Sep 21
Connect With Your Readers (Part 2)
Yesterday, in Connect With Your Readers (Part 1), we discussed the importance of connecting with your readers and all the fun and important stuff that can come from those connections.
Today we’re getting into the thick of things, with how you go about making those connections. And if you think this is going to be your standard rundown of blogging tips, keep reading. You might be pleasantly surprised!
“I Want to be a Real Boy!”
If I didn’t make it clear before, what we’re trying to do is make connections with our readers. When people visit your blog, you of course ant them to see the value in the content you produce, but you should also want them to care about YOU. And there’s no way that anyone is going to care about YOU, if YOU don’t seem like a person. Thankfully, it’s not too hard to put yourself out there. Just think about these three simple things that make you a person!
- Name - Even if you’re trying to protect your identity, put a name out there that people can call you by. A name gives you an identity and individuality that makes you unique from other blogs. That’s step one.
- Face - Like I’ve said in Changing What You’re About, post a picture of yourself! You couple that with a name, and you’re almost a person already. More pics the better, but try and have at least one floating around that people can always access without going back to previous posts.
- Soul - Don’t just scraper (bike) other people’s posts and regurgitate news! Chances are there are sites that do a better job of that already. People will care about you when they get to know you, so inject your personality into your posts! You’re not going to please 100% of the people 100% of the time with what you have to say, but having no soul in your site will get you no readers fast!
Part of Your World
Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you, Getting to hope you like me.
One of the great things you can do to connect with your readers is sharing part of your world with them. And I’m not talking about specifically doing THIS or specifically doing THAT, but doing and sharing something. Even if you try and keep your blog topics on x, y and z…Maybe take a Sunday as an opportunity to share something personal with your readers.
Take Tish for example. She posted a picture of herself a while ago to prove to one of her readers that she indeed worked as a Sonic carhop a couple years ago.
And then there’s Pete who (on the 12th of every month)tries to post 12 pictures that sum up what he was up to that day.
But you know it’s not all about pictures. Aaron shows us that sharing with us what’s going on his personal life is enough make that connection.
Your Turn
So what are YOU doing to make those connections with your readers? If you’re realizing now that you haven’t done much on this front, there’s no time like now to make that change. Trust me, your readers will appreciate it. (#):)
September 21st, 2007 at 10:31 am
You could join the mission statement meme from my site ; )
September 21st, 2007 at 10:40 am
I do a variety of things I recognize readers through spotlights, RSS Feeds, etc., recently I started writing about my business. I’ve never done that before I’ve been blogging for almost three years.
The feedback that I have received, mainly emails, from those post have been very positive.
I blog about anything that’s on my mind on my main website it hasn’t put people off instead I’ve received more readers. I do try to make it appealing to those who are reading.
Personally I don’t like it when person is too secretive on their blog. It makes me wonder what are they hiding? In the beginning I can understand it but if I’ve “known you for a few years” and we’ve communicated via emails you’re still have this wall up I start to wonder what in the world you are hiding. I’m thinking of a specific blogger that I’ve interacted with here.
I appreciate when bloggers reveal some of their personality and it’s always nice to see pictures. A few of my favorite bloggers do this. It gives me another way to connect with them. I truly appreciate that.
September 21st, 2007 at 10:50 am
Hi, Bush! I am really loving this little series of yours. Thanks for the mention! I was a Sonic carhop a little more than a couple of years ago though. hehe. I left there when I was around 18 or 19. And though I may look like a spring chicken (ha!), I’m actually 35! ;)
I’m going to use some of your stuff in my Sunday Samplings this weekend. I am very impressed!
I hope you have a great weekend! :)
September 21st, 2007 at 11:35 am
@Chuck - You know, I was looking at that, and I think I might. (#):) For those of you who don’t know what we’re talking about, hit the link here: An Explosion of Purpose and Fulfillment
@Opal T - Yeah, you don’t leave anything hidden! Which is great, and I think which is why so many ppl (like myself) trust you. *nod* And for the sake of this post, you connect with ppl in so many ways, I couldn’t start to list them, comments, e-mails, posts, pictures…
@Tish - I should start posting pictures from my days at good ol’ Blockbuster. Seriously, I used to love that job.
And I thought 35 was the new 24. That’s just what I heard. (#):)
September 21st, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I thought 36 was the new 24 hehe. Yep, this will be a great 2nd ebook buddy.
September 21st, 2007 at 2:04 pm
I like to call that an “art” shot :D
As my blog is primarily now a technical vidoegaming/HD type site I like to drop in the posts like 12 of 12s to give it some variety. It helps to attract a varied audience.
An excellent second part Bush, nice job.
