Last night I was having a Twitter conversion with a fellow blogger, LufthansaFlyer , about what blogs we are reading. Over time, my reading habits change and what I’m interested in changes as well. So first, if you’re reading this post, thank you! I appreciate your support of my blog!
What I’m Not Reading Anymore:
I’ve pretty much stopped reading blogs that are primarily focused on credit card offers. The credit card companies do a fine job of advertising their cards, I don’t need to read 20 different bloggers opinions of each new offer. I don’t enjoy blogging about credit cards (I don’t have any affiliate links to promote) so I’ve cut out a few blogs on that basis.
Next, I’ve stopped reading a few blogs that I used to read regularly because I feel like the author(s) have become arrogant. Or at least their posts and online/social media persona makes them seem arrogant. I like bloggers who are relateable (and who occasionally spell things wrong).
What Am I Reading Now:
Several of the blogs I read are based on who I interact with on Social Media. The more I feel like I know a person, and that I might have something in common with them or their travel tastes, the more likely I am to read them.
Deals We Like – Deals We Like was one of the first Boarding Area Blogs I read before I joined Boarding Area as a blogger. I still read Deals We Like because it’s a great site to easily find current promotions and offers. I also really enjoy DWL’s trip reviews. I have booked many hotels based on their recommendation. For example, I am staying at Sheraton Krabi in December based on a DWL trip review.
LufthansaFlyer – I like LuftansaFlyer because he has unique content that others aren’t posting about.
FrequentlyFlying – I love reading FrequentlyFlying’s take on airline amenity kits, among other things.
NewGirlInTheAir – I started reading New Girl after she joined Boarding Area and one her posts really connected for me. I loved her post on Starwood’s Nice Choice Promotion. In the post, she compared options by essentially telling the story of fictional travelers. Loved it and it got me hooked.
JustAnotherPointsTraveler – I started reading Angelina’s blog after we met in New York. She’s very down-to-earth and her blog is real. She also has great ideas and tips for travel. Her trip reports have been very helpful to me.
USA Today Hotel-Check in – I read Hotel Check in because I love hotels! Barb is a hotel guru and the always has the need-to-know hotel info on her blog on USAToday.com
Pearls of Wisdom – I wish Pearls of Wisdom posted more frequently, but I love reading her posts when she does post. I also picked up a copy of her book when it was released and picked up a lot of great tips for traveling.
PointsMilesAndMartinis – It’s such a great name, how could you not read it! Besides that, I think they have great tidbits and posts that are very interesting and fun to read. Ironically, last week I was IMing with a colleague at work who said to me, “Hey, I’m reading Points Miles and Martinis Blog, do you know them?” that was fun!
ViewFromTheWing – I love when Gary’s posts take a financial perspective. It’s something that I don’t usually have, and love to read about. Gary is also extremely helpful and generous with his time, so I love reading his blog for that reason too.
Will Run For Miles – while I don’t tend to connect with Will Run For Miles posts about, well, running – or working out, she does have great info for fitness enthusiasts
Reserve Thai Hotels – I love Aaron’s blog because as you probably know if you read my blog, I love Thailand! Aaron’s blog is the quintessential Thai hotel blog!
What I’m Blogging About
There are obviously other blogs that I read from time to time, but these are the ones I read most frequently. I am always looking for new and unique content and that’s what I hope to provide with my blog. My focus is primarily on hotels, trip reviews and travel related content. You’ll almost never see me posting about the latest points promotions (unless it’s a really cool Starwood promo that I will be taking advantage of) I won’t be posting about credit card offers, I won’t be posting about what gift cards will earn you the most points (because no one can do that better than FrequentMiler) . You also won’t see me posting about Delta, because I don’t fly them and know very little about them. But if you want to read about Delta, don’t worry, DeltaPoints Blog has you covered!
So basically, the same things that I hope to achieve with this blog are what draw me to other blogs – interesting points of view, unique content, fun posts and personalities and bloggers that I think I can relate to.
How About You?
So what are you reading? What do you find draws you to a blog?