616
Comment

Why I Stopped Reading Your Blog

I am a very loyal person. I have been married to the same woman for 32 years. Most of my close, personal friends have been friends for a decade or more. I have gone to the same church for 27 years. Once I let you into my life, I almost never ask you to leave.

Someone Flushing a Toilet - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/Devonyu, Image #12681094

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/Devonyu

But I just unsubscribed to your blog.

This wasn’t an easy decision. Your RSS feed has been in my Google Reader for a long time. Months. Perhaps years. But I finally clicked on the Unsubscribe button. I’ve had enough.

Why? It’s likely for one of these six reasons:

  1. Your titles make me yawn. Look, I am scanning a couple hundred blog posts and news items a day. If your title doesn’t pull me into the content, what will? You need to spend as much time on the headline as you do the article. Don’t be cute; tempt me.
  2. Your posts are boring. I have tried to be interested. Really, I have. But you don’t use any stories, illustrations, or metaphors. Your prose is preachy and didactic. And dry as dust. You’re making my eyes glaze over.
  3. Your posts are too infrequent. You haven’t posted in weeks. Or months. Like so many would-be bloggers, you started well, but you quit too early. I’m sure you have legitimate reasons, but I am tired of waiting. Nobody cares. Post or perish.
  4. Your posts are too long. I know you want to do the topic justice. Prove your point. Consider every aspect. Answer the critics. And leave no stone unturned. But, honestly, you are wearing me out. If I want to read a book, I’ll buy one. You’re supposed to be writing a blog. A good rule of thumb? No more than 500 words.
  5. Your posts are too unfocused. One day you’re blogging on this. The next day you’re blogging on that. What is your blog about? Please remind me, because I am lost in the forest of your eclectic interests. You’re not a renaissance man (or woman). You are undisciplined.
  6. You don’t participate in the conversation. You either don’t allow comments or don’t participate in them. Your posts are hit-and-run. You come into the room, make your little speech, and leave the building. I’m sorry, but that is so last-century. You’re not that important.
Questions: Have you unsubscribed from someone’s blog recently? Why? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Get Free Email Updates!

Exclusive bonus! Subscribe today and you’ll receive a link to download my brand new e-book, Creating a Personal Life Plan, FREE. This step-by-step guide will help you design the life you’ve always wanted.

WestBow Press

Posted on January 5, 2011

« Why the iPad Couldn’t Kill the...
A Sneak Peek at SoChurch, Before It... »

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are snarky, offensive, or off-topic. If in doubt, read My Comments Policy.

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
  • Krindle Karnes

    It was ironic to read this post of yours since it’s a topic beaten to death and the points you shared have practically become general knowledge.

    But don’t worry…I wont unsubscribe from your blog. ;)

  • http://annestormont.wordpress.com Anne Stormont (@writeanne)

    Good advice, thanks. I’m a learner, guilty of a couple of the faults (at least) listed here. Will try harder. However, I do invite comments and always respond.

  • Lvglvk

    Wow. that just read so rude. Seriously. Just came across as icky. Never read your blog before, probably won’t again. You probably won’t read mine, either. Which is a good thing.

    Because there are people with hearts and souls and stories behind those posts…and this feels like they were trampled all over. Glad I was not on your list in the first place.

    • http://www.defineddesign.com Lisa

      Hey Lvglvk – Let me encourage you to give Micheal more than one shot. He is great, and in no way shape or form rude. He cares deeply – just read his past blogs. He is a leader’s leader. You will learn and grow by reading his writing. Peace.

      • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

        Thanks, Lisa. You are kind to say so.

  • Pingback: This Blog Stinks: Three Reasons « raising ebenezer

  • http://twitter.com/katrinalantznov Katrina Lantz

    These are great tips for bloggers. Honestly, the only reason I have ever unsubscribed from somebody’s blog is they made me feel like scum for my religion or politics. I don’t subscribe to political blogs. I subscribe to blogs about writing. I expect to be edified by the blogs I follow, not torn down by bigotry. So yeah. I guess that falls into your #5. unfocused posts.

