I used to do tons of memes. I started out doing Aloha Friday and Wordless Weds. I went on to do Thursday Thirteen and even tried starting some of my own with Rhyming Wednesday and Happy Hour Friday. I really try to stay away from most of them anymore.
Aloha Friday and Wordless Wednesday are a great way to get people to your blog, but there is no personal connection with most of the people who leave comments. It really is just a tit for tat thing that boils down to “I will show you mine if you show me yours”. The questions associated with Aloha Friday are often way too generic, ranging from “What is your favorite color?” to “What time do you usually go to bed?”. I got bored with it real fast. Wordless Weds can be interesting, but for me, I feel like it is just a space filler most of the time.
I tried my own Memes and they never took off, which is fine with me. Looking back, I am really glad that they did not.
I did Random Tuesday thoughts for the longest time. It was fun jumping from subject to subject, but I found that random thoughts are very tough to comment on. The posts are so slammed pack with random thinking that it becomes tough to retain all of the information as a reader. I stopped doing RTT because of that.
There is also Six Word Saturday. Most people write six words and then write a 300 word explanation of the six words. Kind of defeats the purpose, or so it seems. I think that if you need to keep a post down to six words, then you are probably having some sort of creative drought.
There are newer ones like Flash 55 and Sunday 160. The 55’s can be creative, but the typical comment of a 55 is “Great 55, mine is up”. Basically, people just use each others post as an advertisement for their own. As far as the 160.… why limit yourself to 160 characters? If you have an idea or thought, just write it down. If it turns out to be 700 characters, what is the big deal? It seems to me that blogging has become an idea where people’s thought process is “How can I write as little as possible and still get people to leave me a comment.”
I think that Theme Thursday and the more recent Magpie Tales are good in the sense that they do not limit creativity at all. I respect that.
I am by no means trying to slam the people who have created these ideas. They are all interesting concepts. All that I am saying is that when we start doing them week in and week out, our blogs become a less personal and predictable. I am now off to do my most hated Meme…..YARD WORK SUNDAY! lol
50 comments:
Thanks for your thoughts on themes, I now feel somewhat vindicated! I have purposely not participated in themes because it just didn't feel right "for me." Schedules seem to stifle the little creativity I do have once in a blue moon. I guess that is why my posts are so erratic.
I'll be doing yard work in a little bit, also.
well said...i've made a ton of new friend--when i say ton i'm speaking valuewise--on Theme Thursday, but who has time to do these things everyday, week after week? It's summer, time to go out and play! Enjoy!
You forgot that you did the Happy Hour Friday and occasionally, participated in my Rant & Rave on Wednesdays.
A meme can attract people and for the owner of the meme it can be a bit challenging to remember to post on that particular day.
Memes have its good and bad points.
i hear you...of all the memes and themes, theme thursday is by far the best for me. some great people taking all different angles. its more of a community that anything. magpie has good prompts but no one really visits. its like everyone wants others to read them but really dont want to take the time. i hear you though. i went from 1 to 4 pretty quickly...
Excellent thoughts Otin. I don't want to slam Wordless Wed users, but I totally don't get that.
I recently had to reevaluate why I blog and realized that the "game" part of it had become way to overwhelming for me.
I try now to really visit and comment on blogs I really want to comment and visit!
I don't like the tit for a tat thing although I recognize that is the way to build up readership.
Such a conundrum. But for now? I'm not playing. Maybe I will again in the future, but not now.
I agree with you. I have found that memes can be a good way to initially find a community of like-minded folk. But if you want to keep up online relationships with them, you have to follow what they do more closely.
I no longer regularly visit everyone who posts on a particular meme -- I just don't have the time. But I'm always on the look out for good writers with interesting things to say.
We all blog for different reasons. Generally, I think memes are fun, particularly in the beginning -- but once you've established your own voice, they're easy to outgrow.
I think they're great for newer bloggers who have a hard time coming up with their own ideas, but after a while you develop your own voice and don't need to rely on them.
