Quite some time ago I had a conversation with another reader on Twitter about my blog. She alluded to the idea that she always knows what to expect when she comes to Theta Mom. At first, I took that as constructive criticism and asked her why. However, she was actually giving me a compliment noting that my posts are always content driven which end up making her think…and she saw this as a “good” thing.
Somehow though, this conversation made me think about blogging in a way I haven’t before; many would agree (including some of the pros) that you have found your niche and also your voice when readers do know what to expect. It means you’ve developed a clear mission and purpose for your blog. It means that your “elevator pitch” has been well received and that even individual posts are written with clear intent and clarity. And I agree, I think I have done those things pretty well but I couldn’t stop but wonder how other readers viewed this same concept – whether “knowing what to expect” from a blog is seen as demonstrated, or perhaps viewed as routine or mundane.
I don’t ever want to be considered the kind of blog that is static as I truly believe blogging is an ongoing and evolving process. So while I am happy to have reached some sort of “reader expectation,” the real question is, have I? Moreover, thinking about your own blog, have you?
My content is always driven by my own inspiration. I can’t write about something that I don’t have the sheer desire to write about. In essence, I will continue to write about the things that come naturally to me or topics that are relevant. Having said that, I do think that if you have a public blog (as many of us do) part of maintaining a steady readership is to ensure that we are tapping into what our readers do enjoy reading from us and this certainly means different things for different bloggers.
I would love to further explore this idea and no matter where you are in reaching your bloggy goals, this kind of activity would be beneficial in understanding how your audience relates to your blog. So I’m asking for your help in answering two important questions:
QUESTION 1: Do you think that knowing what to expect from a particular blog is reaching readers’ expectations and do you view this as a positive thing? Why or why not?
QUESTION 2: Which kind of posts (or specific topics) do you enjoy reading the most?
I appreciate your input and thoughts here, so please share!
Great questions Heather! To be honest, I haven’t been thinking in these terms about my blog since #31DBBB this summer. It’s good to think this way again.
1. I think it’s very positive to know what you’re getting from a particular blog. Knowing what I’m getting keeps me coming back. That being said, I like to be surprised by a blogger every now and then. I hear from readers that they like when I’m funny. I realized I can’t be funny all the time and if something is funny on my blog it’s because it’s SUPER honest. So, I stick with honest, funny or not.
2. Obviously I like reading posts that are relevant to my niche. (pregnancy/baby/mom) I love a good list post that is well thought out. I really love a post that is thought-provoking and helpful to other pregnant women/moms. I’m at the point in my pregnancy (38.5 weeks!) that I really want to read advice posts. Advice about childbirth, advice about infant care etc.
Oooh time for baby Amy. Good luck and congrats!
I agree with you. Consistency is nice but I like to be surprised sometimes too!
I think that having your readers know what to expect is a good thing as far as knowing who you are, your personality, style, etc. I think that she did mean that as a compliment, and that she meant that people know how they are going to feel when they visit your blog, read your posts, and leave.
I know that when I visit Theta Mom, I am going to come away with something to make me think, something that leaves me nodding my head in agreement and saying “I know exactly what she means,” or I learn something new about blogging, etc.
With my blog, I try, and hope, to make people laugh. I never want someone to leave my blog without a smile on their face.
On to the second question…I enjoy reading posts that either make me think (like a lot of yours!) or posts that crack me up. Most people don’t have all day to sit and read blogs, I know I don’t, so for the ones I do get a chance to read, I want to feel like it was worth my while. One of the reasons I visit yours on a daily basis as best I can is because I know that I will ALWAYS leave satisfied.
“Do you think that knowing what to expect from a particular blog is reaching readers’ expectations and do you view this as a positive thing? Why or why not?” I think YES. Life is complicated enough…I think (in my case) my readers know they can come to my blog and expect a giggle or a funny story. Nothing too deep…just humor. BUT, that’s my niche and I am cool with that. Then there’s awesome thought provoking blogs like yours that are always well written contain great topics. We both have our place and that’s what makes blogging so awesome. I don’t have to try to be “everything to everyone”. I can focus on my strong suit. Make sense?
