If you've been seeing the Friend Friday posts but aren't quite sure what they're about, click here to read all about it and here to meet Katy, the creator!
Katy writes: "This was inspired by a post by Beautifully Invisible from a couple weeks ago entitled ‘The 10 things that drive me crazy about your blog.’ But before you read it list the 5 things that drive you crazy about blogs you visit."
Well...being the pot-stirrer that I am, I decided to spin this one a little differently. I don't know about you, but I don't really think it's going to do very much for my mood to read a ton of posts about what people don't like. There is WAY too much negativity in the world already and instead of adding to that by discussing the things I don't like, I decided to write this post my way - by sharing the things I LOVE about the blogs I visit!
{I hope that's okay, that I'm kind of doing the opposite of what the topic is...}
1. I love visiting blogs that share a little bit about the writer's life. I like to know what your favorite food is or how you work out or what you do for a living and how your day was, or about your pets and your family. I want to get to know you and I enjoy reading about your life and who you are.
2. Blogs that don't have music automatically playing make me happy. Most of the time, I read blogs at work (shhhhhhh) and it would not do well at all for me to click over to comment and then some song starts playing loudly. Quiet blogs are good.
3. Lack of word verification makes me giddy. I don't have a ton of time to read and post comments but I really do want to comment on as many posts as possible, because I want to connect with you. When you add up all the time it takes to complete word verifications, it probably comes out to hours, at least a quarter of the entire time it takes to read blogs in the first place. I used to have word verifications on my blog but was encouraged to get rid of them and I'm glad I did. I don't get many spam comments, Blogger usually catches them, but the ones that come through only take a second to delete and if that's all it takes for me to make the lives easier of those who take the time to comment on my little blog, then I'll do that. I am SO very happy when I click "post comment" and it automatically goes through without having to complete a word verification!
4. Pictures. I like to see you. I like to see you having fun and being goofy and spending time with friends and family. And I like to see what you find beautiful. That's part of me getting to know you and I find it interesting to learn what others think is photo-worthy.
5. Funnies! As hard as I try to be amusing, I usually fall short. That just makes me love the funny blogs that much more! People like Brittney, Kimberly, and Taylor, just to name a few (there are many more but I can't list all of them!), usually leave me smiling and nodding my head because I can relate to what they're saying (maybe because we're all moms?) and because they make me laugh! I try to make you all laugh, I really do. Typically it's just me laughing at myself, though. :)
Those are just a few of the things that I love about your blogs! There are lots more things but I've run out of time, so we'll leave it at five.
Now it's YOUR turn - what are some of the things you love about your favorite blogs?
I really like your positive touch to the pet peeves...I guess I was in a mood to vent, so I went with it...but I much prefer your approach!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is one of my favorites because it is so positive. Other things I like about blogs are photos, how people post about things happening in their lives, and especially the moms out there. It makes everyone human. Like you said, there are a lot of negative things out there so it's refreshing to see the positives. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way on the music. So I always keep my sound turned off on my computer.
ReplyDeletehttp://amyfashionblog52.blogspot.com/
I am with you. I want to be positive. And I LOOVE getting to know the people through their blogs. I think it's a requirement for me to follow a blog. On the fashion blogs I follow I have a few "requirements." One, I have to identify with how you dress. Two, I need to be able to see how you dress. Three, I need words and stories and info on you. That's about it!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on a lot of these points. I love not having word verification and reading blogs that share a little bit about the writer's life.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also agree with highlighting the positve rather than pointing out the negative. :)
I skipped this week's Friend Friday, because I try to keep my blog positive. I like loggers with a good sense of style, and decent photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to me that some people think this topic was negative. I never viewed it that way.
ReplyDeleteI think it all depends on how you spin it. Ultimately, your responses were similar to that of many other FBFF participants. You just approached it in a different manner (which I loved, by the way).
When I wrote my post I tried to inject some humor into it. I think that gave it some levity while also allowing me to provide some constructive criticism for anyone who cared. I think that is a good thing, not negative by any means.
Regardless, I loved your responses and agree on all counts.
You know, I purposely didn't do friend friday this week because I didn't want to cound like I was complaining. I agree with all 5 of your points! I think my top 2 favs are great pictures and being personable.
ReplyDeleteI actually wondered if you would be participating knowing that you like to keep things on the positive side. I like the way you turned everything around.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the commenters that it's a breath of fresh air to read your positive spin on this FBFF topic! And I totally agree with all five of your points!
ReplyDeleteI tried to balance my post with some good happy-inducing links. I think this is actually a good thing to discuss, not because it's negative, but because some bloggers may actually get to learn "this might not be working".
ReplyDeleteI think my pet peeves were mostly about unapproachability. The blog world is such a good community and I think if there's a way to improve my communication from my blog - I'd happily take the advice. I don't think today's topic was meant to demean any blogs, but rather to bring awareness in what makes a successful vs difficult to read blog.
I'm so happy some bloggers have chosen to take a positive spin on this. I agree there is a lot of negativity in the world. I think criticism is helpful, but only in a positive way and only in small doses. It's been nice seeing bloggers that have a really positive outlook :)
ReplyDeleteNice twist. Pretty much similar to things I wrote. Totally agree with you on #5. I always feel I lack that and feel my write-ups are so dry. I do enjoy reading blogs with sense of humor. It is such a talent.
ReplyDeleteDaphne.
http://fashiondivamommy.blogspot.com
Great positive outlook on the Friend Friday! :) Hope you have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all five of your LOVES! :) And thank you for thinking I'm funny. I think the comedy train has come to a screeching halt this week. Oy!
ReplyDeleteThaaaaanks for the shoutout! You are too, too kind.
ReplyDeleteSo, I chose not to participate in this FBFF because I didn't want to dedicate a blog post to being negative and unhappy about things. I definitely could fill a list but it didn't seem productive. I wish I had had this brilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteI didn't participate in this post because I couldn't think of anything that annoyed me. I like the way that you have written this. The music thing annoys me as it wakes up the children when they are asleep and makes me jump out of my skin.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite blogs talk about more than just fashion. I like to see little bits and pieces of everyone! I also love the blogs who come back and visit my blog. One-sided blog love is NOT cool :)
ReplyDeleteawwwww...you're nice, thanks for the shoutout. could you please tell my husband that i'm funny? he doesn't think i'm nearly as funny as i think i am...
ReplyDeleteand also? props to being so stinking positive. and, yes, "stinking positive" might seem like an oxymoron. but it's not.
-brittney
http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com
I love how you chose to stay positive here. I love it! Thank you for that. Yeah, word verification, I see your days are numbered... :)
ReplyDeleteI love your approach, Melissa! As much as I like to complain about what i don't like about others (doesn't everyone?) I would rather not broadcast what I don't like in case I offend any of my readers.
ReplyDeleteNot saying that I censor what I say, but I just don't want to make people feel bad for what they are doing... like sometimes, people will go, "oh, I hate it when people do this and that" and I'm like, "okay, that just applied to me. now I feel bad." You know?
Anyway, I totally agree with all your points! :)