tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post6295560852680879438..comments2024-03-29T05:29:25.218-07:00Comments on Coming Down the Mountain: As I See It: Losing Followers and Offending ReadersKaren Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-11546680226700854992010-11-05T12:45:15.251-07:002010-11-05T12:45:15.251-07:00I'm always a little interested in why people b...I'm always a little interested in why people blog in the first place. The issue of "following" and "unfollowing" is a tiny bit alien to me. I'm one of those weird folk who blogs from their own domain rather than within Blogger or Wordpress or LJ or whatever.<br />I can't tell who's following me (or in fact, if anyone is following me). There's no simple button to press that automatically slides my blog into your blogroll (other than good old fashioned "Add to favourites").<br />I switched off the requirement to be registered to comment on my posts because it all just seemed like too much hassle for most people.<br />It's quite possible that I offend people all the time, but I doubt it. Of course I self censor - much the same as anyone does in polite conversation if they aren't intimately acquainted with all of the participants, but I've adopted a policy of being open and frank in all aspects of my life, and I think that has served me well. I'm not particularly tolerant - in fact, I'm probably a little impatient with people, I tend to point out sycophants for what they are and I've been known to deal rather swiftly with those who do not have the life experience to back up their opinionated expulsions - but I'm also humble, polite and respectful of those who have not earned my disrespect.<br />In short, I'm just a human being, like all other bloggers, and unless all of us human beings deliver unto the internet's welcoming maw the full variety of our collective selves, it's going to be a pretty bland and uninspiring place, full of political correctness and inoffensive nothingness.<br />Of course be age appropriate. Of course don't go out of your way to offend - but surely all reasonable people do those things in their everyday lives anyway...<br />The rest of the time - be yourself. Be honest. Lay it on me, warts and allGeoff Moorehttp://www.dublinwriters.net/wordpress/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-17004173302015002842010-11-05T12:04:00.535-07:002010-11-05T12:04:00.535-07:00Summer, My feelings exactly, esp. about the dashbo...Summer, My feelings exactly, esp. about the dashboard. That's good you don't take it personally when someone unfollows. I'm getting to that point. <br /><br />Mary, actually I like reading your posts about what you are doing to promote etc, because I have learned a lot by them. <br /><br />Jeannie, Thank you, and I'll stop by your blog. I think I already follow it. I've been kind of out of the loop lately with my mom in the hospital.<br /><br />Simon, Welcome, and I'll come by to visit your blog too. <br /><br />Dana, totally agree with you on that one. Twitter f-word users get unfollowed by me on the spot. I'm more tolerant with blogs, esp if they're ones I'm fond of, but I skip over posts with a lot of cursing.<br /><br />Julie, I can't believe you still follow me then if you like short posts LOL.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-60035017407276723822010-11-05T08:49:39.587-07:002010-11-05T08:49:39.587-07:00I've unfollowed a good many blogs, and here...I've unfollowed a good many blogs, and here's why: I read through my Blogger dashboard, and when it's continually cluttered up my content that I no longer read, it becomes disorganized. And I like everything organized. <br /><br />I've lost a few followers over the year, but I don't take it personally. My brand of humor and commentary might not appeal to everyone, just as others don't appeal to me. We've got limited time in this life, so why waste it reading stuff only out of guilt? <br /><br />Actually, that's just my philosophy on most things in life...Summer Freyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04234534550255682010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-7492773454072217902010-11-05T08:28:27.011-07:002010-11-05T08:28:27.011-07:00Great post. :-) I hate that my posts lately have b...Great post. :-) I hate that my posts lately have been all about my book, but I feel like I'm in a cave. Today's post is about giveaways on various sites. :-) Nothing about me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267066733031149882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-91565667772539138352010-11-04T20:15:53.717-07:002010-11-04T20:15:53.717-07:00Terrific post. I'll even follow you because o...Terrific post. I'll even follow you because of it. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849370947985905108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-31163708297402983432010-11-04T20:07:44.685-07:002010-11-04T20:07:44.685-07:00I've pretty much had all the don'ts covere...I've pretty much had all the don'ts covered at one stage. I just be myself and be transparent. I don't sell myself, my website is for that. I've unfollowed on twitter for hateful tweets, but Im loyal to blogs. I followed Julie Musil to get here. Just saying hi. Hi.Simon Hayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09384384882217609761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-25196990097096888872010-11-04T20:04:32.338-07:002010-11-04T20:04:32.338-07:00The only thing I'd like to add is cursing. Th...The only thing I'd like to add is cursing. That'll do it every time. I get tired of being perfect all the time.Dana Elmendorfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07130309062939542854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-73947785511880142152010-11-04T19:59:23.716-07:002010-11-04T19:59:23.716-07:00Karen, you totally crack me up. I haven't unf...Karen, you totally crack me up. I haven't unfollowed anyone yet on blogger, and only once on Twitter. He only posted political stuff, and that's not why I'm on there! <br /><br />For me, the short blog posts win the day. I have a short attention span, and I'm not too proud to admit it.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-58949689763720290122010-11-04T19:32:04.918-07:002010-11-04T19:32:04.918-07:00I haven't lost anyone yet (that I know of...I ...I haven't lost anyone yet (that I know of...I don't pay too much attention to the follower widget), but I have gone and unsubscribed from a few feeds. There were a couple that were way off in left field with religious/political talk. I wasn't offended, I just didn't want to read it regularly. I hope they didn't stress at the loss....Vicki Rochohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07381089434014961076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-76974449584856642682010-11-04T14:48:00.607-07:002010-11-04T14:48:00.607-07:00Self-promoting whether obvious or subtle, if done ...Self-promoting whether obvious or subtle, if done incessantly, is probably the biggest reason I would stop following a blog.suzanneelizabeths.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14304462740451230118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-62292935820456977702010-11-04T12:38:06.768-07:002010-11-04T12:38:06.768-07:00I TOTALLY agree with you Karen. I think you've...I TOTALLY agree with you Karen. I think you've said everything I'm picky with. Another thing is don't lecture me. I get enough of that from my kids (hee hee).Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-85364222876215541652010-11-03T17:22:46.438-07:002010-11-03T17:22:46.438-07:00Only like you all the better now! :)
Aloha from ...Only like you all the better now! :)<br /><br /><br />Aloha from Honolulu<br /><br /><a href="http://comfortspiral.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Comfort Spiral</a><br /><br />><}}(°><br /><br /><br /><°)}}><Cloudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05853753108637831069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-52082435053416476102010-11-03T09:23:54.947-07:002010-11-03T09:23:54.947-07:00I click the unfollow button when the blogger repea...I click the unfollow button when the blogger repeatedly tells me what to do. How I should live my life, how I should eat, what religion I should be. <br />I enjoy comfortable blogs, such as yours, Karen. Friendly, informative, fun and just the right amount of ranting.<br /><br />PS: I do have some unedited snippets on my blog. I am sharing a few from my NaNo scribbles. It keeps me on my toes, by sharing I am less likely to give up. so I can be forgiven for them...can't I? ;0Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-33945534187462873572010-11-02T15:16:41.699-07:002010-11-02T15:16:41.699-07:00Thanks...being a brand new blogger I will take you...Thanks...being a brand new blogger I will take your advice to heart!!Jeri Franzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12969858145502459130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-31216346795600632832010-11-02T12:02:52.203-07:002010-11-02T12:02:52.203-07:00All great points. I don't read excerpts anymor...All great points. I don't read excerpts anymore. Just direct me to the synopsis and I'll decide if I want to read it. Oh yeah, poorly edited excerpts are even worse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-38088348695412896812010-11-02T11:07:06.460-07:002010-11-02T11:07:06.460-07:00Crack a joke, huh? How about a little Southern hum...Crack a joke, huh? How about a little Southern humor?<br /><br />"Your momma's so fat, when she stepped up on the scale to be weighed, it said 'To be continued.'"Paul Yarbrough, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01809395869723424752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-67083926507640784372010-11-02T10:29:15.535-07:002010-11-02T10:29:15.535-07:00I'm late to the party ... but I'll agree w...I'm late to the party ... but I'll agree with most of the comments: I avoid politics and religion (both areas I have VERY strong feelings about). Of all the subjects in the world, those can incite rage faster than any other.