A friend of the family hipped me to Blog Catalog and I’m so glad he did. It has help me in numerous ways: finding great blogs to read, helpful personal discussions, making online friends, learning what it takes to become a better blogger, etc… I really could go on and on with no complaints, make that only one complaint there are a few bossy bloggers that make a list of demands before they even think to type hello. If you have a blog of your own I’m sure you’re familiar with their comments, shouts or tweets: I just visited your blog and I hope you return the favor. Please leave a comment, click on a links, ki$$ my ads, favorite me on Technorati and Stumble a few of my post. If you have time tweet how much you liked the article and leave a comment on my shout box to let me know what you think… Does that sound familiar?
Look I’ve been guilty of it too. When I first starting blogging (a whole 9 months ago) a whole new world opened up to me. The internet was this strange and scary place full of identity thieves, viruses and sex predators. I did not feel safe roaming the web so I visited a few places that made me feel comfortable. I was use to working a full-time job, for my husband’s business and at home as a house wife so I did not make time to get comfortable with the computer. However, after years of my husband suggestions I finally I decided to try out blogging and I fell in love instantly. It was great to have a place to reconnect with my love of writing, to vent things that seemed inappropriate to talk about anywhere else and to experience what it’s like to have complete control over something.
I loved blogging about anything I wanted but I did go through a lonely period that made it difficult to write. It’s hard to pour your heart out on the screen for everyone to see when no one responds. It is also very hard to look at the worried eyes of my family try to convince them that I will make money by blogging I just don’t know when or how much. Yes I want to visit my page and see 100 new comments and check my Adsense account and see that I’m making $100/day (to start with of course I would love to make more). So yes I have harassed a few online friends, but lucky for me they were really nice about it (thank you LazyKing for your patience). So when I get a “to do list” from a stranger I’m happy to oblige but to a point. Now that I’ve been introduced to so many great blogs I don’t want to spend time reading about diamond insurance or what which model had the best car manual. I shouldn’t have to dig for content through a sea of advertising or fight off the army of pop ups; I don’t think any blog is worth it.
Hey I’m down to earth with many faults of my own; I can admit that I need a bigger vocabulary and that I just learned what SEO stands. Still I believe that all bloggers need to be aware of common courtesy. How would you feel if a stranger walked up to you and without shaking your hand and tells you that his grass needs to be cut and points out the shed where you keep your lawn mower? Is it okay if he promises to return the favor once you put a note in his mail box letting him know you are finished? Would you at least consider cutting their grass if they asked you nicely instead of assuming you would oblige?
What are things that bloggers do to annoy you? Feel free to share constructive criticism about LL&L too. Is there anything thing that annoys you or screams unprofessional? Do you like the site but would like me to make a few tweaks here and there?
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