tagged: Blogging

Blog Challenge 26: Spread a Little Sunshine

Posted by Patrick in 31DBBB, Blogging

This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger.

Have you ever written a guest post? Or given blogging advice to a blogger who wanted to get your insight? Or provided a design or content critique?

I’ve written a guest post on someone else’s blog and I’ve had two guest posts here in almost eight years. I’ve given and received blogging advice and critiques.

The funny thing, particularly when it comes to critiques, is that you learn as much about your blog as the blog you’re offering critique about.

Over the summer, my blog was one of three featured on a weekly Blogchat session in which participants chimed in with suggestions about what they did and didn’t like and what they’d like to see instead. I received a wealth of information during that 20-minute Twitter stream, but I also made it a point to join in for the other two bloggers. (As I recall, they both returned the favor.)

It’s not always easy to take criticism, especially of a blog, which is often so personal and can be viewed as an extension of our own personalities. Sometimes, a critique offered with the best of intention can be viewed as an attack if the blog owner doesn’t keep ego and pride sufficiently in check.

But improving a blog doesn’t have to involve critique. Leaving insightful comments to what they’re writing about can also accomplish the same goal. I’m making more of an effort to do that as often as I can.

That’s not to say I wouldn’t do a blog critique if I’m asked; but I don’t feel like I have enough of the answers to go around offering one unsolicited.