5 Things I Hate About Bloggers!
Wow! I can already feel the glaring eyes of all my readers, but give me a chance to justify myself! I have been blogging for over a year now and reading blogs for even longer that that. In this time it has given me a great chance to watch how bloggers act, react and interact, and there are a few things that I have noticed that are common among most bloggers – that may not necessarily be good.
Here are 5 attributes that most bloggers have that annoys me!
- They Think They Deserve To Be Popular
Now don’t get me wrong. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard – that’s freedom of speech. But to think that you can just rock up, create a blog and the next day be getting 1,000’s of visitors is something that seems to be becoming all to common among new bloggers. They see the likes of Chow, Cow and Co and expect to get straight to their level, as they never saw the hard work that was put on by these ‘pro bloggers’ to get to where they are.To be successful at blogging you have to put in the hard work with quality posts and being active in your niche! AND YOU NEED TO BE CONSISTENT! Blogging success doesn’t come over night, but it will if you stick around long enough!
- They Can’t Handle Criticism
How many times have you seen a blogger lash out at one of the comments on their blog? Does anyone else get the feeling that a lot of bloggers cannot take constructive criticism? Now I’m not talking about personal attacks. I’m referring to people leaving comments that are their own opinions which just happen to be the opposite of those held by the blog author.Why is it so hard for us to understand that not everyone is going to agree with us? That is the beauty of such a diverse world! How boring would life be if everyone agreed about everything?
- They Are Followers
I’m not saying don’t change when you realise your blog is heading in the wrong direction. But I see a lot of bloggers totally changing who they are and how they blog just because a ‘pro blogger’ is doing or saying something.I would like to think that as bloggers we are the ones setting the pace, we are being creative and unique. Why are we so busy following the latest trend to make use of our freedom of speech. I remember when pretty much everyone would make a post about how much John Chow was earning the day after he released his monthly earnings. Now I know that it is a great encouragement to find out that this money is able to be made blogging, but does everyone need to stop writing quality posts to blog about how much someone is making?
Be your own person. Blog about what you’re thinking. Take new territory! That is what blogging should be. Leave the rehashing for ezine articles!
- They Don’t Harness The Power Of Networking
Blogging is the perfect arena to really profit from networking. Why is it that so many bloggers don’t take ahold of the opportunity? In blogging their are so many ways for us to network and build our blogs together. To use each other as steps to building both each others blogs. We can:- Comment on other blogs
- Link To Each Other In Our Posts
- Use Social Bookmarking Tools
- MSN
- Help Other Bloggers Out With Problems
- Suggest Ways For Each Other To Improve
Think how much more successful all our blogs would be if we truly caught a hold of the power of networking?
- They Give Up To Easily
I was looking at Marks Top100 Bloggers list the other day and sure the top couple are still the same, but it seems like a whole heap have just disappeared and a new flood have come through. What happened to all the ones that left? I find that a lot of bloggers get flustered when they find out that blogging isn’t as easy as it seems. When they are posting everyday, commenting too.It could be cause it all gets too much. It could be they run out of ideas. Maybe they don’t see the vlaue since the money isn’t rolling in. Either way a lot of bloggers quit right before it seems like their blog is about to explode.
This blog post was one of those write before you think posts I recently talked about, and now looking back I can see that I am or have been guilty of all of these points at one stage.
What do you think? What is it about bloggers that drives you up the wall? I’m sure we all would love to hear your thoughts!
This post will make bloggers be a better blogger.
Husseins last blog post..Let’s Try Niche Site
totally right (but not all w/what you said).. No.1 is totally correct, most people never realize that all popular blogs started out as a crap. I mean when I look at darren rowse archive, it went about 20 posts that never get any comment which is pretty hard to swallow.
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Great post… stumbled and dugg it as well :)
I especially thing the point of bloggers being impatient and expecting things NOW instead of having to work for it is a good one.
