I just put up a poll in the left sidebar (right under “About Me”) about blog swaps.
Could you click on over from your reader and vote? And, if you need to explain yourself, this post is the place to do it!
Thanks!
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I am commenting to say I voted other cuz I don't know what a blog swap is… =/ sorry. But, ummm, what IS it?
I checked other, I think blog swaps are great! BUT it's no fun when they happen all the time, once in a blue moon I enjoy seeing one =)
I also have no idea what "blog swapping" is – do you mean a swap like you do on craftster.org or do you mean an exchange of links?
I should have posted 'Other' and commented that I didn't know what a blog swap was either, but I didn't want to look dated…. looks like I'm not the only one in the dark.
I think blog swaps are fun ! I have only done it once but am up for doing it again!
Now I'm not so embarrassed that I don't know what a blog swap is either.
Do you mean like guest posts? I'm not a fan… chances are if I subscribe to a blog its becuase I like that persons writing style, pictures and other blog material by that person…. not someone else.
I think its confusing to readers messes up the flow of the blog…. and I often just skip over it the moment I find out it's a post by someone else!
I'm with Liz-I'm good with them sometimes. But I'll tell ya what I don't like. I don't like it when all the "blog swap" consists of is another blogger coming on and saying, "Hi, this is who I am and these are all of the projects I've done, bye." I like the occasional blog swap where someone comes on and SHOWS me how awesome they are by bringing a rockin' craft. And see, there again, if you do too many blog swaps, you run out of really rockin' crafts, then you just put mediocre ones out there, and that's when I'm not so much in favor.
Alright. So that's what I think.
I only like them when they have a tutorial or something like that, not the "here's me, come to my blog" post. I think Dana has a good method with having a specific purpose for her guests, like yellow month or boy month.
I agree with Bethany. The blogger needs to share something worth while. I do a guest blogger every Tuesday, so my readers are aware and can choose to avoid it if they want. But they also know that I require my guests to share a tutorial. They can still plug themselves but they must share something my readers would look at and say, "hey! I want to try that!"
It shows up as an error on my browser. What is a blog swap?
I'm another one who voted other `cause I don't know what a blog swap is!
Oops I should've clicked Meh…I thought you meant swapping items with other bloggers…not your fault…I just got done with participating in a fall swap with other bloggers and mixed the two up. Sorry.
I only LIKE them. An occassional swap is ok.
I would like to clarify my vote of "I love them".
I love them, but I don't love them all the time. Once every week or so is perfect any more than that and its too much.
I like it sometimes. No more than once a week though.
I voted other, I liked occasional blog swaps if you are swapping with someone with a similar type blog, swapping with someone whose blog is all about recipes wouldn't thrill me because I don't follow your blog for that kind of content.
I love it! Want to blog swap??
I like them every now and then. You expect to see swaps and guest posts on some blogs like Ucreate. For other blogs, I usually just like to see their own ideas, that is why I followed in the first place.
Personally I don't like doing swaps because I feel all this pressure to make sure my readers comment and visit the other blogger. I feel bad when they went through the trouble and no one gives them the love.
Once in a while, but overall I find it annoying. Sorry to all the blog swappin' lovers out there.
I said love them but also agree with everyone who has been commenting. I prefer it not be EVERY day and it helps when they are sharing a tip, tutorial, funny story, etc.
I voted other because I am lame and have no idea what a blog swap is… please explain
nemiha
thatsmephoto.com/blog
I'm between "love it" and "meh". I love it when it's a great blog with stuff I'm interested in, but when it's not I just feel like it was a dumb post and almost spammy.
Meh. I don't love them, but they aren't all bad. Honestly, I rarely read them because that's not what I'm there for. But if it were a super awesome tutorial–or a blog equal in quality–it might be okay, sometimes.
I voted other. I don't mind it even if it doesn't include a tutorial. I've found some good blogs this way. On the other hand, I look forward to seeing new posts from the blogs I follow and it seems like a lot of guest posts are from other blogs I follow so I'm not seeing anything new. That's kinda disappointing. I get pretty excited about seeing the new projects everyday! lol
I voted other because I don't really get what the point is. I guess it is okay every once in awhile but to do it to often makes everything seem so commercialized and like everyone has some alterier (sp?) motive like to be famous or something! I'm not making much sense am I…By the way… how were those freezer meals?