I'm the kind of person who feels like if I link up myself, it's only fair to hop to others too. It's very time consuming so I only do W/W now, because it's the one meme I still enjoy.
I'm glad you blog the way you want to blog now,honey. I love you!
Blueviolet-
I really have nothing against the Memes, they are just not really for me anymore. I have lost my obsession with comment numbers.
The only thing that I am sure to stick with is you! I love you so much!
Ocean Girl- What lovey dovey meme??
Good Luck on Yardwork Sunday Meme,
it is true that many memes exist,
but we try,
I am glad that there are memes out there for me to choose, no obligations...
cool post!
I politely read them, and comment, but don't contribute..I don't want to tie myself to a format or schedule of when to write..
On the other hand, I occasionally put up a Mini-Meme that is a quick 2-3 questions that can be answered as quickly as a normal comment, and encourages participation..
I totally agree, Otin! I don't participate in any of those for that reason.....
at first they seemed interesting and they are entertaining to read, but now, when I read them I rarely leave comments either.
Memes/themes can be a cool way to get everyone involved, I guess. Plus, since most people's attention span is low, it's easier to read. But it can get old and boring pretty quickly. I understand where you're coming from.
this really hits home, otin. i've only been participating since april 10th, but let me share with you what a friend said to me recently. she had been absent from blogworld since easter and when she checked my blog and read through it, she only had one comment..."what about you and your stuff?" i've thought often and long about her comment but your post hit it out of the ball park!
so, i'm curious as to what your next step will be? are you afraid that the followers numbers will begin to lag? how about the comments?
whatever you decide to do, i'll be right here, following and commenting because reading you has always been a bright spot in my day!
Well said, I never post memes (or awards, come to that - although I do thank those who see fit to grant me any ON THEIR blog, seeing as how it's only polite). Too many are boring, dull and lacking in any creativity - I'd far rather visit a site that posts less frequently, but with something to say, than to visit some that (sorry) reek of mental constipation. That's not to say all of these are stagnant, I've simply found the majority of them are.
Great post. I reevaluated my blogging recently....I'm not sure which direction I will go in now, but certainly, numbers, followers and comments aren't going to be the focus. Once I lost sight of what I wanted my blog to say, I never really got it back....
I will be stopping by to READ, as you are always a delightful and insightful read!
S ♥
You're right. After a while they do sap rather than enhance creativity. I have begun to take breaks from TT not because I don't enjoy it or think it's pretty darn creative but because it may feel like a chore on certain weeks. That's not the reason to write.
I notice you ditched the bug on your masthead. Good man!
I completely understand where you are coming from Otin. I love that you continue to march to the beat of your own drummer, and still make some time to keep us up to speed !
There's nothing wrong with trying things on your blog just as there is nothing wrong with dropping them and moving on to something that interests you more.
In the end, it's your blog, so feel free to express yourself however you want.
I'm with you on the Random Thoughts. I go nuts trying to keep up with everything that was mentioned and useless end up typing a once sentence comment about the last thing I read. ;-)
As for the tit for tat, I've had people come over and leave comments and then I would reciprocate. After a while I noticed they are not coming over anymore while I'm still leaving comments for them. Sheesh. That's just too much to keep up with!
The themes are a nice idea, though!
Not a great fan of memes. I've used them now and then as fillers I seem to have a nice little brigade of meaningful commenters many of whom also contact me through other methods and I'm happy with that. I'm not interested in boosting readership. Although I do play Theme Thursday most times and now participate in a slightly more 'cerebral' writing blog each month. I did enjoy your Tuesday posts though. Made me laugh for one!
I have to agree with BV. When I first started blogging and didn't have a clue, I jumped into the meme thing. It was neat at first and was a great way of meeting other bloggers. After a while, I lost interest in most of the memes. I did try the Friday Fuel thing, but even I lost interest in doing it....even as it's creator. I like the Friday Fragments meme, because the creator was my very first follower and was a big help in answering questions when I first got started. Now that I've been around long enough, and have my own niche, I don't get too involved in themes anymore.
