Okay, so I talked about posts I enjoy yesterday. But what about posts that I skip outright? Here are a few. But before you jump down and read them, remember that these are simply my personal preferences. I’m sure you’ve probably written a post or two like these (I have), so don’t take offense.
1. Post about animals. Unless it’s a wild animal that has crossed your path (like a snake or a ‘coon), I don’t care. I don’t have a pet, and I’m not really fond of them, so if you write a gushing post about yours, I’ll probably skip it. Please don’t be offended.
2. Ranting posts. Often these posts were clearly written while the writer was angry at the situation. That anger tends to cloud the blogger’s writing ability which is probably helped by the fact that these posts are often written in haste. Not only does this type of post have the potential to be harmful (particular if the rant is about a loved one), it’s not particularly edifying to read.
3. Memes. I do my fair share of them, sure. But unless they’re particularly interesting, I don’t particularly care to read them. I really try to keep myself from writing them, but sometimes I can’t hold back.
4. Long posts with few paragraph breaks. I’m definitely of the school that writes more conversationally, using paragraph breaks similar to a newspaper article, not a research paper. Simply makes it easier to read.
5. Posts with poor grammar or spelling. I’m not a huge stickler on this (though I’ll probably notice your errors, as I’m sure you notice mine), but if someone routinely has poor grammar and spelling, it’s hard to take.
So, what types of posts do YOU stay away from?
Oh,easy for me…political. Just don’t care for them. And while I post about my kid a lot, I don’t particularly enjoy posts about little kids being potty trained, etc…
I might have agreed with every one of yours, but then I read the last one. Geez, I hope I can do better with my grammer. spell check is great but sometimes I am so worried about what I am trying to convey that all gramatical rules of engagement go out the window.
By the way, I hate that I cannot spell check a comment. lol
Have a great day!
I really do despise the long posts and the chunky paragraphs, it does make it harder to read and I find myself skimming instead of really getting engaged by the post. Even if it is a long piece, I find frequent paragraph breaks kind of break up the visual monotony. I also have trouble with little fonts, it makes my eyes hurt.
Hmm. I really don’t think there’s a type of post a consistently hate or avoid. I just look for subject matter of interest and muddle through or skim as necessary. That’s my approach but I certainly understand yours!
i tend to avoid the long ones that seem to have no focus. i dont mind long posts as long as they are quick-paced…an easy read. and as far as the spell check thing – i HATE that you can’t spell-check a comment! usually i am in a hurry or really tired and dont notice the embarrassing errors until it’s already been posted. oh well…
I love animal posts–so there! hahaha I’m kidding (well, I really do like them but you know what I mean) I don’t like to read bad grammar although my blog is full of it–wait, is this your way of saying you hate my blog?! haha I really, REALLY hate political posts–especially ones that belittle the opposing party.
Poor grammar or spelling is a huge turn-off to me. I don’t want to be a grammar/spelling snob, but I guess I am.
Political rants turn me off too.
Long, wordy posts without breaks in paragraphs. I just don’t have the time, usually.
Hey… I’ve written about animals a bunch. I bet those are the posts of mine that you avoid. ;)
Okay – I have to do better on #4… I am a rambler. But I’m thanking my readers for putting up with me by starting monthly give aways. Just posted one yesterday for a gorgeous Bee Gee Bags clutch. I have considered keeping it for myself!
I hate posts that assume that everyone agrees. There was a mom who recently wrote several RAGING posts about how a flight attendant wanted her to cover up while nursing her baby. First of all – I don’t have strong feelings about this. But the tone was that I should be just as outraged. And I just kept thinking – what makes you the expert on propriety? And did I really want to hear all about her follow up letters to the airline? Not really. But then I guess that’s the whole blog thing – people don’t have to read you. BUT this was about the posts I don’t care to read. I don’t think people should stop writing them -I just don’t think I’ll be reading them.
Long, drawn out, rambling posts. Hate ‘em.
I don’t mind political posts as long as the person is informed and has their facts straight. I went to one lady’s blog who was NONE of the above.
Sorry about my grammar…LOL
I’m with you on those. Particularly in this election season I have had a hard time reading some of the really nasty stuff people are writing. I know we don’t share opinions, Blogger X, but is it really necessary to call me a dope? And spelling, oh my, that is my pet peeve. I edit my posts maniacally. Often times, I will go back and make changes hours, days and weeks after originally posting just because I can’t stand to have the error out there.
