To have never read a blog?

[beluga425]

Just that. It's a whole world that has evaded me. So, how many of you regularly look at these? Do you follow them? Are some like soap operas?

[BethCalavicci]

There's loads out there, and all about different things. Kind of in the same way that magazines are - there's something for everyone whatever you're into.
You may some find twee, you mind find some boring, but there's plenty out there with different themes.
I write one too, and follow lots. There are plenty of crap, badly written ones, but there are plenty of brilliant ones too. It's just a matter of finding the good stuff.

[beluga425]

Where do you look (genuine question)?

[MoominIsWaitingToMeetHerMiniMe]

mumsnet bloggers network is a good place to start; they have categories so you can pick which subject you're interested in and read blogs about said topic.

I really enjoy blogging.

[TheHamster]

I read loads, some of them are really interesting (like this guy who has travelled to every country in the world) and some of them are very useful (I read a cooking/food blog) and so on. Just search for whatever you're interested in and add the word blog, and you'll find a good one!

[moomin35]

I dont know who has the time to write them in the first place!

[SlimJiminy]

moomin people who write blogs either make time for it, just like other people make time to read a book, play golf or watch TV, etc - or they make money from it so they write as part of their working day and schedule time for that along with other day-to-day tasks.

[TheHamster]

One of my friends earns all of their wages from their blog

[beluga425]

How?

[moomin35]

Respect to anyone who makes money doing it, I don't know how that works.

[MoominIsWaitingToMeetHerMiniMe]

moomin advertising revenue is one way of making money from it. There'll also be some companies that will employ bloggers because it's another social media platform, another way of getting their message out, and they'll be paid to endorse the company or a particular company's products.

For me it's like time I would've spent watching TV or reading or anything - any downtime - I might blog instead. Usually of an evening when I'm winding down :)

[SlimJiminy]

Some are the equivalent of diaries online. Others are more like magazines, newspapers, newsletters, fact sheets, guides, tutorials, etc, etc... there are SO MANY different formats.

[Delphiniumsblue]

I find them boring. The only ones that I like are very funny, not that the writer is meaning to be funny!
If people don't like round robins and FB I don't know why they like blogs; bloggers are far, far worse.

[MoreSkyThanWeNeed]

God, 70% of my time on the internet is blog reading. I love it when you find a new blog you love and read the whole thing!

[Hoogally]

I do a craft blog. Started relatively recently because of all the times I make something and someone goes "How did you do that?"

My first tutorial should be coming together tonight for some really simple trousers, for example.

I do have a few "lifestyle" type posts and I will dabble in other things, like my recipe for chocolate orange flapjacks that I'm planning to do once I can get the resolve not to eat the entire batch if I bake some to take photos of.

I in turn read craft blogs. I like them for inspiration but picky about reading ones with my "style" of stuff that I like.

Generally blogs will have a section linking to other blogs that the blogger reads and follows. So if I find a blog I love I'll generally try out a few of his/her favourite blogs.

But there really is every type out there.

What type of magazines would you read if you could find a great version of that type of magazine? That might give you a clue as to the type of blogs you will like.

[kaizen]

I've noticed that if you write something like a running blog, if it's good and you are fairly successful, then you start getting free gear/equipment to wear and write about. One blog that I follow has seen the writer get a free top class coach, entry to big races and loads of gear. But it's a good blog and she puts a lot into it. Though I have become a bit fed up of plugging of shoes etc lately - too much like advertising.

[Delphiniumsblue]

I don't know why people do it. One that I do read is someone who lives locally. If I was to stand next to her in a supermarket queue I would recognise her and know all sorts of details about her private lives and her children, and yet she wouldn't have a clue who I was.

[Delphiniumsblue]

I don't understand the ones who post lots of pictures of their children. I would keep them right out of it-no pictures and no information.

[MoominIsWaitingToMeetHerMiniMe]

Delphiniums There's lots of different reasons why people do it. For me it was a way of coming to terms with being pregnant and trying to make the best of it; it's become a kind of 'guide' for people finding themselves in the same situation (and also general readers who thankfully seem to find it funny )

Personally it wouldn't bother me if the person who stands behind me in a supermarket queue knows what I put in my blog. I wouldn't put it in there if I'd be uncomfortable with it.

[Delphiniumsblue]

If you are happy then it is fine. It makes me feel uncomfortable that I know all the intimate details of this particular woman's birth (and I mean intimate!) and she hasn't a clue who I am or that I have read it.

[Delphiniumsblue]

Or you get this ex Montessori teacher who seems to think she is still running a school. I feel so sorry for her children, and that isn't her intention!!

I wish someone could explain why the Christmas round robin gets such ridicule, when they are supposed to be friends, and yet the above type of thing, which is 10 times worse, doesn't.

[lessonsintightropes]

I really like the Little House Living blog - lots of nice from scratch recipes and homemade cleaning product advice. It's really interesting hearing about the poster's life in South Dakota too, so different from suburban London!

I used to read Dooce before Heather went a bit odd.

There are some great blogs out there which give kooky/interesting/different takes on life, but an awful lot of dross too. I'd suggest finding one you like and then roaming through the blogs they follow, and go from there. Most of the ones I look at are either written by friends overseas to update family and friends in the UK, or about cookery and home. Oh and Lazy Girl Running, although that one was less fun since she got very full on and serious about running... that might just be my shame speaking though...

[Delphiniumsblue]

I can understand those who might be helpful, e.g.illness, hobbies, gardening etc. I can't understand those who expose their children.

[lessonsintightropes]

I can't understand those who expose their children. YY to this - whilst it was interesting on Dooce (I read it a lot when I wasn't married and longing for children but with no outlet/hope of it happening iyswim) in retrospect I think it's pretty dodgy. At the very least once her kids grow up they may feel quite exposed about how much of their private family life is all there, cached, for anyone to see. Even worse when those parents then go through a very public online breakup.

[Delphiniumsblue]

Some if them don't seem to realise that anyone can read it. Some of their children must cringe from embarrassment once they are old enough.