I always like when you post about blogging issues. You always hit it right on. Much respect to all the creative bloggers out there that keep it going...
My own style is blog-lite. Rarely heavy, that way expectations are always low. LOL
I agree with Matty and BV in that memes are a great way to meet other Bloggers and gain a readers when you are just starting out. I will do a meme every now and then when it strikes my fancy. (Esp. if it's a newer meme on the block. I like to help them get some attention.)
I'm happy to say that I've overcome my blogging addiction and now just post when I want and read blogs when I can find the time.
The only one I really tried was Travel Tip Thursday. I still like that one but usually have something else I want to write about on Thursdays. Meme's have their place, but I don't want to become a slave to them. Blogging should be fun, not an assignment.
I do try to return comments, so I guess I'm a tit for tat person in a way. I've found some great blogs that way, though. And a few of the people keep returning to my blog. The cream will rise to the top.
I'm trying to ignore my Sunday Yard Work meme. It's kinda working.
I hate any memes that have anything to do with housework or yardwork... which is how I became a Cat Lady in the first place.
For me personally blogville helped me find that creative part of me that had been forgotten for several decades. Thus far I have found that the themes & memes have helped this along some!
I have still included plenty of me in my blog too...me thinks!!
When I had more time I really liked doing the Rant and Rave Wednesday and the Things I Love Sunday which you got me started on!
I hardly have time to post now and I hardly have time to read blogs anymore. I feel the end of my blogging is coming soon.
Time will tell.....
Hope you are happy and well!
Well, you know I do Sundays In My City, I Comment Therefore I Am (which are both created by me), and I do Fragmented Fridays. I started doing Fragmented Fridays before I knew there was a meme called Friday Fragments to which I now link up, but I would keep doing my Fragmented Fridays even if the meme stopped. For me I consider it more like a "programming" schedule and it works for me.
I started SIMC because I love my city and others expressed interest in joining. Also, my husband was complaining that I was spending too much time blogging and SIMC does not detract from my time with my family, it chronicles it.
I Comment Therefore I Am is a way for me to highlight posts I like that have inspired what I believe to be interesting comments from me. It's never really taken off as a meme. Only a few people have ever tried it, but I like it so I'll keep doing it.
Geeze, this comment is turning into a post. I've got lots to say.
I used to do Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop and I really enjoyed it, but gave it up when I started having my own regular "programming" because I didn't want to be all about memes.
I don't mind reading memes on other people's blogs, but I'd rather they have original content some of the time. I mean there is a meme for everyday if you wanted one, but then I don't really get a sense of who you are and what you bring to the blog party.
I love seeing the way that blogs develop and the personalities that they end up having. I think they are obviously a big reflection of the creators.
I've told myself that if I ever feel constricted by my "programming" then I have to let it go.
Damn, I hope I didn't piss you off with this ridiculously long comment. It just got me thinking.
I think I need to shut up now. Peace!
I hardly do awards and memes because they aren't really interesting to me. The only one i like to do is OUT OF TUNE TUESDAY! Because I have a lot of fun doing it and I haven't been able to do it lately because of the lack of time and inspiration but I like it! lol
I don't post awards cause the truth is I am LAZYYYY but I do thank the people who have given me awards and thank them for choosing me and reading me.
I think like you say once in a while it's nice to try different things and see how they go! Like I remember Hit40's WTF Wednesday. I liked that one too.
Dear Otin,
Maybe it was not a meme, maybe it was a recurring theme. Now looking at them, they could be real stories.
I had to look up meme and get it now. I do understand themes though, so I'm not a total doofus.
I never have bothered with the memes or themes. No reason, other than I can't be bothered.
I hear ya, brother. Thankfully, most people have stopped trying to tag me with memes since I never do them. I still love Random Tuesday though.