  • http://www.switchtorealfood.com Switchtorealfood

    This is the second blog post I’ve ever read. Seems like a good place to start! Not even sure how I got here but I think I’ll subscribe so I learn how to not bore anyone to death with my own blog about my lunch. Yeah, my lunch every day for a year. Yawn-fest? I don’t think so. You are going to find that you can’t go through your day until you see what my lunch was. Ha ha ha. Seriously. And I’ve already lost poundage since I’ve started (3 days ago) by making my lunches prettier than normal and looking at my upload for the day while I eat them. I think I’ve stumbled on a new diet! Anyway, thanks for your blog. I will read and learn!

  • http://www.defineddesign.com Lisa

    I love the picture – is that a dual flush commode? I started my blog in November, and I am struggling with posting frequently – seems like life demands my time elsewhere – laundry, dishes, cooking, ahem cleaning toilets. This post put me in my time-out corner and made me think about what I’m not doing! Thanks for being honest! Tomorrow is a new day and I will blog with all of your points in mind.

  • Pingback: In Defense of the Unfocused Blog « This Journey Is My Own

  • Terrace Crawford

    Michael,

    Great post! I appreciated the book recommend on titles too. I’ll have to pick that up!

    –Terrace Crawford
    http://www.terracecrawford.com
    http://www.twitter.com/terracecrawford

  • http://charlesjaymeyer.blogspot.com Charles Meyer

    This might be why my blog doesn’t have to many followers! I need to improve on a lot of it! Which I am planning on doing

  • http://lovedoesntletgo.blogspot.com Israel Sanchez

    Well, those are all valid points. But maybe now you can follow my blog! I have learned a thing or two reading your suggestions and tips!

  • http://twitter.com/joshmcfadden Josh McFadden

    Wow… talk about a kick in the butt!…. As a new blogger, I really appreciate getting this kind of advice early on. Thanks Michael!

  • http://www.kellycroy.wordpress.com kelly croy

    Ouch! Michael, this is awesome. This ‘in-my-face’ post is really going to help me with my blog this year. Powerful. Punchy. I like it. I think I broke every one of those rules at some point in 2010. Here’s to hoping I get you back as a subscriber. Happy New Year.

  • http://twitter.com/AndreaAresca Andrea Aresca

    I will add these 2 reasons:
    1. your posts are too frequent
    2. you never interacted with me on social network when I tried to reach you

  • http://twitter.com/AndreaAresca Andrea Aresca

    I will add these two:
    1. your posts are too frequent
    2. you never interacted with me when I tried to reach you on social network

  • Pingback: Blog Favorites from the First Week of 2011 « V.V. Denman

  • Pingback: Resolution or Reset? | HansSchiefelbein.com

  • Pingback: Flotsam and jetsam (1/7) « scientia et sapientia

  • http://www.bestlegalresource.com Lori T. Williams

    What many think and aren’t bold enough to say! Thanks for the transparency.

  • http://www.lauraleighparker.com Laura@Life Overseas

    I loved reading this post.

    I did like especially your highlight of commenting. I do think the conversation is one of the most important aspects of blogging, oftentimes. I love watching conversations and community be built in that growing comment thread at the end of blog posts– especially when a blogger hits on a topic that brings people out in droves to weigh in on.

    I love it when people begin to really engage with one another in that way.

  • http://www.techwork.dk x-tra

    I think it is 6 good advice to have in mind when posting on a blog.
    Thanks for sharing

  • http://imaginativewords.wordpress.com/ craig benno

    I agree with most of your points. I do question point 5 though. Why does a blog have to be about one subject? Certainly your own blog posts seem to be a selection / collection of unrelated posts.

  • http://twitter.com/petrasam Sam Koenen

    After reading this, I pruned the number of blogs I follow and rewrote several of my old posts. Thanks for the kick in the pants!