<br /><br />During the last presidential election I "unfollowed" several blogs because of their rabid opinions on politics.Marianne Arkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934613403368823760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-73998487108436132822010-11-02T10:04:27.200-07:002010-11-02T10:04:27.200-07:00Nice post, Karen. That list is filled with excelle...Nice post, Karen. That list is filled with excellent advice.Roxyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09787088898112141579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-11392327129854423782010-11-02T09:16:19.119-07:002010-11-02T09:16:19.119-07:00Wow Karen, looks like you hit a nerve or at least ...Wow Karen, looks like you hit a nerve or at least a vocal chord :)<br /><a href="http://fragilemouse.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow</a>Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136045025997662057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-80898481077993773272010-11-02T08:46:02.484-07:002010-11-02T08:46:02.484-07:00I'm totally laughing at your friend's (pro...I'm totally laughing at your friend's (probably unintentional) suggestion that YOU could blog about it... I'm sure she meant you just have the loyal following... and I think that's it. I've lost readers on a couple blogs... usually it is when I give a rant, though sometimes I hedge over the PG line too far...<br /><br />But those of us who've blogged a long time have some credit to work with--people know what is really us and what is out of the norm. I think I totally agree with you on what scares readers, though some negative snark can work if it is written as 'in-group/out-grou'--for instance, i generally enjoy the Rejectionist, and most of that is negative or mocking, but it acts like all READERS are 'in-group' and some 'out there idiots' are who is being mocked (although most of us would probably fit a rant now and again)<br /><br />Still, I stand by, if you want readers, what you need to be is helpful or entertaining. If you are those two things, people will read.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-46559489490214217752010-11-02T08:07:59.082-07:002010-11-02T08:07:59.082-07:00Just when I resign myself to being myself and lett...Just when I resign myself to being myself and letting my blog become the virtual extension of my house (full of books, mess, and dog hair) and my yard (full of unpruned vegetation and aggressive squirrels) you post this. Sigh.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10147284664183496856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-41844531124832700342010-11-02T07:58:14.882-07:002010-11-02T07:58:14.882-07:00I just made my own list about how to lose follower...I just made my own list about how to lose followers (sorry, I didn't know you wrote about the same thing until after I posted mine. But we're still friends, right? :) You're right that it's a mistake to bash agents and publishers in particular, because what if they read the blog?Neurotic Workaholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775298184138766683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-26366875601917291262010-11-02T07:13:28.070-07:002010-11-02T07:13:28.070-07:00LOL. I'm negative quite often, (whoops), but t...LOL. I'm negative quite often, (whoops), but there's always a lesson to be learned, and I always end up explaining how the experience made me grow. I think that's the key. If you're going to whine, there needs to be a point to it!Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-11773346209341815562010-11-02T04:25:24.048-07:002010-11-02T04:25:24.048-07:00I have lost followers and I always wonder why. I f...I have lost followers and I always wonder why. I flatter myself that it's just that have too many blogs to read and someone has to get cut. . .<br /><br />I don't unfollow blogs myself, but if I find a few posts in a row don't interest me, I may be less likely to read. That said, a good subject line and first sentence will still lure me back!<br /><br />I don't post about religion or politics but I don't mind at all if others do. And I keep my personal life stuff to a minimum. As an unpublished writer I do wonder why anyone would be interested in what I have to say - but we all like books, so when all else fails, I talk about books!Ellen Brickleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184391430927483100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-42658001150102443642010-11-02T03:50:06.029-07:002010-11-02T03:50:06.029-07:00Excellent post. The things that stop me reading a...Excellent post. The things that stop me reading are blog posts which are too long, with no paragraph breaks, and when there are too many different subjects within the post that require a variety of comments - I just don't have time!<br /><br />So sorry about your Mom, I'm glad to hear she's doing better.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05986874444030474719noreply@blogger.com