Written on November 22nd, 2009 at 12:11 am by Darren Rowse
Why Nobody Cares About Your Blog
A Guest Post by David Risley
Except yours, of course. ;) However, there are a lot of bloggers who feel this way.
You write. You write some more. You don’t feel as if you’re getting the traction that you want. What’s going on?
There is plenty to be said about issues like proper market selection, search engine optimization and other tactical things, but let’s go deeper. In fact, let’s go deeper than most bloggers really think about when it comes to their blogging.
Are You Talking At Or Talking To Your Readers?
If I walked into a crowded mall, went into the food court, stood there in the middle of it and just started talking, what do you think would happen?
Most people wouldn’t see me. Then, a few would and they would probably think I was crazy. At the end of the day, I’ll just be that crazy guy they saw at the mall.
Now, imagine if 90% of the people in the food court did that. They just got up and started talking into space. It would be one big din of noise. Now, all of those people want to feel as if they are famous, so they start competing and trying to out-talk the other people. The volume increases, but few are being listened to. The ones who are listened to are the ones at least saying something useful.
And that is the blogosphere.
Most new bloggers go out there and start talking, then hope somebody notices and listens. Chances are, it won’t happen that way.
What is True Communication?
I’m married and that leads to some minor adventure from time to time. ;) One of them is being accused of not listening to her. She will tell me something I need to do and I have literally no memory of her saying it. Well, that was because I was doing something when she said it. When she told me what I needed to do, she spoke AT me and not TO me.
In other words, she just threw out the words with no intention of them really GETTING to me. It put the responsibility on me to be paying close attention first. She was right, I wasn’t listening. She was just talking at me.
Now, I love my wife to death, but she was doing what a lot of bloggers do.
What is TRUE communication?
Well, it isn’t communication unless the idea being said fully ARRIVES on the other end and is understood. To complete this process, an acknowledgement of some kind would need to take place to show that the information was indeed received and understood.
Underlying all of this is, of course, the importance of saying something that people want and doing it in a likable way. When you combine being likable, speaking within a reality that your audience will click with, along with actual communication where your thought actually gets to your reader, that’s when people will most definitely care about your blog.
Then you have readers, fans and more traffic that you’ll know what to do with. If you want to make money with your blog, that becomes really easy.
Applying This To Blogging
Blogging is a communications platform. Personal human relations still apply. If you just talk to yourself on your blog and hope people listen, it won’t work very well. That’s not communication.
In other words, talk TO your audience. Your job is to have something worth saying, then communicate that in a fashion which works for THEM. Do it in a reality which works for them. Make sure the idea arrives in their head by getting them to talk back to you. Without some acknowledgement from the audience, you don’t have true communication taking place. The cycle will be incomplete.
Your job with your blog is to create a relationship with your audience. You want them to know, like and trust you. That is done by forming true understanding between yourself and each of your readers. You want them to see you as an authority in your market, but also a trusted friend. The key to do that will be what I said above.
Blogging isn’t all about yourself. It isn’t about just blurting words into Wordpress and hoping people listen. It is about talking TO them and having them talk back.
If you are new to blogging and hardly have any audience yet, the same principles apply. You want to have these interactions with other people. So, you go out onto social media and you do exactly the same thing. In other words, go where the people are and strike up a conversation. Then, with some form of understanding formed, you direct them to your blog.
Build a tribe of people who know, like and trust you… who you routinely talk to (in both directions), then you’ve made it. The rest of your goals as a blogger become a piece of cake.
So, in a spirit of communication, let me know what you think. Post a comment. Let’s talk!
By David Risley, a 6-figure professional blogger who got his start as a tech blogger. His blog David Risley dot com is a pull-no-punches account of the business of pro blogging and what it takes to earn a living as a blogger.
Tags: blog tips, Communication, content, conversation, David Risley, finding readers
164 Responses to “Why Nobody Cares About Your Blog” - Add Yours
Ben
November 22nd, 2009 12:54 am
Nice reminder article. Especially like the food court example, really brings it into light how tough it is to be blogging.
Kool Aid
November 22nd, 2009 1:01 am
Maybe I’m in the minority but I’m not entirely sure I’d want huge amounts of traffic. My blog is just what I would call a “family blog” and the thought of having to come up with something to write everyday for a popular blog would just stress me out too much. Sure, sometime I think I’d like more traffic and the occasional freebie to review and the idea of making money at blogging is wonderful, but that isn’t my reality.
However, I totally get what you’re saying. I tend to gravitate to bloggers that write in a way that I can “hear” them talking in a conversational tone – in a way that I would talk with a group of friends or my family. Those are the ones I come back to again and again.
Vishal Sanjay
November 22nd, 2009 1:07 am
Really well written article, i truly think that no one cares about my blog, even though its only 3 months old, i still feel i have wasted a lot of time. According to my plans i should have owned a blog like Problogger know.
Michael Holmes
November 22nd, 2009 1:10 am
I agree with Ben I loved the food court anology. And yes, I’m also accused by my wife of not listening. In fact (between us) sometimes I find myself zoning out. I know. I know. Its bad. Let’s hope she doesn’t read this ;)
One thing I am learning is seeking to understand before I’m understood (vintage Stephen Covey).Its working. Your post was a great confirmation.
Julie
November 22nd, 2009 1:12 am
Nice post! Thank you David (and thank you Darren for having him post!) This is why I love this blog. It is a constant reminder of the essence behind blogging. Content and Communication.
It is a nice reminder, especially starting out, that while a lot of so called “experts” in blogging push monetization, design, SEO, they forget the art of communication.
And communication is an art.
My guy often stutters when he listens.. which means, perhaps, I stutter when I am trying to communicate.
Afterall, communication is a two way street.
Julie
November 22nd, 2009 1:22 am
Great Post!
This is just another reason why I enjoy ProBlogger. It is a constant reminder of what blogging is for me.
Communication and Content.
My guy often admits to stuttering while he is listening. But since communication is a two way street, then I have to look at how I am talking to him or more importantly WHEN I am talking to him. If I am talking at him, it is usually not paying attention to where his focus is at. Talking to him, I must first have his attention.
Same as blog posts…Talking to the reader and engaging!
Thanks Brian (and Darren too) for keeping the conversations going
Surender Sharma
November 22nd, 2009 1:23 am
There are so many reasons why people doesn’t care about your blog.
First of all informative content.
If you blog about your personal life,who care for your life ? Why people read about your life ?
Second thing is awareness of the brand.If you are a brand or your thoughts are as a brand,people must care about your blog.
People likes your thoughts,your personal story if you are a popular authority .
Dean Saliba
November 22nd, 2009 1:27 am
I seem to be one of the few lucky ones.
I get plenty of comments on one of my blogs (157 posts: almost 400 comments) and they are all nice ones. :)
Julie
November 22nd, 2009 1:40 am
Hopefully, three’s a charm. The first two comments didn’t post. But that just goes to show you, content is KEY. Your content was so compelling, I had to make sure I commented back!
It is an awesome reminder that communication is the bottom line of blogging! And it takes more than the writer just typing random thoughts.
And great common reference…
My guy admits to stuttering while listening. But that means, part of it anyway, is that I am not talking to him. I need to pay attention to where he is before I start — especially if he is armed with the remote control…
Mike
November 22nd, 2009 1:45 am
Yes. I like the article. I’ve always tried to cultivate a culture of communication on my blog, though my call to action isn’t that refined yet. I’ll keep this in mind for the future.
Manish Chauhan
November 22nd, 2009 1:48 am
Yup .. I agree
One of the reasons why your readers will not be connected to you is that you dont respond to them when they expect it . I make a point to reply to each and every doubt they have . Also I personally Ping them and talk to them and also make myself available on twitter , Chat etc .
Manish
Paul
November 22nd, 2009 1:50 am
The food court mental image made me instantly think of Twitter…micro blogging at it’s finest
A bunch of people not paying attention to eachother.