    And to weigh in on your tone, I thought it was perfect given the purpose of the post–sometimes a negative tone is more effective at motivating positive action.

  • http://dougtoft.posterous.com Doug Toft

    Michael, I enjoy your blog, and your points in this post are well-taken. However, the tone is aggressive and condescending. You preach against preachiness—in a preachy way.

  • Anonymous

    I’m feeling very convicted by this post. In fact, when I received the e-mail (via my subscription) and started reading, I had to scroll back up to check for a “Dear Fran” at the beginning. So my question to you is…do you give second chances?

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      Absolutely!

  • http://jhwist.tumblr.com/ Henrik Wist

    I usually clean my RSS reader once every month. I don’t mind #5 (I read a lot of “diary” like blogs), but #3 and #4 are oftentimes a reason to unsubscribe. Other reasons would be #7 “The topic of your blog changed into a direction that I’m not interested in anymore” or #8 “Your blog sounded interesting on first glance, but it isn’t in the long run”. The last one often holds true if I try to learn something new. I hit a blog while googling stuff, I read a few articles, subscribe to it because it might be a good reference for the future and then either #3 or #8 kicks in.

    Cleaning my RSS reader on a regular basis is sort of necessary for getting my sanity back (think Inbox Zero). That way, I don’t have to feel bad to subscribe to blogs out of an impulse.

  • http://www.pauljkiernan.wordpress.com Paul

    I can change!

  • Jeff Jones

    I am the schizophrenic poster. Last week was all about some deep thoughts (deep for me anyway) and this week is fluff because I’m wrestling with some issues I’m not ready to discuss. The people who come to my blog know me and so they have an appreciation for what I am offering. I don’t have a book and I don’t have a platform to market anything other than to share some stuff with friends. When I do write my book, I’ll likely start another, more directed blog. Until then, it’s the freaky wanderings of an unchained mind.

  • http://jeffgoins.myadventures.org Jeff Goins

    Great post, Michael. I agree — titles are essential, but just behind good titles are great content. In fact, once I read your content, I care less about the titles. It’s the meat of your writing that I care most about. And if someone is a consistently good blogger, I just read whatever they write, no matter what (until they’ve lost my trust by publishing not very good content over a long period of time). One blog I’m considering unsubscribing to right now is trying too hard — focusing too much on Google trends, SEO, and what’s popular in the mainstream. I’ll probably give this person another month before unsubscribing. How long do you put up with the above before unsubscribing, Michael?

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I am pretty patient. I usually give someone a month or two.

  • Pingback: You’ve Got to Read This: January 11, 2011 « Reid All About It

  • http://www.speckleofdirt.com Speckle of Dirt

    Wow! I read your blog as if it was directed to me specifically to see how I would handle it, and to see if I could agree with you. And, the verdict is, yes…I can do better to serve my readers! Thank you for the reminder!
    http://www.speckleofdirt.com

  • http://www.idoinspire.com Jody urquhart

    I agree their are alot of unfocused blogs. People write whatever they are thinking at the time. I know i do it too. As far as titles my hubspot SEO provider recommends putting my keywords in the title and this can make them sound “salesy”to me

  • David Edmisten

    Michael,

    Thanks for the succinct summary. The advice on blog titles is great – sometimes one can get lost in the story and forget to grab the readers attention.

    Thankfully for me, a group of readers called me out on the frequency issue before they left altogether, saving me some serious heartache. I’m glad I was able to build their loyalty first.

    Your advice, as always, is insightful and very much appreciated.

  • http://www.meeklabs.com John Paul Mains

    Wow. 5 out of 6. Guess I need to improve! If I was doing better on the first 5, I’d be able to do number 6. :-)

  • Jessi Witkins

    Very observational blog. I’m new to blogging and I’ve been reading lots of posts from writer’s on how to gain followers as well as what not to do. You have summed up the big no-no’s very concisely. Thank you. I’m writing consistently 3 times a week. I may need to tweak my content to be focused, but more or less it’s on writing practices, reading, and writing prompts. The best advice I’ve finally taken to heart, as of today, is to blog ahead, so you’re not scrambling to post something just to post on time. Thanks for the tips, keep em coming!

