Blogging Likes and Dislikes -- Your Ideas!

I read blogs about crafting, diy, recipes, and home improvement. Thank goodness there are so many wonderful blogs out on the www to touch upon about any subject. My blog reading preferences include things I like, bloggers with the same interest as mine and those who inspire me to take "this" and make "that" out of it.


Now one blog that I visit often is Ms. Karen from Sew Many Ways. With a blog title like "Sew" many ways you would think it is all about sewing, right? Nope again! This little {big is so many ways} blog has so much more to offer. Yes, there is lots of quilting and sewing projects/tutorials but she also includes organizing tips, recycling projects and blogging tips -- thus leading to this post. Today she asked her readers to List their Likes and Dislikes about blogs. There are over 50 comments {more by now}-- of good, valuable, informative responses from other bloggers and readers of what you like and don't like on a blog.


Hearing from other bloggers really helps me with my own blog.  I craft because I love it -- I have this blog because I love to share my crafting with you.  When I first started this blog it was to show you crafts I created using my Cricut I still love my cricut -- but I've expanded my views and want to incorporate all areas of crafting I enjoy.   


We are all learning from each other and I appreciate the good and bad of blogging -- so I'd like to ask that you leave a comment about your likes and dislikes of my blog and or any other blog (just a general list).  


I'll share kind of the same format Ms. Karen did as it is very informative.


Here are thoughts about my OWN blog {Craft Junkie Too}….

• Am I too wordy in posts? {I'm trying to work on that}.
• I've started using the "read more" button/bookmark to help my readers scroll through or skip over the text/pictures you don't wish to read.  Do you like that or should do you want to see the entire post throughout the entire blog?
• I took the labels off the bottom of each post.  Do you prefer labels in each posts so you can easily click on them or you use the side bar?
• Is my new set up easy to navigate?

Here are my thoughts on blogs I visit….

• I do not use a Reader -- I depend on my blog list of updates to know when my favorite blogs have a new blog post that I want to read. Do I read every single post? Nope. I'm a busy mom, work full time and have a home to care for. I miss a lot of posts but I don't worry.  I also subscribe via email to my favorites -- it comes right to my email box.  
• No music for me…. Music that starts immediately turns me off from visiting.  1st of all I'm not expecting it so it makes me jump…..   Video's of music or a playlist on the sidebars is fine -- it is MY choice if I want to click on it to listen or watch the video.  
• I like a clean easy to read blog -- I do not care for dark colored backgrounds with light text.  It hurts my eyes and I can't read it -- thus losing my attention.  I also do not care for lots of patterned backgrounds -- the focus of your blog should be on your posts -- not the background.  

• Fonts in your entire post.  Blogger just introduced us to a whole slew of fonts -- but I do not care for that cutsy font throughout your entire post.  Post titles, sidebar titles are ok -- not the entire body.  I  spot read and skip over a lot of text because of this.
• I like links in your blog post to "take" me to another page, website or help me find the product you're using.  
• Give credit for the project -- Inspiration is everywhere…..give credit to the creator or where you saw it first….sometimes we just don't know but if you do -- please credit the designer.  
• I like to get to know who you are -- I don't want your entire life story or really want to read about your 5th vacation in 6 weeks -- I'm looking for projects and inspiration most -- but I love to hear about your family, fun times and if you struggle with something I can relate to (weight) :)  I love the "about me" link or blogger profile -- this helps me get to know you better.  
• I'm a visual person meaning I love pictures and/or videos showing me how to do it -- I {love} pictures that have good lighting.  Your picture is the first impression of your project and if you do not have good lighting when you take your picture -- it does not give your project justice.  Cropping your pictures are a good idea -- it helps me see your project and not everything on the table too.  
• I do not care for a lot of blinking graphics -- a few is fine but lots of animated graphics (especially side by side) loses my attention.
• I dislike the word verification for comments.  I have mine turned off -- if you're worried about spam….. moderate your comments -- all or specify a date after post to receive an email to publish the comment or not. I don't leave many comments because of this…..
• The {no-reply bloggers} -- I like to respond to comments but if you are a "no-reply blogger" then I can't.  Click here to learn how to check if you are no-reply blogger (courtesy of Ms. Karen)
• Pinterest - {{loooove it}} If you do pinterest -- let me know with a button, link to your boards or mention of it.  If I like your blog -- I want to follow you on pinterest too. 
• I probably could go on for a few more but I'll stop there…...

Okay -- I'd love to hear your likes and dislikes about blogs in general or will take your suggestions about my blog into consideration….I promise.