Last week, the owner of Self Sagacity invited me to join her for Thursday Two Questions – a themed meme where you post two questions to your blog for your readers to answer, then link up so others can join the fun!
I thought this would be a great way to learn what you think about a variety of topics, so here goes – please jump in and share your thoughts!
My topic for the week is Blog Hops. I am currently considering whether to incorporate these into my blog and I’d love your feedback! My questions are below – but feel free to share any thoughts you have on the topic!
Questions:
1. What types of themed blog hops would you enjoy participating in at Create With Joy?
2. Do you prefer blog hops with text only links or photo links?
I look forward to reading your responses!
Shared With:
Aloha Friday
Thursday Two Questions
Hmmm... I love your questions. You know Im still learnign so much. And there is so much to learn. Im finding that blog hopes are very good adn very important. I ahvent learned the difference on them yet. Still working on that. I seem to get in troulbe not meaning to as Im not sure Ive learned the corret linking procedures Working on that one. I lvoe photos but I also find I like promts tha challenge me to be crative and write more. or a ombo.Im thinking Im not much helpt to you. Hoping others who ahve been at this longer will be able to give better answers with more clarity than I. I jst know I enjoy visiting and learning. So much fun. So much talent out there. Blessings
ReplyDeleteGood questions! I do like the photo links because it is fun to see the followers of the hop but some people have difficulty loading the pics so I've wondered if photo links scare people away especially if bloggers aren't computer savvy.
ReplyDeleteBecause I am a professional pet sitter I prefer blog hops that focus on pets but I would love to see a blog hop that focuses on books/writers!
1. One blog hop is enough for now. They are a lot of work. That said, they do bring in visitors that wouldn't normally stop by.
ReplyDelete2. The text link is easiest and not as frustrating as the picture link, which sometimes doesn't work right.
I love blog hopping! Weather it is a Wordless Wednesday hop or a Follow me Friday hop they are all great and achieve the same thing. The thing with blog hops is you have to be pro-active in them. YOU can't be the one that sits back and waits for people to come to your blog you have to make that extra effort and go to their site first. Takes a lot of time and work but in the end totally worth it!
ReplyDeletei am debating these questions too ;) i actually found you on a blog hop! i'm your newest follower ;)) shari
ReplyDeletehttp://www.spearmintbaby.com/
This is my first hop, and yes it is time consuming, but I'm enjoying reading all of the blogs. I think links probably are better and easier, and themed hops would be fun and interesting to find each other.
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks so much for adding a recipe to my blog!
ReplyDeletehttp://larkscountryheart.blogspot.com/
"Made it on Monday" :)
As to your question...OF COURSE I LOVE blog hop parties! The more the merrier I say.
I am one of your new followers!
I just discovered blog hops today. What fun! :) I followed you with GFC.
ReplyDelete-Helen at bettencourtchase.blogspot.com
I used to do blog hops all the time, but now it seems like there are some every single day and usually 4-5 on the weekends. So I usually do them if, 1. I have time, 2. There aren't 20 blogs to go through or 3. I really like the blogs participating or the subject of the hop. For example, Disney or Cricut. It doesn't matter to me whether the links have pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Thursday Two Questions. I think the blog hops are great for bloggers. I am not sure where we would be without them. The memes are a lot of fun as well, sometimes a little challenging, but the end result is worth it.
ReplyDeleteI prefer text links- if you already have a lot of pics on your blog, it just bogs down the loading speed.
I love blog hops, whether taking part showcasing my layouts or visiting blogs for inspiration. I've learned so much just seeing how others do things.
ReplyDeleteThis my first blog hop week. I am enjoying the different blogs, just as I hope people are enjoying mine. I am loving anything related to crafts and creativity, I like both text links and graphics ones (not really decided that one yet).
ReplyDeleteI love blog hopping, I like participating in blog hops that have a good turnout. It frustrates me when some post or link up and don't follow the rules, or sign up and walk away.
ReplyDeleteI like photo links, makes it fun! ...oddly enough, I surfed in from a blog hop! New follower here! http://momsbookshelf.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for joining us for Friendly Friday! Great questions...
