Would you read your own blog?

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief April 20, 2007 · 2 min read

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We did a special episode of the BoBCast here at Punta Fuego. Will publish it when I’m done uploading the MP3 file.

One of our discussions there was “If you were just a blog reader, would you read your own blog?” While most of us would immediately shout out a resounding “yes!”, I’ve asked several other bloggers and surprisingly some of them replied they probably would not read their own blog. (This question is different from “do you read your own blog”. The question focuses more on the idea that if you were just a blog reader, would you regularly read your blog and subscribe thru its RSS feeds.)

So, why would some blogger not like to read their own blog if they were just a blog reader? Here are some thoughts:

Your blog is too personal. Unless the blogger is interesting or you know them personally, it’s hard to relate and follow their blog.
You like writing rants and raves BUT you don’t like reading them.
You primarily blog for the money. Some bloggers write about stuff not because they like the topic/niche, BUT because it’s a hot one that could bring in traffic.
Your blog is not exactly relevant to you but your intended audience. This is especially true for blogs used as a marketing tool — you like to sell but you don’t like to be the one buying what your selling.

There might be other reasons out there why a blogger does not automatically become his own blog reader.

What is the main question discussed in the BoBCast episode?

The question is whether a blogger would read their own blog if they were just a blog reader.

Why might some bloggers not want to read their own blog?

Reasons include the blog being too personal, the blogger disliking rants, blogging for money, or the blog being irrelevant to them.

How does this question differ from 'do you read your own blog'?

It focuses on whether a blogger would regularly read and subscribe to their blog as a reader.

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

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24 Comments

aannemers · 15 years ago

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kaigachi · 19 years ago

If I were just a blog reader, would I read my own blog? Yes. Reading is a habit for me and if by any chance I ended up in my site and get confronted with things that I can relate to, I would definitely be reading it. Although it is a personal blog (anything written by our own hand is “personal” since it reflects the person that we are), the themes are universal. You can be surprised at the profoundness that the act of writing brings out in us. The profound thinker in us always sounds just like someone who we THINK isn’t us at all….

bituingmarikit · 19 years ago

hi, i have no idea what happened here. Saw your blogs today and thought wow…and then I posted something and whoops, it was gone…see how ephemeral bloggings could be…
may your blogging tips bring real wealth to many Filipinos and for the blogging land, Philippines

Raein · 19 years ago

If I didn’t know myself, and started reading my blog. Hmm…

I’d probably be number 1-Too personal. Haha.

Shari · 19 years ago

Ditto with Markku and Eugene.

I’m too random. I like it, haha.

Eugene · 19 years ago

I agree with Markku. One of the most important criteria for me to write about something on my blog is because I personally find it interesting. That said, I really love to read a blogger who writes like me and who writes about the particular diverse set of topics that I write about. I haven’t found anyone else who comes close enough. :-D

jhay · 19 years ago

I read my blog every time I publish a post. Checking and double-checking on the grammar, its style etc.

I’m my own editor. ;)

markku · 19 years ago

I would, because I make it a point to write only about topics I care about, which I’d be interested in if I were a reader.

Manila Mom · 19 years ago

I would read 4 of my 6 blogs – the ones that really reflect my interests. You’re right in that I wouldn’t read the ones I write only as a monetizing experiment but don’t feel personally attached to. In fact, I may not even continue with these experiments. I’m more attuned with doing what I’m passionate about and trusting that it will be profitable in the long run, too. In the meantime, my enjoyment in writing about these passions is enough fulfillment for the moment.

eksena · 19 years ago

I would. Atleast you would know you won’t get zero hits.

Nicholas · 19 years ago

I think I would like to read my own blog. I read it now, when I’m in the mood to know what I was thinking about at a certain time.

Remember, for some, it is definitely an online diary of your thoughts, the things that interest you, and so on and so forth..

Like rummaging into your personal belongings once in a while, it’s nice to remember the days and months gone past and to reminisce.

So, if you are one of those who write about what truly interests them, I don’t see why you wouldn’t like to read your own blog.

Noemi · 19 years ago

If I were just a blog reader, I would read my own blog. See way back in 2000, there were no personal sites that dealt with recovery or grief journey except for memorial sites.