That is exactly what is wrong with the social media world. If someone invents a site where people actually converse they would get rich!! ( oh wait…Facebook already exists.)
Great article.
Antique Mommy
November 22nd, 2009 1:50 am
If you want people to care about your blog, you have to work at building a community. In order to build community, you have to engage on a personal level. It can be done through how you write (speaking to and not at although that is seldom enough) but it really helps to respond to readers, particularly if someone has gone to the trouble to leave a thoughtful comment. I often respond in comments as well as in email.
Pat Steer (Gaelen)
November 22nd, 2009 1:52 am
I have a personal blog, as well as a food blog (canning/preserving) and a dog training blog.
To Surender Sharma, who asked ‘If you blog about your personal life, who care (sic) for your life?’ – that hasn’t been my experience.
Granted, my survivorship blog is the oldest of my blogs, so it would be reasonable to expect that blog to have a larger following than the niche blogs I launched this summer. But if your life is interesting, or you write about it in a way that makes others want to read the story, then plenty of people will ‘care for your life.’
It’s about content. And then about getting the news about that content out to the people and groups who will be most interested in discovering it. And then about engaging with those people every chance you get.
Liane YoungBlogger
November 22nd, 2009 1:54 am
The post of the year! I’ve been at the blogging tips niche for so lang, and geez, and know how hard people waited for this answer, Keep it up Risley, i’m a fan of yours ;)
sarah
November 22nd, 2009 1:57 am
hey
people will care if blog interested and related to the topic, it’s right blog should be deeper but it’s depend on keyword research.
sarah
David Wagner
November 22nd, 2009 1:59 am
Great post on communications, I pondered the similarities of blogging with Twitter… just a lot of noise without any real communication (two-way communication) going on.
Maria
November 22nd, 2009 2:00 am
Thanks for this very helpful article. I’ve read a few of your other posts, and have helped tremendously. I started blogging as hobbie, something to do. As time went on I see a lot of possibilities. Mind you, it’s only been a month, but I now have my own domain, and host. Thanks-Maria
crazy blogger
November 22nd, 2009 2:02 am
writting unique and good content makes other bloggers to take care of any blog
Claire
November 22nd, 2009 2:05 am
Some good points here, I enjoyed reading this article. It is very true that communication is a two-way street, as David so rightly points out. I want my blog to be interactive, like a conversation – I’m talking TO my readers and, hopefully, they are replying by telling me what they think about what I’ve said. You are quite right that a blogger should never talk AT their audience – because no-one will listen!
Kristjan
November 22nd, 2009 2:07 am
It’s a nice post and the analogy is very accurate but I’m afraid the tips are not enough to do the trick. I’ve been blogging for over 9 months now (actually far longer, my previous blogs 2 blogs are very popular in my own country of origin which in Estonia), but my blog just doesn’t seem to pick up the number of guests/followers that I would like. Social media sites haven’t worked either. Linking hasn’t worked. What am I doing wrong? I’ve applied most of the tips offered by this blog and by copyblogger.com but it just doesn’t seem to do the trick…
So my question is, do you have any real suggestions? Something that works not only on paper, but in the real world?
Blogging Tips
November 22nd, 2009 2:11 am
Nice article.Got great inspiration.
Aimee @ Ain't Yo Mama's Blog
November 22nd, 2009 2:12 am
I think blogging for yourself or for other people is definitely a struggle out there for many (if not most) bloggers. And as a representative from the “mommy blogging” world, I think this post holds especially true.
For parents, the stories about the everyday life (no matter how mundane) can be written in a way that provides humor or a nod of the head in agreement. Some bloggers are good at making the mundane drivel funny, relevant, and/or interesting. However, many cannot and their blog simply turns into an online diary.
I also agree with the “likability” factor. I don’t like to read blogs where the people seem arrogant and inaccessible. I like commenting back to people who spent a few minutes of their life reading my blog and making a comment. I always appreciate when someone else does the same.
www.fallik.com
November 22nd, 2009 2:13 am
Well, nice advises. But there is one thing to be considered: Blogs are not good for getting hits. Some are followed and read by many people. But many can not get hit because there are tons of blogs around. And there are lots of people who share their personal thoughts in their blogs. The point here is that: Be Original. Be different.
Angelique
November 22nd, 2009 2:25 am
David — I would love to read a follow-up to this article about ways to encourage comments. Comments lead to conversations, which lead to repeat visits to your blog.
I have had personal blogs for years, and had mixed success at starting conversation threads, even when the actual blog post had many readers. Now that I have a blog about my industry, I am especially interested in ways to start conversations, because unlike a personal blog, I won’t be posting controversial articles that spark debate.
Vivek Krishnan
November 22nd, 2009 2:27 am
The most tough part about blogging I am finding is connecting with the audience. With big shots like you totally overtaking the blogging niche- it becomes very very tough for start-up blogs like mine to create authority in the blogosphere.
Tony Faustino
November 22nd, 2009 2:32 am
“You want to have these interactions with other people. In other words, go where the people are and strike up a conversation. Then, with some form of understanding formed, you direct them to your blog.”
Thank you David. This is the best advice on blogging I’ve read in a long time. Appreciate your candor and your generosity in sharing this insight.
Arun Pal Singh
November 22nd, 2009 2:37 am
I just happened to see the Poll results on this blog sidebar about how many years you have been blogging.
It is surprising that as number of years increase, the number of blogs decrease.[An exception was higher number of people who had been more than 5 years than those who had a blog for less than 4 years.]
That can mean
Either more people have come to blogging in recent times
or
People do not sustain enough time
I think both might apply.
So here is the trick.
Say enough and stay enough. You and your blog would evolve enough to be noticed.
Pallav
November 22nd, 2009 2:37 am
You’ve started this topic with a punch and continued it till the end. Quite an interesting and informative article. I totally agree with your Mall incident. There are millions of bloggers continuously blabbering across the world but only a selected few becomes a celebrity blogger like Problogger. There is a tough competition outside and within the blogosphere. I think quality plays a key role in attracting traffic. A content rich blog always get appreciations and accolades. Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful piece of write up with us.
Ed Penano
November 22nd, 2009 2:41 am
Great article Sir Darren Rowse :D. I feel, that after some concerted time and effort on our blogs, we’ll get in our own lil’ groove and find our own blog voices. And when that happens, even if nobody cares, guess what? We’ll have grown to love our blogs, what we write and what we do. And rest assured that you know there is at least one person that cares about your blog – You.
Living with Balls
November 22nd, 2009 2:52 am
It’s definitely hard to get you blog to stand out among the crowd. It seems like everyone is blogging now. I think you need to provide a unique experience at your blog that can’t be found anywhere else.
Basant Singh
November 22nd, 2009 3:02 am
Yes, there’s a subtle difference between ‘at’ and ‘to’ and may be we tend to ignore that. Thanks for reminding.
Matthew Brown
November 22nd, 2009 3:36 am
A couple of earlier comments mentioned how personal you should get in your blog and Surender Sharma indicated that no one is interested in your personal life shared through a blog. However, I think it is worth noting that a blog is personal in varying degrees. Sure there are company blogs, but each post is affected by the authors context, and that context can really affect their ability to connect with the audience. They need to be writing about something that their context gives them knowledge and experience in, so that they can produce quality content on that topic. The personal touch on top of that then often helps people identify with the author and encourages them to be more involved.
This has been my experience anyway!
aprces
November 22nd, 2009 3:47 am
I think you need do something different, do something remarkable, do something others haven’t done before, talk and write too much has no benefit to most of us, you see, now problogger including yours can be counted into a finalized and definited blog, but what you’ve said above is just like stroking something slightly, to be honest, there has no substance whatsoever in your report, marketing is only the real aim, yeah?
Steven Handel
November 22nd, 2009 3:56 am
This post really illustrates the difference between talking just for the sake of moving your mouth (or in this case, hitting the keyboard), and communicating with the intention of actually improving the state of your audience.
Excellent advice! And like everyone else I really loved the food court analogy.
