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I am torn. I love the opportunity to meet new bloggers and make new friends and look around AND gain exposure. Somehow though, it kind of feels like cheating. People "follow" you because you "follow" them. they don't actually "like" my blog or get my point, and may not even be interested in what I have to say. What do you think? Am I being too thin skinned?
I amhonestly torn. I have found some amazing blogs and made some great friends through blog hops. I also get a lot of "i follow you now follow me" comments and feel like Im playing tag and just trying to pump up my followers. Maybe that's not a bad thing?
Why do you blog hop?
Which are your favorites?
I have chosen these hops to link up to:
36 comments:
I've never actually heard of a "blog hop!"... I need to get on the ball!!
Hi Kathy,
I sort of feel the same way about the "follow me & I'll follow you" aspect of blog hops. However, I have met some really great women through blog hops and have made some long time virtual friendships.
I am following your blog and hope you will visit mine too. You don't have to follow unless you like my blog...the number of followers is really unimportant to me :)
Have a wonderful week!
Anna
http://IamNannyAnna.blogspot.com
I share your point of view. I must say that my opinion of blog hops has changed from when I first began blogging. When I started out, I thought it was blogger etiquette to follow back anyone who followed you. Now, I have so many blogs that DO interest me, I no longer feel that obligation. That being said, I host a hop, but no one is required to follow anyone, not even me, unless they are interested.
Oh thats a hard one. I hate following just for following, so I have kinda adopted a rule for myself that I only follow if it looks like someone I will read frequently. I have made super good blog friends through hops, in fact...I think I probably found you through a hop!! =)
I am now following you thanks to Follow Me Back Tuesday, and it would be nice if you could share the love back on my blog;)
Also don't forget, if you need any help increasing your blog's traffic or easy blog design tips, you know where to come!
Today we teach another one of our easy HTML tutorials, so make sure you don't miss it! Happy Tuesday!
Following from FMBT!
stop by http://emmaslunch.blogspot.com when you can
I am stopping by from HHH. I agree with you and have had the same feelings about "follow me, follow you". It certainly is nice to have followers and I have found some great blogs I wouldn't have otherwise, but I would like it if people were actually reading - not just following! Have a great Tuesday!
Visiting from the Hip Homeschool Hop. I like blog hops because it has helped me find some fantastic blogs that may have taken me a lot longer to find. :) BTW, I only follow those that I like and want to visit again.
Found you through HHH and I share your perspective. I am a relatively new blogger, but I am not doing it to necessarily gain a large "following." I'd rather be a part of a truly interactive community and I know that takes longer. But I have enjoyed finding other blogs such as yours on the HHH!
You have an adorable blog! I'm your newest follower! Stopping by from To-the-Top Tuesday.
http://hellokendracupcake.blogspot.com/
I am a new follower thanks to follow me back tuesday. Great blog! Hope you can follow me back :)
http://airforcewifeandmommytwo.blogspot.com/2010/10/follow-me-back-tuesday-blog-hop.html
I think blog hops are great to meet new bloggers and gain exposure for your blog. Just found you through a blog hop too :) You have a beautiful family.
I saw your blog today on Seeds of Faith...and understand where you are coming from. I like Blog links and hops with a purpose...not just gainint exposure, but providing knowledge. Be blessed
I don't do every blog hop - for the very reason you have mentioned here. Seeds of Faith is my only blog hop that I participate in - and I do this hop with extreme intentionality!
I actually read everyone's blog post for that day. I comment with more than "follow me - I'll follow you" - while I do say that... I comment much more as well.
I have met some incredible women of faith here at Seeds. Women that have genuinely prayed with me over issues that I could never share locally.
I would have never met them otherwise - so the blog hop has filled a gap in my life that I've been trying to fill for years!
I am a Pastor's wife. This life can be quite lonely - and I have found friends here that I could never find otherwise.
When I follow - I really do follow! I go through my list of blogs & read them throughout the week.