I'm not a huge fan of them, but if they happen, I want a tutorial of something awesome. Otherwise I'll just skip it. Once a week would be a lot, I'd start skipping that day. I like you, your style, and your crafts.
I voted other – I used to do them and it was fun for a while and I meet a lot of cute and fun bloggers – but then I got burnt out and it wasn't fun for me anymore. Every once in a while it is fun to have a guest poster on my blog with a really fun tutorial or something but I think once a week (for me) was just too much. Also (and I don't mean this rude) but sometimes I think small blogs (like me with 700!) want to swap with larger blogs to take advantage of their followers (like your thousands) and may not have a lot to offer your readers – does that make sense? Like what some of the other ladies said that they came to read YOUR blog – not someone elses. Just some thoughts – some people love it and think it is so fun to find new blogs – but like some more ladies said unless it is an awesome idea they are presenting – you don't get a lot of clicks. But in the end – just do what feels right –
ps. wanna swap? haha.
Maybe 2 or 3 a month & they have to have a cool tutorial – not just an introduction/plug/link.
I'm surprised that more people don't hate it… is that bad?
I picked other. It's a love hate relationship. I love seeing them and finding new blogs. But then I get too many blogs and feel the need to weed some out, because I hate it when I can't keep up. All that time looking at blogs when I could've made something!
I dislike them. But I'll heart you forever even if you decide to do a blog swap every day on your blog.
The poll won't record my "meh", so I'll comment – every once in a while they are ok, but I read certain blogs because I like them, not because I want to be sent to another blog or hear from a different writer. They are overused at this point.
i can't stand blog swapping. i am so sick of other people's stuff being on the blogs that i subscribe to in reader. if i wanted to read their stuff, i would subscribe to THEIR blog in reader. jmo, ya know.
They're ok, like many people have already said, it's anice way to meet new bloggers, but overload can get in the way, and they have to have some sort of USP for me to follow. Not too frequently works, I follow you for a reason, but hey, don't let me stop you trying something new and going in the direction you feel is for you..
I chose "other".
I totally agree with what Melanie said: "I only like them when they have a tutorial or something like that, not the "here's me, come to my blog" post. I think Dana has a good method with having a specific purpose for her guests, like yellow month or boy month."
The only time I don't mind regular swapping/guesting is on blogs that are all about communal posting/sharing anyway–like UCreate (and not just because I just did one there) If the blog's premise is to showcase others, then it makes sense. Other than that, I think they should just be for specific reasons and infrequent.
I go to peoples' blogs to read that specific person's ideas and writing.
I don't know what a blog swap is!
Yes, I hit the dreaded "other" button. I do enjoy finding out about other blogs with similar content through blog swaps. When it happens too frequently it changes the feel and continuity of the blog. That makes me, as a genuine fan, sad.
I think it's great when done occasionally for a really great craft/item/idea. Too often is too much.
too dumb to know what it means
Depends, sometimes they are great and it's a good way to see other blogs u might be interested in. However, only do it when it ADDS something to your blog. Sometimes the content has no correlation and takes away from some really great blogs.
I don't mind them, as a once in a great while kind of thing. I subscribe to blogs because I enjoy the blogger's writing and crafting style, not to find other blogs to read. If I'm particularly interested in someone's blog, sometimes I'll browse their sidebar to see the other blogs he/she reads. But for swapping, more than a little seems like overkill.
I dont know what it is!
I'm with those who think it should be once in a blue moon showing something really different. I do like learning about new blogs but think that can be done within a bloggers own posts for the most part.
I've found many a new favorite blog because of guest post all around blog land, so I like them. If you ever want to do a blog swap, I'm in!
Voted!
I voted like, because I do, but I don't like them too often or when i see the same idea on 6 different blogs I follow because everyone is swapping with each other. I know how much work goes in to keeping a blog fresh, but I subscribe for a reason and if it all becomes a blur, I'm more likely to skip over it. Does that even make sense???