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Blogging, inspiration, Reading, sharing, Social Media, writing
To be a good blog writer, must you be a good blog reader?
This is something I’ve been pondering about on and off for the last few months. I’m always really hesitant to blog about blogging here as, mainly, I think it’s desperately dull for the people who read this blog and don’t blog themselves. So if that’s you, feel free to look away now.
For the rest of you, I’d like to know your opinion. Which is why I’ve decided to publish a completely self-indulgent, blog-naval-gazing post.
So, blogging. Is it enough just to have great content? To be a good blog WRITER (if that is your thing), do you need to also be a good blog READER?
I grew up an avid bookworm. I loved reading books and would immerse myself for hours at a time in other worlds, completely unaware of what was happening on the other side of the page. But I also loved to write. By the age of ten I had amassed a huge collection of stories, many with illustrations. I would read, feel inspired and then write.
The same is true of more recent years. As a journalist, the more newspapers and magazines I read, the more ideas I would have for articles – both on the radio, online and in print. I really do think that the more “content” you consume (novels, news stories, features, photographs etc etc), the more you can be inspired to produce your own unique content.
But when it comes to blogging, I feel a bit lost at sea. The sheer volume of amazing blogs out there can sometimes be overwhelming. And the pressure to comment and let people know you’ve read and enjoyed what they’ve written or posted can sometimes be enough to put me off reading altogether.
It hasn’t always been this way. This time last year, when I wasn’t stretched to working 60+ hours a week, I would happily read LOADS of blogs and comment on nearly every single one. These days, time is non-existent. I’m now lucky if I get 6 hours sleep a night and that doesn’t always leave me in the best place to fit in blog reading time. So I guess I’ve become a bit of a bad blog reader.
I’m often guilty of reading and running, will often mean to share a great post but run out of time, don’t always read a post that grabs me and too many times have had to make the decision between posting on my own blog or reading and commenting on another. And because I’m clearly not an altruistic enough blogger, my own content will always come first.
But that has left me feeling a bit uneasy. Surely one of the great things about blogging is that level of engagement with other bloggers? It’s fine to just post and do your own thing if that’s what you want to do, but my blog has really benefited from engaging and commenting and sharing with the blogging world. On days where I read lots of blogs and comment, I notice a jump in my stats. I find new ideas to inspire me to write new blog posts. And when I’m doing that I feel like a “proper” blogger.
But it just isn’t possible to keep that up all the time. Commissioned writing that I’m getting paid for has to come first and (occasionally) I also need to sleep. Not to mention the tiny fact I have a demanding toddler who takes up just a tiny proportion of my time *cough*.
So where does that leave the blog? If I can’t be a good blog reader to the extent that I used to be, does it follow that I can’t necessarily be a good blog writer?
I’d love to know your thoughts on this, because I’m stumped for an answer.
As far as I’m concerned you’re one of the best blog readers around because you’re always so generous in leaving comments and comments are the adrenaline of blogging. But I agree with you. I often don’t get round to reading all of the blogs I subscribe to and don’t often enough get around to seeking out new ones. I don’t think lack of blog reading equates to poorer content, though, for an established writer like yourself. Inspiration can equally come from newspapers, Twitter conversations and a trip round Asda.
Very true – supermarket trips are often the best sources of inspiration!
I don’t think you need to be reading and commenting on lots of blogs in order to be good at blogging yourself, but I definitely find that the more I read the more inspiration I find for my own writing. And like you say, commenting does seem to bring in more traffic and who knows if some of those people might stick around and become regulars.
For me, life just gets in the way of reading and commenting sometimes, and when time is tight your own content is naturally more important. However I do find that it doesn’t take long for a bit of writers block to strike when that’s the case. So I think that reading and good content do go hand in hand for me. X
Really interesting to hear that’s the case for you too – I need an extra 4 hours in every day to get around reading and commenting on all the blogs I’d like to!