God has called me to be an encourager - so I like to leave comments that will encourage - even if I never hear from them myself!
I hope this helps add perspective in your blog hopping dilemma.
Have a great Wednesday!
Thanks for being honest here...I've had the same kind of thoughts. I do participate in a few hops, but I would rather have readers than followers any day! I'm always conflicted when someone comments, "I'm following you now...follow me back." I guess I'd rather them say, "I'm reading your blog now, and I'll be back." ;) All that said, I'm following you through iFellowship because I liked this post. And I will be back.
I really don't like when another person says "I'm following you now could you follow me"
I never ask people to follow me on their blogs/blog comments.
I do like going to sites like blog frog and put out my link for others to visit. It's a big thing that most communities do on blog frog.
I want people to follow me AND read my blog - not just followers.
I love the name of your blog....
My feeling on the blog hops is....if you don't want to follow someone back then don't sign up. People can find what you post through google.
I have met some very wonderful people and at first,... I didn't like their blog. So if someone follows me, I follow them. Whats the big deal, why should I make someone feel bad.... they think they have a great blog.
I am a new follower and would appreciate it if you could stop by and check out my blog (I am into herbs etc..because doctors have given up on me and I them), if you don't want to follow back...that is fine too.
On December 5 I am giving a Mrs Santa Claus Apron away to one of my followers. I also have impromptu giveaways where I post the giveaway and the first follower to email me wins.
http://myjourneywithcandida.blogspot.com/
My goodness that picture in the header is adorable! I hope all is well! have a great day!
Mama Hen
I appreciate blog hops as a form of introduction. When I first began blogging I hopped and hopped and followed everyone who followed me.
Then I figured it out. I separated the wheat from the tares, keeping the blogs that inspire, instruct or encourage me. AND I continue to blog hop to meet new people, to read new ideas, new insights and to comment.
My greatest talent is that of encourager. I will not hide my talent or bury it in hopes it will increase. I cannot encourage if I do not comment.
I am blessed to have found your blog today. The name alone was a wondrous treat!
I like to see the other blogs but I don't follow unless I think that the content of their blog is something that applies to me, but I do enjoy finding great new blogs through the blog hops. I had just been thinking of that topic myself :) Have a great day!
I LOVE your blog name! :)
I've met some wonderful people through blog hops. I agree some just follow just to have you follow them, but I've been a little more choosy in blog hops now. ;)
Visiting from iFellowship! :)
Have a great day!
Sherry
I'm your newest follower from Thursday Blog Hop! Looking forward to reading more from you! I am new at blog hopping and so far I love it! I have found so many blogs that interest me and while I may not be thoroughly in to each and every single post I can honestly say I read them as often as possible. You never know if something will interest you unless you try I guess. :)
http://a-journey-not-a-race.blogspot.com
Here I am a host of a blog hop and I feel the same way...shhhh! I want people to follow me because they like my blog and the content. I think the reason most people play the tag follow game is to get their stats up for reviews and giveaways. PR companies only contact the blogs with a large following.
Thanks for linking up with us today for Thursday's Friends Cafe. We are glad that you joined us. Have a great Thursday! :) (yep, I am following you now)
I think it is a good way for new blogs to gain followers. How else are you going to get your blog out there?
Following from Buzz on By Thursdays!
http://www.GlamourGirlReviews.com
Hi there! I'm your newest follower. I found you on the Thursday Blog Hop.
I actually am finding it quite funny reading your comments to see that quite a few of your responders didn't even read your post! They simply pasted their info in hopes that you will "follow them back."
I share your point of view on blog hopping completely. This is actually my first, and I'm only doing it in hopes of finding some more reading material for myself. I'm only following the blogs that interest me. I look forward to seeing more from you!
Please stop by my blog and say hello sometime.
Holly
www.hollyatnaotime.com
er... rather, www.hollyatnaptime.com
;) Have a good day!
