- They’re updated very frequently. The ones that update infrequently without saying so are a bit annoying and I tend not to go back after a while. A good example – Time Goes By. Even when Ronni Bennett (the author) doesn’t write an article she puts up an old photo. She’s had an interesting career and life by the looks and lets her readers know when she’s having a break.
- Honesty. A blog doesn’t have to be about anything in particular, someone’s life is fine – but honesty draws me in. Dooce is a prime example here. She’s upfront about who she is and what she does and a good writer to boot.
(I write my blog anonymously and it’s becoming like a secret life so I’m thinking of coming out but don’t know if I’m quite ready for this. Am interested in anyone’s thoughts who reads this – let me know what you think.) - Which brings me to the next point. Good writing, or at least sentences that make sense and are spelt correctly. Numbers 1 and 2 above fall into this category for me. But it’s not just good writing, the author needs to be passionate about their blog and what they’re writing. Loobylu – the only Australian blog I read regularly – is passionate about her subject matter and it really shows in her blog and she’s taken it the next step with the Month of Softies. Sewing and crafty things aren’t really my cup of tea but I’m still drawn to reading her blog.
- I like some humour and Waiter rant is great for this for me. I find that this blog isn’t updated as often as I would like but too bad. I know what it’s like to work and not get much time to blog and I can do some of mine at work cause I can type quick and it’s like a smoko for me. Back to Waiter rant though, I enjoy the way he blogs about what happens to him at work.
- I really like an ‘about me’ section in blogs as I like to know who’s communicating to me although this can be a load of crap. Bizgirl – international librarian of mystery is one such blog where according to The Sydney Morning Herald it’s not a 26 year old female but a married man with children pretending to be Bizgirl. It’s a bit like someone lying in an internet dating ad but not as harmful.
So this leaves me to wonder where blogging will go. I’m pleased I’ve not grown sick of writing my own blog. I find what helps keep me going is reading other people’s blogs and being inspired to add to my own. Blogs seem to be growing exponentially and I think it’s a great way to find out more about how other people live and I think it will continue for some time.