Oh Otin... It doesn't matter WHAT you write about. I always read it, and i always enjoy it, Fact, Fiction or personal.
I don't always comment, but i always read your posts!
And i'm happy that you're happy now.
=-)
I love that you do your own thing!!! That's what's so great about reading blogs!
I participate in Sunday In My City with photos and a story-- I've enjoyed it A LOT because I've met so many bloggers from around the world and learned so much.
I enjoy many of the 55s and 160s as a reader because most are so much more creative than I could ever be (I've never written them).
The other random and misc memes I've participated in are when I couldn't think of anything else to write about-- I used them as a way to jump (or is it kick!) start my writing again.
But you are right on some of the memes-- I never know what to say and feel bad that all the comments are pretty much the same and lack connection which is a shame.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject (and for your great graduation comment from the other day!). I was beginning to think I was alone on this one.
Hope the yard work was short and sweet.
jj
I have just recently joined in doing the Friday 55. For me its been a way to get myself practising my writing. Its a way of expressing things I don't normally share on my blog.
I'm enjoying it for now.
My blog has never been about getting more traffic or comments. Its about sharing something with the people who WANT to read it.
I know what you mean - I started off posting whatever I felt like, then got sucked into the meme route to build up traffic. I've been slowly weeding out the ones that seem more like work than an enjoyment factor as I get ready to change the whole idea of my blog starting with the new name. ;)
I've never done meme's so I wasn't aware of the 1,000 ideas out there. I always thought they were self-indulgent.
I post once every 2 weeks or so. I try not to bore anyone and like to keep them sharp and witty.
interesting Otin. for me, the idea of limiting the number of your words is to master the art of being concise (e.g. like getting the "most bang for your buck.") i enjoy the magpie tales and theme thursday, they give me an idea to jumpstart my imgination. Flash 55 challenges me by keeping it concise. i haven't tried the others.
thanks for sharing your viewpoint.
I have not participated in any theme days myself. My little blog is random and has its ups and downs with the number of comments. For me, leaving comments is a way of getting to know different bloggers, sharing an idea relating to what is being said in a post. Agreeing or disagreeing with the post. So for me, this is plenty of activity. I would not like having a pressure to write a specific thing on a specific day. Spontaneity is key for me. On the other hand, there are some blogs who participate in the memes and that helps them write an interesting post, so when it is interesting, I do comment.
Memes are easy ways to find communities and express yourself in whatever topic of interest it covers - music, photos, writing, etc.
But if a blogger does nothing but meme posts I tend to turn away since usually memes provide a content prompt and can stifle part of the creative process.
I always enjoyed Thursday Thirteen since there were no rules other than to list 13 anything. The participants were great and came from all walks of life. I did it for a year and then walked away - but I did meet a lot of friends through it.
I also host a movie meme which is fun for me because I love movies and didn't really see any other recurring memes out there for that topic.
Bottom line - memes are a great way to find or build a community in the blogosphere - but they shouldn't be a crutch. Posts that come from a blogger's heart are the best kind.
Otin, I have deleted my comment and apologise.
I agree that the mems and themes are good for some people. I usually participate with them when I don't have anything else to write about. I like your stories best!
Oh Amen Otin=) I knew I liked you! All of my posts are pretty random... unless I write a story. That's what life is, right?
Pretty much agree with you 100%!
You are absolutely right. It is a I'll show you mine kind of thing. I don't do any of them anymore either although I liked Random Thoughts. For some reason I act like I have some artistic integrity. That is a funny thought.
I discovered your blog on the blogroll over at the Fifty Factory and enjoy your writing, perspective and sensibilities, so I'll be back often.
As for memes, I do a Sunday Recap each week of news stories that made me smile, pissed me off, or otherwise captured my attention, then I put my own spin on them.
Tomorrow I'll do my first and maybe only "Wordless Wednesday." I feel the same way about them as you do, but I had a point to make with this one and hopefully it will provoke some thought.
Very nice to meet you.
Jayne
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