Entry #1 Sifting Through the Blog-BS

Millions of blogs exist on the internet today; covering every imaginable topic like: parenting, politics, fitness, sex, food, do it yourself and so much more. So what exactly is a blog? The word “blog” comes from shortening of the original term, “Web log” (Dictionary.com). A blog is just that, a log of ideas, thoughts, experiences and opinions. You know what they say about opinions….well…everyone has one. So how do you sift through all the blogger bs and get to the meat of what YOU are interested in?

In my research of what blogs are available, I got lost for more time than I care to share. Cross-eyed, I followed a few links likeBloggies, "Best ____ Blog" ”.  I found some of these links to be too general or did not serve a positive energy to MY daily flow. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time for anything in my life that doesn’t contribute something positive to my day-to-day life. I wanted to find blogs I could actually connect with and would be useful to me and my family. So, I narrowed my search with words like cooking, self-help, DIY (do it yourself) and found the process still too lengthy.

Narrowing the Search

Narrowing the search for a blog that fit like Goldie Locks required more specific words like, my favorite authors "Byron Katie", "local food blogs", "DIY hacks on a budget", etc. This helped narrow down my search to blogs and information that fit nicely with my life. Here are four tips on how to find a blog that might help narrow down your search:

1. Was the content easy to find on the blog? If it isn’t easily organized by topic, I leave. For example,  I want to easily move through the navigation menu to find what I am looking for quickly. AZfoodieblog.com has a drop down menu that helps me find posts based on breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, etc.

http://www.azfoodieblog.com/

2. Is the layout easy on MY eyes? If it looks like the blog is not balanced with photos, white space and copy it can make the page difficult to read. Take a look at ideakhackers.net, below. Just like their furniture directions ARE NOT, this blog has an eye-pleasing layout with a well balanced use of color and graphics.

http://www.ikeahackers.net/

3. Simplicity. Is this blog easy to read? Does the post get-to-the-point quickly? Is the information organized in a way that it will not take me too long to read through?  ByronKatie.com is a great example of how I like to find my information. She has a mix of articles, memes, videos and articles that help me judge a blog post by it's cover, click on it, and soak up all the positive messages I want and need.

http://www.byronkatie.com/

4. Does the page have too many ads? I don’t mind a few ads, I realize we all have to earn an income, but some blogs were too obnoxious with ad placement. In some cases the ads actually slowed down my scrolling through posts. You don't have to look far, these blogs are everywhere. 

In YOUR search for the perfect blog, I encourage you to be patient, give the author a chance to win you over before judging too hastily. Sift through other reader comments and decide if that blog is the right community for you. I invite you to ask yourself if it makes a positive footprint on your life, if not, step over the blogger bs and keep searching.