Thank you for your comments and good insights. In my case, my experience with blogs is reading lots of techie blogs. Some of them are maintained by individuals or groups of individuals who just have a passion about it and wants to share or connect with others, while some are company-sponsored blogs to foster a community among users of their products and services. These blogs helped me when I am on a bind for information, or deciding if a certain type of gadget or product, or services is worth it or useful for me. Funny, but I a now rely more from the opinions of lots of unsolicited, real user reviews than company-paid press release.

I like how you identified the types of users that blogs attract especially those who are collectors, enthusiasts, and hobbyists. Going back to the point that we made on focus I sometimes find in myself that if someone is writing well and has planned out theme about something I am equally passionate about, I will return often because that site gives me a type of mental stimulation in reading the blogs.

Unless you are a business I sometimes wonder how many people out there are actually trying to know their audience. I think there are some people out there who blog and just want to share/say anything or share/say something even though there is no known target audience. Some topics seem as obscure as most collectible items you find in an antique shop. Sometimes I think that the idea of share what you love no matter what it is or who sees it generates others to take interest too.

Just like you, I also mentioned participation by the blogger as being important to successful blogging. This may be something that is easier said than done, depending how dedicated one is. You can sometimes tell when you read a blog whether someone is writing content for the sake of posting something. I think the audience can pick up on whether someone is dedicated to a blog or not and will participate based on how much interaction they think will place.

- Erwin