Financial Samurai
November 22nd, 2009 4:07 am
I don’t go back to blogs who’s publisher doesn’t respond and interact in comments. Why bother?
There are so many blogs out there to visit where publishers DO CARE!
I’m one of them. See you guys at Financial Samurai!
Jeff Yablon
November 22nd, 2009 4:20 am
David, that was incredibly well written, and I truly believe came from the heart.
But I also feel spoken AT, not TO, and as a subscriber, I’m part of your tribe!
Wait, I get it! I’m talking back, and I am iviting you and your tribe members to join mine, too!:
Jeff Yablon
Answer Guy and Virtual VIP Business Change Coaching
Waheed Akhtar
November 22nd, 2009 4:30 am
Excellent article. Specially for a person like me who just started blogging 3 months back. These tips would help a lot to communicate withe the community.
True communication mentioned above touched my heart.
It has happened with me sometimes that my wife is saying something to me while I am writing or preparing something for my blog. And calls me again saying that she is talking to me and I ask her again what she said :)
Quinn
November 22nd, 2009 4:47 am
So i only started my blog about a month ago, the first cuple weeks I just let it sit there gathering dust and content. For the next two weeks i started commenting on other blogs and twittering about my posts. The difference is incredible, nothing huge so far but going from 0 hits a day to 10 in 2 weeks is a great feeling.
Thanks for the great post.
paco
November 22nd, 2009 4:58 am
Hi
Great article , like ever on problogger. Thanks David.
Think the mall and food example is specially well done and right direction about all is happenning to most of our blogs.
I’m blogging in spanish ( think more difficult audience not so friends of blogs…)
Yesterday I have possed to me this question : ” Why nobody cares about my blog?”
Today you answered me.
Thanks
Tomas Stonkus
November 22nd, 2009 5:08 am
Hey David:
What made me really understand your story was the mall example. It made me realize that I was doing that sometimes myself. I also noticed how your language used a lot of “you”, which made me feel like you were talking directly to me.
Communication with readers is crucial. It is important to understand that you are talking to a real person out there, not just some random person who writes just for the sake of writing.
I really appreciate blogs where the writer takes the time to respond with a genuine comment. That makes me feel somewhat special and cared for. Afterall, he/ she took the time to respond to what I had to say.
I guess your article goes back to things like building a community and creating relationships with people around you.
So thank you for a great comparison, which will insure that I will remember what you talked about.
Best,
Tomas
Mister Teacher
November 22nd, 2009 5:09 am
David, great article. I found it through one of Darren’s tweets.
Like many have said, I think the food court analogy was really powerful.
Thanks for your insight!
PoundBangWhack.com
November 22nd, 2009 5:21 am
Great post. Thank you so much. This posit really spoke to me (not at me ;) ). I think this is something that I have suffered from with my blog. The food court example was great and really put things into perspective. Thanks again for the great article.
Jeffry Pilcher
November 22nd, 2009 5:21 am
Don’t you mean “talking WITH people?” Write posts like you are having a conversation with someone sitting right next to you. What questions would they ask if they could?
a.b.
November 22nd, 2009 6:02 am
I’ve definitely had that experience, and then I had to ask myself why I was blogging as well, was it to share my life with others, to journal in private, to make money, or some/all of the above.
The best part of blogging online has been the connections I’ve made with other bloggers. I have to make sure my bad habits of not catching up with people don’t seep into the blogosphere as well.
Susan/TogetherWeFlourish
November 22nd, 2009 6:03 am
I am learning a lot from you. As I am learning, so are the organizations that participate in my blog. My blog is a stepping stone for small and mid-sized nonprofits in my area. They use it as if it were their own because most do not have the time or the resources to manage their own blog. We are learning together how to speak differently on this platform than other traditional forms of marketing. Getting the word out about the great work that is being done by these organizations is very important. Thank you for the help.
Jeffery Wood
November 22nd, 2009 6:04 am
I’d say that the hardest part for me has been knowing what they want.
I’ve gotten a couple of people who comment on my blog every couple of posts and that’s very encouraging, but still, it’s the interaction, the knowing someone is listening, that makes the blogging worthwhile.
After all, I’m not blogging just to take up space on the internet.
– Jeffery
Carla @ Green and Chic
November 22nd, 2009 6:04 am
For me its all about the content of what I’m posting. If I am posting about my web store and my products, I get less comments (and probably just more readers). Its not the type of posts that people feel the need to post a comment. If a post is about something political, about green living, or blogging, I definitely get more people who feel the need or desire to comment.
James Pruitt
November 22nd, 2009 7:37 am
I agree with what you say to a point. It is a lot like sitting in the food court, and hoping someone will listen. However, Going to the Web2.0o sites and other sites is the same thing.
you still have to just go out there and start talking. You have to hope someone will like what you have to say and listen, or pick up the conversation.
Maven
November 22nd, 2009 8:21 am
I too loved the food court analogy – that’s exactly it. The beauty of conversation on your blog is that it makes the process so much more worthwhile. I consider my regular readers and commenters to be friends and look forward to reading their responses and hearing their opinions. I also have my blog set up so that I can comment back which makes it that much more fun. Thanks for this post – it was nice to be validated that starting these conversations is a good idea.
DBSR
November 22nd, 2009 8:58 am
great post…I recently just started my blog, so this is truly some great advice…thanks!
p.s. esp the mall example
Suzanne Vara
November 22nd, 2009 9:28 am
I completely agree with all your points here for someone who has started to get a following and is looking to increase. The newbie needs to play around with different styles to find out who they need to be talking to and not at.
The world of blogging is very competitive ad we all want to be read and liked as this is a reward for taking the time to write. Learning who you are talking to and what they expect from you is a process but staying focused on talking to and not at people will allow you to write great useful content and great useful content gets read.
Your analogy truly allows us to visualize this and really get a feel for what you are saying and how it relates. Love that.
Aaron Hockley
November 22nd, 2009 9:59 am
Even better… instead of talking to your readers… talk with them.
John of Celtic Ways
November 22nd, 2009 10:22 am
Wonderful advice as i tend to write blogs that are either short with newsy and topical information I know my audience will be interested in or well bodied articles with photos.
Your advice has inspired me to move articles into web site content rather than just blog, and just include a short intro to them from my blog, if its topical.
Thanks.
Celina McMahon
November 22nd, 2009 10:26 am
Thank you for sharing this post. It was like a light bulb went off for me. I feel like I am speaking to no one on my blog, newsletter, twitter, facebook, etc. Your post reminded my that if you want to have a friend – be a friend. If I want for people to read what I write and acknowledge it, then I to must read and acknowledge what others are writing.
Mike Stenger
November 22nd, 2009 10:33 am
Totally agree with everything you said David. You easily get other to talk back by asking a question at the end or whatever and have them leaving a comment below.
To encourage that conversation further, I not only say leave a comment below, but I also say “or shoot me an @reply on Twitter” as the mass majority (easily over 95% of my audience) is on Twitter.
Sandi Abbott
November 22nd, 2009 11:22 am
Thanks for your input, it was very helpful. just started my blog and that’s what I’m trying to do. If you get the chance to visit, let me know if I’m getting “it.” I’d appreciate it!
Dean
November 22nd, 2009 11:34 am
As a newish blogger I find articles like this very interesting. I have two sports related blogs, one I’ve been running for 5 months now and I have found it hard to make the breakthrough to attracting regular readers/contributors.
I think when I first started I was just trying to build a profile and a history by banging out as much content as I could as quickly as possible and as a result the quality was badly compromised.
I think most of it was just me rambling on about the sports in question and practically writing previews and reviews of the sports events in question.
There is obviously a lot of well established Worldwide news and sports websites already providing this service but I got sidetracked into doing this without even realising it and as a result I think I became guilty of just talking to myself rather than other people (probably like what I’m doing now).
I have since taken a step back to read such articles as this so as I can get a better understanding of communicating with people and to try to rethink which direction I need my blog articles to go in rather than just spouting out any old rubbish for the sake of adding content.