I think blogging comes as a package. If you want the interaction on your own in the form of comments and traffic, then it’s only right to visit other blogs and leave comments, too. But that isn’t the bee all and end all of blogging in my opinion. There are many blogs I read that I find interesting yet the blog author has probably never visited my blog, and certainly never commented. My blog writing will always come first but I’ve found over the years that if I discover a pitiful drop in comments and pageviews it helps to spend a day or two scouting round blogs and showing an interest in someone else’s life. If they return the favour that’s a bonus. But if they don’t, at least I’ve been inspired and have probably learned something new.
CJ x
Really good advice CJ, I find the same – it’s a time management thing for me. But I agree, interaction is great for inspiration and can definitely boost the number of visitors (in my case anyway).
I think writing a good blog is one thing, and being a good blogger is another. I’m a bit like you, I find it a bit overwhelming with all the new blogs around and although I try to read new ones whenever I can it’s only scratching the surface.
Every now and again I make an effort to visit new blogs and leave comments, but as you say it takes time and time is often as a premium. For what it’s worth I think you strike a good balance. Keep doing what you do!
It does take time – and it’s neverending as there are always new blogs to be found. I guess it’s that elusive “balance” again!
I always enjoy reading your posts and so many others, but if I can’t think of a comment quickly I may just read and run too. I have so little time and I agree that engagement is part of blogging, but there are some amazing blogs that I read and comment on even though their authors may only pop over to mine once or twice a year…I would say just don’t stress about it too much, just do what you can and enjoy, it’s a hobby after all xx
I know exactly what you mean about the read and run thing. I guess we’re all stretched for time. I often read a post and have a great comment to add but run out of time and end up forgetting to go back. The online world moves so fast after all!
I love blogging but have a very small readership so I guess I don’t feel that same pressure as others about how good my content actually is. I love reading other blogs and definitely find them an inspiration especially from the more established bloggers like yourself. Whether reading them actually makes me a better blogger though I am not sure….as in improving how you write. It does though make the “experience” of blogging more fulfilling I think being able to interact with your readership and become part of a community (especially with parent blogging!). I think that is what commenting is all about.
I love that way of putting it – that it makes the experience more fulfilling. You should have written this post for me – you put it so much better!
This is really interesting. When I first started blogging I found that reading and commenting was a fascinating experience because every time I commented on a blog,that person returned the favour! After a while I realised though that some of the comments were just cursory and it also started to feel as though they hadn’t even read the post properly. This is one of the reasons why I stopped taking part in Silent Sunday. I found that I just didn’t have the time to comment on each and every entry but felt that I should do that if I was expecting people to do the same. So I spent sometimes a whole week dipping in and out, commenting and realising that there was only so many times I could write ‘Great photo’without the words sticking in MY throat let alone anyone else’s.I would rather a comment that show the post has been read and appreciated rather than a couple of lines that shows the reader felt they ought to post to show they’ve been there. Does that make sense?
So in answer to your question, yes you need to read but just like you won’t tell your friends about every single book on your book shelf, you don’t have to comment on every post either. Its too much- there are too many blogs out there! Reading other blogs can inspire, educate and move you but you are only one person- and a busy one- so you can’t be expected to have to leave evidence each time. If a post is worth it, leave a comment.
Haha so sorry for the essay!!
x
It’s tricky isn’t it. As a blogger, I love getting comments – even if they are just a couple of words to show that someone has stopped by. That said, I don’t think I ever write a comment on a post as a reader just for the sake of it. I just don’t have the time! For me, the Silent Sunday thing is more about keeping up a regular picture post that my readers have come to recognise and enjoy. I know lots of people read my blog who aren’t bloggers themselves, so they’re not necessarily familiar with the whole meme idea or where Silent Sunday originated from. I quite like looking back at the pictures on my blog too, shows how quickly my once baby has grown!
Reading is great if you’ve got time for it, yes it inspires and does bring traffic but just because you’ve read 100 blogs doesn’t always mean you’ll be a brilliant blogger yourself… I read loads of blogs and spend too long reading them then look back over my blog and realise its abit quiet!! I am however not a great writer in writing sence, and blog because I enjoy it, enjoy reading others, interacting and posting my own posts, really great bloggers, the ones who write really well, don’t need to put in as much effort on the reading front because their writing speaks for itself doesn’t it, and those bloggers get their readers coming back time and time agian reguardless of comments, I love your blog and think you have a great balance keep writing your blog first, and read when you’ve got the time x
I completely agree with you. Reading lots of blogs won’t necessarily shape your content but it can inspire new ideas – and it’s one of the things I love about blogging. To be part of a community that comments and reads and talks to itself. But you’re right, you can only do what you have time for. I guess it’s about striking a balance, whatever that balance is. I think if you NEVER read other blogs and never ever comment it might hinder your efforts as a blogger – just in the same way it might be hard to write a book if you’d never actually read one. Does that make sense?!