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Tom,
This is true, but I think that you left out the top reason I hate bloggers…
We are selfish!
So many times asking for help from another blogger comes back as sure I will help you if you do this, this, and this. Bloggers like to talk about other blogs and promote other products if they feel they will be benefited in some way in return. It is far and few between that you see a blog highlight another blogs contest without a chance of winning something, you won’t often find a blog that will give away a link without getting one in return. Simply said bloggers are selfish.
Myself included so please don’t assume I am passing the blame without laying some of it on me where it belongs.
Adam
Adam – Creadivs last blog post..Creadiv Comments Contest Inspire Me!
Everybody wants to be like the big names out there because they live “the blogging dream”, but I mean it’s hard work as you said. You can’t just write stuff and hope to be successful, you have to have your own approach. You know, I couldn’t be like John Chow because that’s not my personality. Your blogging strategy has to reflect who you really are.
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Woohoo! I just checked the Top 100 page and I made it, finally! :) Those are some of the things I also hate about bloggers… especially the first one. (only I deserve to be popular)
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Hahaha.. I’m felt the same way (on No 1) when i started to blog last year. But later i realized that i need to do something in order to gain traffics to my site. Well, everybody dream to be as J Chow or J Cow or whatever. But not me anymore. I used to be a die hard fan of John Chow but now, Sheesshh..
I used to write about BlogSpot and that was the time i realized not all bloggers can handled criticism. I’m not saying that i need them to agreed on my post but come on..!! Say something nice if you don’t agreed.
About the followers, I’m doing my best not to be one of them.
Anyway, nice thoughts, buddy.. :)
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Thanks for the great feedback guys!
And John – thanks for the stumble and digg!
Hi Tom
Great post. I totally agree with all your points especially number 2 and 4.
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Most Bloggers lack the power to visualise , they lack the long term vision for their blog , Everyone who starts a blog wants to retire off it overnight :)
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Who are YOU to talk crap about MY blog?!?! What you think you’re better than me, and able to just criticize at will? I patterned my blog after a really successful blog, and I already have TENS of readers. Me and my Friendster pals (MySpace/Facebook = crap) are going to blow up, just watch!
You know what, screw it. You guys can have your fancy little blogs. You wont have me to push around anymore. I’m going back to Zines…
I was trying to leave a winky emoticon so those with faulty sarcasm detectors wouldn’t think I was a big old jerk, but apparently you can’t leave a comment which is just:
“;-)”
Nice post – I think that the ones who do research and are in it for the long haul (hopefully) don’t fit these categories =)
You earned a new subscriber, like the site/concept alot, hadn’t been here before.
Cheers,
Adam
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Most of us start from zero and I agree with especially point no 1 & 2. Some of average blogger think that they already like Chow, Darren, Copyblogger but not acting like them. When they received comment not related to their posting they consider spamming..
I like no 3, though i wish you had used a more “fitting” term than followers. While among bloggers, there is a shortage of cows [and chows][The trendsetters], there is absolutely no shortage of sheep.
Blogging success doesn’t come over night, but it will if you stick around long enough!…
Well said, Tom. I’m not in for the money so I guess I don’t expect much of the popularity or the monetary success in particular.
I’m still holding on to my passion and that’s the core ingredient behind every successful endeavour. It’s what makes you stick long enough to see the fruits of your labour.
Yan
Yan Shall Blogs last blog post..Blogging Topics: Making the Right Choice
#5 for sure. I use Mark’s list to find new blogs to read, and 50% or more are dead or post once a month.
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SOmetimes I’m on the situation 5..
But I motivate myself..
Why want to give up if there’s more success blogger.
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Very good post, a few things in here I agree with, and a few things I have done before, and hope not to do again!
Clog Moneys last blog post..I’m not going to stop trying!!!
I agree with you tom.People think that only they are the best bloggers and no one else.Sometimes people tend to be selfish on net
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Great post, good reading, excellent tips!
