How Your Blog Might Be Turning People Away

Are you interested in people reading your blog? I read a few blogs on a regular basis. I also try to branch out and explore new blogs so as not to limit myself or allow myself to get into a box with my writing.

In exploring a few blogs recently, I've come across a few things that really turned me away from these blogs. I wanted to share them with you so you could analyze your own blog and see if it's reader-friendly.

The top 3 things that turned me away from other blogs in the last month:

1. Music. I have clicked into more than one blog in the past month that immediately starts blaring music. I find this extremely annoying for a number of reasons. #1, I often work on my computer during our school hours, so my kids are studying at the same table where I'm studying. Music starting unexpectedly is disruptive. #2, I often play my own music when I'm working on my computer. During non-school hours, I like to have my own playlist going and find blog music too intrusive.

My solution is to immediately click off that blog, which means I'm not reading it and it's highly likely I won't return. I recommend no music on your blog for an optimal reading audience.

2. Assuming context. I've gone to a few blogs that start out with "Well, you know me......" The trouble is, new readers don't know you. It's important to write in a way that make even newcomers feel like they are "in the loop" so their minds are open to you and what you have to say.

Test yourself to see whether you are others-oriented or self-oriented. Stop right now and pretend to draw a large, capital E on your forehead. Did you make the E so that you could read it, or did you make it face outward, making it easy for others to read? Your blog needs to be others-oriented for maximum readership.

3. Sales pitching. I've clicked on a few blogs whose title drew me in, only to find that they were a sales pitch. Most blog readers are looking for content, not product. Give readers what they want in your blog and set up a website for sales.

Happy Blogging!
~Tricia

Comments

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My #2 most common edit is "toward." The vast majority of my clients use "towards" instead of "toward," as in, "Walking towards the entrance..." I correct this every time because in the US, where we use what is commonly called American English, the preferred choice is "toward," as in single. "Towards" is more commonly used in UK English and Australian English, as noted on Grammarly . In the USA, it's best to say, "Walking toward the entrance...." So, while "towards" is acceptable in other countries, for the US and Canada, "toward" is a much better choice. Keep moving toward good grammar! Write well. Write often. Just write. ~Tricia

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