I love reading other blogs but do find there are certainly not enough hours in the day. I try and read for about half an hour a day as I do find it helps motivate me to work hard on my own when I see the amazing writing of others. Saying this though, I am a stay at home mum of one so pretty sure I have more spare time than you do! You have a wonderful blog and you are definitely doing something right, so I guess keep doing what you are happy with x
Ah, thank you, that’s really kind. I think I get frustrated sometimes, as there are so many great blogs out there and I’m a chatty person by nature so it doesn’t sit right with me to just read passively and not comment (only if I have something to say of course – which is often!). But yes, time is a massive issue – isn’t it for all of us though. I guess some people manage it better than others!
I have the same problem. My time is getting more and more limited, so the blogs I read are the small handful that I’ve subscribed too and the few whose twitter plug catches my attention. If I’m on my computer I’ll comment (like today!). I wouldn’t want to read No blogs, but I’ve had to cut down massively.
This means that I haven’t built up as much of a readership within the ‘blogging community’ and am read by a lot of non-bloggers, who mainly don’t comment. Plus it definitely limits my blogs reach within the community, my place on the Tots100, and any award type of things that are connected with how many people you know in the blogosphere. All those are measures of success. But they aren’t the only measures of success (I’m contemplating a post about this myself today!).
I hate the term ‘just write great content’, I think it’s rubbish. You have to write good content, make sure you plug it, SEO it, and if you have time do the commenting bit too. Good content that no one knows about will just sit there. But to do the rest of it, takes time, so I pick and choose how much I can do practically speaking and hope it’s enough ;o)
Right, off to write!
You are so right on this one. I actually wrote a post very similar but didn’t have the guts to press the publish button! Mine was about the ranking system and how I was told if my score makes me unhappy, don’t look and only do it because you enjoy blogging. I bet I’m not the only person to feel a bit disheartened when you have a big score drop but feel I couldn’t be totally honest about that, as I don’t want to be an outcast and rebel
I agree with you both – although content is always going to be key, if you want the traffic and the comments and the recognition in the blog world, then you need to do all those other things too. That said, I do think great posts speak for themselves – and I notice a bigger effect on traffic when OTHER people share my work, rather than when I share it. But I guess they’ve got to find it first, which they won’t do unless they come back of their own accord or subscribe. So that’s where the plugging comes in. And for what it’s worth Lisa, I don’t think you have to be worried about feeling disheartened with rankings etc, it’s only natural. If it makes you feel any better, I had a HUGE drop when I went self-hosted!
This is really interesting for me as I only started blogging in May. I have to say its been a sharp learning curve with all the things you need to do. I had no idea groups like Britmums and Tots100 even existed. I started off with my first post and then entered a world I knew nothing about and became totally sucked in and a bit addicted. I try and make an effort to spend a bit of time reading and commenting but like you, I work, have two small boys, a house to clean a blog to write, a Facebook account and I can’t forget Twitter. It’s hard work, but worth it. I think my fiancé thinks I have become lost in my own little cyber world.
Know the feeling!
I like the book analogy above. ie you wouldn’t tell your friends about every book you read , would you?
I tend to set myself a target of blogs to read each day, and try and comment if I can think of something to say. Others don”t really interest me and if they don’t, I don’t comment.
I like to try reading different blogs and will find these on twitter, google and the mumsnet bloggers network.
If someone replies to me, I always read their posts but only comment if I have something to say…
Sounds like a good rule to me – I don’t have time for comments for comments sake either. Thank you for commenting here!