It totally makes sense and that’s why this whole thing means different things for different bloggers, depending on the kind of blogger you are. I agree, “knowing what to expect” takes the guess work out for the reader because they always know what they will get from each blog they visist – I just want to ensure that this “expectation” never turns to “routine,” you know what I mean?
I think it’s good to know what to expect. To be honest, when a blog I faithfully read veers off topic, it’s a hit or miss for me. Everyone should have the chance to branch out and write about something different or unexpected, but sometimes I read blogs for a very specific reason…
I like reading anything that will make me laugh or teach me something.
I think as long as the blogger stays true to her voice, I’m okay with any posts that are on that blog. It might be something different than what I expect, but as long as it’s still true to who that person is, I think it’s fine.
I most enjoy “real” posts about motherhood/women’s issues. I want to feel like I’m being talked TO, not preached AT.
Great point – I want the blogger to make me feel a part of the convo!
I whole-heartedly agree with Shell. To me, it’s about the voice and personality of the blogger always showing through and not that the topic is the same post after post.
There have been things I’ve written that aren’t the normal mom & kid stuff, and they end up surprising me by becoming some of my visited and commented on posts!
I have been thinking a lot lately about how my readers view my blog and what they seem to like the best about it. Your questions really help me focus on that and give me some things to work on!
1. Yes, I do love knowing what to expect from a blog, whether its experiences of a working mom, blogging tips, or everyday experiences. I look forward to reading those blogs, knowing the content will be something I can relate to or learn from.
2. I love to read stories from other moms. We all deal with and struggle with so many of the same issues! I love hearing how other moms handle things. I also love blogs that teach me something and inspire me.
Honestly, that’s the reason I read most blogs. When I go to your blog, I know I’m going to read articles that are deep, thought out and ones that make me think about particular issues. Other blogs I go to for the humor or maybe yummy recipes ideas. There are so many blogs to read {and so little time}, so I choose ones that are more constant so I know what I am getting.
I love reading posts that give me something to take away or make me think about a particular subject in a different light. I hope that when readers come to my blog they get a sense of consistency and know what to expect.
I think that meeting your current readers expectations is a good thing…after all, they are your loyal followers/readers. However, sometimes you won’t grow if you continue to do the same thing all the time. I’m faced with that right now.
And my favorite types of blogs to read are those that really pour their heart out and let me into their lives. I just feel more connected.
Interesting Kmama – why do you feel that you are faced with not growing? Would love for you to elaborate because I think you are getting to the heart of this post!!
The “not growing” thing is just something lurking in the back of my mind. I feel like I’ve gotten too comfortable in my blogging…too routine. Obviously those that comment on every post of mine enjoy what I’m writing, but I feel like it’s not really me posting all the time.
I got really caught up with memes and while they are fun and can help with ideas, they also don’t always get into who you really are.
There are things I’d love to blog about…but I’m not sure my readers are up for it. Of course, I could be underestimating them too.
This was a great post, I enjoyed reading it. Now I suppose I’ll try to answer the above questions!
1. I love both sorts of blogs, the ones where you can expect what to be reading and the ones that you never know! Sometimes the ones that you know what you’ll be reading are better because you go there for that reason. The latter sometimes has posts that aren’t your ‘cup of tea’.
2. I love just about any topic. Some days I love to read ‘mom’ blogs and baby blogs, sometimes the horse blogs. Other days I love to read the more risque blogs. All depends!
Heather I think that was a compliment and judging from the comments on this and your other posts your readers love to expect a thought provoking or inspirational post from you. That’s whay so many people love Theta Mom!
I read blogs across the spectrum as my interests are so varied. I am trying to re-organize my blog so readers know what to expect on any certain day. A funy family story, a DIY project, a view on a current issue, a bloggy tutorial. Each has its place on my blog but I want to sort out a better way to have varied posts.
Thanks for another great post!
My thoughts exactly. This convo forced me to THINK about my blog in a way I haven’t before and although I’ll continue to keep readers’ expectations in mind, it doesn’t hurt to re-organize things and keep it fresh and fun. Thanks for the comment and hopefully, others can learn from reading this experience as well.
xo
Knowing, at least in part, what to expect from a blog is why people actually follow a blog. It’s one thing to stumble upon a blog, it’s another altogether to follow it regularly. If the blog has information relevant to the reader’s interest, is well-written, and demonstrates the personality of the writer, I think it’s doing it’s job well!
