Okay, I know that’s a harsh title, but why else would you read this?
When doing my usual blog catch up reads, I found myself having difficulty enjoying many of the posts. I don’t think it’s that I’ve gone off reading blogs, but I think there’s been a shift in content from my usual favourites – not all of them, before you fabulous ones worry!
The blogs I’m talking about are the ones with a clear agenda. I want people to succeed, I want bloggers to become full time and have the happiest life possible living out their dreams. However, I can’t help but think that when some people attempt to become career bloggers, they lose a bit of their authenticity or what makes them ‘them’ behind. I feel like some people become copies of others, maybe not realising it looks like this, because they’ve seen it work for them.
Every other post at least is an ad, astericks everywhere*** , the lifestyle posts become far deeper than needed for quite minor chats in an attempt to seem ‘relatable’, and honestly, I just find it all a bit boring. I know I can just stop reading and I know its none of my business, but I almost feel disappointed, or maybe its sadness, that some of my favourite reads have become a little lacking in terms of my own personal preferences.
It has to be said, some of these people are absolutely killing it, and this is only my one tiny insignificant opinion. I just think that there might be others out there that agree.
I was trying to think of the things that all of these bloggers do that turns me off reading their posts, because let’s face it I do some of them too! So I came up with a little list, be cause lists are my life. Do you agree? Have you noticed content changing for the worse from any of your favourite bloggers – except me, how dare you?!
How to keep me reading your posts (because obviously I’m important)
Be real. Don’t just talk about being real. Don’t write a post called ‘Getting real’ and it’s actually about how you wore BB cream the other day instead of full coverage foundation (I made this up, don’t take offence…although if the shoe fits). Don’t say ‘I’ve had tough times, but I’m getting there’ as a throw away comment in a blog post full of outfit photos and links to your affiliate platform.
Advertise less. This is a difficult one, cos you gotta make dollar! (Dollar sounds cooler than Stirling). But maybe I mean do less obvious or boring advertising. ‘This is the best toothpaste, omg’ is not an entire post and I’m not interested soz. Also, Instagram stories swipe ups are amazing, but do they have to be in every single post? Yawn! Stop trying to sell me stuff! I’m vulnerable when it comes to shopping!
Be yourself. Everyone says be yourself, but on the internet we can be anyone. However, most people can tell when you lose your authenticity. I’m not saying you have to be quirky and totally different, because I’m all about that basic bitch life, but just don’t try too hard to be like others. It’s weird.
Respond. Honestly, I get it. I get about 5 comments on an Instagram post and can forget to respond, but there are some people who don’t even try. They’ll reply to their friends or anyone popular and leave the rest of the comments sitting there.
Don’t act entitled. We are all entitled to respect and to our work being compensated fairly, but we are not all entitled to jump on Twitter and slam a brand as soon as they say we’re too expensive for them. People work to budgets and while some take the mick, others are just trying to engage and build a relationship. If you’re confident you ‘know your worth’, move on to the next brand and forget them. Bitching isn’t classy. Says this bitchy bitch.
Don’t be too busy. I am busy. Like really busy. Like when will I see my house in the daylight again busy. But I’m never too busy to help out fellow bloggers, read their posts, respond to their Insta stories. I saw your Insta stories of you getting up at 1pm and watching Disney movie after Disney movie! (Okay that’s everyone!) Try harder. Be the person your followers deserve.
Use time wisely. Don’t spend more time on the links to your shop or affiliates than you do on the content. It is so very obvious when you don’t care what you write and are just trying to make money.
What puts you off reading blog posts? Is it people writing about other people’s blog posts? 😉
Kanra Khan says
15 April 2018 at 07:09Things that put me off of reading blog posts are very subtle things. You’re right, posts filled with affiliates and nothing but advertisements are definitely a turn off. I don’t mind if these types of things are present, but the post should have some substantial content. I should enjoy what I’m reading. If it’s just about a product, then I’m probably not going to read it. It’s one of the major reasons why I don’t read a lot of fashion posts. There are very few bloggers out there who blog fashion tastefully- they will include good photographs and have substantial content, whether it’s discussing current events or something personal- anything besides just talking about fashion and make up.
