I found your tips such as ‘Don’t say sorry’ or ‘Don’t get preachy’ very useful. It’s funny because I never actually sat down and figured out what turns me off in a blog, but your reasons are so true! If I see a pop up box, I usually close it right away. Anyway, great post!
Thanks so much. I’m currently importing my other comment so you can’t see them but I am hoping to do more on blogging, a few how to’s etc. I don’t think anyone should be told what to and what not to do so everything I suggest will come from experience and personal likes/dislikes.
Thanks again for the comment and if you’ve any blogging questions then please do send me an email and I’ll aim to do a post on them 🙂
I really like how honest your post is. I am just kind of new to blogging and I found your tips such as ‘Don’t say sorry’ or ‘Don’t get preachy’ very useful. It’s funny because I never actually sat down and figured out what turns me off in a blog, but your reasons are so true! If I see a pop up box, I usually close it right away. Anyway, great post!
Thanks so much. I’m currently importing my other comment so you can’t see them but I am hoping to do more on blogging, a few how to’s etc. I don’t think anyone should be told what to and what not to do so everything I suggest will come from experience and personal likes/dislikes.
Thanks again for the comment and if you’ve any blogging questions then please do send me an email and I’ll aim to do a post on them 🙂
{Old Post} 5 reasons why I won’t read your blog…: http://t.co/cpIfhsqbL3 #blogging
Love your honesty and agree with your pet hates on blogs. I don’t mind pop ups in the corners but it is when they cover the whole screen it bugs me. Also when someone writes 2 to 3 thousand words – I like short and sweet. Thanks for sharing.
But what if I have multiple personas? I am referring to “Being anyone but you.” My writing tone sort of varies depending upon who is dominant that day: The Maverick, The Queen, The Artist or the Educator. 🙂
Well as I state, I am commenting based on blogs I read. Which tend to be personal or advice…therefore, (for me!!) I like them to be authentic. I’d switch off if I thought that the person was pretending to be something other than what they are.
I wonder how many people do things on their own websites that they would not put up with when reading other peoples?
Hi Rachael, I loved this post and Thanks ever so much for the great ideas. I reckon you will visit my site as it fits your criteria lol (only joking). I like the way you are honest I love that in a person, Great article and I look forward to more from you in the near future. (No Pop-Ups) lol 😉
I always read your blog Paudie 🙂 always!
Hi Rach,
Smart tips! Be honest. Be you. Get more readers. Inject personality into your blog….yours 😉
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Thanks for taking the time to comment
Brilliant take on it Rachel! I really enjoyed it. I’m a big believer in “even if you’re not sure what to do, knowing what NOT to do is half the battle!!” Thanks for sharing 🙂