I’m pretty new to your blog but do know that I’ve come back to it regularly since I found it… for all of the reasons cited above… your personality comes through and you’re delivering content that is interesting and relevant… so :::KUDOS::: to you ThetaMom – keep up the great work!
Thanks you so much for this awesome comment – you made my day!
I don’t think that knowing what to expect from a blog means that blogger has become stagnant. Rather, it means you’ve found your voice and are consistent in the way you speak to us. I like that in a blog.
I think I’ve done that to some extent, although on a much smaller scale than you. My readers know what to expect – and when I give them something that’s not on brand, they react with silence (see also: the comment-less review sitting sadly on my blog today).
1. I am going to say yes and no for the first question. I do think you need to have a clear mission, and your readers need to understand that when they come to this particular blog they can expect to read posts about this particular mission. But let’s face it. There are a lot of blogs and information competing for a reader’s attention, so we have to do something to keep things interesting, creative and poppin! If I know that I am busy, and I am going to get the same voice, same type of posts, all the time, I am more likely to delete without even reading. I don’t feel like I will miss anything special. So I want something different – something that you don’t see all the time. Sometimes that is raw authenticity. Other times that is value you haven’t seen mentioned anywhere else. Sometimes it is pure simplicity. I think it is good to surprise your readers and keep things fresh and interesting.
2. As far as what I enjoy reading the most…a mother’s authenticity, thought provoking posts, value added posts that teach me something that I don’t already know, humor, inspiring stories.
Lori,
And you really speak to the heart of this post – as much as I was flattered that she “knew what to expect” from my blog, I am that kind of blogger that does not want to be viewed as static and so it made me think about my blog in a way I haven’t before – which is a good thing.
This whole blogging adventure is a learning process and I think that’s the real beauty of blooging – having an open dialogue with others that share different viewpoints. I agree, it IS important to keep things fresh so it may be time to delve into some creative inspritation!
Thanks for the insightful comment.
If I follow a blog and then truly follow it there is a reason. Whether I like the content or the changing content. A unique voice is always a draw, but I tend to read all kinds of blogs. If they change it up I don’t mind. We all have different aspirations and goals that ever evolving.
As for the second question I’m an ADD blog reader. Variety is the spice of life, but I do like something visually appeasing. I’m a very visual person. Eye candy is a must!
Excellent food for thought on a rainy Monday morning!
1. I liken going to a blog to going to a favorite restaurant. Let’s say the “type” of food a restaurant serves is like the genre/ topic/ theme of a blog. Yes, I absolutely like to know what I’m getting myself into and I view it as a positive thing. When I go to an Italian restaurant, for example, I know that I can get some of my favorite staples (in your case, your Featured Bloggers and your amazing posts about blogging), but occasionally, you will present a “special” that is still in keeping with your “theme” and it is still relevant and still welcome. I don’t want Thai food when I go to my Italian restaurant. If I came here and all Theta Mom started posting was book reviews or this season’s new line up of shoes, I probably wouldn’t come back. Sure, tell me about something wacky once in awhile, you’ll likely put a smile on my face, but if you keep on giving me great content of a consistent theme, you are not, to me, boring or repetitive in any way.
2. Since I’m a mom, I always enjoy going on to mom blogs so that I can feel like someone out there relates to whatever I’m going through. But, sometimes, I just need to turn my brain off and visit fashion sites.
Thanks so much for the reassurance – it’s great to get some feedback from those that read!
1) I think it goes both ways. Knowing the general flow, expressions and content of a blog I follow is really nice! And this by no means says your are mundane. It means you’re consistent, know who you are, and enjoying sharing who YOU are.
There are some blogs though that are consistent with publishing posts that are just beyond awful without individual thought. I have noticed more and more blog recently conducting reviews and giveaways and that their posts are mostly made up of these. The original reason/need/desire of the author to create the blog has been lost.
2) My favorite posts, and the ones that make me want to follow a blog, are the personal ones. I enjoy reading posts that truly let me get to know the author. The friendships and support you can, and I have, create{d} through blogging is amazing. It can be scary to put yourself out there, but the possible return is too wonderful to resist.
