Jan 11
17
One of the most interesting things about the Internet is that you can get to know people in a whole new way. Blogs are a way to learn about someone, be they famous or just another average joe, on a personal level you never could otherwise. Below are a couple of ideas in looking for a blog to follow.
One thing that can help you quite a bit is to use an RSS feed program like Google Reader. You log into one screen, and it notifies you of any blogs that have been updated. That way you do not have to visit a million websites just to find out it anyone has written lately.
Get to Know Your Favorite Author (or other celebrity):
One problem I have always been frustrated with was knowing when my favorite authors were coming out with new books. I know that some places like Amazon are just starting to have those “notify me when this item comes out”, but even then, you have to know the item is coming out to click the button! A great way to follow an author is through their blog. You already know that they are great writers (since you read their books), and it is also interesting to see them go through the process of crafting a book. They may describe things that inspire them, write about their habits, etc. You may also find out when they will be signing books in your town, or when they have special giveaways for free loot! I have found some authors to be hard to follow, or who write about things that do not interest me – but that is OK too. You can simply delete the feed, and move on to a different blog.
Find Someone With a Common Interest:
I was browsing the various blog sites a while back, and stumbled across a blog that I fell in love with. It was about an American girl living abroad in London, and her experiences while there. While I know that there are probably millions of those sites out there, this site was well written and funny. I connected with her, because I too lived in London for a year, and went through many of the same problems and amusing situations. I unfortunately lost track of the blog after a while, but I still remember that nameless girl who’s experiences I shared for a brief time.
I often also look up people with similar hobbies. I am a beginning knitter, so I often look up sites for patterns and advice. What makes these blogs fun is that not only do you get the pattern you need, but you often get to learn about the grandmother who taught the blogger how to knit, or the evil ex-boyfriend who was to be the recipient. It personalizes the experience.
Find a Random Blog:
One idea, if you don’t know where to start, is just visit a blog site like Tumblr, WordPress, BlogSpot, Blogger and look around. There is bound to be something that catches your eye, and everything will spiral out from there.
A Final Note on Quantity:
The biggest problem I have with following a blog (or many) is keeping up. It can be a lot of work, and sometimes feels more like a chore than a fun thing to do. When I find myself at that point, I usually go through the list of blogs I follow, and start deleting. Remember, this is just a fun activity, like watching TV or reading the paper. You can do it everyday, or catch up whenever you get a chance. Find those blogs that inspire you, make you laugh, or that you find valuable. Dump the ones that you forget about, find annoying or uninteresting.
Finally, if you can’t find a blog you are interested in, start your own! It is free and can be a lot of fun.
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