I think articles like this can be very helpful in making you take a step back and take a good look at your work and to revaluate where you want and where you are supposed to be going, compared to where you actually are going with your blog.
Martin Malden
November 22nd, 2009 11:41 am
Love the food court analogy..!
It made me think how I’d deal with a situation like that.
I think I’d look around for someone who wasn’t engrossed in conversation, find some common ground (length of the queues, no available seats, etc), strike up a conversation and see if I could find out what was bugging them (Dale Carnegie: talk in terms of the other person’s interests).
When I found someone I could help I’d have a longer conversation with them – and offer the most thoughtful comments I could.
With a bit of luck they’d have friends or family with them who’d be able to relate to the conversation. They may even invite me to sit with them while we ate (no available seats).
And so my net would widen.
The only problem is: how the heck to transfer that to blogging..!?
Martin.
Farnoosh Brock
November 22nd, 2009 12:01 pm
Excellent article in theory – except in my marriage, I am the wife and I experience that side :)! Well, ok sometimes I am not listening either. Too much grabs our attention. You lay out the fundamentals perfectly well, and the application is where the nuance comes in. Surely we all are talking TO our readers in our mind, but command of the language, and the voice of the blog carry a lot of weight in that conversation. A never-ending journey. Thanks for the post!
Scott Carson
November 22nd, 2009 12:44 pm
Excellent Prof,
Listening is an art to be developed. In the listening, it’s the caring that will engage your intended receiver. If all you’re thinking about is “what can I say that will get the other party to purchase from me”, you’ve missed it. If you want folks to know you, be real. If you want trust, trust others – that once they know you they’ll like you. Care about the problem your blog solves and communicate that care to others.
Scott
Paramendra Bhagat
November 22nd, 2009 12:55 pm
I admire this guy.
David Risley
November 22nd, 2009 12:59 pm
Hey guys,
Thanks for the kind words on this article. I was out with family all day and didn’t even realize Darren posted this until tonight. :-)
Just remember, a blog is a tool for relationship marketing. Even if you’re not blogging for money, it is still about creating the relationship with the reader. That’s what keeps them coming back. So, be a real person, show some of your personality, talk to them and not at them, interact, built trust… and you’ll be off to the races.
Dana @ Online Knowledge
November 22nd, 2009 1:05 pm
Yeah, listen first and then talk, especially if your blog is new. That’s what i get from this article.
Etom
November 22nd, 2009 1:26 pm
Hi David/Darren,
I have a particular case. Actually I admin a blog about payrolls, because I am an expert in this area, and what occurs most of the times in the blog is that people go, see, and leave a question, then come back two o or three times, get answered, and finally dissapear. I have 1.000 unique visitors per day but the loyalty is very poor (less than 10%). These people are not participative at all, I have displayed a poll, I often call them to comment, to share experiences, but I don´t get feedback at all.
It´s quite frustrating because I am conscious of it will be impossible to sell anything to these people. For this cause my only income is adsense in spite of the blog has an high-quality content.
My question is: David in this post assumes that blogger fails communicating, but don´t you think reader fails as well, or even more yet?. Any advice would be very appreciated.
Thanks.
Etom.
John Paul
November 22nd, 2009 1:54 pm
Awesome Post, Always like David’s point of view.
Was just tlaking to a a friend about how people don’t listen,, he made a great comment
“the most remembered person in the room is the one who listens best”
Kiran
November 22nd, 2009 1:59 pm
Great tips David, thank you! I agree that fostering a relationship with my readers indeed markets me as a better blogger.
Blog Tips
November 22nd, 2009 2:05 pm
A very nice and inspiring post David, blogging is a building relationship tool and not just money making tool.
Jeffrey
November 22nd, 2009 2:25 pm
Ok ………. let’s dance! Aside from being killed at least from time to time and certainly all the time in the beginning from the tech issues, no one will have all the elements of communication come together on any type of website or blog until sufficient time has passed for establishment. One has to DEVELOP (with time) not only his target market, but how they will need to communicate effectively to grow that following. It is interesting to note that the “PROBLOGGERS BLOG TIPS POLL” started on 7-20-09 on this page shows that as time goes on, those who follow through are thinned from those who only have a passing interest in blogging for the first year. Then the process starts all over again. Those that are left standing will have garnered a following and will or at least should, be able to communicate with their target market or audience just from perseverance if nothing else.
Nate Smith
November 22nd, 2009 3:03 pm
Great post. I feel like I’ve been writing for a long time but I am constantly a “new blogger.” I often try to create conversations with my potential audience but can’t seem to get them to play along. Guess I’ll keep on chugging along.
improvisingfatherhood.com
Vahid
November 22nd, 2009 3:49 pm
Thanks for this informative article :)
Sonya Feher
November 22nd, 2009 4:01 pm
I get great feedback on my blog and think I have formed a relationship with my audience, but the group of people I’m talking to is still so small. It’s the SEO, marketing, link love, etc that feels so beyond me.
Tinh
November 22nd, 2009 4:34 pm
You are right, we should be open and friendly to readers
ayahshiva
November 22nd, 2009 4:54 pm
now i know why nobody cares about my blog, i think i talking at not talking to
ok then should try talking to visitors
Lauren @ Hobo Mama
November 22nd, 2009 5:14 pm
Thank you for this post! It’s exactly what I’ve been thinking recently. When I started my blog, I was doing the talking at, because I didn’t have an audience I knew. Now that I’m building these cyber-friendships with other bloggers and readers, I tailor my posts, my comments, my responses to comments, and things like my Twitter and Facebook presence to deepening those relationships.
Curious Little Person
November 22nd, 2009 5:15 pm
Nice article. I especially enjoyed the food court part… does make a lot of sense
Cheers
sprittibee
November 22nd, 2009 5:41 pm
Super object lesson. Great visual of a mall ‘preacher’ that everyone is ignoring.
My husband and I have an inside joke about “mall people” – that has absolutely nothing to do with this post. They are the new parents (with very young babies), walking aimlessly with a stroller, looking as if they haven’t had three solid hours of sleep a night for months… going in circles around the mall without talking to each other… just to get out of the house. LOL
But seriously, this is a great article. Every blogger should read it. The sad thing is, a lot of bloggers don’t read any other blogs. Therein lies a sizable chunk of the problem. ;)
Jason Williams
November 22nd, 2009 6:18 pm
That’s a great guest post! I actually started following this Blog just yesterday after reading his article about gets posting!
Aside from that my real question is I have only have been blogging for about a week and though I’m jumping right in Nobody’s Pressed the all important subscribe button yet so how can I envoke a meaningful conversation whe I have No idea what my core audience is, or will become.
To extend your analysis do I have to be that crazy screaming guy long enough to get one or two people to listen and then make the switch to the substantative analyticall writer that I would like to be?
One last question please. Although It has nothing to do with this post except that I was reading the guest blogger blog, what did you do to get the job, and how would a blogger with very limited experience grow to the point where he could handle a formidible blog like Darren’s.
I know these are very open ended questions so if it’s just to much to respond to by all means ignore the “crazy man” but if you can steer me in the right direction I would be quite grateful.
Being the Ultimate Nub that I am this is my first Blog comment Ever! Thanks for the Great Post!!
ZK @ Web Marketing Blog
November 22nd, 2009 7:03 pm
Well have you ever seen how military people send message and confirmed back. Like clear and out.
If your communication is clear your half work done. You should make sure that what you are trying to say they are understanding that only.
linda randall
November 22nd, 2009 8:09 pm
I’d have to say that is very good advice!
Sharon McMillan
November 22nd, 2009 9:41 pm
Good point Darren. I’m always asking myself how relevant any post I’m writing will be to my target audience (tail-end baby boomers looking to go entrepreneurial at the mid-career point of their lives).
I use to speak mostly to the mom-sector until I realized I missed speaking to colleagues in my non-virtual life who aren’t all moms and are working out of the home…for now. So I launched a new site where I hope to connect with these like minded mid-career-entrepreneurial people. I read your blog to help me get my message across and trying to be a really good pupil!
