OG’s reflections on animanga blogs

It’s been a while since I’ve followed a carnival, but the following one intrigued me a bit. As usual, don’t expect me to go into too much detail on topics I’m not used to doing.

So, to follow the reflections of the resident “Mental chef” Marina-chan and the instigator of the latest carnival here are my reflections on animanga blogs I frequent.

What do you like to read and why? (reviews, commentaries, editorials)

If you’re watching some of the same shows I am or have similar interests, I’ll check out what you have to say about them: meaning reviews and commentaries. As for editorials, yeah, I’ll read your most recent period of enlightenment but whether I can reply back or not depends on what the episode or show supposedly taught you about life. In short, editorials are so-so in my book. Heck, the last time I wrote something remotely thought provoking ended up being a rant on how much I can’t stand teenagers or young adults who disrespect their parents (especially REALLY NICE PARENTS) and don’t appreciate what they have until it’s gone. Now if the parents were scum on the other hand…Anyway, you get the point. Tari Tari episode 5

What do you do when you stumble across a new blog?

Check out your posts in the front page. After that I’ll read your “About” page to find out what you’re like and stuff. I don’t evaluate other bloggers’ writing progress since I’m constantly trying to improve my own. Again, similar interests and you have my attention. I’ll check your categories afterward to see what else you got.

So Front page>About>Other categories...and I guess your blogroll.

Why does this woman remind me of Yuru Yuri’s “dark one”, Akane?

What must a good animanga blog have and do?

Hoo boy. Me giving advice on how a blog should look like. Pffft. Okay.

Don’t be fake and answer based on who you really are.

Basically just be yourself and when replying to other comments, don’t sound like a goof when you’re not. If you’re going to reply to someone, be frank with them and not waste their time with comments that make little sense or aren’t remotely amusing.

Structure

You don’t have to be a master of your local language (For me it’s either Papiamento(u), Spanish, Dutch or English) when how the posts look is where it’s at. If you’re going to write a long text, make sure what you’re talking about is relevant and consistent. Don’t bore your readers to tears.

-Next,use pictures related to the topic when you want to make a comment about it or just to make the post cuter. There’s a reason why Harry Potter books sold well despite having Great Wall of China loads of text (Besides the plot, setting and characters). Also, make sure where you post the pics. I usually post them above new paragraphs.

-I’m not much of a tag person when it comes to episodic posts but they, along with categories and widget setup are very important. You have to give your new readers a “table of contents” to entice them into venturing deeper inside your den of gas house gorillas.

-Stick to your target audience.

You can’t please everyone but if you can please frequent visitors, you’re on the right track. I had to learn that the hard way after a shameful self pity/blog purpose reflection post I care not link. Right now I know who my readers are and I do my best to amuse them. If I intrigue others, lucky me. Same goes for all of you.

Promote via interaction.

This one is self explanatory. You want to be noticed or find other people with similar interests across the aniblogosphere? Visit the blogs of those who comment (If they have one), share your thoughts with them and you may just get a new fan or become one of theirs.

What blogging behaviors annoy me?

Although I’m a conformist and relatively easygoing, there is ONE. However, it’s best not to mention what that “ONE” is.
Oh yeah, I thought there wasn’t anything that annoyed me but this is mostly towards visitors. If you have something to say, make sure it’s longer than one word or actually has meaning. Yes I mentioned this earlier but it bears repeating. I REALLY can’t stand comments that don’t explain why they like or dislike something, whether it’s a show or me.

I guess “stick to your own guns” and “don’t be a showoff” are also good tips to follow.

Here are what other bloggers’ reflections.

Kai

The Kotatsu

Draggle

Canne

Traveler on Revenge

Chikorita

S u b a r a s h i K u n

Myst

Justin Timberwolf

Kanpai