Friend Friday...

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

List the 5 things that drive you crazy about blogs you visit.

(1) Messy layouts.

Some blogs have busy backgrounds, tons of ads, numerous columns, overuse of colors, front, graphics, etc. I don't want the blogs I read to look boring, but I like to be able to tell where the actual blog entry is.
If your blog looks like the yellowpages because of all your ads, I'm going to stop reading it.
If it looks like a 5-year-old designed your page for you, I'm going to stop reading it.
Don't make me work to figure out what I'm supposed to look at. I read blogs for fun, and once it's no fun for me to visit your blog, I'm going to stop reading it.

(2) Too much writing.

This is a touchy subject for some bloggers. Personally, I just don't like to read all that much. Strange for an English major who loves to read, innit?
For some reason, when it comes to blogs and greeting cards, less is more.
Sure, if you have a post here and there where something strikes a chord for you, and you have a lot to say, that's ok. Heck, if it interests you that much, it will probably interest me too.
But if every post you write is a dissertation on your outfit, no thanks. In the end, there's just not THAT much to say. I would take a photo-heavy post over a word-heavy post any day. After all, a picture speaks a thousand words, right?

(3) Lack of detail shots.

Again, this all comes down to the style of the blogger.
But for me, as a reader, I am looking for inspiration. I cam reading your blog because I'm interested in what you wore. If I can't really SEE what you wore, I personally find it to be a turn-off. To me, it's the little details that make your outfit unique. That's what I'm really interested in seeing.
But again, that might just be me...

(4) Walking billboards.

I'm not so much referring to people who are wearing all one designer head-to-toe (though that is also kind of annoying), but instead I'm referring to bloggers who are constantly posting outfits that they got for free from some shop or website.
I understand that you're stylish and thin and that you look great in their clothes. But when that's all I see on your blog, it just serves as a reminder to me that I'M not getting freebies and that I'M not the sort of blogger that companies want to tout their stuff. Reviews are great, I love them. But don't wear so many company-sponsored clothes that you lose yourself and your voice.

(5) When I feel like just a number.

Some blogs are like cozy little houses where you get lots of personal attention. Other blogs are like concerts at Madison Square Garden: a bajillion seats, and they sell out instantly and scalpers charge you your first born just to get a glimpse.
Bad metaphor, maybe, but what I'm getting at is that no matter how many readers you have, I want to feel special. (We all do, duh.) If I ask a question or make a thoughtful comment, respond to me! (I have been working hard on this myself, so I feel I have the right to say it.) Better yet, ask for my opinion or feedback -- and pay attention when I give it to you. After all, what is a blog without its readers?