Don’t be obnoxious
This week is a blogging theme, and we’re supposed to share our best blogging tips. As I write this there are 163 people already linked up, and though I haven’t read them all, I’m guessing many contain the same tips. Very good tips, mind you. I, too, feel that you should use Wordpress, be a good commenter, and focus on keywords if you want to build a bloggy empire. But I’m thinking you don’t need to hear that dittoed a 164th time.
So instead I’m going to share with you a very un-PC tip.
Don’t be obnoxious.
Sounds simple, right? It’s not. Most obnoxious people are so self-involved they haven’t even noticed they are being obnoxious. Don’t be one of them.
Yes, it’s your blog, but please don’t make it all about you.
It’s not that we don’t like hearing your family stories – we all like to share them from time to time. It’s just that when the content is all deeply personal, we can’t always relate. If you want your blog to be successful, you need to have a conversation with your readers, not just a platform to shout from. Work hard to balance what you are passionate about with what matters to your readers. You may be the president of your child’s PTO, but if you always write about Jefferson Elementary then you’ll lose me. Write about the challenges of fostering parent involvement in schools, and readers worldwide will be able to relate.
This is a common problem I’ve observed among ‘big’ bloggers. It’s all about them. They are so busy writing to amuse themselves, they forget about their followers. Sometimes it seems as if they’ve completely lost touch with reality, and view themselves as a celeb whose lunch selection, playground activities, and personal philosophy on skin care are absolutely intriguing to the world at large.
I actually follow several well-known bloggers that fall into this category and they bug the heck out of me.
[Um, then why are you following them?]
Glad you asked. I check in with them from time to time to remind myself what I do not want to be. I follow them on Twitter so I have a concrete example in front of me, reminding me of my goals.
Don’t tweet only to make myself look good.
Don’t tweet like a stand-up comedian trying out a new routine.
Don’t tweet every mundane detail of my mommy life like it’s fascinating. It isn’t.
It does not foster a connection with your readers. It doesn’t make you seem cool or smart or funny. It just makes you seems self-absorbed and, well, obnoxious.
Don’t do it.
*If you’d like to read more Blogging tips that are possibly less bossy than mine, hop over to We Are THAT Family.
Tags: blogging, obnoxious bloggers, works for me
By Young Wife, February 3, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
Ooo! Great advice. Thanks!
By Struggler, February 3, 2010 @ 1:50 pm
I was mulling this over just yesterday; if I’m following a (good) blog, then I’m OK with seeing a personal post occasionally, but you’re totally right, too much of this (or, for example, when all the previous comments are from the blogger’s friends who were at the party she pictured) it feels more like a Facebook feed than a blog.
Unless, of course, the writer has a really interesting life, and then I’m happy to snoop
Struggler´s last blog ..Buying Boden, for Less
By heather, February 3, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
that really is great advice, and original too! i definitely agree that a good blog has balance. this is something i’m going to work harder on. though it may be a bit of a challenge, as my life can be sort of, well, dull.
heather´s last blog ..so sick of spam!
By Becca - Our Crazy Boys, February 3, 2010 @ 2:27 pm
See, this is the kind of tip that makes me go “OMG! I need to go check my blog and make sure she’s not talking about me!”
Because I’m kind of paranoid (and a little self-absorbed) like that.
It’s a great reminder. And I don’t think it’s bossy at all. Just honest
Becca – Our Crazy Boys´s last blog ..From the backseat…
By Soliloquy, February 3, 2010 @ 4:56 pm
Brilliantly stated. Can’t tell you how many blogs I’ve unsubscribed to that are too narcissistic or too depressing.
Soliloquy´s last blog ..I Just Want To Say…
By staci @ teaching money to kids, February 3, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
Right, cause just because you share your most personal details does not mean we all want to read them. Or hold on, I don’t think we have moved to that point in our friendship lately.
Did they really just say that out loud?
I am having Give Aways for the whole month of February. Come check it out at http://teachingmoneytokids.blogspot.com
Staci
staci @ teaching money to kids´s last blog ..WFMW – Giving it away {Give Away} Day 3
By wanda, February 3, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
Great tip!
I like it!
I have trouble reading some of the “bigshot” blogs myself. Some of them really make the writer seem super shallow!
Lots of over the top bragging just bugs me.
And….the over-dressing of self and children for photo’s makes me feel like their lives must be amazing! While mine is pretty average!
Maybe I’m just being a bit harsh! Sorry!
wanda´s last blog ..Miss G goes to Indy
By tracym, February 3, 2010 @ 9:46 pm
Great advice. Why am I so scared to make the plunge to wordpress? help.
xoxo,t
tracym´s last blog ..The Braids…
By Struggler, February 4, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
And PS, thanks so much for the link to the Boden Board. Not at all spammy, I will enjoy checking it out!
Struggler´s last blog ..Buying Boden, for Less
By Helena Lemon, February 12, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
I really really liked this post! So very true! I pray that isn’t or won’t be me!
Helena Lemon´s last blog ..I Have An Award To Pass On!