ReplyDeleteI think if you can find a specific blog hop topic that has a large enough amount of interest (for instance, working out or recipes) then that would be fun to see what other people thought on the same topic. Of course, I'm also partial to the blog hops that are open to everyone and easy to enter!
Which leads to the second question - I don't like the photo links AT ALL. They take longer to do and take up so much more room on the page and just all-around increase the likelihood of error. Text links are good for me!
Have a great weekend!
The type of blog hops that I prefer are those that do not require too much work to participate. I also prefer text links as opposed to button-type links.
ReplyDeleteKailani
An Island Life
I enjoy blog hops. I actually host 2 Wordy or not so Wordy Wednesday and Keepin' Company Thursday. I like the picture ones but either is fun. I also like question type hops, helps the creative juices flow.
ReplyDeleteI host two blog hops at my blog. One on the whole weekend and the other on Monday. They#re still relatively new but hard work. I find I spend the week promoting the weekend and Monday. I told myself that if did a blog hop I'd visit all those who linked up and do a feature on one of them a week to say thank you. That in it self can be time consuming.
ReplyDeleteBoth are themed - creativity on the weekend and mental health on monday. They're both rewarding in that is has bought two great genre's of bloggers to my blog. It also gives my blog a signature - it tells bloggers what I'm about and stand for. It structured my posts - I have four days of hops, a feature, an awareness day and a random day. I know whats happening each week .Some wouldn't like the structure - I need it.
In answer then, do it - go for a hop. One to begin with. Then see how it takes off. You have a popular blog so I imagine it'll do well. You could do a crafting hop perhaps? Promote it a little with people who are interested in your hop genre too. Just to get it started - although esp on my Monday Madness one it take daily commitment to bring those with mental health 'out' to link up for obvious reasons.
Regarding pics or text. I wish I'd just done text on my weekend one after reading your comments here. My other one is text already. I don't see any real difference, personally.
Anyway - it seems I've done one of my rants! Whoops.
Have a great weekend and thanks for linking up to my hop this weekend. Always appreciated.
Shah at wordsinsync.blogspot.com x
I have to leave for work, just wanted to let you know I will be back tonight.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the hop. I like getting to know other bloggers through hops though have never done one. I prefer the text, all the pictures are a bit overwhelming and I've often found they don't work.
ReplyDeleteAnn
OH, I love blog hops when I have the time. If I don't do it all in one sitting I will forget to finish it! I love what I learn from the blogs, pictures are a must for me :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up for Hop Along Friday! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful weekend!
Kim
Chubby Cheeks Thinks
The thing I like about blog hops is that you get to discover new blogs you might not normally run across since there are so many out there. They are a lot of work - but so worth it in the end. :)
ReplyDeleteAloha: Swimsuit Shopping
not sure but I def prefer text link, easier and quicker to use
ReplyDeleteI enjoy blog hops I like blog hops that allow one to share creativity either through sharing their favorite post or something that they have created. Pictures or non pictures do not really seem to matter to me.
ReplyDeleteI hate those picture linky's from that one particular linky person because they go bad more than they work. Mr Linky's are so easy to use. I like the blog hops when everyone gets along. There is one Friday hop who will take the time to delete people who post their button in your post with anyone else's.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Friday!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2011/03/interesting-studies-regrets-and-john-lennon/
As long as the blog hop is fun and not too difficult to enter, I always enjoy themed hops! I usually come across quite a few blogs that interest me. I think blog hops are important for the blog community and may help you find some good information that you wouldn't have otherwise found, and even make a few friends with common interests.
ReplyDeleteI actually think I prefer photo links. A photo can sometimes say it all, and I usually find myself clicking on some because they are vibrant and interest me.
Happy Friday!
http://wellnesswithdiabetes.blogspot.com/
Hi - thanks for linking up to my Foodie Friday linky party!! I am getting hungry just looking at all the fab recipes!
