Are you a writer? Do you read blogs? What do you look for in a blog?

I’m a former school teacher and reading specialist which means I notice things that others might not notice. I confess to high expectations.

Here’s the skinny from what I observe (with my teacher hat on). Some blogs give us the works while others fall flat. Because time management is important, it becomes necessary to pick and choose which resources will require our energy and focus. As a writer myself, I am also taking this to heart.  My blog writings must offer value that is said in a polite way and arranged in a user-friendly format.

My current writing focus is to develop my “voice” as a writer of spiritual material. To do this, I am figuring out WordPress and other blog functions as I go. This is challenging because I am self-taught, a classic “work in progress” without a coach or paid support. I must rely on what I read to inform and guide me. My own blog will need to be of the same caliber as the best of them. It must reflect its purpose and heart, and then deliver the goods.

The challenge is on-going, slow but sure. I am aware of many concepts that I haven’t figured out how implement, yet. Other blogs model the future. I constantly assess them and learn from them.

I formulate parameters to identify which blogs will “make the cut” to gain entry into my email inbox. In some ways, it is similar to the hiring process for teachers. A few of us would review the pool of teacher applications to select which applications would make the paper cut, and placed in the second round. There was a rubric, a list of qualifications that had to be present on the application or it would be culled.

In a way, I am doing a similar process when I evaluate a blog before I subscribe to its writer’s site. If there are too many “misses” then the subscribe to this blog feature will be left unmarked. I have learned to effectively screen a blog.  In the beginning, I used to read everything!

I don’t know about other folks, but I find myself increasingly irritated by certain “pitches” and manipulation techniques circulating out there in the writing venue. At first, I was rushing to buy resources even ones I wasn’t ready to use, and I was participating in silly campaigns that were time-wasters. Now I don’t buy unless I have time to study out what I am buying, and only if I am fairly certain I will use it.

Like mother used to say, money doesn’t grow on trees. This requires that I sort before I shop. I want to know the value of what I am getting, and if I can manage it on my own. It’s kind of like sifting the wheat from the chaff in order to keep the grains that are useable (edible). BTW, my father raised wheat so I know how that works first-hand (for kicks, as kids we would chew a handful of wheat until it became like gum). I am discerning regarding my participation in online activities.

I have a short-list of considerations in my blog-sorting rationale.

A+  Blogs that make the cut:

• Easy to read format with easy to read message. Impression: Good communication skills.
• Content flows and content is relevant. Impression: This one is worth my time.
• Trendy information with consecutive steps. Impression: I can use this one in the future.
• Helpful links to other support resources. Impression: This is useful, and thanks so much!
• Positive delivery, upbeat, and interesting. Impression: I can trust this person.
• Quality with a conscience, value with enthusiasm. Impression: I’m gonna like this!

C-   Blogs that frustrate my enjoyment:

• Sales response time is overly short, duration of markdown period is brief. Impression: Don’t impulse buy. You’ll regret it.
• A whine to blog message, seems sort of desperate. Impression: This person is frustrated and starting to fade. They need a fresh start.
• Begging for customers to buy-in (puhleese help me out!!!!) Impression: Numbers are everything, and they’re not making it.
• Ego seems over-healthy, almost arrogant. Impression: This person is enamored with their success. It’s irksome. No thanks.
  
• Several tweets are embedded in the blog that overpower the message (annoying buggers). I skip over them. Impression: I’m being used to grow their business.
• Bloggers who say what they are going to do, but then fail to do it. Impression: Annoyance.

Blogs help me. A lot. I rely on them to-part-the-Red-Sea!  For my co-bloggers, keep the blogs rolling. If I subscribe to your list, you now know why!

AS they say, a blog must transmit value to the reader. Ok. Bring it on.

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