Mark Salinass last blog post..Daily Life Challenge
I don’t like it when bloggers don’t respond to comments and questions. I know some bloggers reach a point where the site is so popular that they can’t possible respond to every comment but most of us aren’t at that level.
My favorite bloggers are the ones who use commentluv and then go visit and comment on the sites of everyone who visited. That really builds a community of supportive people willing to help each other.
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Hey Tom, Another great post! I think that most bloggers are just too anxious and feel that they can make the big money fast!! When they look at the Chow’s & Cow’s I think they believe that the money will just pour in once they set up a blog. NOT, it’s a lot of work, time, and you have to have the passion for what you are doing or it’s all for naught.
Tom, nice one.
I must say that I read a post similar when I first started blogging and I am definately guilty of being a follower but, you must be a good follower in order to be a good leader.
Here is a post that I wrote when I was feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, but it helped me get back on track.
http://revenuereservoir.com/2008/08/06/this-blog-is-stupid-and-i-want-to-quit/
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Hmm…Great points here. I just posted on my misconceptions about blogging, and they somewhat resemble this list.
I think the most applicable one for me is independence. I just last week realized that I can post whatever I want in my blog – it does not have to strictly adhere to my niche all of the time – originality is key. Who wants to read something that they have already read before?
ethans last blog post..The Misconceptions of an Amateur Blogger
I am totally guilty of point #5. Its just so much easier to just give up. Im not a quitter though so I usually end up back in the saddle.
Stumbled this post as well!
That was a very nice wake up call for us all, Tom and you really hit the mark. What caught my eyes is your number 2 item. You’ve got a serious typo error. It should be “they” not “the.” I hope you take it constructively. :D Of course, I know you leave it that way. Nice list, really.
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warm – thanks for letting me know :D I just fixed it up… considering this post has had over 20 comments its a wonder no one else picked this up first!
Very impressive, and mostly it is true – But do you think every one will change the same second you have wrote this post? it would be great, although every blogger has different life beside the blogosphere. I totally agree with @Warm you did really hit the spot! ;)
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Tom – Oh my, I thought you really put it that way to make your point, to show how to accept criticism. And actually, you just showed it how. Great list.
warms last blog post..The Importance of Impressions In and Out
I’m sure I’ve been guilty of some of these things in the past too…this post is a great measuring tool that we can all use to keep tabs on ourselves and make sure we are being good people and good bloggers….I’ll have to think a little bit before answering the question you pose at the end of the post though.
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Wow Tom,
This is so true, especially the 5th one. :)
Man, this post really put a smile on my face. I bet this really get to some bloggers that didn’t post a comment.
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great post. i also DIGGed this. i am learning definitely learning here because i’m just new in blogging. will be visiting more often.
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This time I can agree with you, though I have guilty of the 3rd one, but overall I do pretty good going against your hate list.
I hope you do not have problems with constructive criticism Tom, because I already see 2 spelling errors.
Nathaniel – I love constructive criticism, and im sure you’re right about my spelling errors I type to quick and forget to spell check – and now I’m too lazy to go over it all!
I don’t think all of them are true…there are some exceptional one…
true. i get a bit sad when i come across what looks like a promising blog, but then i find that the last post was from a year ago.
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As for me, I don’t want to be like Chow, I just want to be a purple cow. Now if you don’t know what that meant, you’ll have to come visit me and ask.
I agree though. Blogging is hard work and too many people don’t think they should have to put in the effort. They make me mad too.
fracass last blog post..Today, Judy really is a Queen!
I’m sure we’re all guilty in our own sense, but how we improve on those mistakes is what make us better bloggers. Thanks, your post was an eye opener.
Great article! I definitely don’t feel I deserve to be popular, but there ain’t no way in hades I’m ever going to be able to handle constructive criticism. People who know and love me know to pretend they’re talking about somebody else when delivering criticism so I can get the benefit without the blow to my ego.
Thanks to Frontline Blogger for posting a link to this article!
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