September 21st, 2007 at 2:22 pm
@Brown - Thanks man, I feel good about this one. I think I might touch it up in the future, but I like it. (#):)
@Pete - Ha ha, you know, it was a bit tough to find a pic of you in your 12 for 12. I didn’t realize until now how absent you are from the shots. I guess someone has to take the picture right?
September 21st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Great post Bush! You really hit on some very key and crucial points. I hope you keep this series going. It’s really great.
And btw, thanks so muchfor the mention! You’re too kind…but I love it! :)
Shine on,
Aaron
September 21st, 2007 at 4:14 pm
You got it Bush :) The missus took that shot, I’m normally “behind camera”.
September 21st, 2007 at 4:43 pm
@Aaron - You’re welcome for the mention, I appreciate the kind words!
@Pete - Ah ha, Figured as much. I think the only time I’ve gotten MY wife involved with the blog was when she took my picture for the Flipping Rich shirt! (And even then it was like pulling teeth).
September 21st, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Excellent post as usual Bush. I engage my readers by being myself. I put it all out there for the world to see, the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s life. And if my post reaches one person and helps them then I feel good. If you aren’t yourself then you have nothing. And I have met many good friends online for just being myself.
September 21st, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I like this one even more than part one! I have built my site based on reader connection. It’s all I have but I will say, it’s all any site needs. It’s a foundation to build a site on. There is no better foundation than friends, and that is the purest of all truths.
I will say this: all content is in some way or another regurgitated from somewhere. Very few blogs have 100% original content. We all build and feed from one another. It’s the manner in which you present the material that makes it original, not the actual material itself.
I have been playing the guitar for 30 years and I came to the the conclusion long ago that playing a rhythm or solo, no matter how you cut it, will be comprised of all things already done. When you add in soul, it changes everything. Like this post you have here. It’s honest spirit makes it special and original. Rock on my friend, you are definetly headed into the light!!!!!
September 21st, 2007 at 7:14 pm
[...] Bush Mackel How in the world did I meet Bush? Why through the lovely and talented Beth of course. Other than the fact that I always think (G.W) Bush when I think of his first name he’s a great guy with a contagious smile. His friendly personality reaches out and lures you in every time you stop by his virtual spot. Check out his latest series Connect With Your Readers. [...]
September 21st, 2007 at 7:21 pm
…just a suggestion I know you linked to your original post in the first sentence but perhaps you could do it at the end also? If you haven’t already provide a link to this post in your first post.
Great job buddy!
September 21st, 2007 at 7:24 pm
..oh yeah I forgot I tagged you! :-) Totally unlike me…
September 21st, 2007 at 9:09 pm
I forgot to mention that I Stumbled this post Bush. It’s truly excellent. :)
Shine on,
Aaron
September 21st, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Bush, I’d love to see photos from Blockbuster! Ya know, that would be an awesome job for any movie lover! :)
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:51 am
Bush,
Inspired by you I have decided to start putting pictures into just about every post. I’ve also gone back to mentioning Keira Knightley or some other actress or my dual monitor wallpaper in every post. Lastly, I took some risk and put up a controversial post about PETA and vegans.
It’s helping! I am getting a pretty steady comment flow again and I think connecting with my readers.
When I get some time, I think I am even going to go and add some images to my older posts that still seem to be getting comments.
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Bush, I trust you. I`ll go on on your recommandations, yet first please promise me that :
function protect_soul_stealing_by_camera () {
if ( picture == posted ) {
return $protect_soul;
)
else {
return $nothing;
}
:-)
September 24th, 2007 at 12:05 am
@Sassy - Hey Budddddddddddy! Hope everything is well and you most certainly do that. I love blogs like yours because it’s so easy to “meet” and get to know the author!
@Bobby - Getting a comment like that from the guy who connects with ALL his readers means a lot so thanks! Oh and I obviously completely agree with you as far as soul and presentation goes. They’re all so important and I wish more people weren’t afraid to be themselves.
@Opal T - You know, I was thinking about the suggestion you made while I was walking my dogs this evening. I MIGHT be doing a big series in the next month or so and I think if I do, some kind of nav or link structure like you were talking about might be necessary.
@Aaron - Thanks man. As I said in Part 1, Stumble brought a good bit of traffic my way. So I am once again in your debt. (#);)
@Tish - You know it’s funny because I think I have a similar picture to the one you had! Well, except I’m not hugging a guy. Seinfeld: “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
@Apex - That’s great to hear! And you know, I remember you wrote in that first post about the whole thing with posting your picture and I completely agree with you in that there is a bit of magic not knowing who you’re talking to and stuff. … This could easily turn into a post in itself because a lot could be said on both sides of the ball but in short:
I’m glad you decided to post pictures and I’m even more glad that things seem to be improving for you on your site!
@Valentin - var boolPromise:Boolean = true;
(#);)