Hooks

I think that some blogs entrap their readers -- catch them by gimmicks. Sometimes, it has nothing to do with the actual content of the site. If I were to put, say, 'naked sex orgy high school nurse nymphos' here, I'd likely get the occasional new reader -- though once they found out how tame this site is, it'd be warp speed out for better reading elsewhere.

Certainly there is much better reading available, so much so that I have to occasionally go through the 'uncategorized' bookmark list, purging the things that I noted to read later, thinking well, its been three weeks, what are the odds you're going to read it now? And I do occasionally purge things -- but, like a seductive dessert, I see the titles of the bookmarks, and I think but I wanted to read that, it sounds interesting! I actually had to adopt a draconian rule for myself -- no more than five -- okay, eight -- unread bookmarks at any time. See a new one, I have to purge an old one. Which sometimes leads to dammit I have to read this RIGHT the hell now, so that I can bookmark the other one. The funny thing is, I find that about half of what I wanted to read actually isn't that good when I know whats coming, because I've already read a bit of it. The thrill of discovery is, I think, a large part of what makes a new site interesting. Its like pornography (insert disclaimer); it's exciting, fuel for the fantasy, but if you read it more than once, it becomes old, stale, expected. Of course she'll be gorgeous and sexually insatiable; of course he'll be overwhelmed by her tawny this, soft that, just as she will be agog at his chiseled abs and cruel lips. Yeah, yeah, get on with it. I remember one time, I was at a photographers site, looking at some nudes, and thinking 'Wow -- I really like the color scheme in this picture'. And could not figure out if that meant I was mature or jaded.

Ooops, before I forget - 'nasty cocaine throbbing muscular sixpack buns'.

Sometimes the style of the blog, the way that the material is delivered, is as important as the content. I used to read a site called IttyBiz, now called, I think, Starting A Home Business. It is run by a husband and wife team, Naomi Dunford and Jamie Dunford. I really liked it. I thought of it as a rough-and-ready version of INC magazine. It's not for everyone -- Naomi's got what she cheerfully calls a potty-mouth. She doesn't dislike someone; she thinks he's a fucking bastard. She doesn't esteem someone; she thinks he's a fucking god -- and the vulgarity can be off-putting. But the vulgarisms ground her, make her both real and intense. That's the hook, and it works for her. It makes her a unique brand with fervent loyalists. If I were to try it, it'd be ludicrous. Drat. See what I mean?

Just a moment: 'Throbbing gasping nude Republican massive virgin'

Another hook is to whisper that I can get it for you quick. People like getting their information in a concise, easily digested format. When I used to read computer performance articles, I noticed that a fair number of them had titles like A Simple Guide To.... or Back Of The Envelope Modelling For.... or A Quick Method for.... this that and the other. Give me the meat, the guts, the gist now; perhaps I'll come back for the details later. Probably not. That's the substance part of the IttyBiz style and substance melange; she'll tell you what you need to know, without burdening you with tons of theory. Cut to the chase, give the theory later, if at all. Theory! I can hear her exclaim. Who the fuck needs that? Its an effective package, and I admire her ability to create and deliver it.

And finally: 'Screaming paroxysm sensual delight'

Okay, thats a wrap.