Comments on: Becoming a Self Centered Blogger – How to Let Your Blog Go #3

By: Reginald

Reginald — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:34:29 +0000

Stephen Xiao,

Interesting content should always be your priority, regardless of the market you cater to.

By: Reginald

Reginald — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:33:13 +0000

Two wishes,

I enjoyed your post. Don’t get too cynical though.

By: Two Wishes

Two Wishes — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:55:56 +0000

Just yesterday I unsubscribed from 2 once-favorite blogs because I had grown so tired of all the blah blah blah about the writers’ lives. Every blog I read must give me some personal value (even if it’s just pure entertainment), or there’s not enough reason to fit it into my overcrowded day….

Woke up this morning thinking, “wow, that would be a good example for How to Let Your Blog Go.” But no surprise to see you’re already all over it!

By: stephan xiao

stephan xiao — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:42:06 +0000

thanks Darren, your posts are so informative that i could gain a lot from them. However, i still don’t know how to establish my blog’s readship, can you give me advice to deal with it? thank you.

By: B. Durant

B. Durant — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:37:06 +0000

I think it really depends on the focus of your blog. Some are more community driven and model themselves as place to find help and assistance for a particular topic. Problogger is an example. When I come to PB I expect (and to be honest feel entitled) too certain types of posts. Not just topics, but I expect that the article will help me to make my blog better. In other words a blog like PB can’t afford to be self-centered. It always has to be in a giving mode.

On the other hand there are plenty of blogs that haven’t dug themselves into a particular hole and I can’t expect anything from them other than quality writing on whatever they choose to write about.

By: Darla

Darla — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:05:14 +0000

I once knew a blog that was very successful and then the owner of the blog thought they could do no wrong. Treated people horribly. Would not acknowledge others in their same niche and now that blog is all but in the toilet.

The sad thing is, it was a “good cause” and “could” still be making a difference, but instead arrogance has set in.

By: Vianne

Vianne — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:38:40 +0000

I’ve noticed blogs that start out well but quickly turn into what are more appropriately called personal journals, which isn’t a bad thing, but those kinds of blogs tend to ramble or get too introspective for general readership. It’s not that they’re arrogant or self-promotional as much as that they’ve lost a clear focus and a shared commonality with the readership.

I’ve also seen blogs and/or journals overly manipulated by readers, so you’re right about finding the balance.

By: ~Kat~

~Kat~ — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:42:58 +0000

For the most part I agree that you have to consider your readers while you are blogging, however, you need to also consider yourself. One of my biggest problems with blogging is I concern myself too much with what I think I should do, and how I should write if I want to be considered “professinal”. But I have found that if I don’t worry about how I should write, and just be myself, then I write better posts. And in the end that is better for my readers!

By: Reginald

Reginald — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:03:33 +0000

Arrogance oozing from a blog is such a turn off for me. From the moment I detect it, I lose interest and go else where.

I suspect that the majority of online surfers may have this same reaction to self serving and self centered blogs.

I also wonder why owners of blogs don’t respond to comments made on their blog.

I, personally, feel this could create a very valuable person touch not often found on blogs.

By: Vickie Njoku Onyekuru

Vickie Njoku Onyekuru — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:01:29 +0000

You know some, I am quite elated at your write up and would like you to my personal mentor on finding my voice and writing too for profit as a woman. I am a prolific writer and would surely do well at this.

Great piece of work you are doing, please do keep it up.

By: Jess

Jess — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:07:15 +0000

What? I thought everybody wanted to hear about every little thing I do…(including all the antics of my cat, my dog, my goat and the mouse that lives in my pantry).
Your telling me I have to give something…what do ya take me for?….some kind of father christmas mother theresa type. pooh!

; )

jess
http://www.vitrospective.com/blog

By: myBrainfart

myBrainfart — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:54:29 +0000

Oops, submitted this comment on the wrong post, sorry.

I like the idea about making someone famous. Care to try it with my site? :)

Thanks for the info

By: SaiF

SaiF — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:50:50 +0000

Hi Darren!

Thanks for this!

I was inspired by this post to make my readers famous in the next few days!

Thank you for the suggestions!

I’ve already kept in close contact with the old and new readers via E-mail but this one I’ve never thought of.

By the way, anyone reading this should know by now that if you want something, give it away!

If you’re sitting there wondering, “Why don’t my readers E-mail me?”

Start e-mailing them first!

If you’re sitting there wondering, “Why don’t my readers show any appreciation to my work?”

Give appreciation to them first!

I just did that and I made a video for my readers 2 days ago:

Click here to watch how to appreciate your readers.

=) I got a few E-mails in after that – 2 birds with one stone ;)

I’ll immediately implement that “getting readers famous” tip now Darren and thanks loads!

To Constant & Never-Ending Improvement,

SaiF
The World’s First Teen
Personal Development Video Blogger

P.S. Anyone has any tips on how to make my readers famous?

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:42:04 +0000

Blogs work when they are closer to the readers. I write about myself and my life and it works, because what I am writing is well understood by most people.

By: Marelisa

Marelisa — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:14:46 +0000

I think that in order to get what you want, you have to give others what they want. Your focus should always be on the reader and satisfying the reasons that they have for visiting your blog. If your visitors are happy, they’ll keep coming back and clicking on the ads and the affiliate links. You provide excellent suggestions here for keeping your readers happy.

By: John Stewart

John Stewart — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:08:12 +0000

In my opinion, the more you give your readers what they want, the more they will listen to what you tell them. And if that means talking a little about yourself within your blog, promoting affiliate programs, then great!

The more authority your readers perceive you as having, the more you can promote yourself and your products. But you’re absolutely correct, balance is key.

First comment in a few days, so congratulations on the birth of your baby boy!

By: Ari Herzog

Ari Herzog — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:53:41 +0000

@FitMom, if too much of anything is boring, then what do you say to niche bloggers like The Masked Millionaire above?

By: Mark - Creative Journey Cafe

Mark - Creative Journey Cafe — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:17:24 +0000

Thanks Darren – I’m approaching month #4 of my blog, and at times I find myself sliding the subject matter back to myself – but I always try to use events that happen to me as an example that might help my readers.

By: Tyler @ TYsTIPS

Tyler @ TYsTIPS — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:50:34 +0000

Hey Darren, I appreciate the post. I’ve started a number of blogs over the past few years, all of which I’ve become burned out on or lost interest in due to lack of readership.

However, your posts on how to let your blog go (and please keep them coming) have helped me develop a strong foundation for my newest blog about WordPress tips and tricks. My goal is to focus on writing practical tutorials, tips, and tricks for first time WordPress users (I’ve always used Blogger in the past).

Your posts are helping me remember “what not to do” as my new blog grows and develops.

Thanks!
Tyler @ TysTips.com

By: FitMom

FitMom — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:34:48 +0000

I agree with Kelly. Most of my posts come from runner quesitons/feedback from readers. But, I throw in personal stuff as well. Too much of anything is boring.