Nick Sharratt
November 22nd, 2009 10:52 pm
I don’t blog or tweet particularly for other people, I do it for me. I think of it like a diary I might read myself at some later time, but that I don’t mind others reading either.
I have no interest in making money by getting a large audience, or affirmation from nice comments. I don’t need either.
I wouldn’t mind building a network of interested collegues beyond those I meet face to face, and blogging/tweeting works ok for that for me with a mixture of writing styles. I like alternating trivial personalising things with rants about things I care about and carefully reflective moments or sharing useful info I may come across from other sources. The blogs/tweeters I like following do likewise. They’re online identities feel human, not contrived and certainly not “desperately seeking comments’.
Mike Skel
November 22nd, 2009 11:18 pm
Quite an eye opening article. I was also wondering the same question, whats wrong with my blog that no one cares to visit, read and leave comment.
Thank you very much.
David Walker
November 22nd, 2009 11:19 pm
The food court analogy was spot on David; exactly the image we need in our heads to see where we really stand in the blogosphere.
People often assume if you talk louder and long enough, someone will listen, but here we can see it’s what you’re saying, how you’re saying it and what you’re doing too that matters.
What if instead of just talking loudly like everyone else, we pull a coin out of someone’s ear? Doesn’t hurt too, to hand out free apples to the crowd or make funny faces at the frazzled mum’s toddler bawling his eyes out.
It might get us the attention we need and a crowd now willing to listen to what we have to say :)
work at home
November 23rd, 2009 12:33 am
Really very nice information, if we do not put valuable information on our blog then nobody care to our blog, we should understand our niche and write most valuable information on our blog so that reader will come back to our blog.
Nicola Inwood
November 23rd, 2009 12:46 am
David, my compliments to you for writing this insightful article and to Problog for having the foresight to publish it! This rings true in our daily communication, both written and spoken, and by putting it into practice people will have better responses to their efforts to communicate ideas and thoughts. Well written and well stated, thank you.
mark petticord
November 23rd, 2009 1:04 am
A person with a microphone and a PA system has to YELL in order to get the attention of a crowded room of idle chatter prior to a public address. Hundreds of conversations overpowers the speaker. The point is: On the Internet millions of people are talking at the same time and not too many are listening.
The best way to get heard is take your conversation outside of the crowded room. Don’t just blah, blah, blah in hopes of getting someone’s attention. Offer your niche audience something of value, know what you are talking about, and build trust.
Alisa Bowman
November 23rd, 2009 1:11 am
This is a semantics thing, but I like to think that the difference between blogging and other forms of written communication is that your are not talking TO your readers (as you would in a magazine piece). You are talking WITH them. There’s a back and forth. You learn from them. They learn from you. You write a post. They improve it with comments. You write something that’s off–they tell you, you listen, and you correct it.
Ray @ The Stock Market Club
November 23rd, 2009 1:13 am
Blogs have sure changed, even over the short time I have been doing this. Blogs are so very different to everyone. In my field [financial] the most popular blogs have become forums with one poster, the blogger. And 100’s of comments. We just can’t pigeon hole blogging into providing the written word someones reading pleasure….now can we.
Diana Freedman
November 23rd, 2009 2:15 am
Great article, thanks for posting. And it’s so true. I like to ask questions at the end of my blog posts so that my readers know that I care about what they think and that I want to hear back from them.
Sue
November 23rd, 2009 2:45 am
I really don’t care.
LOL!! Well, actually, I *really* do not care! I’m doing a blog as an online journal or diary. I really don’t care who interacts or reads it as it is for me, and anyone who cares to read about my boring life.
BK
November 23rd, 2009 3:38 am
Good points, the husband example is so very true.
However, I started various blogs, have a twitter and myspace account etc. and even though others tweet about “good night all” or “I’m sick” or “happy Friday” etc. they have hundreds and thousands of followers and I don’t. Maybe my tweets need to be more shallow … Same for my blogs, perhaps they also need to be more shallow to be successful as past-time reading material. I have stopped blogging and I am taking down blog by blog. Makes no sense to keep something going if no one reads it. Whatever subject; dolls, cats, fish, environment, green living, health, photography or interior design, nothing has so far grabbed anyone’s attention. So I can relate to all those who have tried to talk at and talk to people and have failed because I have tried the informative and the engaging, the talking to and at, the personal and the business side of blogging.
ami
November 23rd, 2009 3:42 am
this post was written for ME! :)
started blogging recently and I sometimes despair that no one is reading my blog, even when I ask questions, pose challenges, keep my fingers and toes crossed, etc. I nearly fell over the first time I got a comment – it echoed in what had been the absolute radio silence of my blog. I get private emails and comments sometimes from friends who say they’ve been reading – but so few comments. Will apply the suggestions – both David’s and the other commenters – and hope for the best
Jaszy
November 23rd, 2009 4:24 am
Love the food court example, really made an impression. The whole point of our blog is to build relationships with people.
Would you like to learn more about healthy living incorporating practical “green” alternatives in your life? I hope you’ll drop by and visit a while.
Thanks again for the great post and reminder.
Jaszy
Marya
November 23rd, 2009 4:38 am
David, your sub-head “Are You Talking At Or Talking To Your Readers?” says it all! Excellent article – and I noticed you closing your post with a “call to action” ;)
I created a personal Christmas blog so I could share Christmas anticipation with friends and family, since they all live far away and I’m so busy working that I usually end up with Christmas on top of me before I even realize it. Having guest posts has been a wonderful way of for me to interact with them – and an unexpected side effect is that ChristmasNorth.com is reminding me to do things like start craft projects and bake. (In other words, FINALLY have some time for myself!)
When all is said and done, I do think the one enjoying it the most is me. <:)
shawmu
November 23rd, 2009 5:58 am
I begin blogging in a few days. I appreciate the reminder that blogging is communicating with the intent to connect with people.
Michael Alex Wasylik
November 23rd, 2009 7:52 am
My wife and I talk “at” each other a lot, too – but we’re usually interrupted by the children, making communication even more difficult. (Children = spammers?)
And come to think of it, my children talk “at” people – like their parents – quite a bit, too.
I won’t let the kids online. Problem solved?
Barbara Bramblett
November 23rd, 2009 8:15 am
Before web 2.0 was invented, my professional association (The International City & County Management Association) developed a list-serve where any member of the association could post a question about an issue/problem they were encountering in their community/job, and collegues would provide answers and comments. It was hugely successful, and still exists in a different format. I think its success was due to three things:
1. People, in general, like to help others.
2. The questioners needed information, fast, and the format provided needed information in a timely manner.
3. The audience had a community of interest, and the audience already existed. The people who needed information knew that their colleagues would provide it.
When blogging, clearly content is key, style of writing is important, the “look” of the blog matters, and as an article I read this morning mentions, the speed at which the blog loads, is a deal-killer for some. But none of these guarantee that the blog will be read. I think the hardest part of blogging is attracting, finding, developing and keeping that audience.
I am a new blogger. I write about my interests–travel, sailing, golf, cooking. My goal is to find readers with similar interests, and develop dialogues with them. I am working on my writing style–it is hard to transition from writing professional reports, contracts, legal briefs, correspondence, etc to writing to inform, entertain, and connect with others, but I am working on this. I thought a good voice to use would be that of an interesting magazine writer or a popular newspaper columnist who would encourage reader feedback by asking questions and and requesting comments.
Granted, I am not a very good blogger yet, and maybe my interests are not unique enough, but I have yet to find, develop, attract, much less retain an audience.
Does anyone have ideas on this? Thanks for the post. It was provacative–it elicited comments from many, and a quite diverse variety of topical comments. My favorite part was the marital example of the wife that talks when the husband is distracted. Wouldn’t it be a better world if we all listened like we did on our second date with “the one”?