I know what you mean about the review/giveaway blogs who tend to lose focus of WHY they started blogging in the first place.
I really believe that balance is the key, as with most of life’s choices going too far on one extreme or the other is usually not going to bring much success.
With blogging you want to have consistency so that your readers do know what to expect but throwing in some surprises now and again is good to spice things up. But not to deviate too far from the main theme and voice of the blog.
For instance I have gotten a lot of comments that people like the positive voice of my blog, so that is what they expect. I do post on different topics, from personal development to blogging to entrepreneurship but whatever I post on people expect it to be positive and uplifting. So even though I have a number of topics that I hit I keep it uplifting. It would really throw people off if suddenly I had a depressed, negative post.
These are somewhat tough questions in that a reader may go to a particular blog knowing that it will always be insightful and well-written. The blog itself may have different approaches to keep things fresh. So is it always the same or always different? It’s both! I think it’s a good thing when people feel your blog is one they’ll always read. It means that you found an audience!
I like blogs that are funny. But a really tremendous blog with have heart with that humor. And have the confidence to have that occasional serious, but beyond incredible post.
Personally, I’d love to have consistently great posts. My blog seems to go in cycles. I guess I just have more material at times. But I’d love every post to be my best one. Alas, it just doesn’t work that way!
Being a creature that HATES huge changes I love consistency and knowing what to expect, but I love mixing things up a little too, it keeps things fresh and reaches out to a possible audience that you may not have reached yet. And of course if you find things don’t work in your blog or your readers aren’t loving the posts or something then you can scrap it. I love the flexibility of being able to write whatever I want whenever and am still amazed that people want to read what I have to say some days. Very blessed~!
I, too, think it is a good thing to know what to expect most of the time from a blog, but it is also a good thing to surprise and show versatility as well. What a diplomatic answer, but it’s what I think! I also like to be able to write what I want to write. I participate in writing memes, but I don’t stress about doing it every single week. They can help stretch the writing muscles, but I can’t commit to every single prompt.
I love reading good writing, humor, and things that I relate to.
http://www.pampersandpinot.com
For me, there is comfort in knowing a blogger’s style, and knowing that when you go to a blog you will be rewarded with laughter, insight, inspiration–or whatever it is that you expect from that content. I suppose it is the same reason that some people have favorite authors- when you like a style of writing, you want more. Maybe it is more about style than the specific topic….
I enjoy laughing, feeling, and content that I can relate to. I think a big part of the enjoyment comes from reading something genuine–knowing that the writer feels passionate enough to put their effort into developing the feelings, the voice.
this is interesting…
I do like to know what to expect for the most part, but i also like to see a little bit of variety. The blogs I love the most are those with a “personality”, where I feel like I am really getting to know the writer behind the blog.
I love to read good writing. colorful writing. Personal, heartfelt, emotional writing. That’s just me.
I hope I’m not repeating what anyone else has already said. I’m pressed for time and not reading all the other comments. I will come back and read them later, though!
There is nothing wrong with knowing what to expect from a blog. I believe when a blogger is true to who they are, you do know what to expect as far as tone, language, cadence, etc., even though the topics may vary. That’s a good thing.
I also think there’s something to be said for throwing a curve ball now and then. Sometimes a topic will call for doing things slightly differently, and that’s okay. Loyal readers will return even if the curve ball didn’t work for them.
As for what I like to read… I love all of your posts on parenting, no matter whether it’s an issue-based post or just a story from your life.
In general, I love to read blogs about other moms’ experiences with kids, marriage, friendships, etc. – the stuff of life. Like a lot of people, I’m drawn to bloggers who I feel are telling it like it is. We all have our own realities, and getting a glimpse into someone else’s reality is entertaining, comforting, and energizing all at the same time.
I think a blog is all about personality and voice. In my posts, I usually bitch about something to do with motherhood, but not all of the time. I also like to share cute pictures of my kids, garden and home. I also like sharing recipes. Maybe I am all over the place?
Overall I like humor and something that I can relate to when I visit blogs!
I love to read posts and visit blogs that give me a peek into someone’s life. It could be what they are eating, reading, learning, or finding fun.