I don’t even know where I was going with this comment xD
the lunar descent
Tina says
15 April 2018 at 17:34Haha, that’s how I write most of my posts! I completely get that actually. A lot of my reviews used to be purely about the product, but they were at least lengthy and honest. Now I try to mix it in with a subject that means something. I think that’s what you meant? 🙂 Thanks for your comment! x
Honey says
16 April 2018 at 20:46I constantly think about this. I write what I like obviously (and I have two blogs so hopefully people will find something for themselves), but I also want people to read it and like it. Things that put me off the most are when you’re reading a post and it’s so freaking obvious that it’s just an ad. There’s no honest opinion or recommendation, but just pure ad. Also, all white photos where I don’t even see what’s in the photo, posts that are like 4 pages long,… these are all personal preferences, of course, but some people take it to a whole new level and it’s too much for me 😀 Also (I just added this right before posting a comment) when people put a clickbait title or when they write ‘review’ and it’s just photos of an eyeshadow palette and names of the shades. that’s not a ‘review’.
xo Honey – blog Royal Lifestyle – Twitter – Instagram
Tina says
27 April 2018 at 20:30The review thing is frustrating, I actually want a review! That;’s exactly it, we write for ourselves, but obviously it’s good if people like it. I guess its hard to combine the two for some x
rosyblush says
19 April 2018 at 05:16I completely agree with this post! Bloggers who show their authentic self are the ones I usually find myself coming back to 🙂
Tina says
27 April 2018 at 20:31Absolutely the same, I will always want to go back and check those types, whereas some blogs I used to love I’ve gone off reading x
Rosie says
1 May 2018 at 10:50Yes to all of these points, particularly when they crowbar in an ad which has little to do with their actual content. Also, the commenting thing – even if it’s just a simple thanks to acknowledge that my comment has been read – this is much better than ignoring me completely x
Tina says
13 May 2018 at 08:33Ah yes! The classic….and by the way you should get insurance with (insert ad). haha! I hate that people will just ignore those reading their content and look up to those that probably don’t care about it!
Joanne Mallon says
30 May 2018 at 16:31Honestly, the thing that puts me off is bad spelling and grammar. I can let a few typos go by, but it somebody isn’t even trying then it just hurts my eyes. I don’t really mind an ad so much, as long as it’s relevant to the blog and there is an attempt to give some useful content to the reader. But it has to be disclosed – undisclosed ads and links are so obvious and a real turn off.
Tina says
5 June 2018 at 20:08Yes, that too! Although now I want to go back and proofread this. If people want to write, then I feel like it’s good to practise it and do it well. I don’t mind ads, but as you say they have to be relevant. I find some people pushing ad after ad and I get nothing from reading the actual post.
Hailey Jade Ryan says
24 July 2018 at 07:33Haha, I’m sooo the person that gets up at 1 pm and then watches Disney movies and is waaayyy too busy for social media and blogging. 😀 But sometimes, you really need it after a hard week. (No, I did not take offense in any way and I totally get it.) I think for me, the lack of motivation often comes from the fact that my job is similar to my hobby. I get bored sooo easily. I’m sure I will never truly get bored of writing, but when I wrote a lot for work or done all the other annoying things that come with the job (Queen of complaining, although I have gotten better), I just don’t feel like more writing. And lately, I’ve been sooo not interested in like texting and stuff. I feel terrible for not replying, but sometimes…. I definitely should get better at replying. I feel really bad about it, but I’m often just too lazy and just wanna chill and do nothing.
And T, man, you’re just being such a B**ch! 😀 Love you!!!
xx Hailey – http://www.haileyjaderyan.com // http://www.instagram.com/haileyjaderyan
Tina says
24 July 2018 at 08:28Hahaha! I love you! I totally feel that, my work is similar too and it becomes one big circle of writing and marketing and I too am lazy! Your blog is certainly never boring though! Haha, I had to go back and re-read my post to find out about the Disney bit! This is all about you! No, time out is definitely needed, I just don’t like some people’s marketing techniques I don’t think. Where they do one post and am like ‘working so hard to make money from my blog’ – liars! At least we’re honest 🙂 xx