Akhila
November 23rd, 2009 8:16 am
I like this post, but I don’t want to “sell myself out” in order to gain a big following. You’re saying that basically we have to talk with the readers and appeal to people in order to make our blog popular. That would essentially mean that I should talk about social media, online marketing, blogging, and personal branding. Then I would be guaranteed to get a ton of readers. Great, right?
But not really. I don’t want to write about these things which is what people want to read. I write about human rights issues, but there is such a small niche for these ideas. How can I get these issues to appeal to a broader audience? I am having so much difficulty with that.
Ruthan Brodsky
November 23rd, 2009 8:42 am
I don’t disagree. I am curious about which comes first: the ist or engaging the list?
The 13-year-old Gadget Blogger
November 23rd, 2009 8:58 am
I understand where you are coming from David, but I do all of those things, and I haven’t gotten a comment since October! And guess what I’m blogging about and who I am?
I’m a gadget blogger. And I founded the blog when I was 12, and now I’m 13. LG and HTC have sent gadgets for me to review, but I really need to know how to get traffic up, ads that actually pay me, and those comments?
Could anyone at ProBlogger be of any help?
Sarah Mitchell
November 23rd, 2009 12:05 pm
Hi David,
Thanks for this post. I understand what you’re saying here and agree completely. However, I was hoping you could provide some information on how, exactly, to engage the audience.
I started my blog in June with great trepidation. I addressed my concerns about entering the “Land of Blog” in my first post. I didn’t want to be just another voice shouting in the food court to use your analogy.
I started writing my blog much like I’ve written feature stories for newspapers and magazines over the years. My initial thought was to provide quality and the readers would come. I still do that but, lately, have been trying to write in a more conversational style. Is this what you mean?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Technology Slice
November 23rd, 2009 12:35 pm
This is why it is important to blog about something you enjoy. Even if no one is reading your motivation is your own enjoyment.
Monty Renov
November 23rd, 2009 1:43 pm
I think that it’s also important to not let the desire ‘to be liked’, (which was mentioned by the author of this article) distort the essence of what you are attempting to convey to others, due to your fear that, if you dare to express your truth, it won’t be accepted by others, or even worse, that it might be publicly ridiculed. Otherwise, IMHO, if you let fear distort the essence of what you are attempting to communicate, you will have defeated the very motive for setting down your perceptions, thoughts, feelings & realizations for others to see, feel, comment upon & resonate with… (or disagree with if they don’t resonate with them).
wii accessories
November 23rd, 2009 2:39 pm
Design sometimes gets in the way of writing. Less is often more. And yes, the more optimized a template design is, the more difficult you will find to change it to your needs. With this realization I wrote a super simple template with easy-to-customize features. Would be interested to know what you think. Greetings and congrats to your own very stylish site.
Keith
November 23rd, 2009 3:16 pm
Just the message I needed to hear this week. After a year of blogging and feeling like I’m spinning my wheels, I’m just getting to the point that I realize that I’m talking AT my audience rather than talking TO my audience. Now, to work on HOW to accomplish that approach to my blog… that’s the next step!
MIchelleJ
November 23rd, 2009 3:43 pm
Thanks, good post. It’s hard to define “talk at” and “talk to.” No one has really managed to make it compeltely clear to me but your story about your wife comes close. What’s interesting about that story is your take that even as she was talking AT you, you also WEREN’T listening. She’s your wife. Why didn’t you stop to listen? Not knocking you. Just thinking. So it’s also about engagement on the part of the reader of the blog. Otherwise it feels like we are the great elitest public, having to be wooed in some mythical sequence to get engaged. Yuck. : -) The reason I am responding to you today is not so much that you talked TO me. Rather, I am trying harder to LISTEN. Go figure. ; -) Keep blogging.
Desaraev
November 23rd, 2009 5:44 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with this post. Problem is – this article is the type that makes you inspired to go out and conquer the world but doesn’t give you practical advice and samples on how you would hope other bloggers would do that. You do a wonderful job of giving people basic tips, let’s get more indepth.
Filipino Entrepreneur
November 23rd, 2009 9:08 pm
It’s easier if you are talking to an individual person one at a time for you to know what he or she really wants. But in blogging, how will you do that? What if your visitors coming form search engine doesn’t really want your article even though you made a very nice and almost perfect article with very good information?
Andrew
November 23rd, 2009 9:40 pm
That was a cool, cool article David. My website seems to draw some people but I think it must be that which is holding me back from the next level – really engaging with my readers. I think I have a small fear of hearing what people really think about my writing preventing me from really opening up. Hm…
Andrew
Reza Winandar@Blogging Guide
November 23rd, 2009 11:26 pm
Okay, you just revealed my first mistake, which is taking about ourself, not to readers. I should visit their blog and start giving a comment so I will get more comments in return. Thanks Darren and David!
Tony Tran
November 24th, 2009 12:02 am
When i reading to end of this post i was knew something i never know before. All of way I try to write to people is not good idea then people was not hear me . So, i discover new thing from now and i will fix it. To be the best
krissy knox
November 24th, 2009 1:46 am
Okay, so let’s talk! David, you are one of the original bloggers who was willing to talk to me and other bloggers right away when we needed to figure some of these blogging “things” out. You’re awesome! You walk the talk, not just talk the talk, so I think you’re cool! Thanks for being there, and thanks for this post, it further explains things. :)
krissy knox :)
connect w me on twitter:
http://twitter.com/iamkrissy
scheng1
November 24th, 2009 2:14 am
Actually I write primarily for myself. It doesnt much matter whether people care about my blog or not. As long as I can find the information whenever I need it, that serves the purpose of blogging.
Gabe | freebloghelp.com
November 24th, 2009 2:19 am
Great points. Sadly, lots of bloggers are such terrible writers I’m convinced that no matter what they do, they won’t be able to really attract a following.
However, even the decent ones fail in making a connection. They don’t realize the promotion aspect of getting a blog off the ground. And once they do, there’s a high attrition rate since they talk down to their visitors.
Ron Hurst
November 24th, 2009 2:50 am
great post. Love the food court example how true! I have been blogging for over two years grown a deccent but small following. I have always tried to talk to my audience. What frustrates me is that often they just don’t talk back.
Ron
http://developaleader.com
Amy Harrison
November 24th, 2009 3:47 am
Love the food court analogy and completely relate.
I notice the way I write has changed from teh first days of blogging, when I felt it was all about me (fool). As a genuine interest developed in my readers I found a much better response to my posts.
Mike Skel
November 24th, 2009 3:55 am
@The 13-year-old Gadget Blogger,
HTC and LG send gadgets to you for reviewing and than you are 13 year old. Have not you already arrived ? ..Just wondering..
Ms. Freeman
November 24th, 2009 3:59 am
I stopped to read this post because it was from Davie Risley, I enjoy his writings and most often take away great info from his blog daily. In true form this post delivered more information of value.
I blog in a conversational fashion and thus far it is working well for me. I need to participate in more social media markets more often and more consistently.
Ellie Brown
November 24th, 2009 6:00 am
I’m glad that you wrote personal human relations still apply. Some people get caught up in increasing their blog exposure so much that they forget that the basics of communication still apply. Listening is as an important component of communication as it talking, or in this case writing.
Dr. Jason Ulsrud
November 24th, 2009 6:10 am
I am in the beginning stages of my blogging life. I love blogging about health care topics and encourage my readers to ask the hard questions. My blog is set up to answer the hard questions in a way my readers can understand and ultimately use.
Getting traction has been difficult and something that continues to elude me. I work on the social networking sites and try to incorporate optimization in my site. I probably need to comment more on other sites, but find it difficult as we are so much different than other blogs in my interest. I will work harder at that.
As for talking “To” or “At” my readers… That is something I’m always trying to better myself at. I try to use analogies to help my readers get the concepts but feel I’m missing something in the way of connecting with them.