I'm torn too. I like being exposed to many different readers and having the chance to meet new people I might not otherwise find....but I'm picky. I won't add someone if I truly don't like their blog. If there's a major point that we disagree on, if they have horrid spelling, if they're just shilling products....I'm not interested. Luckily though, the good far outweigh the uninteresting!
Like you. :)
~K
bigklittlea.blogspot.com
I'm torn too- But I have found so many great blogs to read and feel encouraged by. So, I join in a couple times a week or so, but I only "follow" blog that I really like and want to read. I just found your blog through a blog hop- I'm a new follower! Stop by if you wish, and follow back only if you want :)
Lauren
threecrazymunchkins.blogspot.com
I agree, God does watch over us in amazing ways!
Your children are beautiful!
I am your newest Follower, hope you can stop by for a visit!
Thanks, Becky Jane
Raising kids can be a lot like weeding the rose bed...well worth it, but...OUCH!
http://myelevenreasons.blogspot.com/
Thanks participating in my hop!
My opinion on blog hops goes back and forth.
I generally follow if someone comes and says they followed me, but my biggest pet peeve is when I pour my heart and soul into a post and someone comes by...doesn't read it at all and just posts "follow me, I followed you". That's why I specifically designate a weekly blog hopping post. Fly by comments on there don't bother me.
Another thing is, I tend to follow with google friend connect without much thought. If I really want to know more about you and read more of your blog...I follow you on twitter and facebook. I'm pretty cautious who I follow there though since I don't want to have to weed through a bunch of things I don't like to find the things I do!
I have hopped to blogs before that I have not followed/followed back. I don't follow adult content or spam blogs.
I'm rambling now, LOL....
I read once that for every 100 readers, you might get one comment. I guess for every 100 hoppers, I get one faithful follower?
Visiting from the blog hops.
I think blog hops have really boosted my followers count and some even come back quite often and comment on my blog. I try to always leave a comment (most of the time anyhow) that has to do with the persons post as well.
Hope you will visit either or both of my blogs and follow.
So Stylilized: FREE Custom Blog Designs: http://sostylilized.blogspot.com/
Jessicas Lil Corner: Family Blog: http://jessicaslilcorner.blogspot.com/
Have a blessed Weekend! :0)
I kind of feel the same way. It's a lot of fun to meet new mommy bloggers, and develope friendships, but a blog where you have lots of followers is hard to keep up with.
I don't post very often, but when I do, I try and post something others will be interested in!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and joining my blog hop!
Katy
www.kdbuggie.blogspot.com
Hi Kathy, thanks for visiting my blog with the Cornucopia Blog hop yesterday & for the comment! I so appreciate the prayers for my little guy too!
I hear you on the blog hops - the Cornucopia Blog Hop is the first one I've been an active part of & "hosted" (I was invited.) I really like it but I've wondered about cheating. At the same time though, it's my blog & I can do what I want. If I want to do a few blog hops & "cheat" or whatever, that's just fine. And I can stop whenever I want. Who's to say some of those people with thousands of followers didn't participate in blog hops & that's how they got so popular to begin with? You never know.
If you like it, go for it! That's all that matters! :) And like you said, I too am finding lots of really neat blogs that I normally never would have found if not for the blog hops! So I'm going to keep hopping...for now! :)
Thanks again and have a wonderful day!
~Erika
http://erikajo.blogspot.com/
I just joined my first blog hop (Robin's actually). I would have to agree with your thoughts. I do think they're a cool way to find interesting blogs and to help others find you, but right away I had to implement the same kind of rule I saw mentioned here: I only "follow" those that I think I will actually be interested in reading. And I only comment on posts I genuinely relate to or find inspiration from. I will still participate in a few hops because the one I have done has already put me in contact with some ladies I think I will really enjoy getting to know!!
Great post, wonderful food-for-thought!
Danielle
organizationalhysteria.blogspot.com
I really liked your article.
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