I’m kind of a meme-aholic. And everytime I try to cut back, I seem to end up doing more! Haha
That said, I pretty much completely agree with everything you’ve said.
I don’t like political posts, complaining (more than just once in awhile) posts, bad grammar/spelling, and lonnnggg paragraphs. Great post!
I’m not sure I really have specific posts I avoid, I guess it depends on my mood and how much time I have.
I will admit that I pretty much don’t read blogs that have black back grounds with white type. It looks cool, but it is impossible to read!
I’m with you on the long posts without breaks. I skim those mostly.
Oh, come on guys. I’m not refering to ANY of you about the grammar thing. If I found your grammar distracting, I’d avoid your blogs. But I visit you, right?
Those darn lengthy ones are skimmers. Gosh I hope you visit mine (I would love to have you over ‘cuz that’s how I am) and totally skip the latest; it could seem like a rant. Skip down to my front door decorating feast.
Have a great day!
I’m with you I need lots of paragraph breaks that’s why I try and put so many in my writing.
I also don’t like posts that are really long as a rule.
I agree that bloggers need to break their posts into paragraphs a lot more.
I don’t generally read long posts but if a post title and the first paragraph draw me in I’ll keep going.
I’ve read some very long posts because they’ve kept me wanting to go further. Unfortunately most long posts are written by people who don’t know how to edit.
I will read long ones, but only if I know the person fairly well. I’ll never leave a comment saying I read it if I didn’t! I don’t like potty-mouth posts. I don’t want to hear about bedroom stuff (though Lula’s pole dancing thing last week was hilarious!). I don’t mind meme’s though—as long as they’re not lists of 100 things! And I LOVE posts telling storied broke into bite-sized segments. That’s the best way to tell a long story!
Thanks for writing a blog about this Ronnica and for getting the conversation flowing on this topic. I’m very new to blogging, only about a month, and it helps a ton to know what drives people away from a site because I want people to visit, not go away! :)
I stay away from blogs that are long and rambling….those stream of concious blogs.
I also stay away from blogs that have tons of foul language.
And I tend to stay away from blogs where they have like hundreds of comments..there is no way I’ll ever be able to have a friendship with them, so why bother commenting?
Yeah…I’m not to keen on the political ones, either. Granted, sometimes my favorite blogs will cover something happening in main stream media…but for the most part, I don’t care to read them (nor do I care to write them…although I did post 400 pages of the bail out bill – well, a LINK).
I don’t really care for the bashing ones, either – breast feeding, homeschooling, women in the work place – I just don’t wanna hear it or read it, ya know? (I get very emotional when I read and I find it’s best that I just stay away from a lot of these types of posts.)
Language. Grammar. Subject content. These all effect whether I’ll read your blog and if I’ll return to it once I read it once.
Please read my blog…lol
I know you do and THANK YOU!!! I know I have poor grammar!!!! SORRY!!!!
I am guilty of many of the things that I avoid, but the LOOOOOONG posts get to me too.
Little bitty fonts or things that look really clinical turn me off regardless of what is being written about.
I don’t enjoy pet things either EXCEPT for Alex’s blog… he is a cat that blogs and I love his posts. He writes in LOL Cats speak and it is funny.
“this is what I did today” posts with no point or humor or Aha moment. Bores me silly.
CRUMMY photography.
I could go on…..
See? We all have stuff that we can’t handle reading.
I’m with you on all of those! I also try not to write them. :) I also avoid blogs with low-contrast text/backgrounds, like dark purple on black. You can’t even read them without highlighting the text. Just not worth it.
Just had to pop over on this post and read it, too. Excellent points all!
I’m going to add music, blinking banners, slide show widgets — anything that moves or makes sounds — to my pet peeves on blogs. I do not care what a blogger or other site owner listens to, and besides, music and other things that move in ANY form just slow down the loading of the page. If it takes more than a couple or so seconds for your page to completely load, I’m out of there! And I agree with Mrs. Mordecai on the low-contrast text/backgrounds… too hard to read for those of us with “older” eyesight.
Great stuff, Ronnica! =)