Let me begin this post with an FYI. This past weekend, we compiled my top 50 most read posts and put them on one page. You can find the link to the page on the menu at the very top. It’s titled “Popular.” Or just click the top 50 posts.
Tomorrow, I’ll be posting a special interview I conducted with a fellow author on his fascinating new book. So stay tuned for that.
Now on to today’s subject.
Last week I offered a balancing caution to the almost deafening emphasis today on building a platform. If you have a unique message to share with the world, platform is essential. And I’ve spoken on it before myself, especially with respect to authors.
But while building a platform is important for anyone armed with a message, we must also be aware of the dark side of social media and the temptation to obsess over statistics.
Bloggers often ask me for advice on the craft. To answer their common questions, I’ve written a meaty post called Advice for Bloggers which outlines 25 practical tips for bloggers – new and experienced.
As a supplement to that post, here are 8 reasons why I don’t read certain blogs. This post could have also been titled “8 Reasons Why We Don’t Read Your Blog” since I speak for countless others. There are other reasons why I won’t read your blog, of course. I don’t read blogs I’ve never heard about nor blogs that are dedicated to subjects in which I’m not interested. The same is true for everyone else.
But these 8 reasons have to do with things that you can correct . . . if you want to. So if you’re a blogger, you may want to consider these points.
We don’t read your blog because . . .
1. The design is horrible and it’s a distraction from what you write. Sometimes a blog design is so bad that it’s difficult to read the text.
Solution: Install a nice-looking theme and your problem will be solved. I recommend StudioPress Themes. They are beautiful, inexpensive, and very powerful.
2. Your posts are filled with misspelled words and grammatical errors. Typos are inevitable. I have a Ph.D in Typo. I’m incapable of seeing my own and rely on you all to let me know when you spot one. But posts that are full of misspelled words and grammos are a big distraction. And (right or wrong) they give the impression that what you say isn’t reliable.
Solution: Find someone who knows grammar to proof read all of your posts before you publish them.
3. Your blog has nothing unique or interesting to say. Time is precious for all of us, so readers must be choosey. Many of us will only read things that we find fresh, challenging, encouraging, or insightful.
Solution: Rethink the purpose of your blog. Find new material.
4. You never promote, feature, or lift others up. The blog serves you all the time.
Solution: Do some interviews with people who are doing something interesting and edifying. Review a few books, audios, albums, songs, etc. that you want to promote. Consider having some people guest post.
5. Your posts are way too long most of the time. Once in awhile a long post is fine. But writing a mini-novel constantly on a blog is way over the top.
Solution: Shoot for less than 1,000 words for most of your posts and don’t exceed 3,500 in the longer ones.
6. You misrepresent other people and their writings. In this way, your blog does a disservice to the body of Christ and grieves the Lord Himself.
Solution: This is a heart problem. Oftentimes envy is the root of it. Get before the Lord and have Him search your heart to the point of repentance in this area. Treat others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). Never misrepresent another human being, especially another child of God.
7. You don’t moderate your comments and allow readers to slander and gossip about others. The sins of slander and gossip are alive and well even among those who name the Name. To allow your blog to be a platform for these sins is to participate in them yourself.
Solution: Moderate your comments and never approve something that personally attacks another individual. To put it another way, never approve a comment that you wouldn’t want approved if it was about you or your family members. Remember the words of your Lord and “do unto others.”
8. You are negative and most of your posts tear down. You rarely build up. You rarely magnify the Lord and bring Him into view.
Solution: Learn what it means to build up and give Christ. Even when you write a post that challenges or questions the status quo, be sure to build up and offer positive solutions.
The above list is meant to sharpen and improve. So if any of it applies to your blog, consider it as constructive criticism to help you do better. I’m still in school myself, learning every day. For a companion to this post, see the 5 Mistakes I’ve Made in Writing.
Related:
How to Start a Blog from Scratch – A Quick & Easy Guide
Frank,
Thank you for offering this advice and I especially like that you added solutions to each one; very helpful. I believe my site covers your points respectively.
I’ve found that if I want to post something quite lengthy then I’ll break it up into parts or make it into a series. Also, I use a free program called “ginger” as well as putting my blogs into Microsoft Office Word first before posting. These reduce some of the grammatical and spelling errors.