My blog is a little bit of everything. I tend to be consistent in the type of post that goes up on certain days of the week.
I like knowing what to expect from my favorite blogs. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they are routine or post about the same things, but I like feeling like I’m visiting a friend. Most of that is more about voice and overall tone than the actual content.
I am personally having a hard time finding that niche, because my blog was initially for friends and family only, so it was kind of like a baby book. I’m branching out a little, because I like the connections I’m making and other blogs I’m finding out there, but I don’t want to drive away the people that I know IRL that visit to check out pictures of the kids!
I like all different kinds of posts – experience posts that I can relate to and laugh with, posts that bring up ethical topics that affect or will affect me as a parent, fiction pieces from certain bloggers. When I am busy and don’t have much time to read, I’ll skip over things in my blogroll that look like giveaways (I prefer content posts, but that’s just me!)
Q1 – I do think it’s positive. It’s an indication that the blogger is focused and consistent. Does that mean they shouldn’t shake things up every now and then? No. Life happens – you gotta roll with it. And, frankly, people change. The focus of a blog can change, too. It doesn’t have to remain static – the person behind the blog sure isn’t!
Q2 – Truthfully, a well-written post that grabs my attention on just about any topic will interest me. I read everything from posts about families to activism to technology and lots in between. This could at least partially explain why my own blog probably lacks some of that focus I mentioned earlier.
I don’t know, I kinda like knowing what to expect from a blog.
I love knowing what to expect from a blog in general. However, not in specific. If that makes any sense? I like knowing that some blogs are usually funny while others are inspirational or honest. But, I also love to be surprised by the content every time I go and visit.
And what do I like to read? Everything! I love to read about what other women, what other mothers are thinking, experiencing, living.
Maybe I’m easy to please
i think we should know what to expect from a blog. it helps us stay focused on who that person is. most blogs are “family life” blogs, which then I would expect to hear about family stuff… stories, thoughts, inspirations, struggles. if i go to a review blog, 90% of their stuff should be reviews.
i think i hold true to what my blog is about. it’s about my family and how i manage working life and raising kids… and all the struggles with it. it’s about a few things & products that I love that make my life easier (some are reviews and some are just straight up items i love!!!!) it’s about simple, easy, DIY stuff… you know, so easy a working mom could do it!! (aren’t we all looking for the “easy” in life??)
in the past few months i feel i’m starting to hold more and more to those few things. and i think my readership has grown because of it.
and i enjoy reading about THE READER!! i read certain blogs b/c i connect to them as a person. be it parenting, marriage, life, work, funny, sarcastic, babies, teenagers, it doesn’t matter… but it’s the CONNECTION i make with the blogger that makes me read them. does that make sense? even if a family blogger does a review of something, as long as their voice comes out, i will read it!!
I could tell that was a compliment. It means that at ThetaMom, you will find positive posts, uplifting, informative, and encouraging.
They will never be unpolished, selfish, mediocre, or self serving.
They will always be enjoyable and introspective.
Quality writing…always.
Morning all
I find my blog tends to go where my head happens to be that day – which doesn’t really make it a ‘you know what is coming’ kind of place and maybe not in a good way. For those of you that read my last post, my head was not in a good place ….
Thinking I would like to review my page and set it up for ‘different’ reading pleasures like the ‘different’ parts of my life
Mom, Wife, Homeschooler, Inter racial family thro adoption, which we got to after infertility, blogging novice, writer wannabee …
suggestions to setting up a page like that welcome
This was a pretty interesting question…
I think it depends. I think that blogs that reach the point of having the SAME content day after day after day can be boring. For example, if all anyone ever writes about is how to increase blog traffic or how to use social media then I wouldn’t stick around to read it everyday. If that’s ALL they ever posted, I would get bored. I may return to that blog if I was interested in that particular subject and then leave again.
However, when you mix in posts like social media/blogging info. with other topics that appeal to readers [like you do here at Theta Mom] it can be a great thing. Your readers know to expect quality content that can benefit them in their own blogging journey AND they can expect to get to know a real person behind the computer.
I read a variety of different blogs, but anything that is open and real and that I can connect with in some way, is a winner. I’ll admit too, that [not sure if this what part of the question or really applies] I am quicker to read the content on a blog if the design is eye catching.