Let me know what you think…
Thanks for everything
Dr. Jason
Stan
November 24th, 2009 6:25 am
Wow, I just realized that alot of copywriters “talk at” their customers as well. When I look at the best writing on the web, I see that the sites that make it are the ones that spend extra time getting into their readers “personal space’ -
Thanks for the reminder.
mike
November 24th, 2009 6:39 am
Some luck is always involved in blogging also. Once a blog gets popular in a topic, it seems people go to that blog often, even though other blogs on the same topic are just as good and well written. Whoever hits it first big on a topic will always have the most readers, regardless of who comes after them.
Kay
November 24th, 2009 7:25 am
Great post and very helpful. I’m finding that as I pick up “followers” (though I hate that term and refer to mine instead as trail buddies) it is easier to “converse” through my blog. When I first started out I felt very much like I was just standing in the food court and talking to no one. But having even just a hand full of people who at least claim to be reading your blog occasionally helps me feel more like I’m speaking to someone who is listening. And we all talk differently when we feel like someone is listening. I know this because I’ve been listening to my mom talk to herself all morning while she putters around my house!
Casey
November 24th, 2009 11:14 am
Hahahaha… “She will tell me something I need to do and I have literally no memory of her saying it.”
Dave Lucas
November 24th, 2009 11:25 am
Hey! Like so many other similar articles I’ve read… it’s great, it’s inspiring… but I’ve walked the walk and it doesn’t always pay! Case in point: recently, for no apparent reason, my blog traffic dropped by more than half. I’m still indexed on Google, I still do my proper pinging. I write great stuff. I tweet. But nothing’s registering.
Circa 2005-6 I used to get hundreds of hits a day from Technorati tags. That stopped the very day T’rati began accepting MySpace pages as blogs. I haven’t ONE visitor via Technorati at all since September!
Around 2007-8 if someone liked a post I wrote and put it up on digg, I’d get 99-120 hits. If they do it now, I’m lucky if I get one! SOMETHING has obviously changed, and I’m puzzled. Just as an experiment, I’ve been on a “post blitz” the last 36 hours. Usually, combined with some “hello’s” via C-Box and a trackback or two to another blog, such a blitz would bring in 900-1000 hits. What happened is: I have LESS traffic now than before the blitz. (Scratches head!)
A few years ago this would have freaked me out, much the same way a harddrive crash would kill any netizen. But NOW I have endured THREE harddrive crashes. I am IMMUNE! I have endured having an entire blog deleted by hackers. I am now IMMUNE, but I’d still like to know hat the heck is going on with my blog!
Your thoughts?
linda randall
November 24th, 2009 12:01 pm
I got an email the other day saying Google was revamping the search engine.. it’s revamped all right I went from thousands of visitors to hundreds overnight. I’m wondering if it’s pay as you go now. The one’s that pay are on the highend of the list?
I don’t know what’s going on but EVERYONE’s saying the same things… we all got lesser traffic, and maybe the search engine stalled and only loaded so much, or maybe those little spider bots, were busy making webs and going in circles….
was there a virus attack? That could have slowed the whole network down.
Things picked up since this past wednesday?
Not sure if it’s my blog about New Moon Mania or things are getting back to normal? any words?
Pablo
November 24th, 2009 12:46 pm
Nice post, I always thinks is not about people thinks my Blog is bad or no one cares, some times is the fact that it don’t have the exposure it need or I gave it to It in the blog world.
Amelia Burton - Health and Fitness Coach
November 24th, 2009 12:47 pm
I wonder if the amount of comments you get is a good indication of talking ‘at’ or ‘to’ someone.
@ Dr Jason, Like David says, I think treating your readers the same is really important. Whether there are 2 sets on eyeballs on your site or 200,000 people should feel like you are talking to them! Good luck, great subject you chose!
@Kay, That’s a good point, we do talk differently when we know others are listening! I literally imagine I am talking to my mother-in-law when I write. Don’t ask me why I chose her, but her face is always in my head! Maybe I’m better off picking someone like Darren Rowse!
seger bagio
November 24th, 2009 8:29 pm
I have been trying for for 3 years to be a blogger, and still got nothing.
ben
November 24th, 2009 9:32 pm
I have to say that I really like what this guy has to say every time and it is very true.
It is all about communications!
technofreak
November 24th, 2009 10:18 pm
I believe, the best way to get heard is to be friends with talented speakers. I think being a top commenter on digg or propeller would help a lot .
CODRIN
November 24th, 2009 11:09 pm
Thank you for this. It sounds ok and it should work, but it’s a little mor difficult in a country with fewer internet users than USA or other big country. It takes time and a lot of patience to succeed with a non/English blog (well, only a little English section) in a small country… but hope never dies, right ?
Sean McGinnis
November 25th, 2009 1:49 am
Communication is what the listener does.
Too often we extol the virtues of people that “appear” to be great public speakers. But is their audience taking away from the speech what they want them to hear? Many times yes, but, as you point out in your post, if you do not ensure your listener hears what you want them to hear you may be fundamentally failing.
Thanks for reminding us all that this principle applies to the written form as well.
Sean
Michelle
November 25th, 2009 6:29 am
Great Article. Like the part about the message having to actually ARRIVE!
manOfNotts
November 25th, 2009 11:50 am
Rather than been a wake up call, this post was definitely more like a PUNCH IN THE FACE for me!
My blog has been running for 11 months now, and I do have some die hard followers…but they are definitely few in number. Can’t seem to get above the 30 subscribers mark.
I have been talking AT my audience in the ‘you listen to me’ style. The better style you have suggested above will be effected immediately.
Many many thanks for this post – it was so good. Damn, I feel like break dancing! I think I will right after this next post!
Thanks again.
Chris Whiteley
November 25th, 2009 4:22 pm
Another things to do would be to add plugin to your blog that allows people who comment to be notified of replies. This way you are sure to start building some two way communication.
My Mom cares about my blog…
Gina
November 25th, 2009 5:00 pm
I think it depends on what you wish to do with your blog. There’s blogging, and there’s making money with blogs. I suspect if you wish to continue blogging, you’re keeping up conversation with many readers. You definitely need to maintain fresh and engaging content.
But If you’re using blogs as a content platform to pull traffic from the search engines, it may not matter to you if people wish to continue to conversation. As long as your content provides value, an interested reader will listen longer.
Nafro
November 25th, 2009 10:48 pm
I think at least once per year I read somewhere that blooging is dead…
I think this time might be true…that is just my luck. I finally decide to start a blog…and BANG, blogging is dead. I can prove it. I wrote 3 tags to my first post, which should in principle attract a wider array or readers: 1) Jonas Brothers; 2)How to lose weight in a week and 3) I think my husband is cheating on me.
Not even one click. So for my second post I have changed to 1) Hanna Montana (I realised I might not be up to date with teenagers taste..) and point 3) has been now translated into Spanish and French, just in case English speaking husbands are so loyal to their wives.
Have a nice and funny day.
Peter
November 26th, 2009 4:58 am
I would like to believe that I talk to my readers and not at them. I believe that I am communicating with my readers so far. Hopefully, after reading this post, I’ll make some improvements.
Keith Birmingham
November 26th, 2009 2:57 pm
Thanks for the tips. I’m trying to learn how to make money with my blogs while promoting my photography with the blogs and on social media sites. I have been posting photos and articles, but not really chatting with my followers. I’m getting some good comments on my photography, but not getting blog followers. I think my blogs look good, and I try to be informative and entertaining. I will be running an ad campaign soon. Dollars are scarce right now, which may be why I should go ahead and run the ads.
Gotta get back to ready this stuff.
Thanks,
Keith Birmingham – HKB PhotoBlog
Promotional Products
November 26th, 2009 3:30 pm
These are some great things to remember and apply to my blog, thanks for sharing. Being able to effectively communicate to your readers is the most important aspect a blogger can hope for. The examples that you provide throughout are great, especially your food court analogy.
Phil Simon
November 27th, 2009 4:08 am
Great post. Obviously, having an audience is a nice thing and reaffirms that you have something important–or at least interesting–to write.
I’m still a relatively new blogger but I’ve already given up trying to explain why certain posts resonate with readers more than others. It seems to be more art than science. I suppose that the general trend is more important than any individual post. Are you getting more readers/views now than six months ago? If not, then maybe you’re not writing about the “right” things.
