Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Bloggers For Accountability!


Funny story...
If you Google a new game called War Hero Janna, you might stumble across my blog.
I was quite surprised to find that in my search keywords, but got a kick out of it anyways.
That is one of those things that after two years of blogging, I still giggle.

I think that quite a bit has changed in two years, but I'm still not sure if it's blogging that has changed or just my views of blogging. Don't get me wrong, I still love it and don't ever plan on stopping, but I definitely have to stear clear of the negativity, one uppers, shameless promoters, and judgy bloggers. Let me be clear, we all promote, but some bloggers make you feel used after following them. I know you know what I'm talkin' bout.

Today, I just want to share some Love/Hates of blogging, and make a pledge for myself and my blog. I think many of you will be able to relate.

LOVE
Relationships
Support
New Friends
Having a Creative Outlet
Inspiration
Making Memories
Finding Passion
Gift Swaps
Link Ups
Heartfelt Comments
Source: sodahead.com via Janna on Pinterest

LOVE/HATE
Hate entering a million giveaways, Love winning things and meeting new bloggers.
Hate learning html, Love being able to create with it.
Hate struggling to keep up with everyone's blogs, Love getting inspired by them all when I can.
Hate when you lose touch with a blogger you really like, Love that you can ALWAYS reconnect!


HATE
Word Verification
No-reply Commentor
{Google/Blogger needs to just get rid of both!}
Blogs that don't have pop up comment forms. I still love you...just makes commenting harder.
Passive aggressive comments/tweets
Snarky attitudes...This just in: We are ALL equal.

And a few that need some splainin':

That people avoid commenting on guest posts. If it's on my page and you are my follower, then comment dammit please. I'm sharing it for a reason. I am very happy that you all comment on the Perception Is Everything Series, but I see guest posts on the blogs of others with zero comments, and I guest posted for a blog the other day and it only got TWO comments.  If I post on someone else's blog, it would mean the world if you check it out and comment. Hint: You don't have to follow them to comment. I'm not mad if you don't, because I'm not oblivious to the fact that we are all busy little bees, but I try to comment on guest posts, and I hope you will too.

Since we are talking about this, go visit my friend in Australia, and you will find a guest post about being the "Wife of an American Soldier"! We had some technical issues, but it is up and you should go check it out. :D

JUDGEMENT. I hate it. Why the heck does everyone do it?
I visit a blog, I take it for face value, I might get inspired, I might not, but guess what? I don't have to sit there and pick them apart, judge the colors they chose, their content, question if they are really happy, etc. Personally, I am only trying to be supportive of others, so when I see the twitter fights, the negative attitudes, and{big or small} bloggers thinking they are better than everyone else, I am quite surprised and saddened. When I began blogging, I was either ignorant or it was a completely different blog world. If I was ignorant then I think I'm going to stick with it. I refuse to feed into the negativity.
And yes...I know I am judging people for judging. Don't care.

And last but not least, to the blogger that recently commented how excited she was at finding my blog, and I should come check out her giveaway...You have visited my blog before, and I used to comment on yours until I realized that you weren't going to actually try to have a relationship with me. I will NOT be entering your giveaway, I think your poor marketing skills are lame, and I will not just be a puff follower for your GFC numbers. You probably won't see this, because I doubt you will revisit with your superficial attitude, but in case you do...
You are what is wrong with blogging.

As you all know...there are no rules in blogging, no blog police, and no blog jail. That means that we have to be MATURE and hold ourselves accountable. I promise to personally hold myself accountable and I hope that you will too. Don't feed into the negativity, and feel free to join me in my pledge.







45 comments:

Caitlyn said...

RE: Last point.
That is absolutely ridiculous. If you are going to fake something like that, at least have the decency go to a blog you have never been to before.
All of these are great points, Janna :]

Inna xoxo said...

omg so am i totally psycho that i just backtracked your last maybe 10 posts and scanned comments to see who that poster was?
Cuz if that is, then i totally am, and im not gonna deny it lol.

I absolutely hateeeeeee when some bloggers do that. They'll come to your blog and post the most generic comment like "great post, i loved it! btw, check out my blog...giveaway!" and the post was something tragic or etc and your like wtf ahole! But then you realize that person posted that same exact comment on your last 3 posts and every other bloggers post of the day....wtf. Who copy and pastes comments?!
The above said scenario has totally happened to me and when you posted about it onnnnnnne certain girl popped straight into my head and i swear it was probably the same girl just because ive seen her legit troll every single blog i read with same said scenario. Didnt find the comment. But im still pretty sure it was her hahaa.

Yes, i am crazy :D
xoxo Inna
My Daily Fix

Niken said...

oh,
i can feel your love/hate relationship with blogging. word verification bugging me a LOT. i despise it.

and i agree with you with those who don't really try to connect, but only want to promote their giveaway or else. whatever.

but for me, i want to make connection to the blogs/people that connect with me trhough GFC or else.

Megan said...

Hahaha, you make me feel guilty even though I have never done something like this.