It is most definitely a time issue here as well. I started blogging 2 years ago and I only read the blogs that I have known since that time – I quite simply, don’t have the time to read new ones which is SUCH a shame. I can barely keep up with the ones I want to. However, if someone tweets a link to a blog post, then I will have a look so find new blogs that way.
NOt ideal, but RL is more important!!
S.A.M xoxo
I suffer the same issue – time is a definite obstacle. Blogging has the ability to suck time into a blog vortex of sorts and there’s never enough of it. You’re right, real life is more important. That said, I LOVE blogging and would love to find a way to suck back some of the time from the day to spend on it.
I think blogging is what you want it to be and you get from it what you want to get from it. You are busy, you are working, you are commenting and reading when you can. Who can ask for more than that? I wish I could read more blogs but I struggle because I am at home all the time with two small children. It makes reading blogs difficult! I personally think that for me when I’m working it will be a bit easier as I will only be online in the evening so I will be concentrating more on what I read!
It’s really hard to read and comment properly when time is snatched on a phone isn’t it. I have the same issue in the afternoon if I get 2 minutes while my toddler is off playing or not wanting me to get involved in whatever game she’s playing. But often find I’ll start a post and not have time to finish it or comment.
I know what you mean – I felt the same way about there being a sea of blogs to read, and I went through a phase of never getting around to reading any. So I’ve subscribed to my favourites and that way, I won’t miss any of their posts.
I need to be better at commenting too – I love it when people comment on my posts, but often ‘read and run’ like you put it.
“Read and run” sounds terribly dramatic doesn’t it?! Couldn’t think of another description, although it wrongly implies I run around a lot. Which is a lie.
It’s tough, that’s for sure! I try to take the time to read blogs of those that have commented of mine. I ‘follow’ the ones I enjoy on facebook and also on bloglovin, which narrows it down. It really is an amazing minefield though i am constantly coming across new blogs which are really good and I would love to read more of. I think as a blogger, your first love has to be the writing. It’s quite addictive watching your stats go up though isn’t it?! I am also an (aspiring) journalist, having had only a couple of things published so far. I am now so immersed in the blogging world, I don’t have time to ‘tout’ for new business! I use it as a platform to practice my writing skills though, which is always useful.
Blogging is a great way to hone writing skills and can be a brilliant platform. I’ve actually won commissions for pieces on the basis of my blog before and have often found editors check out the blog before they see my actual portfolio on my professional website. That said, for me working and doing the paid writing has to come first as we need the money!
I’m sure this is why, over a year after I started blogging, I am still pretty much an unknown in the blogosphere. I subscribe to only a handful of blogs – ones which I genuinely enjoy reading – and try to comment on those few regularly, but I don’t have the time to read and comment more widely. I feel a bit ambivalent about the whole commenting thing, actually. I won’t deny that it’s nice to get feedback, but my inner sceptic wonders how many people write comments on other people’s blogs purely to get return traffic and comments? I am (mostly) happy blogging because I enjoy it; I enjoy the freedom to write what I want, rather than sticking to a brief.
That’s one of the key things I love about blogging too – the freedom to write what you want. And for what it’s worth, I love your blog and regularly comment!
You’re one of my loyal few
I’ve been blogging for a real long time, first off it was a record of my journey into trying to conceive which took over two years, then I recorded my pregnancy and subsequent pregnancies, culminating in a baby diary. I also had a private blog where I would write about the darkest parts of my mind and found the process of writing things down and sharing them very therapeutic. It’s only in the last year that I’ve become a ‘blogger’ as such (Even though I’ve been doing it for 10 years) Once a blogger you not only write but you read other blogs and converse with other bloggers and even meet up with other bloggers! It’s a whole new world and even when you are relatively unknown it can still be lovely place to visit. So in answer to your question, reading and commenting doesn’t really make you a better blog writer, but it does help your journey into the blogger world, or community. That’s my tuppence worth anyway
I know exactly what you mean, I guess that’s what I was trying to get at. It’s the idea that you’re only a fully fledged “blogger” if you actively participate in the community. There’s no right or wrong answer to this – but your experience is a really interesting one. Thank you for the insightful comment.
