Getting to know you...
Aha! I've thought of something that piques my interest...getting to know who my readers are!
I hope you don't mind, but I'd love to pose a few questions and get a better sense of what I write/have written/can write in the future that is of interest to others. Obviously, I won't write about something unless it interests me! But if I'm the only interested party, I might as well keep it to myself and spare you all.
So here's the first question, with more to follow (The more who answer, the better blog-refining ideas we can ALL gain!;o)...
What are your all-time favorite topics to read about? What types of discussions would you love to see more of in the blogosphere? What do you find encouraging / thought-provoking?
This question is meant to be open-ended, but in case you detest open-endedness, I'll provide a narrower question:
Out of the following, what do you consider fascinating/encouraging, and what bores you to death?
1. Discussion about current events/social issues/the "great issues" of life
2. Stories about day-to-day life ("Today I went shopping and then my dog puked a lot...so on and so-forth...")
3. Household tips, recipes, "works for me" type stuff (Although, I'll just mention...I'm more likely to ask my readers for this type of advice than share it myself!)
4. Pieces that lay bare the soul, share struggles and personal victories, attempt to encourage spiritually or otherwise
5. Other
6. An eclectic smattering of all of the above
I hope you don't mind, but I'd love to pose a few questions and get a better sense of what I write/have written/can write in the future that is of interest to others. Obviously, I won't write about something unless it interests me! But if I'm the only interested party, I might as well keep it to myself and spare you all.
So here's the first question, with more to follow (The more who answer, the better blog-refining ideas we can ALL gain!;o)...
What are your all-time favorite topics to read about? What types of discussions would you love to see more of in the blogosphere? What do you find encouraging / thought-provoking?
This question is meant to be open-ended, but in case you detest open-endedness, I'll provide a narrower question:
Out of the following, what do you consider fascinating/encouraging, and what bores you to death?
1. Discussion about current events/social issues/the "great issues" of life
2. Stories about day-to-day life ("Today I went shopping and then my dog puked a lot...so on and so-forth...")
3. Household tips, recipes, "works for me" type stuff (Although, I'll just mention...I'm more likely to ask my readers for this type of advice than share it myself!)
4. Pieces that lay bare the soul, share struggles and personal victories, attempt to encourage spiritually or otherwise
5. Other
6. An eclectic smattering of all of the above
posted by Erin | 2:02 PM
14 Comments:
Hi, it's me again. since you asked I guess I'll creep further out of lurkdom. LOL.
I like a *sincere* and eclectic smattering of the above. If it were all current events or all deep stuff, I would probably grow weary. I like some 'fluff' in the forms of dog vomit (well, no, not really dog vomit) and tips and recipes, sometimes. Like you, I am more likely to ask for advice, I'm trying realllllly hard to come up with the "works for me wednesday" thing, LOL -- I tried to start my own "malfunctioning monday" to ask advice but promptly forgot to do it on Monday. I very much like the soul baring, struggle sharing, encouraging, God seeking things, as long as they come across as sincere. I sometimes get (perhaps without good reason) cynical when things sound forced and nicey, like when every post wraps up in a devotion.
And, for the record, after lurking a bit, that's why I've come back here, because you've got a nice sincerity to the deeper / struggle / encouragement things you post. Plus you and your husband are so cute in your picture, LOL
alright, sorry to ramble on so long. But at least now you know one of the 'creepy strangers' lurking on your blog. ;-)
Hi Erin
Nice to have you back.
I think I like 4, 3, 2 in that order.
Much love
Tania
I guess I'd have to say #4 primarily - reminds me that I'm not the only one in the world who struggles from time to time... but all of that and nothing else would get discouraging! :) So I suppose I'll have to vote #6, with an emphasis on #4 and on #2. :)
I'm currently typing one-handed while I nurse my baby girl but I have to echo Kim
*quote*you've got a nice sincerity to the deeper / struggle / encouragement things you post. Plus you and your husband are so cute in your picture, LOL*/quote*
I'm definitely a reader of wide interests because I truly lve a good eclectic mix of blog posts just like my life...variety is the spice of life. :)
Hey Erin!
I think Kim in Mi summed up very nicely what I like about your blog. You're at a similar stage in life as I--recently married, aspiring stay-at-home wife. I especially appreciate hearing about how you and your husband are making that work for you.
Blogs are often a person's presentation of how they imagine themselves to be, or would like to be seen, but I also find yours to be more sincere than other blogs. Hey, sometimes people who are busy living life don't have time to post to a blog! (But we do miss you when you're away. :) ) So, thanks for sharing bits of your life. The successes, the human factor, the daily life, and the struggles...they make me feel like maybe I'm not really falling off the path I'm trying to follow; it's all just a part of the process!
What are my all-time favorite topics to read about? THat one's easy...personal examples of spiritual growth and how they affect everyday life.
As for the other question....I'm not really sure. =P
I am firmly in the #6 camp. I love variety, and most of all, I think your blog should be YOURS. About YOU, about the things YOU feel like saying that day. It kind of touches on what Kim said about sincerity; I don't think it can sound authentic any other way. I've seen blogs that I didn't really like and didn't come back to, and I think part of the reason (in the case of the ones I'm thinking of) was that they seemed contrived. Too nicey, as Kim said, can just come off as fake rather than as inspiring. And you can tell when a blogger is so inspired by someone else's blog that they've tried to be just like them.
I really love your blog just the way you've been writing it. :) You make me feel like I am sitting at a table with a friend, and honestly that's what I think makes a great blog, in a lot of ways.
I second what Kristen said...
I don't really decide what blogs I read based on "content" exactly but on the feel I get off of the blogger :). I don't think what a person writes about is what makes them a good blogger but the spirit with which they write. I like the eclectic mix of here's what I've heard, learned, experienced, etc. that allows you to get to know a person.
:)
Hi Erin! Through your encouragement I am ever so timidly venturing from the land of "lurkdom" into the 21st century world of blogging. Ok, I admit...I am a slow learner! ;-) I wanted to comment on your question though as a way of encouragement. I think Kim nailed it in her comment... your blog has a wonderful and sincere mix that lets your sweet spirit shine through! Your gentle way of drawing in your reader gives us a window into your life and soul...sharing what's important to you and your world. Your honest questions, humor, and thoughts challenge my own thought processes and open up topics I may otherwise not consider. I personally enjoy reading topics under the #4 & #3 categories with an "eclectic smattering" of life in general to balance it out. Keep writing sweetie, it is your God given gift and you use it well! Love, Mom :-)
I agree with Kristen and Shelby above. I like #6 "an eclectic smattering of all of the above." I feel privileged to read your blog, and I think your sharing whatever is on your heart is very powerful. Reading blogs by young women who are in the same phase of life as I am is a real spiritual encouragement to me. This is why I have been enjoying your blog so much even though I haven't been reading it for a long time.
I would have to say #2 and #4. I enjoy reading about others and their days, but I also appreciate it when they share they joys as well as their struggles:)
I'd have to say #6, but heavier on the #2 and #3 rather than the other options.
I think you should blog more - just write short posts and sometimes they'll become long ones once you get started. :) That's what I try to do - although I don't always succeed due to the demands of a toddler. :)
Anyway, I like your blog and I'm interested in your life.
Erin, I'm such a huge fan of EVERYTHING you write! I honestly can't pick.....it's all fabulous!
If I had to pick, the things where you share your heart and life touch me the most but like I said, I love it all!
6. An eclectic smattering of all of the above
I vote for #6!! Seriously, I really enjoy reading your blog. It's encouraging and beautiful, too!!
His,
Mrs. U
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