3.7.12 MotoChat Recap: Motorcycle Blogs
MotoChat is a Twitter chat that occurs on Wednesdays at 1pm PT. You can follow along with the hashtag #motochat.
This weeks topic was one that is near and dear to my heart: Motorcycle Blogs
The Chat Questions
(Which you can also weigh in on at the Motochat Facebook page)
- What makes a great moto blog?
- Words, pics or videos; is one more important?
- What do you look for the first time you read a new blog?
- Is having more than one blog too much?
- What have you learned from reading moto blogs?
- What social media sites do you share your blog on?
- Big epic trips: Is it showing off?
- What blogging site do you prefer?
- Where do you find great moto blogs?
- Any other favorite blogs not about motos?
What makes a great moto blog?
A1. Pics are a must – but the author has to have a unique voice or point of view. Love when they share a slice of their world #motochat
— Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
My favorite motorcycle blogs are those that give you a window into the world of the writer. If a blogger has the ability to transport you from your desk to wherever they are with their words and pictures – score. I don’t read personal motorcycle blogs for “news” I read them because I want to see what the blogger is up to.
Blog posts don’t have to be long or wordy for me to really enjoy them. They just have to make me feel something. Make me laugh or think or light that fire in me that makes me want to hit the road.
People who write like they’re speaking to you, posts with feeling, honesty – those are the ones that really stay with me.
If people take themselves way too seriously, think they know everything about everything or constantly post photos of their food – huge turn off for me.
Words, pics or videos; is one more important?
A2. could take or leave video but words and pics are where its at for me. I would choose pics over words if I could only choose 1 #motochat
— Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
The more I thought about this question the more I realized that I don’t mind letting photos do most of the talking. For example: Helmet Stories – Their posts sometimes only contain the post title and a photo and that’s alright with me. My imagination fills in the rest.
Again, I go back to my previous answer – make me feel something.
What do you look for the first time you read a new blog?
A3. Quirky sense of humor, curious nature, good pics, a person who can make wandering their own backyard interesting #motochat
— Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
When I end up on a blog for the first time, being a visual person means that there is something in the way that the blog looks that draws me in to read further. For better or worse I judge a book by its cover. Is it the layout, the first photo or blog title that pulls me in? Probably all of those things.
Now to get me to stick around and keep reading? There are lots of things that might do that. But if you make me laugh? That’ll hook me.
Is having more than one blog too much?
A4. Too much for the author? Maybe 🙂 With Twitter, FB, Tumblr, G+ etc. it’s easy to burn out #motochat
— Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
I do share posts from this blog on social sites but I cannot manage the upkeep required to give more than one blog the attention it deserves. I’m a 1 trick pony.
My attention is always being pulled in 10 different directions at once. I cannot see myself actively maintaining more than 1 blog. Everything else like Twitter and Facebook gets done in small doses where a major commitment isn’t involved.
What have you learned from reading moto blogs?
A5. I’ve learned that people are endless amusing and interesting. I’ve picked up lots of “someday” travel tips, too. #motochat — Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
Over the years I have picked up tons of information about traveling, places to visit, sights to see – all from blogs. You really have the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of other people. I love that.
I’ve learned that you don’t need to be a superhero or fabulously wealthy to chase the dreams that make your heart sing. I see everyday people following their whims all around the globe on their motorcycles. All it takes is enough desire to follow through.
Also – dreams don’t need to be tremendous undertakings to be worthwhile. Worthwhile… isn’t quantified in that way.
Along the way I’ve managed to meet new people and build up friendships as well. That’s a nice bonus.
What social media sites do you share your blog on?
A6. G+, FB, Twitter, Pinterest #motochat — Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
Twitter seems to be my go to fix. I love it. It is such a great way to have casual, small dose conversations.
I, like everyone else in the world am on Facebook, too.
Though I was very curious about it at first, Google+ just doesn’t really click with me. I use it sparingly.
I’ve just started using Pinterest but mostly for non-motorcycle stuff. I do like that as well.
Big epic trips: Is it showing off?
A7. I don’t think so. It’s part of being who you are. I find the travel of others inspiring! #motochat
— Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
I find it hard to believe that anyone would see sharing trip experiences as showing off but, I guess some people must.
If people didn’t post about their trips and the places they’ve been I know I would be worse off for it. It is inspiring!
What blogging site do you prefer?
A8. WordPress – hate blogger. #motochat
— Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
Where do you find great moto blogs?
A9. Moto blogs are a tangled web – read one, find another. Twitter has been great, too. #motochat
— Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
Twitter is a great resource for finding fellow motorcyclists and their blogs. I also look at the blogrolls of the blogs I read. I follow the links of people who leave interesting comments on blogs.
I think blog challenges like #29in29 are also a great way of introducing new bloggers to each other. I’m hoping to see some more challenges thrown out by some of the bloggers I read.
Any other favorite blogs not about motos?
I love Roadside blogs like roadsidewonders.net and general travel blogs#motochat
— Rachael (@Fuzzygalore) March 7, 2012
I find that site’s like Wendyvee’s Roadside Wonders give me something to day dream about. And… inspiration for places to ride to and things to see. What’s better than that?
What makes a great moto blog?
frequent updates with interessting material
Words, pics or videos; is one more important?
No
What do you look for the first time you read a new blog?
that it is current; pics of the blogger’s bike, stories about rides, etc
Is having more than one blog too much?
if one ends up duplicating the other, yes
What have you learned from reading moto blogs?
that there are a lot of women blogging about motorcycling, which is cool
What social media sites do you share your blog on?
none- I believe facebook+google= SKYNET
Big epic trips: Is it showing off?
NO! read my blog this summer- IT’S GONNA BE EPIC
What blogging site do you prefer?
I’m on Blogger but want to migrate to WordPress
Where do you find great moto blogs?
go to a blog with a lot of links and just start clicking on links
Any other favorite blogs not about motos?
I read a lot of political blogs, but I never mix politics with motorcycling
I wanna edit my response to ‘Words, pics or videos; is one more important?’ to NO
What a great inspired post!! I swear I’ll do better and your 29of29 was absolutely brilliant. I am sorry i didn’t see it earlier, as I could have used the inspiration!! Go Fuzzy!!
I forgot to add what makes a great blog is the personal tone of the post and great photos. I LOVE great photos!
There are several blogs i look to and get RSS feeds from daily and the ones i enjoy the most are those sharing some of themselves and i again say, have great photos!!
#motochat is 1 pm PST? For some reason I thought it was at 6 pm. It’s been a long time since I “tuned in”.
Yessir. The time was just changed last week.