  • http://ashleylorelle.com Ashley Lorelle

    Great advice. I attended a seminar last year about blogging as a conversation, so what you said as your last point is so true. Well, all of it is great advice, and it is advice I need to follow more closely.

  • http://twitter.com/DustinWStout Dustin W. Stout

    Love it! So very true. Your timing with this post is impeccable. I have begun my newest blog, and will SURELY be taking all of these points into great account. Thank you Mr. Hyatt!

  • http://www.brianhinkley.com Brian Hinkley

    I have neglected my blog for quite some time. Having a baby takes up quite a bit of time. You are always welcome to re-subscribe once I get back in the swing of things.

  • Anonymous

    The ‘Why I Don’t Retweet’ post sent me back here. I’ve been running an experimental blog before I really invest money into it. The problem really is focus. I’m not sure the best way to find out what my 3s of readers want to read. I’m guessing finding a couple friends who are a bit ahead, but not in the ‘consultant’ category to give some honest feedback would be the best option?

  • Afstoor

    I have unsubscribed to blogs because :
    1. All they do is attempt to sell me products.
    2. Their information is not what I expected or wanted or is no longer relevant to my interests.
    3. I always have to click on a link in an email to get to the latest post.

  • Brucedenakiri

    The reasons you stop following a blog are exactly the same reasons I stop, too. The worst blogs are the ones where the author seems to have a sense of entitlement: “If I write it, they will read it.” Not necessarily so.

  • http://www.muralsandmoldings.com Adrienne

    thanks for the practical advice. good to know. Our re-designed website is going online this month. I’m so excited about my product and I want to talk about it. I certainly don’t want to turn anyone off!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Genevieve-Ching/1009340332 Genevieve Ching

    I dislike posts that are too long or posts that are too frequent. Some people, authors especially, think they need to post every day. It’s too frequent. Even if Stephen King posted every day I wouldn’t read it that frequently. And I also get frustrated with poor blog content. If you have nothing entertaining or informative to say, don’t post.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Genevieve-Ching/1009340332 Genevieve Ching

    I dislike posts that are too long or posts that are too frequent. Some people, authors especially, think they need to post every day. It’s too frequent. Even if Stephen King posted every day I wouldn’t read it that frequently. And I also get frustrated with poor blog content. If you have nothing entertaining or informative to say, don’t post.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Genevieve-Ching/1009340332 Genevieve Ching

    I dislike posts that are too long or posts that are too frequent. Some people, authors especially, think they need to post every day. It’s too frequent. Even if Stephen King posted every day I wouldn’t read it that frequently. And I also get frustrated with poor blog content. If you have nothing entertaining or informative to say, don’t post.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Genevieve-Ching/1009340332 Genevieve Ching

    I dislike posts that are too long or posts that are too frequent. Some people, authors especially, think they need to post every day. It’s too frequent. Even if Stephen King posted every day I wouldn’t read it that frequently. And I also get frustrated with poor blog content. If you have nothing entertaining or informative to say, don’t post.

  • http://RealtorShanna.blogspot.com Shanna

    Better Titles and less preaching. So hard in the real estate blogging world. I will try to do better. Great post!

  • Katie

    I often unsubscribe when posts are too frequent. If my reader is overflowing with posts from one person which bury all the others, sorry, I’ve unsubscribed. I think a happy medium would be between one post a day and one a week.

    —
    Katie
    Christian, Actor, Writer, Artist, Nerd.
    Website: http://www.katie-young.com
    Blog: http://weeklyshorts.tumblr.com

  • Pingback: Best Blog Advice | to the heart of history

  • Nancy Ferrin

    I love this!! Just started to blog a few months ago and this provided such great information about what not to do — thank you!!

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →

©2011 Michael Hyatt, Powered by Standard Theme

Want to know how to get published? Check out this step-by-step guide. Click here!