It's a good thing to air this, so that people who do not realise that they are irritating and 'what is wrong with blogging' will catch a wake-up call!

Amanda C. said...

Well said sister. I have a love/hate relationship with giveaways too. Usually if someone only stops by to say join my giveaway and doesn't leave a genuine comment I don't bother going to visit.

I never thought about the guest post thing before. Thanks for sharing.

Jenna said...

I love this post! I'm with you on the guest posts. I used to have guest bloggers on my blog, but then I felt bad having people put in work to create a post that literally no one would comment on! I don't get why people hate on guest posts so much?

Have a great Tuesday :) xo

Mosby Hardin said...

I was just thinking about all of this this morning! All of the judgements and people thinking they are better than others really bothers me. It makes me not want to read their blogs! Thanks so much for sharing:)

Kait said...

YES YES YES!! I think this is absolutely great. I just recently had someone post a comment on my page that 1. had never commented before and 2. didn't even say hi or anything! Just said "hey, I'm hosting this really great giveaway!" I THINK NO.

I am really grateful that I haven't had the debacle of anonymous nasties or judgy people yet...but I know it's bound to happen. Look, I don't make you read my blog so why don't you just leave! People are crazy, but we already knew that, right?

XO Kait

Morgan Neal said...

Love this!

P!nky said...

You, my dear, are a breath of fresh air. Your attitude and your wit are inspiring.

NO JUDGING!!!

xoxo

Scribble-N-Dash said...

Couldn't agree more!! I, too get a little annoyed when bloggers leave comments only to ask me to stop by their blog & enter a giveaway or just wanting me to follow them {oh & then ask me to email them once I've followed them so they can follow back}... I want to follow blogs I genuinely like to read & I only want followers who really enjoy reading what I have to say.

I absolutely LOVE your blog & everything that you stand for!! :)

<3 Melissa

cynthia said...

yep, yep, yep! :) I agree wholeheartedly with all of the above. My blog is very small still but I just keep reading and commenting on blogs I enjoy. That's what the community is all about. People are more important than numbers.

The Better Belle Project said...

Love this! I already removed word verification but I went back and made my comments pop-up, it's definitely easier for everyone!

All of your other points are great too! I can't stand it when people comment with "nice blog! Check mine out and enter my giveaway!", come on, at least pretend that you read something on my page!

Erin said...

Amen sistah! I hate when people comment saying I'm your newest follower now please follow me and then A) they aren't actually following you and B) ne'er beg for someone to follow you. Creeps

Hilary said...

HA HA. To the blogger that recently commented how excited she was at finding my blog, and I should come check out her giveaway... you did the same to me.

Jen said...

Yes!!! Love all of these.

henning love said...

the word verification i am about to boycott blogs that make me use that to leave a comment. it is so annoying, time consuming and just freaking hard to read, just let me leave a comment please!

Nicole said...

I used to feel bad when I would unfollow someone, because they never replied back to my comments or would never comment on my blog-let alone look at it! Then I realized that I am making friendships and relationships with these people-if they were my friends in real life and treated me this way, I wouldn't be friends with them! I appreciate the awareness that you bring to the blogging community-thank you :)

Dear Boys Love Mom said...

Blogging is funny sometimes, and some people out there are just silly. I love that you and I have become friends and even though we dont chat as much as we use to, I love knowing that I can call you and freak out about my life and you are 10000% supportive. Thank you blogland for bringing me to Janna! ;-)

Nicole said...

I feel this way... I see all of it too! I know people say you can build your bloggy friends by commenting... I comment on way more posts and read way more than I get back. Sometimes it is tiresome!

Emily H. said...

i totally agree about the word verification! and i didn't realize til now that i was a no-reply comment person =[ it should be changed now though. i try to comment to guest posts. agree with pretty much everything you said though!

Tiffany said...

Oh my, that last one! I had a lady come all the time, "This is the first time I found you and I am so excited! I hope you follow me!" LIKE EVERY WEEK. And I had, in the beginning, followed her. Not any more. I hate when people just follow/comment to be followed. Annoys the heck out of me.

Holly said...

Amen!

I truly admire your honesty and sincerity. Blogging is what you make it, and I for one didn't start blogging to feel like I was in high school again.

People should feel free to write what they want to write, and readers can read what they want to read - all without ridicule. Welcome to America and the 1st Amendment, my friends. The Twitter fights are ridiculous and immature. Oh, there I go judging. Sh!t.

But seriously, you're spot on, my sweet friend. Spot on :)

Simplyheather said...

Amen girl!! I agree with you 100% on this post!

I went over to your guest post and left a comment, by the way! I had three quest posts last week in which nobody commented on, except me. & then of course, you did! (thank you <3) I just don't understand why nobody took time to read them, they were amazing stories by three amazing women. It was disappointing.

I really kind of dislike the people who only want followers. The numbers can only get you so far.

But yea, we pretty much share the same blog "likes" and "dislikes". I repined your pin!

Have a good day girly!

xo, Heather

Amy Laura said...

