This week I had a heck of a time making my video, so I apologize in advance for seeming like a boring zombie! Nothing wanted to work for me but I really wanted to get a video up. This week the topic was chosen by me and we are talking about what makes us want to follow a blog. So, what we like to see as far as content and design (or in the case of my bitter video; what we DON'T like to see!)
So, what makes you follow a blog? What do you like to see for content and layout? Let me know!
Thank you for watching!!
I like it simple. I hate it when the colours practically scream in my face and hurt my eyes, also, when the design overtakes the blog by being all over the place with stripes, flowers, dots, triangles etc - just a mash-up of everything - so not cool. Simple does it for me. Maybe I'm kind of old-fashioned, but, in my opinion, neutral colours are more likeable. And I completely agree with you about posting everything BUT reviews - a big no no! I don't manage to get three reviews up per week, but I try at least two. I study at college, work part-time and I do put my main focus on these two things + family stuff, friends and time for myself are essential as well, so blogging is just for fun. I get that one wants to do all kinds of fun memes 'n stuff, but if you consider yourself a reviewer then your blog should mainly focus on that. I think you've done a wonderful job with yours and not wanting to sound like a workout machine, I have to tell you to keep up the good work :D you're doing great! And I hope yor computer starts being friends with you. Have a wonderful day! :)
ReplyDeleteI love how you don't give up when you do something crazy at the beginning of the video. :-p That's my girl!
ReplyDeleteI love your necklace!
That's how I feel some days with my webcam. Y U HATE ME. Y I CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS?
Bahaha, I hate those Team banners. I really hate the whole "team" thing.
I really don't want my blog to be all memes, which means I need to keep doing a million reviews or they will take over.
Your video's getting out of sync. :( Your Mac is a jerk.
Awww, poor, bitter Jenni. *hugs*
Like you, I like to see reviews, generally mid-length to long and bursting with personality and analysis. Obviously a nice design draws the eye, but since I don't have one I try not to be a judgmental person about that. Although some are nigh unreadable and just no. As far as memes go, I try to be nice too, because I do TTT and WoW, and then every Thursday I have my Cover Snark post. I'm planning to add a new weekly thing in the new year too, though that one will be my own thing as well, which might be different?
Oh, also, I don't like to follow blogs where the blogger seems stuck up, in that they neither respond to comments or comment back. Is that really so much to ask?
I do a lot of cover reveals, I am a junkie lol. But, I don't do just those. I always try to make sure if I do cover reveals I still have a review or something else up. I can't stand the black background with white writing. It hurts my eyes. Yeah, your video ended up going out of synch towards the end, but don't quit. I love your vlogs!!! Haha, I don't even know how many times I start a Book Buzzers vlog and say Stacking the Shelves. I do it almost every time then have to start over. Don't be bitter, we love you even if your computer is being a pain in the ass.
ReplyDeleteBahaha! Love the video, Jenni! |Welcome to another Stacking The Shelves ..." :P
ReplyDeleteYou are at you're best when you're frustrated! ;)
I think I pretty much agree with all your points. I too hate when a blog takes forever to load and has too many "things" on their sidebars. It's very distracting. As far as colors and all go, I like when they're simple and readable. I had a black background and white font too when I first started, but someone advised me to change it, so I'm happy for that! :)
Also the overload of memes frustrates me so much. Like you, I don't comment on memes I don't participate. I always look for reviews, guest posts, interviews, discussions and that sort of stuff. Too many memes can get boring! -_-
Oh and like Christina, I don't like when the blogger doesn't really make an effort to respond to a comment or comment back on my own blog. I like making friends while blogging!
Well, that was a great video. You made some great points! :)
I think it's fun to participate in memes and book promo but what really draws me to visit a book blog is the reviews. I love exclusive excerpts too :) I guess it's just me, but I like a blog that offers a search box, and a way for me to follow it e.g. rss feed. And I agree, it's kinda hard to read a review post with a dark background and white fonts.
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy Monday :)
I agree that all memes and cover reveals aren't very interesting for readers. I think there should be at least 1 review on the first page. I know some of us are busy and can't review fifty million books a week (like me in exams right now), but I agree you don't have to participate in EVERY meme ever!
ReplyDeleteIn one of my university courses, the presenter was talking about making powerpoint presentations and she said you should have a dark background and white writing to "reduce uncomfortable glare" and I was all like "WHAT?!?!" She be crazy. White on black is way harder to read.
Also, this isn't really a design or content thing, but Captcha is so annoying!
I definitely enjoy a simple and clean blog. I hate it when things are so cluttered! Especially sidebars!
ReplyDeleteYES! So many memes out there! I haven't been posting a lot of reviews lately, but try to mix it up as much as I can. I just hate cluttering up the blog with so many posts!
I've definitely noticed some blogs with very bad designs ... like, hard on the eyes kind of designs. Again, SIMPLE!
I much prefer someone whose social in the community. I admit, I've been lax with this lately, but I still think I'm out there! One thing I hate is when people are out there on Twitter, but when you Tweet at them, they never respond. It's annoying!
Oh! And, for me, a blog MUST have a search box that's easy to find! It's kind of annoying when I want to find something, but can't because I can't find the stupid search box.
I thought you had one of those little cameras on your computer? Can't you use that instead of the one on the Mac?
Ah, I'm just like you when it comes to this! I'm am FAR from a patient person, and if I have to sit at my computer waiting for your blog to load because you have so much crap on your sidebars, I'm x-ing out and leaving. Done. (Lol I sound so bitter!) Also, a nice design is also a plus, but it definitely doesn't impact my decision on whether I'll follow or not. I won't follow your blog if, obviously, the blogger and I have vastly different tastes, or the blogger doesn't seem to have a real grasp on proper punctuation or grammar (seriously, I sound like a massive bitch in this comment. Oh well). And don't forget about captcha. You have captcha and I'm leaving. Buh-bye.
ReplyDeleteYes, I LOVE simple designs. That's pretty much what I do too, like one sidebar that I try to keep clean (I hope it is...). Two sidebars is just way too much, I mean, why do you need all that crap?! And with all that crap comes another one of your points... it takes forever to load. My internet already SUCKS, so when I get one of those crazy sidebar blogs, my computer just doesn't work with me.
ReplyDeleteI think I've only participated in two memes so far, and I'm still participating in one. I haven't posted many review in the past few weeks but I've been crazy busy as hell. I'm going to flip shit soon if I don't get to read in the next two weeks. (Side note: I'm finishing my Chinese book first just to get it over with so I can actually have a damn Christmas break. It's for a book report, maybe I should finish the report as well.) So yea.. I haven't finished a book in almost two weeks... IT'S CRAZY.
Have a nice day and I hope your Mac will be nicer to you...
Aw, I'm pretty sure you could never be boring, Jenni. I admire your perseverance in making a video even after so many false starts! But I do hope your next video works out better. Heh, I wouldn't have known that white writing on a black background was a faux-pas either. But I agree when it comes to too many memes and too cluttered sidebars. What really draws me to following a new blog is if the blogger's personality is evident in their posts - I would much rather read a blog that is a reflection of someone's personality, rather than just formal, uninvolved posts that say nothing about the person writing them. I want to get to know people and their reading tastes! Otherwise, what's the point in following?
ReplyDelete