About a year ago, I decided to add a Playlist of tunes to my blog. I had been to a few blogs that had this feature and for the most part, I liked it. I chose a variety of songs because I like almost all types of music and many of my readers e-mailed that they enjoyed my choice in songs. I even asked how readers felt about the tunes and didn't get any negatives so I kept them.
Recently, though, I've begun to wonder if the tunes turn readers away. Then the subject came up in a Yahoo group that I belong to and several said they didn't like blogs with music. They felt it was a real distraction and if their volume was up but they weren't prepared for the tunes, it startled them. Then today, I received an e-mail from someone who told me of a little survey going on at another blog that was asking readers to "yes or no" to blog music. The answers were overwhelmingly "no". This person took the time to write to me and I value what she said......
"Hi Sandi - thought you might be interested in a survey that is being run on Twiddletails blog re: 'blogs with background music'. Survey ends on Wednesday, but so far 275 have voted and 253 prefer NO music. Anina's post on Thursday, February 4 has quite a few comments with the reasons people feel as they do re: music. The reason I thought of you is that I really enjoy your blog, but seldom check it because of the music. I generally am streaming quiet, restful music in the background while I surf blogs, type, read, etc - this does not work with sites that start audio or video as soon as you go to them."
This comment was the deciding factor for me. I had been thinking about deleting the music and it's going to go. I love writing my blog. I love my tunes, but I will do them as a "stand-alone pop-out player" that I can listen to and you, the reader, won't have to hear my favorites that might not be your favorites at all. :-) Now with all that said, I won't delete the tunes right away. I'll keep them there through Sunday, Valentine's Day - just because. :-)
And speaking of music, I forgot to do a tribute post to Buddy Holly this year. I love his music. So if you are also a fan, go to my post from last February and you can link to some great Buddy Holly sites. You'll find it here.
Enjoy the music while it lasts............
Sandi
15 comments:
Hi Sandi,
I enjoyed some of the music on some blogs during Christmas, but other than that, I don't listen and I always make sure that my volume is mute, because my husband always starts and looks at me like I did it! LOL
I am another one who always keeps my volume OFF on my computer unless I am looking at something and need the volume turned up.....so I don't even KNOW which blogs have music and which don't. LOL
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I enjoy your music. Perhaps I wouldn't like it so mush if all sites had tunes.
As long as you continue wrting the blog I'll be happy and make my own music.
Ruth
I was also unaware that you had music because I keep my computer muted unless I know that I want to hear something in particular.
I will miss the tunes. If you don't want to listen to them you can just mute them. I love your blog either way Sandi, and will remain a faithfull follower.
Thank you! I live in the boonies and am still on dial-up, so I much prefer sites that don't prolong the download due to music. I do keep my volume on mute.
I will enjoy your blog even more now, but I hope you are surrounded by music you love.
Hi, Sandi, I was a no vote. I love music. I enjoy your selections, I think the idea to choose to listen is nice. You are thoughtful to consider other's opinions in the issue.
But, It does NOT make me not read someone's blog. I know how to turn down the volume, too!
Thank you, either way!
:-} Pokey
Hi Sandi, I don't mind the music on blogs, but as others have said, quite often I already have music going so it interferes with that. The other thing about blog music is that it really slows down the page loading, which is a real pain at times. So, I applaud your decision to remove your music. However, music on a blog has never stopped me from visiting my favourites!
just my opinion... i don't even know when blogs have music on them because i always have my speakers off. but i do know that it takes my ancient computer FOREVER to load when a blog has music with it. so i prefer it when there is no music.
I always have my sound off as the music sometimes gives me a jolt when it pops on while reading blogs. I think it is a good idea to get rid of it.
I actually enjoy the music people chose, since it's a statement about them, a bit of their personality revealed. HOWEVER, the blogs with music take longer to load, and my computer will sometimes freeze up. That, I don't like.
Yours is one of the very few blogs that I read faithfully. I prefer no music, but music doesn't stop me from visiting. I usually keep my sound shut off unless I need sound for some reason. I treasure my quiet time when I am alone and prefer to choose my own sounds or none at all, except for my cat Precious and her purring.
I love your music....we are from the same generation. I always have my speakers off unless I want to listen to music. I will make sure that I listen to the entire playlist before it is gone.
Interesting post...I've considered deleting my tunes as well. Mainly because of the loading issues that it creates...
Generally I don't like music on blogs but there are a few blogs I've visited where the music is quite interesting. Now when I was listening to your playlist, I thought the music was coming from my computer because I have most of your music. I like your choices. BTW, #96, My Funny Valentine, with the question mark under artist - the singer is Ella Fitzgerald. :)
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