Comments on: Why I Don’t Read or Refer Your Blog

By: Elizabeth Norton

Elizabeth Norton — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 09:04:28 +0000

I some how missed this post but am so proud of you for writing it. I will always respect you for being honest. :) xoxoxoxoxo

By: 2010 Reflections and 2011 Expectations | A Cowboy's Wife

2010 Reflections and 2011 Expectations | A Cowboy's Wife — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:35:44 +0000

[...] ruffled a few feathers when I shared why I don’t read or refer your blogs. Boy did I get on some bad sides after that but at the same time, there were an overwhelming [...]

By: MamaArcher

MamaArcher — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 19:44:28 +0000

I liked your post. I too find that I am turned off by a blog that has a ton of reviews. I have only done a few and only one I was asked to do. The few things that I review are because they are items (usually homeschool curriculum) that we actually use and has beneficial to our family.

I have been tempted to do the whole review thing just to draw in readers but that is never what I wanted my blog to be about. So I try to remain content with those that do contribute to my blog.

By: Alea

Alea — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:06:34 +0000

I try to avoid the review, sponsored posts, and giveaway blogs. My time is limited is too valuable to wade through review posts looking for something interesting to read!

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:18:12 +0000

I try to do only a limited of reviews & giveaways on my blog and in keeping with items that reflect what I’m about. And honestly? I’d rather see a loyal reader of my blog win so I rarely go out there and “link it” all over the universe. I’d rather my giveaways benefit a reader than provide me with temporary traffic spikes.

Thanks for sharing your perspective.

By: Sites Worth Checking Out

Sites Worth Checking Out — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:51:18 +0000

[...] you are a blogger you will enjoy this post, Why I don’t read or refer your blog. It’s a good reminder of why we blog and where we are headed with [...]

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:26:58 +0000

I have been saving this to read for some time because I wanted to see if ‘Ethel’ and I were unwittingly keeping the masses away for some reason.

I was glad to read you do NOT like review/giveaway blogs, because in our 2-1/2 years, we’ve had 3. The first was because it seemed everyone else was doing it, and as greenhorns, we figured we’d have a fun one while ‘Ethel’ was on a trip out west. It was mostly a dud :) The second and third times were last month and were personal – giveaway of a book I wrote and another of the book and CDs done by my mother. Again, nothing spectacular in the way of response, although the ones who won were appreciative. We don’t visit giveaway blogs, either, although if I happen upon a review of something that interests me, I’ll at least try to skim it.

Since ‘Ethel’ and I switched to WordPress (thanks – I think! – to my daughter’s web design assignment), I don’t know who’s reading, and while it would be nice to know that SOMEone was, we’re carrying on for ourselves. We enjoy doing it and LOVE the connections we’ve made. Some have been amazing.

We will continue to do giveaways in the future, but they’ll be few in number and personal in some way.

‘Lucy’

By: Lucy

Lucy — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 18:45:53 +0000

Hi,

I’ve just stumbled across this blog but I just wanted to say thanks for this post- I think its really brave to say. I’m new to the world of blogs, and started i suppose a little naive about the commercial nature of it, not realising people got paid to do giveaways and reviews. I’ve actually deleted a couple of blogs from my rss feeds this week because I just found the endless competitions and reviews getting in the way of what I’m reading for- recipes, ideas and musings on all areas of life! If I wanted giveaways and reviews (reviews being particuarily irritating for someone reading blogs based in the usa/australia when they live in the uk) then I would buy a magazine!

I look forward to reading more of your posts!

Lucy :-)

By: Mitch

Mitch — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:46:30 +0000

Very honestly written, and I easily see your point. There’s this guy I respect, great guy matter of fact, but every single post of his is a sales post. There’s nothing to discuss, nothing to respond to, because it’s sales 24/7. Of course, his opinion is that he’s only blogging to make money; I can understand that. My purpose for reading blogs is to learn something new and engage the writer; if there’s absolutely none of the engaging part coming, then I’m going.
.-= Mitch´s last blog ..Customize Your Google Page; There’s A Caveat Though… =-.

By: Anastasia B

Anastasia B — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 05:41:48 +0000

I do understand your view of review/giveaway blogs. When I started blogging I didn’t even know about that side of mom blogs until six months later, I had a few readers and a base of great articles – mostly about health, green parenting, and non-toxic lifestyle. When I first became interested in reviews and giveaways I was pretty excited because as a SAHM without a steady income, I simply could not afford many things for my daughter. Even necessities like a car seat. I continue to write the same type of articles, and the reviews/giveaways that I do now are aligned with our green parenting beliefs – not just random products pitched to me. I don’t take everything just because it is free. My readers know that we are very particular about the products and companies we review!
I do roll my eyes, I admit, at review/giveaway blogs that seem to pick up everything that’s pitched to them, even things that seem completely worthless. It makes others think that just because my blog has some reviews/giveaways, it is just like all the others. I try hard to set it apart with quality posts!
.-= Anastasia B´s last blog ..Little Soles Shoes Review and Giveaway =-.