
Good Morning! It snowed, and continues to snow, here. This is going to be a perfect day for answering questions.
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Earlier this week Maggie at From Cave Walls wrote a post offering advice intending to help new bloggers specifically, but useful to all bloggers in general.
She also asked her readers to answer 10 questions about blogging. After mulling over the questions for a few days, here are my answers.
• Do you respond to every comment, even if it is just an emoji?
I attempt to reply to all comments on a timely basis, although occasionally I miss one. I’m not a fan of using just an emoji to begin a conversation but will reply with words to it. I have no trouble with emojis used in conjunction with words or just an emoji to end an ongoing conversation.
• Are there styles, colors, or fonts that make reading a blog more difficult?
Yes there are. I find it almost impossible to read white/pastel letters on a dark background. I know it looks dramatic or modern, but I find it difficult to see.
I also think that it looks messy when someone indiscriminately has words in too many different colors within the text of a post. Same with words that are written using a mix of uPpER and LoWEr cAsE letters. They slow down my ability to read the post and I don’t like to be slowed down.
• Under what circumstances would you block a user?
I block spammers, haters, and people who are only here to try to get me promote their products or services. This is my personal blog therefore: my blog, my rules.
• Are there certain topics you refuse to engage with?
I’ll talk about many topics, but I refuse to talk about things like health issues or finances or the specifics about who we are/where we live.
• How do you feel about blogging awards?
Early on they seemed important but now I’m indifferent to them. If it makes you feel good about receiving one, then flaunt it. However long ago I deleted the page on which I had mine, but that’s just me.
• How old is your current blog?
The Spectacled Bean is 11 years old [as if my loyal gentle readers didn’t know that already 🙄].
• Do you respond to prompts?
Generally speaking I freeze when I see a prompt. Occasionally I’ll find something to say in regard to one, but overall they scare me and I immediately feel stressed. It has to do with too many collegiate essay exams that were a large percentage of my final grade.
When it comes to playing follow-the-leader in the blogosphere, I like straightforward questions like these, or an ongoing weekly or monthly challenge, truth be told.
• Do the number of your blog followers matter to you?
No, not at all
• What motivates you to follow or unfollow a blog?
I FOLLOW blogs written by people who aren’t afraid to be unique, who know how to think clearly & write truthfully, who seem to be kindhearted, and who create blog posts that are visually pleasing.
I UNFOLLOW [or never follow to begin with] a blog whose tone is rude, crude, whiny, preachy, or there’s too much emphasis on selling something. I’m not here for that crap.
• What is your blogging pet peeve?
I want to see a well-written up-to-date ABOUT page on every personal blog. I want to know who you think you are before I start reading your posts. Have some gumption and define yourself, kids!
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TGIF, everyone. Happy Weekend to you.
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