ReplyDeleteAs for blog hops - I just joined my first one last week and it was pretty cool. I have joined others that don't give you the link to the hop so you can not imbed it in your post which I find to be a little less productive as it kind of defeats the purpose. With the code everyone has the same linky list on their page which means it reaches everyone's followers as well...makes sense to me if you want to really showcase all of the goods!
As for pictures - a definite yes!!
Hey there I am your newest follower from the I love blog hops (I am WAYYY behind LOL) I like just seeing what different peoples blog are like and how creative they are!! I like just the text links so much easier! I hope you will follow me too! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://firebutterflyjewels.blogspot.com/
http://mommysmenuplanning.blogspot.com/
http://myowngrocerygame.blogspot.com/
I like blog hops, but they do take a lot of time. Lately, I've been participating in some 'other' type hops - like twitter, facebook, & the new alexa hop. I do like the picture blog hops the best because they are fun and you can get a sense of the blog even before you click on it.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say that I have never truly participated in a blog hop...they just aren't my thing.
ReplyDeleteIf you get good traffic, they are a lot of work if you commit to visiting all of those that link up to you. I think they are a great way to find some new blogs to read and learn things from other blogs.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting to read that most like the text linkys. Makes sense b/c they are so much easier to enter, but for crafty or foodie hops, I like to see the pictures of what is being showcased. Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words!
Thanks for linking up to Fat Camp Friday today! Have a great weekend!
new follower-love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteI do have to say that I love a HOP that has a meaning. I like looking at others who have the same interests as I do. I like to steal ideas on DIY stuff mostly. I think thats why I do the Random Makings HOP. I do like to link up to some throughout the week.
ReplyDeleteI do like HOPs with photos, but you have to pay for those services. That's why I just do the links on mine. I like seeing the pictures, but I don't like the idea of having to pay for it. There's enough I already have to pay for. Free is great!!!
I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!
and thank for stopping by the Random Making HOP!!!
Ashley E
I love blog hops! That is the main way I am promoting my new blog. It depends on the hop whether text or photos is best. For a general hop, I think text is fine. If you are looking for a particular item/group to hop or looking for a deals hop, then I would rather see pictures.
ReplyDeleteHope you will drop by and follow me back. Thanks!
Janet @ KY Klips Blog
I enjoy hops and find they are a good way to meet new people. I especially like those that ask questions because you can get a better insight into the bloggers you make friends with and follow. As for the linky, I have not experienced any problems with the picture, or button, linky 's.
ReplyDeleteLike Harriet said, I do not care for the hostess that can not get along with others. Who cares if your hop is in the same post as another. Everyone still gets credit.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Shawn
I prefer blog hops that are easy to participate and will be fun. The more rules the less likely I will participate.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know, not huge into blog hops.
ReplyDeleteI like text links b/c they are quicker and I don' thave tons of extra time.
Hello! I'm already a follower. I actually host a blog hop on Thursdays. I think they're good, IF people are actually using them to find more blogs to follow and will come back to read other posts and things that blog has to offer. Sometimes it's just a numbers game and I don't care much for that. I prefer hops with pictures, but will participate either way if I have the time or feel it will be worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of blog hops. I just joined my first ones, I like the ones that are themed, recipe ones, because I love finding new recipes! I like the ones where it encourages people to leave comments on articles written on your blog. I don't have the follower buttons yet though and I the hops that I joined I only received a couple comments. I would like to try a few more though. I love visiting all the new blogs! Yours included!
ReplyDeleteI think blog hops are ok, but there seems to be more and more of them. Some of the ones I have been on lately have as many as 15 to 20 blogs. I would like to see them with smaller amts of blogs so that I have time to visit each of them and leave a comment. With so many blogs in a hop I usually just have time to just take a look but not leave a comment except on an accasional one or two. That being said.. I love seeing all the wonderful talent and "eye candy" out there:)
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for linking up to my Hoppin Weekend Blog Hop. I love your questions! One of my favorite themed hops is at Just Married with Coupons where everyone list in their linky where they are from. Its fun to see where all the blogs are located. Whatever you decide on keep it simple....the more complicated the hop, the less likely blogs will participate. I have 3 hops, Giveaway Gallery, Wednesday Social Bzzz and Hoppin Weekend. There aren't any rules for my Wednesday and Weekend hops. I don't even require anyone to grab a button, but bloggers are great and still grab it! These are both text linkys - it's faster to link up. My Giveaway Gallery is a thumb nail - I prefer thumb nails for giveaways so everyone can actually see the giveaway product.