Dan
November 27th, 2009 4:24 am
I think having a sense of humour in your writing style encourages community interaction. It breaks down some of the fear that new commenter’s have and helps the conversational aspect of the blog.
Also little personal things (like the analogy of yourself and your wife to blogging) helps to put the commenter on a level playing field with the blogger – it helps them get to know the person who’s blog they are reading and feel more at ease interacting with them.
Anastasia
November 27th, 2009 9:52 am
This is really useful for me. I just started my blog and I have been trying to find good tips to help make it better. At first, I didn’t think you had to have a plan when starting your blog, but I’m seeing that you do.
Simbelmynë
November 27th, 2009 12:38 pm
See, this is why I read your blog!
OK, now HOW do we do these things. I’ve posted surveys, asked for comments, started focusing my content. I’m looking around and commenting and starting conversations, joined online communities. And my feedback has been very positive.
But still the conversation is not coming to my blog.
Help!
Eric
November 27th, 2009 11:28 pm
Great article. Especially like the food court example, really brings it into light how tough it is to be blogging.
Katherine @ Shoot Me Now!
November 28th, 2009 5:05 am
This is an EXCELLENT post and a wonderful reminder. (OK I have to admit, as a WIFE it is a good reminder too!)
You know what I ponder? I am familiar with several blogs by “moms” who simply write about their lives. There will be a question here or there, but it is truly a “diary” of their lives – although written very well. Some of these blogs have very significant followings – mostly strangers, simply reading about another person’s life. If you think about it, it is almost a form of (innocent) voyeurism. So how do these people get such a following, when they are often talking TO people. Some blogs are older, and perhaps they found a following as a great blogger when blogging was new… your thoughts?
Dana Ashmore
November 28th, 2009 7:09 am
That is a good post. You make many good points. Too many people use the shotgun approach when communicating thinking that if they riddle their listeners with a barrage of messages, that eventually something will land on target. It is a better tactic to have their attention and then deliver a smart bullet.
Alex
November 28th, 2009 8:58 am
i have been working on this blog for a school project and i find it funny because i really got into what was said here and i started reading the storys and getting really interested. its cool what is said here and how it is said.
abrablog
November 28th, 2009 3:56 pm
no wonder it happen. We should learn how to attract them.
mug mommy
November 29th, 2009 2:03 am
Your article on mom blogs got me here, and I must say you really know what you speak of. I have a degree in marketing and was in advertising for a decade before I got married and had kids. I started my blog on a whim, with no objectives or target audience in mind. But reading some of your articles which really make sense, makes me want to do some strategic planning! Oh-oh, does that mean I should also give myself a deadline?
Jaime Lim
November 29th, 2009 1:59 pm
your post just described the very predicament I am having with my blogs, I feel almost as if nobody cares. Google Analytics tells me I have visitors but when I check for comments, I see nothing. Every once in a while I do get a comment from my sis but, no offense sis, she doesn’t count. Truth is, comments would probably get me much happier than Adsense clicks would. I just would love to hear from visitors.
Liliana Fidalgo
November 29th, 2009 2:38 pm
You have great advice for new bloggers, especially the piece about using media to get out there and meet people by talking to them. I just started blogging, and my intention is to build a business based on what I write. The great plus for me is that I actually have an advantage in that I am bilingual. I write my blog in both English and Spanish on separate websites, so that when my blog becomes successful, it will generate twice the income. Your advice gives me a lot of hope.
Thank you.
Liliana Fidalgo
Deborah Richmond
November 30th, 2009 2:10 am
I’m a new blogger and am finding getting people to comment is really difficult. I’m wondering if it because my information is for people who are new to online communities. I am trying to bring more personality into my posts. I think at first I was too factual. I’m hoping more stories will bring more people to the comment section.
Sandra Gehring
November 30th, 2009 8:15 am
Late to the comment party, sorry. Two thoughts:
1. I’m still struggling identifying my niche and audience because as a journalist and copywriter I’m a true generalist. Thoughts? Better use of social media?
2. Our collective lack of grammar, punctuation, and spelling continues to make some blogs almost impossible to decipher. As I’ve blogged before (!) we have become a fonetic (sic) society.
r4 dsi
November 30th, 2009 10:16 pm
True but your job with your blog is to create a relationship with your audience. You want them to know, like and trust you. That is done by forming true understanding between yourself and each of your readers by chating. You want them to see you as an authority in your market, but also a trusted friend.
Jenny Kotulak Real Estate Broker, RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp. Brokerage, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
December 2nd, 2009 12:54 pm
Aha, I’m sure your wife WAS talking TO you when you were busy doing something else. Perhaps you don’t know that men cannot multi-task like women can. But perhaps that is for another blog post lol.
Great article. As a REALTOR, when I decided to start blogging a year and a half ago, I joined the Active Rain platform. I have learned so much and it has been a great experience. My blogging also spawned an interest in photography so it has been a very positive experience.
Jen M.
December 11th, 2009 8:50 am
Great post!
My blog is an extension of my business, but I’m also truly interested in other people, so I try to strike a careful balance between the personal and business-focused posts. I have another blog, which is my personal blog. That is only shared with people I’ve known a good long while.
I do post promotional information–sales I’m running, challenges/giveaways/events, etc. but I also include my insights about being an artist or small business person and just general studio updates–what I am up to overall. I don’t overshare, and I work very hard to not talk AT my readers.
My blog is small–just 52 followers right now–but it’s a start, right?
Jennifer Moore
JenniferLynn Productions, LLC
Katja N.
December 16th, 2009 5:42 am
I have just started my blog, and definitely can relate to all of this. I feel, for one, that there are tens if not hundreds of blogs talking about the things I could maybe talk about, so instead I talk about something else. Something, which probably doesn’t interest a lot of people.
The difficulty is in finding the audience, like you said. If no one really comments on my blog, I have no way of communicating with the people who possibly sometimes read it. And I’m not sure how to go about establishing relationships elsewhere, especially not ones that would lead to an interest in my writings.
Thank you for writing this, though, it’s given me a lot to think about!
DP
December 27th, 2009 7:51 am
Oh I see, suggestions to possibly help, someone who cares? As if my self-worth is measured by the numbers of followers. Wrong again. Stated above; “You want to have these interactions with other people.” Really? Thats the ONLY reason to blog? No. Just your opinion sadly, as in most of what is online. It’s a bit deeper than the fantasy or personal satisfaction or even getting one’s view/opinion out for other people to see and read.
If your still reading or haven’t removed this it’s evidently obvious your waiting for the moment to slap a label on this or myself. Label attached, the “nobody cares” in my instance is real. The “you need to” comments start as if your opinion matters, it doesn’t. Human nature can’t be changed, an animal is an animal and will react accordingly. All the crap humans use to fill the void in order to receive any acclamation from another is fake. The truth is pushed back and hidden and never allowed to surface in most human’s lives. Why? Real people are used, abused and ex-communicated to a point that nobody cares. The only time Real People are even noticed is when the fake, ego-driven false pride users need something. Only for the moment for his or her personal use to maintain the fantasy of the users pathetic life.
Ying? Yang? It’s much deeper than that, it involves balance. Without Real People living, all that humans have done or achived would not be possible. Yes, since the cave, before any aspect you take for granted.
Instead of seeking recognition through any venue, walk a few steps and be Real. Risk? You bet, it may just open your eyes for that brief fleeting blink of what it’s like. Caution is advised, you just might come away with a strange feeling that you have never felt.
30 Bloggers To Watch in 2010
January 7th, 2010 12:50 am
[...] Why Nobody Cares About Your Blog [...]
crumbsonmyfloor
January 15th, 2010 2:14 am
I’d write a comment but I’m certain no one is going to read it.
:o)
Take care,
Amy
NICHOLAS
January 21st, 2010 2:45 am
Thanks for the write up this is really some great stuff here!
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