I thought I had commented last night but it didn't seem to work :(

Anyway what I was saying was I think this is a great post! I love your blog and the 'way' you blog. I found your blog through your Messy Project link up that Kelly ran (loved your outfit by the way) and have been silently following along since. I love reading your posts and find your 'Perception is Everything' series is so interesting since we get to hear from other bloggers. I get excited when I see you have posted one and can't wait to read it.

Amy
xx

P.S I love your love story! Probably one of the sweetest ones I have read. :)

k said...

this was a fun post to read on my first visit to your blog! i've had blogs for a long long time but this one i've been involved in the community with for a few years and it's definitely been interesting, amazing and trying at times....i've managed to avoid negativity and judging and all of that, but some of the little things drive me CRAZY like word verification. seriously, it's like my life mission to abolish it!

k said...

ps the one thing i hate the MOST is when a person comments and says "i love your blog, come follow me then i will come follow you back" OMG. there is so much wrong with that i don't even know where to begin!

Jess said...

Preach it girl! The Blog World is such an interesting place, full of all kinds of people, literally all over the world! Kind of like real life... and definitely full of learning experiences! I'm genuinely glad that I found your blog though. I love people who keep it real!

Kate @ Daffodils said...

Amen sister!! One of my biggest pet peeves is the "nice blog. follow each other?" comments. I mean you didn't even read my post! But what I love most about blogging is beind about to record my thoughts/pictures/happenings for my family and of course the positive relationships with other bloggers. Blogging raelly teached me how to find the good in every day!

Kelly { MessyDirtyHair } said...

Oooooh gf what can I say for except you're dead on. Every single thing - & you already know how I feel. I love how you called out the promoting commenter! Finally! I'm glad you're a strong girl who stands up for what she believes in! Love you!!!!

Sarah said...

Great points!! I'm pretty new to blogging so haven't experienced much negativity yet, but I'm sure I will at some point. We all need to be on the same team - after all, we're all blogging as a way to meet people and hopefully impact someone in a positive way. Great job with this post :)

Unknown said...

love it..and you! ps. this is heartfelt haha :)

Anonymous said...

I could go either way with the pop-up comments. I do try to make it painless for people if they do leave a comment. I hate word verification because it gets frustrating when you get one of the letters wrong, switch it up in the hopes of getting something easier to read and you still can't read it. I give up at that point. LOVE that you called out that commenter! You get all excited cause someone commented and then find out it's crap. Boooo them!

Unknown said...

Love it and couldn't agree more!!

My-cliffnotes said...

You said it all perfectly! Love you gorg!

Unknown said...

an amen and a testify sista!!

haha. all makes perfect sence. love it. :)

Lindsay said...

What an awesome post - I am pretty new getting into this blogging thing again - it was refreshing to see your blog and especially like this post! Glad to know people are still out there to get to know people and check out eachothers 'worlds' and not worry about contests and sponsorship overloads. So, thanks for being refreshing!

-Lindsay

♥ ♥ Just a Girl in Love w/ a Soldier ♥ ♥ said...

It's Bloggers like you that I love, that keep us on our toes. I love enjoy reading your blog. Lifes been busy here lately, so I'm usually quickly in and out on reading and commenting. Hope you have a fabulous rest of the week.

Unknown said...

Great points!

I definitely agree that we're all equal in this blogging world. Unfortunately New York City (and I'm sure other places as well) are quite competitive so I don't exactly fit in. I know if I backstabbed or lied enough, I could be where other bloggers are but I'd rather keep my dignity.

You like the pop up comments? Interested to hear why as I'm not a fan hehe But just wrote about commenting on blogs so would want to hear you out :)

Rach said...

I hate word verification on blogs! They are so stinkin' hard to read sometimes, haha! And I hear you on the the whole people-commenting-just-to-get-you-to-enter-a-giveaway thing. Or just to get extra followers or whatever. Not cool!

❈ Annie - Blonde Glambition ❈ said...

A lot of the items you mentioned the hate list are reasons I've had to take periodic breaks from blogging in the past. I enjoy it more when blogging can be a positive and encouraging outlet...a place to find support of others who can relate. I really liked this because of all the truth in it :)

Amanda said...

HAHAHAHA I've had the last one happen to me, except it was just a girl being like "Love that I just found your blog, it's so great! can't wait to learn more about you"

but months earlier she had been reading and following me and I of her... I've thus stopped reading hers lol.

I'm glad we're actually friends and not fake on here :)

Because Shanna Said So said...

This was AWESOME!!!! And my biggest hate is the jealously and negativity too! That's why I stay faaaar away as possible and try to always be positive on my blog. It's going to happen...especially with girls, but I refuse to partake...that is not why I started my little blog. :) High five for this, lady!!

Megan said...

Loved this post!! Relationships are definitely the easiest and hardest part of blogging to me...they come so easily, but it's hard to maintain when you want to be BFF with a million different bloggers. Haha.

Speaking of which, I miss you!

Jean said...

I am so bad w/ those word verification things! I do it like 3 times then get it. Ugh. Sometimes I even avoid those blogs.

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