Great topic! So, in answer to your questions…
1. I do like when I know what I can expect from a blog and view this as a postitive thing. When a blog is kind of all over the place in terms of it’s content, tone or even frequency of posting, I find it off putting.
2. In terms of what I personally enjoy reading? I like to keep things light. A well written post that gives me a chuckle is always a treat.
I like knowing that I can go to a particular blog when I need a laugh or need a little lift. However, you are right, sometimes blogs come across as mundane when it is always the same thing. I don’t think anyone can be funny 100% of the time so if you are having an off day but try to force the funny on your post it comes through. Just like I don’t always need a lecture on life or a lesson in blogging, or whatever the topic is.
I like to expect the unexpected sometimes. If you never know what you are going to get yet the content is always good, no matter the topic, that keeps me coming back for more.
I think the comment can be taken either way. Some blogs that are predictable are in a good way. Your blog, I usually know a little of what I will find, but not in a boring way. I know YOU! Which is a compliment. You really come through in your posts and so I know I will be reading and sharing with you. Other blogs that are predictable in a bad way I’ve seen are ones where the person is always complaining, always saying woo is me, or always telling a boring, non relative (usually lengthy) story. People are busy, we want to just read the hits!
Things I look for in a post are honesty, humor, something I can relate to, personability (must not be a word since it’s underlined?), and anything that sparks some sort of emotion in me. Whether that’s happiness, sadness, a laugh, a tear, or just a sigh, doesn’t matter, but move me in some way. Even if just for a quick second.
Hi Heather! Sorry I haven’t been by recently. Things have been a little crazy. But I wanted to say that while I like being surprised by different things in blogs I follow, the reason I follow them is that I consistently like what I see, be that their writing style, the topics, or something intangible. I feel like my blog is kind of all over the place with topics. In doing Kludgy Mom’s Back To School/Back to Blogging, I considered streamlining my topics, but I think I’m consistent in my tone, and I decided that is probably enough to keep my readers (all 14 of them!) happy while allowing me to keep the main purpose of the blog being for my own enjoyment. I think part of it depends on the purpose.
1. That’s the whole reason I add a blog to my reader. If I have been to their blog and consistently liked the tone or topics I will add them. That kind of certainty only comes from a blog with good content.
2. For some reason I am drawn to tear jerkers. If someone can make me cry then I’ll probably be back 😉 I also have to relate to my reader in some way.
QUESTION 1: Do you think that knowing what to expect from a particular blog is reaching readers’ expectations and do you view this as a positive thing? Why or why not?
I think this can go both ways. My H4L loves reading gadget review blogs. On these blogs you should expect just that, reviews of gadgets, anythingelse would not be capturing the audience correctly and the expectations of the readers would be let down. As far as mom bloggers go, I think the blogs should center around being a mommy and all that encompasses. Being a mom blogger provides a vast ocean of oppurtunity for a blogger; you can really go in all kinds of directions. I think that if you are a mom blogger and you want t oshare green living tips and your blog niche is such, you shoould stick to that. If you want to be a variety show type blogger like myself, then present your blog in that way. I hate going to a blog that has a titlte like All things Yellow Banana and finding a post about purple elphants. I think the material needs to follow suit with the style, title, and purpose of the blog. Without doing so I do think it is lowering the expectations of the readers.
QUESTION 2: Which kind of posts (or specific topics) do you enjoy reading the most?
I love anedotal story like posts. I do not like straight review/giveaway blogs. I want to hear about what is going on in the writers world. I want to hear how while you made that felt hat with your kids the cat bafred on the supplies and you had to clean it all up and that is why the tutorial on felt hats is 2 days late posting to your blog. I want to read about parenting, life, love, happiness and all the stories that makes our lives go round. It doesnt really matter the material to me, as long as it is honest and provides a great view into the mind of the author.
And that is just me. Great questions by the way!
Very interesting! I like consistency in the blogs I read, but it does usually take a while to find a consistent voice. I haven’t found one yet, unfortunately.
I worry about consistency on my own blog all the time, Heather. I’m glad you shared this, it’s definitely given me some food for thought. I know I can always count on you to help me gain clarity & insight! Thank you!!!
😉