ReplyDeleteJackie
www.freehotsamples.com
I think blog hops are crucial to blogging! I "may" not have found your blog had it not been for the blog hop that you participated in and I'm so happy I did find you! :)
ReplyDeleteI love to find new and interesting blogs! It's also great networking! For me, blogging is about reaching as many readers as I can and spreading what I have to offer with the world wide web!
I love to particpate in show and share hops! I get to see everyone's talent!
thumbnails are preferable but I understand the linky tools are starting to charge and this may be the reason most are switching to the text linky! Good luck and let me know if you're going to be hosting!
Blog hops are fun! You should totally host one. Thumbnails are pretty, but text links are usually free. And come join my Spring Blog Hop, too. ;D
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you so much for linking up for the Super mega hop again this week : )
ReplyDeleteSecond,
Questions:
1. What types of themed blog hops would you enjoy participating in at Create With Joy?
I usually like blog hops to be simple. I try to enter a bunch and only have a short time span to enter them so the ones that require a lot of effort sometimes have to wait. By the time I get back to them, they're over.
2. Do you prefer blog hops with text only links or photo links?
Both, I like links and pictures.
Have a happy weekend : )
Debbie
Lucas's Journey w/SPD
http://lucasjourneyspd.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001148833620
http://twitter.com/#!/lucasjourneyspd
I like blog hops but only participate in three regularly because there are so many blogs involved: Tuesday Teasers, Friday Fragments and Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. I tried participating in the Blogger's Over 40 "Meet Me On Monday" but I just don't have time to get a post together late on Sunday night. They are very time consuming!
ReplyDeleteI like seeing the picture links but the text ones are okay too.
Dear Friends
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank all of you for taking the time to share your thoughts on Blog Hops this weekend! You've given me a lot to think about. I look forward to posting more on this topic once I've had a chance to digest your comments. Stay tuned - and in the meantime, if you're just joining in, PLEASE, share your thoughts as well!
The Paper Princess :-)
I found you through the Alexa hop! Come join mine at http://www.makobiscribe.com/2011/03/not-so-moody-monday-blog-hop-328.html
ReplyDeleteI would say that Wordless Wednesday and Follow me Friday are good for starters.
I have a love/hate relationship with Hops. There is always some jerk who links up something inappropriate. Then, there are the bloggers that come and paste "Following you now form the XYZ blog Hop" on the post that took me a million hours to write and I poured my heart into. (I just delete those comments and don't visit them.) Then there are the new bloggers that have the Capthca codes on their comments- it's not my job, moderate your comments...
ReplyDeleteBut, they are fun and I learn a lot.
I don't like the picture ones. They take SOOOOOO much time to link.
:)
A usually positive,
Tiffany
I've only been blogging for a couple of months, so Blog Hops have been great in helping me grow and find some other amazing blogs to learn from. I don't mind text or photo links. The only thing I don't love is finding blogs that are ALL ads and no actual blogging.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and commenting from the Alexa Hop! I'd love it if you'd follow back and comment on a post at A Helicopter Mom
We also have a new All Week Hop starting. I'd really love it if you'd join us and help us grow! :)
Have a great week!
I'm a total hopper. personally i like text link only. just because its a pain to me to enter the photo ones. and they don't make me any more likely to join or check out blogs
ReplyDelete(from stopping by from Alexa hop)
http://www.ohboyohboyohboy.com
Well, I'm totally new to blog hops, so I doubt I'd be the best person to answer your questions. I actually found you today through my first ever hop, the Alexa hop. I did enjoy reading your post and everyone's comments though!
