At times I am Blogging about a concept or program

I am involved in and then sit back and have a look at

it. Man! That’s boring..I need something to livin’ it

up a bit.

Gords last blog post..SnagIt

So the kinds of things that will keep me coming back:

* The blogger writes in their own unique voice

* As I read I feel like the blogger is talking to me

* The language isn’t too “technical” or wordy

* The blogger responds to any comments I make (I like being heard)

* The material written is of interest to me with a bit of variation (who wants to read about the same stuff EVERY single day????)

HOWEVER, if I’m reading a blog for the information side of things, I really DON’T want post after post about menus and some such. The occasional post on the other hand I think can actually EHANCE a readers experience.

Joes last blog post..What Movie Has the Best Theme Song?

1. I think that the underlying question for your first question is whether or not what you blog about makes you happy. It’s always good to pick a niche and work on it, and in that case it can be considered good practice to stick to business. However, I believe that in the end, if you choose to blog about something else because it makes you happy, then feel free to. It is your blog after all, and you control what gets put there!

2. I think it’s always good to get to know the blogger that you are reading about. It allows you to develop a better rapport with readers, and make you more interesting than the next guy in the end. Would you rather read a blog that’s all business all the time, or would you rather read a blog that ties in a bit personally? I would rather read the one that I know more personally, which is part of the reason why I continue to read John Chow… he’s open about all the stuff he does.. and his dot com Pho videos are hilarious!

3. What gets me hooked on a blog. Tough question. I have to admit that I oftentimes judge a blog from its theme. Has the blogger put any effort into making his/her blog something that I want to look at? Next is the attitude of the blogger, which is very important to me. I’m not going to continue to read someone that trashes everyone else or just doesn’t try at all. I’m going to come back for quality posts, humor, and whether or not I feel that I can interact with that blogger. That’s very important to me.

Great post, John Cow. I’ll be back to see more results!

Jorges last blog post..O Rui vai falar comigo

Sure John Chow and John Cow both make money through blogging, but that doesn’t mean that their blog aren’t personal blogs as well. People who view it as a straight business blog will come to realize that they are the one ranting and complaining pointlessly to thin air. The reality is that at the end of the day, bloggers can blog about what they want and since it is a personal blog, all the more reason to emphasize there is no limitation to their topics.

Sure Chow attracts lots of users through his money posts and recaps on his income, but from beginning to end, his blog covered other subjects as well. Readers who’ve come to love his blog should accept it for what it is. It is a lot like trying to tell someone you like certain things about them but bitch at them if you don’t like other aspects of their personality. If you can’t accept them for who they are, don’t bother being their friend. If you’re a true friend, you’ll stop your whining. Similarly, if you don’t want to read their blogs, you don’t have to. No one tells you how to run your life, your business, or anything else you do, why do people expect bloggers to act any different?!

Stevens last blog post..18 Kids and Counting!

One thing we look at it like, is television. You watch a saw because you personally like it.. whether it be CSI, Oprah, Dukes of Hazard (good ole’duke boys) or NightLine… it must be something you can relate to and can entertain you.

I think there are very few that would watch television just for education and learning. The educational shows that do well are the ones that throw in drama, bring you into the peoples lives and above all keep you interested.

Keep the great comments coming!

* Is not one of the attractions of blogging –> getting inside the mind of the blogger?

- Yes, people identify with certain bloggers or writing styles because there’s something about that person that strikes the right chords with you. Almost every blog I read didn’t start out as a money making blog but only became so because the author started experimenting with monetization and found something that worked. I love seeing how others live and what kinds of choices they make because of their lifestyle.

* What do you look for in a blog and what brings you back… what gets you hooked?

- Honesty and topics that are similar to my own interests. are what keep me coming back to a blog. I don’t whether it makes money or not or is a business or not. Some blogs I read just because they are entertaining and good writing always brings me back.

“I like to be entertained as well, so most of the bloggers I read have a similar sense of humor to mine, and are sarcastic a little vulgar and cocky. That’s what I look for in a blog to read.”

We think we love you (crap did i say that out loud)

I compare it to the concept of Howard Stern though, if people are tuning in and subscribing to Howard’s shows (crewd material or not), he will make money and be successful. So if people tune in to read the latest Chow and Shoemoney posts, regardless of subject, then they help continue their success.

* Is not one of the attractions of blogging –> getting inside the mind of the blogger? – I dream about cash cow every night

* What do you look for in a blog and what brings you back… what gets you hooked? – Interesting, new and good news info, fun and articles.

Make Money Talkss last blog post..List of quality webmaster freebies – part 1/5 (Free hosting)

Me just moaning:

You don’t like what you’re reading? Run away somewhere… That way the people who you are moaning about can make money without you worrying about it. How is this an issue? I don’t particularly think that all blogs that are making money are useful, but you can’t say someone is wrong to make money out of posting pictures of last nights dinner. If that’s what they do, and they make money – and continue to have readers then then can do what they want.

Look at it like this, you have a blog, you post a picture of your dinner, or your fat dog humping your slippers, & You get paid $30,000 a month. You lose a few regulars who think you’re losing the point of your blog, OH NOES!

Next month, you write another post about last nights meal and the death of your beloved dog, and you’re still raking in $30,000 a month. With more readers and some of your regulars. You’re content hasn’t been any more informative, but your still making money.

Why waste time Writing good content when you’ve got money to spend?

The fact is once you’ve made it big that’s it. People will come to your blog regardless, in the hope that one day they too will be like you. It takes some effort to get to that point, but when you’ve got enough money to not give a shit about your readers then you can post what you want.

If you were getting paid to post about the day to day bullshit that everyone does, would you have a problem with that?

I like to know that I have a lot in common with the blogger, so getting inside the mind of that person is definitely a part of finding that out..

The draw for me consists of a few things:

1. Do we share common interest(s)? Blogging is not enough.

2. Am I going to learn anything here? Is the information useful?

3. Do I enjoy the writing style of the blogger?

4. Do I agree with the point of view?

5. Is this blog fun to watch?

I’ve read lots of bloggers for a long time, and my favorites list changes periodically with time. Overall I think the most important factor to me is my time, if I feel like I’m wasting my time reading a particular blog, I’ll stop and I usually get to feeling that way when the posts aren’t valuable any more to me and I feel I already have learned all I’m going to from that blog. Or I get bored with it, as I did with JChow.

I like to be entertained as well, so most of the bloggers I read have a similar sense of humor to mine, and are sarcastic a little vulgar and cocky. That’s what I look for in a blog to read.

Some people will come back to a blog that offers lots of contests

Some people like blogs with a theme (cow theme for example)

I like blogs that offer great value…with a little mix of personality.

Keiths last blog post..Earning $400,000 per month