I have given you some background now into my current approach to my own blogging habits and the content that appears here on FFF. Now comes the time for the more in depth discussion. I hope you will join me, because I believe this could provide some good “food for thought” for each of us in the blogosphere. Ready? I know I am!

In my post from this morning, I posed a few questions related to what determines “quality content” and how we approach the content we put into our blogs. I want to share my thoughts on each of those now, and feel free to give yours to me straight in the comments at the end.

What is “quality content”?

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I think quality content is anything that comes across with heart behind it. Posting just to post isn’t quality content. However, I think a wide variety of subjects fit the description of “quality content”. A lot of harping has happened on the things bloggers choose to share.

In my opinion, posting about your breakfast and a small thought you had that morning can still be quality content if there is care in the crafting of the post and joy sparked by the feeling of heart behind the post. Sure, some topics hold more weight and importance than others, but I don’t think posts need to reach a certain level of “importance” before being worthy to appear on a blog – especially in a lifecasting blog. I find a lot of quality when a blog encompasses all aspects of the writer and what he/she wishes to share.

Is there such a thing as too much content?

I don’t think so…as long as it still has that quality of not “posting just to post”. Every person comes to blogs for different reasons. Like I said, I don’t expect everyone to read every post that I write…but that shouldn’t limit how much I feel like sharing because a fear of judgment on “posting too much”.

I don’t base my blogging habits on the belief every person will be interested in every single thing I have to say. I choose to write about the parts of my life and thoughts that inspire me to write. I write in a manner that I enjoy writing. If enough things spark my interest and get my fingers typing, I will blog. And whether that means I am sharing some deep, personal reflection or what I had for lunch that day, so be it. If I write with purpose and passion, I believe the quality can exist – whether posting once a week or three times a day.

How do you define the line between posting for yourself and making an enjoyable reading experience for your blog friends/readers?

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I want you all to experience FFF in a positive way. I hope for you to leave my space with an uplifting thought, a bit of reflection, a new idea, or even a simple smile. Different things bring those for different people.

Some people choose to read FFF for the workout ideas. Some people like the stories about day-to-day life. Some connect with the thoughts on body image and eating struggles. Some love to see pictures of the kids and hear about them. Some enjoy most everything. So, I will write about the many subjects I expressed in my earlier post. People who visit FFF can pick and choose what they wish to read and what they connect with most.

Sometimes that means deep thoughts, and sometimes that means the randomocity of my head. Remaining true to myself holds precedence in my blogging, but it also interests me to provide for you. I wish to give you a welcoming space with conversations via my posts for us to connect over. Remember – the connections matter most to me.

Final Thoughts

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So, when all is said and done, I think quality content boils down to two things. Staying true to your own interests and writing style. Write about what interests you – what you have the time and drive to post about. Write it well. Don’t feel the need to limit yourself, but don’t pressure yourself to write solely for the sake of churning out a post either. Then, also know your audience and be open to feedback. Don’t change who you are, but be aware of the blog friends who support you with their reading, comments, and friendship.

• How would you define quality content?

Oh, boy. My fingers have been itching to write this post since last week. Before we get started though, let’s do the weekend recap thing:

• Slow On The Uptake & Spousal Annoyances
• Mother Daughter Date
• Veggies Just Don’t Cut It
• Self-Love Reflection: Not Perfect

I had a great weekend, so be sure to check those out. Then come back for some hopefully seriously good blogging discussion today – that relates to you whether or not you write your own blog. Ohhhh, I’m excited!

Ever since I wrote my post last week on increasing blog readership, I have wanted to touch on some of my thoughts relating to the “Quality Content” section of that post. When considering “Quality Content”, so many things swirled through my mind and I knew I needed a spin-off post – to have the chance to not only share my opinions, but to have a more focused chance to hear all of your opinions as well. Without further ado…

What is “Quality Content”? Is there such a thing as too much content? Does every post have to reach a certain level of importance to be worthy of posting? Where is the fine line between writing for yourself versus writing for your readers?

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I told you – a whole traffic jam of “Quality Content” thoughts going on in this girl’s head! Before I break down my opinions on the above, I feel the need to share a bit more about MY current approach to posting and the content I share. Get ready for the bullet points to hopefully make it a bit easier reading for you all!

Some of my longer-time readers may have noticed changes over time with my posting habits. I try to go with the ebb and flow of what feels right at certain times – from how often I post to the topics of my posts. What do my current blogging habits look like? My blogging habits are to post two to three times a day during the week, with a wide variety of topics – writing shorter posts, with focus on one topic at a time.

Why do I take this approach?

• more focused and broken-down posts are easier for me to write, making my blogging time more efficient
• more opportunity to share the plethora of things I enjoy blogging about

Some things I don’t do in this approach to blogging:

• feel like I “should” and do it for those reasons
• expect you all to read every single post

In fact, since adopting to this approach, my blogging has felt more effortless and I have enjoyed it immensely. I honestly love writing about many, many things and writing posts more frequently gives me the chance to showcase the many facets of my life and connect with you all in many new ways. I don’t feel compelled to steer away from sharing certain things, box myself into certain topics, or write in a way that doesn’t suit me, like I have in the past.

Here’s a look at the things I enjoy writing about on FFF and some sample posts:

• Body Image Topics (Exercise Guilt)
• Reflections on Past Experiences and My Past With Binge Eating (WIAW – Competition Prep Flashback + new series I’m thinking of starting)
• Current More Personal Thoughts/Emotions (My Irrational Fear or updating you all on my mom – who is great right now by the way)
• Workout Ideas (half marathon training, strength workouts, favorite exercises post, interval workouts I do, DVD reviews, etc)
• Recipes
• Body After Baby Progress
• Blogging Related Topics (Blogging Money Talk)
• Motherhood Discussions (Am I Ready To Be A Mommy and Barbie: Yes or No? )
• Braedon & Makenzie “Antics” (the two recent videos I shared of them)
• Day to Day Life (Seeing Wicked)
• Miscellaneous & Light-Hearted Thoughts (Favorite FRIENDS episodes)

Yea. I have a lot I like to write about…and a lot of times in the past I felt compelled to scratch certain things because I had other more pressing things to share or things more related to “healthy living blogging”. Displaying some of the fun side of my thoughts or my life as a mom with the kids would get pushed aside quite often. I hated that.

But I honestly feared posting more. Why?

I didn’t want to lose you all in the process.

You see, there is a fine line between posting for yourself and posting for readers as well. Anyone who says they post only for themselves without a thought to how others will receive it and the impact it could have on a blog probably isn’t telling the whole truth. Sure, it may not be a huge deal…but it still effect us. I know it effects me.

It effects me because I want my content to be “Quality Content”. I want you all to enjoy your reading experience here at FFF. I will always post true to the things that matter in me and in a style that suits me. I won’t change who I am to alter my readership – just as I shared in my post about not taking my openness about my personal faith out of my blog even though it could impact readership. However…I do still want to provide for you all and make FFF the absolute best it can be.

This brings me full circle to the beginning of my post…what is “quality content”? Is there such a thing as “too much” content? How do you define the line between posting for yourself and posting for your readers? Unfortunately, I have to say that I have honestly reached that upper limit on keeping an organized, nicely flowing post for now…so stay tuned for this afternoon’s post where you will hear all about that! I hope to see you there and keep this discussion going. I know I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on those questions!

• For now – tell me about your personal blogging and blog reading habits or preferences. We’ll get to the other questions later.*rubs hands giddily*
• And also, I want to know the best part of your weekend!