ReplyDelete(following on GFC as mandiana)
I found you through the “Give It To Me Monday Blog Hop”
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower on GFC. (Anja M.)
Hope you will follow me back at This and That
I'm here from the Alexa hop (my blog is Mom Always Finds Out).
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to do all sorts of hops lately. I enjoy photo links hops & the ones with just a couple personal questions because it helps me get to know the blogger better. But I participate in all sorts of hops these days!
Nicole
http://momalwaysfindsout.com
Stopping by from the Alexa hop!
ReplyDeleteI think blog hops can be great tools...as long as there is more to the blog than daily hops, LOL!
I like it when there are photos in the links...it helps me decide which blogs I want to bother visiting! :-)
http://childrenchoresandchocolate.blogspot.com/
Stopping by from the Alexa Blog Hop. I like having photo linkies. They are just a little more fun in my opinion. :)
ReplyDeleteWow. I sure am glad you posted this. I will definitely be switching to text-only links on my weekend blog hop!
ReplyDeleteFollowing you from the Alexa Hop... let's lower Alexa's together... www.jamiespreciouspeas.com pls follow back :)
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the I ♥ Wednesday Blog Hop! Awesome blog!!
ReplyDeleteI've been "hopping" now for about 3 weeks and I'm having a lot of fun. It's definitely time consuming, but it's very worth it. I prefer the photo links. And as far as themes go...I like all themes. While my blog is definitely a family theme, I enjoy looking at blogs that are about reviews, designing, crafts. I think it's really neat to mix it up a bit, and that's what blog hops provide for me: a way to be introduced to blogs that I don't think I ever would have found otherwise!
ReplyDeleteAll that being said, the ONE thing that bothers me about blog hops is when it's SO VERY OBVIOUS the person commenting on your blog is JUST there to get you to FOLLOW them back. I mean, I know we ALL want traffic and new followers to our blog, but come on, people...take a look around the blog you are visiting, at least read the blog post....and comment about it, even if it's just one sentence. Every blogger wants to know they what they wrote has at least been looked at. And don't join in a blog hop if you have NO intention on visiting some of the blogs. What if everyone started to do only SIGN UP but never visiting any blogs? That would be the demise of blog hops, you know? Bloggers would stop linking up.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts on the subject! I am a new follower via GFC and am visiting from the Thursday Blog Hop:)
Katrina
www.theyallcallmemom.com
Hi and greetings from Australia. Following courtesy of Book Blogger Hop see my response to this weeks question at:
ReplyDeletehttp://sooozsaysstuff.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-first-week-following-this-delightful.html
I participate in only few blog hops because I like relevant and meaningful comments more than quantity visits and following. I like Aloha Friday and Sunday Citar because to me, these blog-hops calls for meaningful comments - more than comments like "I'm following you, follow me back" which really annoys me.
ReplyDeletei like the idea of blog hops and will follow anyone who wants to follow me - http://pamkez.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI LOVE blog hops and parties. I have dedicated an entire page on my blog to listing them, although it really needs updating. Right now I have scraps of paper all over my desk reminding of ones I want to investigate. I think a blog should host hops that are meaningful to their overall content. I participate in Farm hops, thrifting hops, animal hops, and love to read and click on the craft hops and home makeover hops. If I did nothing but blogging I would be hopping. It leads me to new places to enjoy and new ideas to try and brings more traffic to my speck of the blogosphere. The pic links help me choose who to visit first but a text link is good if the people link up titles rather than just blog names. The hops I don't care for are those only to get followers that will never come back and read or comment.
ReplyDeleteAnd blog parties are events I look forward to for months in advance. Like a blog hop but on a grander scale. Bloggers take more thought and time and create deeper content.
I wish I had more time and deeper thoughts.
Blog Hops are fun if you have the time and I have participated in a couple before, but don't do it on a regular basis or else I'll miss too much of my other life.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from www.nightowlsperch.com and the weekend blog hop.
ReplyDeleteI followed you on GFC! :) Please stop by my page and like and follow me too, if you havent already!
Thanks :)