Again, thank you for your advice and your blog as a whole.
In His Peace,
Joe
Hi Frank
In looking up info regarding blogging I came across your article, and thanks so much for info.
It hit me as I was reading it, that your each of your items also carry over to life… and how we deal with people. (Actually other than 1 and 2) I’d like to share your info on my blog, with credit of course. Please let me know if that would be OK.
D
You are welcome to share an excerpt and then put the link on your blog. Google penalizes for duplicate content, so an excerpt and a link to the rest of the article is great. Thanks!
Thanks Frank,
I’m reading Jesus A Theo., and Pagan Christianity, Church Reimagining, and haven’t started but have From Eternity to Here, Jesus Manefesto (just came yesterday), Finding Organic Church, finished & want to re-read but loaned out The Untold Story..,.
I so appreciate your research, and revelation (to me) that has made such a difference in my walk and growing experience.
I’m not a writer, and not much of a reader, but your books have brought such insight which makes me want to know more.
Thank you again and many blessings,
ps in the last line is that supposed to be everyday?
Tim: Thanks so much! The typo was fixed also. Great catch.
Hi Frank,
I had to smile when I saw this on your lists of blog posts.When I built my own site, it helped to have friends comment on my blog theme. I was looking for something clean and not have too many junk.
As for the limit of 300 words to 800, I will agree with another visitor of yours. “Ouch!” It’s a challenge to do that.
I appreciate the reminder, Frank. I confess that I had to grin when I read #2, as I too have a pet peeve when it comes to grammar (eg. when to use there, their, or they’re). Still, I too am far from perfect, but I’m learning.
Peace and Blessings.
Thanks for the helpful post, Frank. It helps add to the cultivating of web etiquette and a blogging ethical framework- which is sorely needed.
Blessings,
Nick
I think I’m covering most of those bases, Frank. Maybe you want to check out my blog?
Frank, there’s some good advice here. After years of blogging I’ve seen seen good and bad practice. I doubt if any of us score a perfect 8. I’ve tried to work on the look of the blog but I’m a bear of little technical brain, so tend to concentrate on the quality of the writing. After doing this for a while the blog has become something of a minor vocation. I enjoy it and if I stopped enjoying it I would quit blogging. In general I approach moderation with a light touch. I’ve removed a few malicious or aggressive posts, but otherwise I tend to let them stand, even If I’m the target. [From the Blog Manager. Please see our policy about links – http://frankviola.org/rules
What a positive/negative post!:) An apt reminder to keep us humble, no?
Lol. Just an attempt at encouraging and inspiring all of us a little more creatively.
Good tips to keep in mind.
I very much agree with #3 and 4. I would say that one more turn off for me is when a person is blogging with an evident goal of achieving fame vs. simply sharing a message as a “beggar to beggar” as you once quoted someone (and I am ashamed I don’t remember who exactly that was)
Exactly!
Thanks Frank!! This is very helpful:)
Goodmorning Frank,
I don’t own a blog and I’m not a professional writer … or better said I’m a wanna be writer. You keep stealing my thoughts and so there’s nothing original left to write about.:) I do a fair bit of blogging though so thanks for the ‘not to do’ blogging tips also.
In reading over the list of not to do’s, I am reminded that these tips can be applied to not only blogging but to living so thanks for the reminder. Also thanks for the link to the 50 top posts. Since I’m fairly new to your blog I’ve missed a lot so look forward to reading them today.
Let me concur, your books are easy to read. I never buy a book that’s not easy to read. There are a lot of books out there with very good material in them but you do need a dictionary in hand to read them. It makes for painful reading.
Have a good day!
Thanks for the advice. I like this approach – instead of just a how to, we often need to hear the how NOT to side of things!
Thanks, Brother Frank, for taking the time to invest in those of us who truly desire to improve our blogging. You are certainly a great example to us all. I really appreciate the fact your blog is not all about you!
May the Lord richly bless you as you keep up the great work!
Mac
As always, nicely said. I’m of the same opinion, right down the line.
FYI: I think you misspelled “choosy”. (Choosey)
Love ya bro!
Thx. It’s actually spelled both ways.