Being a Better Blog Reader | Days of Chalk and Chocolate

Being a Better Blog Reader

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January is the month for resolutions, as we all know. I never make resolutions because I am usually uninspired to keep them. This year, however, I'm going to try. I'm going to be a better blog reader!  You can't be a blogger without tripping over a "Be A Better Blogger" or "How To Increase Your Traffic" article, or the like. Got it. Good content, good pictures, consistency. Check. But what about bloggers as blog consumers?  Are we doing what we are asking our readers to do when reading our blog?  

I recently read a piece written by Mandi at Vintage Revivals, a blogger whom I admire for her originality and beautiful photography. In her post entitled, Pinterest and the Pacman Problem, Mandi discusses the age of Pinterest and how people are truly using it. It is a great article and it got me thinking. How do I use Pinterest?  Has my motivation changed?  Which led to other questions such as "What kind of blog consumer am I? Am I supporting blogging as a genre of writing and bloggers as fellow authors in that genre?" 

I began reading blogs for inspiration. I enjoyed the feeling of connecting with others who are doing what I do, are interested in what I am, taking ideas a step further, and encouraging me to believe that I can use a power tool, build a table, sew a dress. But somewhere along that journey I found myself less interested in reading blogs and more interested in MY blog, which of MY projects are being pinned, how many comments I received on a post, and the all important...are MY page views going up?  It all became about me, my projects, how the readers were effecting MY blog.  Ew.

It is so important to remember that some bloggers rely on the revenue they receive from their blogs. Their monthly income, vacation fund, whatever, is dependent on the content, photos, and page views.  It is vital that these bloggers keep their finger on the pulse of their blog, resuscitate it when necessary, and continue to grow it and make it better.   


That being said, I still had to answer the question, what kind of a blog reader am I?

Not a very good one lately, I had to admit. I pin pin pin but rarely click through to the blog. Not cool. Pinterest didn't create that project, someone somewhere purchased the supplies, planned the project, executed it, spent time photographing that project, maybe even staging it, then spent time to write it up and put it out there for me, you, us.  Pinning doesn't help those bloggers. Clicking through to the actual blog and taking the time to read the post is what helps these bloggers, proves to them that people are interested and appreciating their work.  And yes, adds to those page views  which help them get paid.

When I do click through, do I comment?  Do I tell the blogger why I thought the project was interesting, beautiful, or special?  Even if it is a project I don't think is for me, I clicked through for a reason and I should let the blogger know why. I don't need to be insincere but how many seconds does it take for me to say , "You picked a great color!" or "that fabric looks perfect!" How does it make the blogger feel?  Validated and appreciated. I need to comment!

Finding a gorgeous or original project, do I share it on my FB page?  Do I take a minute to email it to another friend?  Do I write a little blurb on my blog about it?  Not lately.  With the changes to Facebook's algorithm, fewer and fewer bloggers are sharing projects since they don't get placed in  news feeds as readily as updates without links. It makes sense that bloggers who rely on those likes and page views will maximize their updates. But the blogger whose project is shared and maybe only reaches 100 followers instead of 10, 000 is still seeing their work appreciated and viewed and maybe those 100 followers that do see it are the 100 that matter to the shared blogger.

In the blogging world, we talk a lot about supporting other bloggers and how to do that. I decided that this year, I will go back to the beginning, and read blogs as I used to: as a consumer, as a craft and DIY enthusiast, and as a fellow blogger who supports the entire genre while still appreciating the revenue. 

I will click through more when pinning.
I will comment more when visiting blogs.
I will share more despite it not benefiting me.
I will take the time to send a personal email to someone to say "That post mattered."
I will be a better blog reader.

Cheers!
Jenny

18 comments:

  1. Loved this post truly. Clicked over from Blogtalk. I have struggled with this for a while. I am a terrible commenter and as I've been trying to grow my own blog, I have gotten worse at it. Lately I've found it difficult to even take the time (make the time) to even read blogs. I'm going to try to do better about it.

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    1. Balance is one of the hardest parts of blogging, I think.

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  2. Bravo! I read Mandi's article too which had lots of good points about Pinterest - however - it is YOUR post above that has hit home with me. I follow lots of blogs via Blogtalk, and I can't tell you how many times I end up deleting that email each day because I just haven't the time to read those blogs. And you're right: that doesn't make much sense. Thanks for reminding me what's important, because you're right: too often we're pushed towards our own blogs and quite frankly I've inspired myself enough already! LOL

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    1. Thanks for commenting. It is nice to know others can relate!

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  3. Love that insight! I am still just a beginner. So much seems overwhelming about just getting the blog set up. I haven't even begun to worry about SEO, etc. I figure if I get the basics down and the content there...the rest will come. So, I applaud you for doing the right things right...you will definitely benefit! And now I am following you!

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  4. It's funny that we know how much comments mean to us as bloggers, but the time it takes to leave comments can be overwhelming. I just try to spread it out during the day. I certainly don't comment on everything, but I do try to be encouraging when I can. Great post!

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    1. Yes, the balance is so hard, Marty! If the captia is on, it takes even more time too!

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  5. This post rocks. I get easily frustrated in certain blogging groups where it seems to be all about me, me, me. Since I spend way more time consuming blogs than writing on my own - procrastination at it's finest - I often wonder WHO other bloggers are reading. Many times when I've ask them for blog referrals the response has been "I don't have time to read other blogs". Some of the funniest moments in my day are me hanging out, coffee in hand, keeping up with the ins & outs of other bloggers' projects, travels, and lives in general. I can't imagine giving that up to paint one more piece of furniture. {smile}

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Dee! I guess I had forgotten how much I enjoy being slower in my reading. Going to try to more this year!

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  6. I appreciate what you've said in this post. As a single mom with a full time job, I blog on the side, and usually only on my phone in the evenings (I don't have internet at home). I love looking at other blogs, but It's difficult for me sometimes to leave a comment or even pin an image on my phone. But, I try as often as I can because I know how much it means to me to get comments on my little blog. They really make me feel like I'm doing something that others genuinely enjoy as much as I do. I can't even express how much it means to me to know that someone shared my post on facebook or pinned one of my projects, so I try to share as much as I can too, even though I know my followers are very small in number compared to some. It might not make much of a difference, but at least I know I'm trying since I appreciate it when someone does the same for me. I don't use my blog as my sole source of income, but it is wonderful to see that I've gotten a boost in views/revenue because someone liked my project enough to share. As a single mom who struggles to get by, the extra $ is definitely helpful, as is all of the extra support! Thanks for a really great post here!

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    1. Yes, exactly! It is so hard to comment on everything or share everything. I don't even think that's reasonable. I think I can do what you do...do what I can when I can. Be more aware. Thanks for your insight!

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  7. Great article. Thank you for sharing with us non bloggers and reminding all of us to Enjoy as well as telling the other person they brought us joy :)

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Staci! Our readers are so important, thanks for taking the time to read this!

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  8. Amazing post lady!! Thank you so much for sharing all of this. I cant wait to check out the rest of your site! xo

    mandi

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  9. Jenny, thank you for this post!! I am a blogger and have googled this a few times but always end up with google results about " how to be a better blogger," not how to be a better blog follower. A comment, a pin, a share all have value, it's all a matter of being genuine is what I'm gathering, right? I found your post on fb shared by Shanna @ Restoration Redoux, by the way. Thanks again for the post. Amy

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    1. Amy, thank you so so much for adding in your thoughts on this! And you nailed my whole post with the word genuine. That is exactly it!

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  10. So true! I am trying to do the same myself. I applaud your resolve to be a better blogger. I am taking that same pledge. Thank you!

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Thanks for your comments!