How to be a Better Fat Blogger…
February24
Look y’all, I’m not saying I’m the best at any damned thing, but there are some things I’ve seen around the old ‘sphere lately that have left me, well, sad/mad/cold/angry/disgusted/etc. This is what I think would improve posting & reading for all of us:
- Realize that your readers come in ALL shapes & sizes! It’s true! They may not exclaim their BMI in every comment, but you may have *gasp* very thin or very fat readers! Please consider this when writing your post. You may have a size 00 or a size 56, do not for one second believe that your readers act and look just like you. They do not.
- Please oh please proof read before hitting that post button. I know I’m super guilty of this, especially with more emotional posts, but this is even more important with those. Also, maybe, consider reading your posts OUT LOUD before hitting the publish button. It helps with all sorts of things like grammar and spelling and sentence structure. I don’t have the basic education on these things, but I try. I am always open to polite corrections/suggestions. We should help each other! <3
- Giveaways should appeal to all of your readers! Not just one gender or size or what have you. We kind of fall into a “girl thing” type of system sometimes, but guys do read our blogs (and thank Maude for that!), so please consider offering either two or more items that would appeal to either sex or consider something gender neutral. (My bad on this one, too!)
- Reviews: When you review a product, show pictures of you using that product! Give a balanced and HONEST review. Please do not just give rave reviews because you got free shit. It is so transparent sometimes it hurts. Just sayin’!
- Try something new! You don’t have to post the exact same things all of the time. Even if you have a fashion blog, try a more personal post now and then. Your readers already like what you’re doing, let them get to know you a bit. Or explore a hobby with your readers. It could be fun! Don’t be afraid to ask your readers what they’d like to see and evolve as you go along.
And to head my own advice here, what else would help the fat-o-sphere improve? What do you love to see? What bugs you? What’s missing from the ‘sphere? Do tell! And thank you for reading! =0)
<3
S
**I am still accepting questions for the “Dear Auntie Fats” posts. Please ask any/all questions by emailing them here: notblueatall@notblueatall.com you will remain anonymous. Thanks!
I agree – I think fatshion posts, in particular, have a place here on the ‘sphere, obviously, but I always end up skipping past the fatshion bloggers in favor of blog posts with more personalized content (i.e., about someone, not just about the clothes they’re wearing).
Not trying to diss the fatshion ladies but please, tell us some other things about you too!
Absolutely! I certainly am not trying to disrespect anyone with this post either, just wanna put out there some of the things that, like you said, I skip over in favor of more personal content. Thanks for your input! =0)
There are fatshion bloggers who never post clothing that goes above size 24. Gee, wonder why I quit reading them.
Yes, me as well. And the giveaways with size xl or 16 dresses? Yikes! Way to make someone feel excluded.
I love the suggestion about reading posts out loud before you hit ‘submit’. I do that every time and I catch all sorts of weird things like missing commas, missing WORDS, spelling mistakes, etc.
I’d like to see more guy fat acceptance and HAES bloggers and more fat and fitness related stuff.
When it comes to giveaways, I’m going to give away whatever I’ve got. And because I’m a death fatty, and I’ve been given some death fatty clothing from retailers that either doesn’t quite fit me, or isn’t to my taste, then I’m going to give it away to the death fatty readers out there. Particularly as so many clothing competitions doesn’t even cater to death fatties. Besides, if there is a chance you’re gonna get free shit, it’s a bit rich to complain!
I subscribe to the “Do what you like with your own blog and bugger what anyone else thinks about it.” way of thinking. If I don’t like what someone is doing with their blog, I just stop reading. After all, I can’t keep up with the stuff I love, let alone spend any time on stuff that’s not my cup of tea. I don’t like when people tell me how to blog, so I’m not going to start telling other people how to do it. To me, there is no right or wrong way to blog.
I agree with you completely on the blogging thing, Kath. We all create our own little spaces and can do what we like with them. I just kept hearing the same complaints from other FA blog readers and it seemed to be the same stuff over and over. These are simply suggestions and in no way demands or anything. Certainly the power of the reader speaks louder than any one of us can. Ha-ha! Thanks!
Ouch! Some of this seems a little harsh and/or passive aggressive. I mean if you don’t like the way someone writes their blog, then don’t read it! Giveaways are often supplied by the maker of said item being given away and the blogger has little say in sizes or styles. And if someone wants to review a product but doesnt have a digital camera they might just have to post a pic of the item from online. I would also be wary of criticising other people’s spelling and grammer as that can often be an issue of privilege and I would hate to see anyone leave the Fatosphere (or feel excluded) just because their literacy skills aren’t ‘up there’. Just sayin’…
Bri, I in no way meant this post to be a harsh criticism or passive aggressive means of attacking anyone. I just kept hearing the same complaints about the fat-o-sphere and figured I’d be the one who said what others were thinking. I may have come across a bit too bluntly (I’m known for this and I am constantly working on it) and if that is the case then I do apologize. It was not my intention to target anyone or make demands, simply suggestions. A lot of bloggers feel unsure of themselves or are afraid to ask their readers what they want to see. As for the spelling and grammar? Well, I am guilty of this and that is why I suggested it. I have probably the least amount of education than most in the ‘sphere. While I know we all have privilege, I was in no way stating that anyone had to write or act or be a certain way. We each create our web spaces to our own liking. I was simply suggesting some things that could possibly help those who are looking to improve or haven’t gotten any feedback from their readers. I do my best to use my blog as an open forum for any and all issues fat or no. I am passionate about developing relationships with our allies and helping the newest among FA to find their path. Thank you for reading and commenting on this. Perhaps I should not have put my neck so far out there on this one. =0)
One thing I learnt the painful way hon is to never voice other people’s complaints. Because what happens is you speak up, and suddenly all the other voices disappear, leaving you standing there looking like the bad guy for doing so.
If something bugs me and I want to voice it, I do so and leave the floor open for others to either chime in or defend it. I don’t take the fall for anyone else!
Great advice Kath. Thank you. I guess I wish I’d had known…Ha-ha!