Poll: What Parts of Singletude Do You Like Most and What Would You Like to See More Of?

At the end of the Grimm Brothers story "Clever Elsie," the titular heroine runs off into the night, never to be heard from again. I ran off into the night, too, but the writer in me couldn't end the story there. So, after an unexpected, almost two-month hiatus from Singletude, I'm back again. I don't want to raise false expectations, though--I may not be "back for good" yet.

In February, I was given an opportunity to invest some time in a big creative project that I'd been wanting to work on for a long while. One of the things I've learned since my health took a turn for the worse last September is that nothing important should be postponed till "someday" because someday might never arrive. So I've been hard at work on this creative project for over a month, and I expect to continue it throughout April and maybe into May. Chances are I won't be too active on Singletude during that time.

However, I wanted to give you a heads-up, dear readers, and while I'm here, I'm going to squeeze in a long-overdue post. Specifically, I'm getting tired of that poll staring me in the face every time I point my browser to Singletude, aren't you? I mean, it's so 2009! ;) So today I'm writing up the results:



Poll: "What parts of Singletude do you like most? (Choose all that apply.)"


Living Single: Tips and Tricks
61% (16)

Family and Social Life
50% (13)

Psychology
38% (10)

Singles in the News
34% (9)

Advice Q & A
30% (8)

Career
30% (8)

Finance
26% (7)

Philosophy
26% (7)

Responses to Articles
26% (7)

Culture
23% (6)

Health
23% (6)

Reader Comments
23% (6)

Interviews
19% (5)

Politics
19% (5)

Statistics and Research
19% (5)

Reviews
15% (4)

Spirituality
15% (4)

Giveaway Contests
3% (1)


"What would you like to see more of on Singletude? (Choose all that apply.)"


Platonic Relationships--I'd like to see more about relationships with family, friends, co-workers, roommates, and others who aren't romantic or sexual partners.
42% (8)

Psychology--I'd like to see more about mental, emotional, and behavioral health for singles and psychological studies of interest to singles.
42% (8)

Tips and Tricks--I'd like to see more tips, tricks, how-to's, and practical suggestions for living life as a single.
42% (8)

Advice Q & A--I'd like to see more reader questions and responses.
31% (6)

Culture--I'd like to see more about the portrayal of singles in mainstream culture and cultural trends that affect singles.
31% (6)

Spirituality--I'd like to see more about spiritual health for singles and spiritual beliefs and practices as they influence and are influenced by singles.
31% (6)

News--I'd like to see more breaking news of interest to singles.
25% (5)

Sound-offs--I'd like to see more rants and raves about single life from readers.
25% (5)

Career--I'd like to see more about singles in the workplace.
21% (4)

Health--I'd like to see more about health care, healthy living, and other health issues that concern singles.
21% (4)

Interviews--I'd like to see more interviews with singles who do cool things and people who are making a difference in the lives of singles.
21% (4)

Philosophy--I'd like to see more posts that explore topical ideas and issues relevant to singles and singleness.
21% (4)

Finance--I'd like to see more about financial planning and economic issues pertaining to singles.
15% (3)

Politics--I'd like to see more about legislation and political issues that affect singles.
15% (3)

Reader Discussion--I'd like to see more reader comments and discussion.
15% (3)

Responses to Articles--I'd like to see more commentary on noteworthy articles published elsewhere on the Web.
15% (3)

Statistics and Research--I'd like to see more of the latest research and data on singles.
15% (3)

Dating Relationships--I'd like to see more about dating and romantic or sexual relationships.
5% (1)

Reviews--I'd like to see more reviews of books, movies, products, or resources of interest to singles.
5% (1)

Giveaway Contests--I'd like to see more free giveaways.
0% (0)



A big thank-you to everyone who took the time to respond to this poll! I wanted to get a sense of what regular readers like about Singletude and what you would like to see more of in the future so the blog can better meet your needs. This gives me food for thought, and I look forward to addressing more of the topics that proved popular in the poll.

To summarize, 26 readers answered the first poll question, and 19 readers answered the second. "Living Single: Tips and Tricks" was both the category that readers most liked and one of the top three categories that you wanted to see more of. The "Family and Social Life" and "Psychology" categories were voted second and third most popular and tied with "Living Single" for subjects that readers most want to explore in the future. To me, at least, this suggests that Singletude readers are most interested in how singleness affects them on a personal level. In other words, you're looking for information and practical advice that will help you cope with and maximize the day-to-day realities of living alone. In particular, you're concerned with how singleness affects your relationship with yourself and with others. In contrast, Singletude readers aren't as interested in abstract concepts like politics and research, which you may not believe have a direct bearing on your life.

Notably, although the Singletude audience as a whole is quite interested in reading about relationships, you're not so keen on dating and romance. Maybe that's because the Web is already saturated with information about these topics, or perhaps readers of this blog are just less interested in dating themselves. Whatever the case, I think it's further proof that "love" is NOT priority number one on every single's list and that, on the contrary, many singles enjoy richly fulfilling social lives without it.

On a final note, for those of you who indicated an interest in "Singletude Q&A" and "Singletude Sound-off," please remember that these are contributed columns that need reader questions and reader rants and raves. At the bottom of every post is an open call for submissions for both of these columns. If you like them, please consider submitting your own question or your own rant or rave about any aspect of single life.

Thanks again to everyone who reads this blog, whether you stop in regularly or just once in a blue moon. Each and every one of you is appreciated! Because of your feedback, Singletude can grow into a blog that increasingly reflects your own interests and concerns.


Do you have a question for Clever Elsie about some aspect of the single life? Have an unpublished rant or rave about singlehood? Write in, and you just might see your question in a "Singletude Q&A" or your rant or rave in a "Singletude Sound-off"! Singletude makes every effort to republish submissions in their original form but reserves the right to edit your submission for length and clarity.