- Your blog is pretty. The very first thing that catches my eye when I stumble upon a new blog is how it looks. Beautiful blogs are clean, neat, and organized. It makes me feel like you're serious about your blog and it's worth my time to read.
- Your content is eye catching. Your blog post titles sound interesting and the first few sentences of your posts make me want to stick around and read them until the end.
- Your posts aren't too long. That being said, your posts don't take me an hour to read and they're divided up nicely so my eyes don't keep getting lost. Some posts are meant to be long, and that's okay. I like long posts when needed. But lots and lots of long, run-on paragraph posts make me think you're not too good at what you do. Or that you don't care about your reader. Along these same lines, I also prefer blogs without too many grammatical errors.
- You make me want to stay. The links in your current posts, at the bottom of your posts, and in your sidebar all make me want to keep clicking around. I can become lost in a blog for a good fifteen minutes this way.
- You have photos of yourself. I really gravitate towards bloggers who consistently share pictures of themselves. Not sure what it is, but it peaks my interest in them. Especially if it's other female bloggers; I love to see how she does her hair, what she's wearing, what she's doing, etc. It helps me connect to her.
- You have big, beautiful photos. Speaking of photos, I love big, hi res photos. Something about them just turns me into a little moth darting towards the light, wanting more.
- You write genuinely. I love feeling like a blogger is sharing his or her inner thoughts with me, as if they're writing into their journal or sitting across from me having a cup of coffee. First of all, I'm nosey. Second of all, I want to connect, that's why I'm reading your blog.
- Nothing pops up in my face. Oh man, it has to be a really good blog for me to not click the exit button when an ad pops up onto my entire screen while I'm trying to read your post.
- You share photos of your life. You, your home, your family, the activities you do, the crafts you make, the recipes you're trying, the artwork you painted, the living room you remodeled, the average, mundane day for you....I love seeing photos like that!
- You offer me something. It can be anything: knowledge, a feeling, a thought, a perspective, an inspiration, a connection. The ones that pull me in are the ones who share a piece of their world or knowledge with me in a genuine way. They always keep me coming back.
Tiffany
Good stuff lady! I am with you on the pop ups and pretty blogs. I'm always drawn to really pretty blogs for some reason. And I love when you can tell someone is writing from the heart. Their posts aren't forced. Those types of blogs make me want to come back day after day.
Jessica Dimas
Me too, a pretty blog gets my attention right away! Anything that's easy on the eyes is easier to focus on. And yes, writers who write from the heart make me come back too!! It's such an easy read when someone is being real.
Charlene
I really like this post Jessica! Thanks for sharing. I always wonder if my blog is 'good' enough for people to LOVE and keep coming back for more. I would love for you to pop over and let me know what you think.
Jessica Dimas
Yeah I think that's a question a lot of blogger's wonder! For sure, I'll stop by! 🙂
Adrea
Thanks, it definitely made me click over to my own site to see if I thought it measured up. 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Thanks Adrea, glad you liked the post!
Kim
Very good post! I really agree with the pop ups. Along with music that just starts up automatically, pop ups are my #2 turn offs.
I will have to keep your words in mine as I tinker with my blog!
Jessica Dimas
Oooh, I agree, music starting up automatically beats popups on the annoying factor. Because usually I have a sleeping child nearby! Thanks for your comment!
Ashli
Loved this!
Jessica Dimas
Thanks Ashli!!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Hi Jessica! I agree with all your reasons. I like to see that someone is a good writer and can make a clear point. I hate reading blogs that never give you what you're expecting from the headline. So delivering on promises is important. And nice pictures are always a plus. Happy blogging to you! 🙂
Jessica Dimas
I didn't even think of that one but I TOTALLY agree!! There's nothing I hate more than going to read a post because of what the title promises only to find NOTHING on the subject, like it was a total teaser just to get you to read, gah!!
Jeri
"Nothing pops in my face". Can we just outlaw that one right now? Hate that one too. 😉
Jessica Dimas
Amen, yes I totally agree, needs to be outlawed!! It's the most annoying thing ever.
Laurel
AMAZING POST! I LOVED IT! <3
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Laurel!!
Jen
What a great post! This was really helpful for me, along with ur comparison of bloggin to high school, and ur fav blogging apps... Loved them too. I Just started my blog and to say I felt a little lost would be an understatement. You've really cleared up a lot for me in a fun, unintentional-learning, sorta way.
It's nice to hear the "seniors" we're where I am at one point, and eventually I could be where they are. It's nice to clear up what works and doesn't work in a simple way. And it was really helpful to have all the app options out there sorted out by someone actually using them.
I've signed up for ur newsletter and can't wait to read more.
Thanks!
Jessica Dimas
Good, I'm glad you liked this post and a few of my other blogging ones! Yeah I feel like the high school one was definitely a fun post but also kind of an easy, fast way to describe how this whole crazy blogging adventure can look 🙂 Thank you for your comment! xo
Crista
I'm glad I stumbled upon this post (and your blog!) -it offered a lot of insight - i definitely have some things to think about as i continue working on my blog 🙂 thanks!! xox
Jessica Dimas
I'm glad this post helped some, Crista! Thanks for your comment!
Julia @ Rock It Like A Mom
Um, all of the above! LOL!
Eye catching is a BIGGIE for me, and consistency when it comes to the look and feel of your posts...if I start clicking around, I need to not feel like I've left your blog when I arrive at my destination!
Pop-ups are my "errrrg!" too!
Sometimes even the newsletter ones to be honest! If you focus on putting 1000% in to your post, I will GO HUNTING for a newsletter signup if I have to! I don't want it blocking my view when I'm engaged in your awesome content!
Thanks a bunch! Glad BlogHer shared this 🙂
Jessica Dimas
I'm glad you mentioned that about the newsletter, I'd been considering an annoying popup right before you click out of my blog, but I HATE them and just like you, I will go HUNTING to find a newsletter sign up if I love a blog. Thanks for your comment! <3
journaldugeek.com
merci pour cet article bien complet.
Anja
Hi Jessica, it's so great reading your posts. Being new to the blogging scene, every bit helps. I think my biggest problem is sharing photos of my life. I don't seem to find a way to incorporate these into the posts. I share recipes and I really like the blogs that have photos of kids happily eating wathever is on the post. I don't have kids so that's not an option. Do you have any suggestion how to incorporate what's going on behind the scene?
Jessica Dimas
As a reader, I would love to see pics of you cooking! Or candid shots of whatever is around you while cooking (like a pet or roommate/partner, a glass of your wine, etc). Do you have Instagram? I always like to follow bloggers over there who don't show as many personal photos on their blog but show more of a personal side on Instagram, so I would always link that in with your post. People are very interested to see things that you may personally think are boring about yourself or your life, but the rest of us definitely don't feel that way, let us be a fly on your wall 🙂
Anja
Wow, thanks for your answer! So many good ideas 🙂 I am guilty, no personality whatsoever (in my opinion) on my blog or instagram photos. I was so busy getting good shots of food, that I kind of neglected the personal side. But, we're all learning right?
Jessica Dimas
Exactly!! 🙂 We're all in a constant state of learning.