For me it is a time thing, but also I think that I comment less on the actual blogs, as there are other ways of showing and registering my interest. Like +1 in Google+ or liking in facebook, sharing with my followers or commenting on twitter,. When a comment system can integrate all those systems I will be a happy girl. I like to engage, but it isn’t always possible when I am not on the PC. I read blogs wherever and whenever I can, mostly in grabbed five minutes on the phone (where it is hard to comment fullstop)!
Interaction of any form is always brilliant – whether it’s a tweet or Facebook like or +1 on G+. Mind you, comments are great because you can always go back and see them in one place. But time doesn’t always allow it!
Really interesting post-I love reading and commenting on others’ posts when I can and I agree, the sharing aspect is really fulfilling…but like you, have lots of work and personal commitments so think there is no need to pressure yourself. A lot of my non blogging friends read my posts and would never know or want to comment publically yet chat to me personally or on fb if something moved them etc-I’m often suprised by how many random people I’d never thought would be interested, actually read my posts so that’s a lovely suprise. Keep doing what you are doing and not worrying about anyone else, if have time to comment, do so and don’t worry when you don’t-blogging is fun! P.S Love you blog and think you’re totally fab x
Ah, thank you. And the same goes to you – you have your hands full with a newborn, toddler AND work. Don’t know how you manage it all! #bloghero
Blogging is whatever you want it to be. If you want to comment, you should comment but then you shoudn’t have an expectation of comments on a post – they should be an added bonus. I’m constantly reading and learning and becoming inspired. Sometimes I use that for blogging, sometimes I don’t. Social media is about instantaneous engagement and there is always bound to be blurred edges now that people spend a lot more time online.
That’s a really good point Nickie. I find the same, I’m regularly inspired to try out activities with F after reading a blog, or try out something myself (knitting being one of the examples) after reading a blog. Those aren’t always things I’ll comment on or blog about myself, but they still inspire me. I hadn’t thought of it like that. You’re right (no surprise there then!).
I don’t think you have to comment on blogs to be a good blogger but I think because most blog readers tend to be bloggers themselves it is important to be part of the community. I really struggle to comment on blogs, I have a set few who I regularly read and comment on but I just don’t have time to reach out and find any new blogs even though there are so many great ones out there. If people comment on my blog then I will always visit back, sometime I will comment but sometimes I just can’t find a post that inspires me to leave a comment and don’t bother, maybe these people will them stop reading my blog but that doesn’t bother me. To be honest if I enjoy reading a blog then I comment regardless of whether they comment back and I guess I hope that people feel the same way about mine. Plus I know a lot of non-bloggers who know me through friends etc like reading my blog and that pleases me as I don’t have to worry about whether it’s just because they want comments back! Sorry for my long rambling message, I’m too tired to read back over it so it might not make any sense! x
I just established my blog so don’t have a lot of experience… but I think that to be good blog reader and writer are two different things. Reading and commenting blog has to be a pleasure, so it isn’t necessary to feel guiltily that you don’t have a lot of time for doing it (and your own blog comes first). I usually read and comment a few blogs, in which I’m really interested (and don’t care if their authors comment my own). I do that selflessly. Reading blogs is a great source of inspiration but… did you realize that a lot of blogs have the same (or very similar) content?
Ooh, I had a bit of a worry about this on my blog the other week too because I am much more of a reader than a commenter. I RT things I like and share them on FB but hardly ever comment. You’re one of my most regular and loyal commenters though, so no bad words about you from this corner of the internet! xx
I am definitely guilty of being a bad blog reader and commenter. I just don’t have the time – actually I’m not so much a bad blog reader as I do read a lot when I’m on the train etc but now I’ve got two kids under 3 I’m either mega tired or mega busy and there’s work to fit in too. I do my best. I blog really for me, I don’t claim to be a good writer but I enjoy what I do and if I get comments then lovely but if I don’t then i’m not too upset because I understand then pressures on peoples lives and also at some point when I get the time I want to get my blog as it is so far made into a book for my kids. Blogging is meant to be a hobby and fun and the minute I feel I’m expected to do something then I think I might stop. I love your blog Molly and love the way you write and I wish I could stop by more than I do, I find it much easier to communicate on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram these days