For people who have been in my community, Robswebtips, they know that my #1 concern is readers. People are able to come to Robswebtips and feel loved and they’re able to know their opinions matter no matter how silly the question or comment may sound. But what about you? Do you make your readers feel loved? Or are you leaving them unloved? Making your readers feel loved will drastically improve your blog. Readership, credibility, traffic, comments and more.When I wrote readers really do count, I emphasized the importance of having readers on your blog. Now I’m going to emphasize the importance of making your readers feel loved.
Are you making your readers feel loved?
Making your readers feel loved is important, especially if you want to build credibility, or a community around your blog. Throughout the month of January I’ve seen an astounding growth in the readership of Robswebtips and the continuance of a growing community. I really wanted to look back and see what I was doing differently? I noticed that before I was never really engaging with my readers and encouraging discussion throughout my blog. For each comment I get, I make my best attempt to make my readers feel loved. Whether it’s asking them to share their opinion or even just offering some help.
Take a step back and look at your blog, and look at yourself as a blogger. Are you engaging in conversations with your readers? Blogging is more than good content, it’s about building a community in your blog. When readers come to your site, it should feel as they are home. A home where they can express themselves and interact with other readers.
How to make your readers feel loved
Reply to your comments
I believe commenting to readers comments is the MOST effective techniques of showing your readers you care. Sure they’re plug-ins like commentluv, dofollow and twitterlink and they’re wonderful plug-ins, I even use them. But will you allow some scripts to do the work for you? If the answer is yes, you need to see a blogging-doctor. Replying to comments show your readers you care, and they also help lead to conversation on your blog.
Remind your readers you DO care
I believe readers are so used to not being acknowledged, they just stop commenting on a lot of blogs. Remind your readers at the end of your post to comment, and let them know their opinion matters. On each of my posts I dedicate a mini-paragraph encouraging readers to comment because they will get a response. Make sure you remind your readers, that you care.
Stay consistent with your readers
When I discussed how consistency is the key to successful blogging, it’s also important to be consistent with your readers. If you decide to interact with your community, then interact! Don’t reply to everyone’s comments one day and the next day you just feel like blowing everyone off. That defeats the purpose!
Group Discussion
What’s your thoughts about this? Are you making your readers feel loved? If so, what are some of the things you do to show your readers you care. Showing your readers you love them will help you build a community and a stronger credibility. Be sure to comment with your opinion on this, share your thoughts about this subject. Whether you agree, or disagree, I want to hear what you have to say.
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article, Rob. It’s really brought it home for me because, at the moment, comments are down on my blog and the “community” I’d built up seems to be disappearing slowly but surely. I guess peple won’t visit and be part of your community unless you really give them something in return and show your appreciation.
Once again, awesome article.
Simon | Teenius´s last blog . . .Interview With Marko Saric of HowToMakeMyBlog
Glad you liked the article Simon. — That’s a shocker though, I never imagined your community decreasing! You’ve seem to have built a real good community around your blog. (Last time I checked), I’d recommend trying to reach out to your community and get the 411 on things.
I never imagined my community decreasing either, and I think that was my downfall. I have stopped spending as much time on my blog, and that means less time thanking my readers, commenting on other blogs and that sort of thing. I know I can build a community as I’ve proved it to myself, but complacency has meant that I’m now going to have to go back and do it all again.
You’ve given me an idea for a new post, Rob… thanks!
Simon | Teenius´s last blog . . .Interview With Marko Saric of HowToMakeMyBlog
Oh, and, sorry for another comment, but what plugin do you use for Twitter IDs?
Yea I know you can do it though, you have a strong community, just takes some work to build it back.
For the Twitter links, I use the Twitterlink comments plug-in.
P.S: I’m glad I gave you an idea for a new post!
Thats very true, you need to engage your readers into discussion, which really shows that you really bother for there comments and in turn they feel elated.This way you definitely grow the community around your blog.
Health n Fitness Care´s last blog . . .HEALTH CARE: COMMON SYMPTOMS FOR HEALTH PROBLEMS
Glad you have the concept! By simply following through with these steps, your community will grow and grow
I try to do my best to respond to reader comments. Of course, not all need a reply, but sometimes I just like to say “thanks!” so that they’ll know I appreciate the time they spent commenting on my blog.
Also, I do my best to actually follow my readers – I follow them on Twitter, read & follow their blogs and try to comment on their posts as well. I also RT posts I enjoy as often as possible.
Kiesha @ Highly Favored´s last blog . . .Virtuous women are business women
I can agree that not ALL comments NEED a reply, but I think they do deserve one, like you said.
I love how your taking the extra step to connect with your readers by visiting their blogs, RT posts and following them. I’ve been trying to kick myself up the but to do that. Hows that working out for you?
It’s given me an opportunity to connect and really get to know my readers. They also reciprocate the favor by retweeting my posts and spreading the word about my blog. It allows me to meet some really great people.
Kiesha @ Highly Favored´s last blog . . .Virtuous women are business women
Well said Rob,
I totally get this concept. For my youtube channel where I post a lot about web design, branding, marketing etc. I get a lot of up-and-coming designers asking me questions. I always offer my email address and I answer everyone’s question. Amazing how many people will thank you just for replying back. People are trained the people on the internet aren’t real people. But those of us that do get it (you get it), and I’m getting it will take advantage of this opportunity and achieve good things. Gotta show the love to get love.
~ Mike
Oh man, speaking of Youtube, it’s like winning a gold medal (For the subscribers) if you respond to their messages. What I’ve found out is, not that many people actually reply to messages. By me doing so, I’ve gained at least 1,000+ subscribers just for being nice I’d say.
Appreciate the love to
It is always nice to see the author of an article gives extra support, answers questions and actually reads what people say. Sometimes you see 5 pages full of comments with people wondering where the author is, waiting for a helpful reply… if it’s about a product you would like to buy, you just don’t buy it. It’s in your own hands.
Nice Post.
Right with you Eli, and one thing that frustrates at me is I see comments with a question in it, and the author just ignores it. It’s like HELLO? Don’t you see your reader as a question.
Rob, you are spot on with this. It irritates me when I invest time in following a blog, contribute to discussions,ask questions etc, and the blogger fails to reply/acknowledge/respond. I have stopped following at least half a dozen high profile blogs for this very reason. One of the things I like about your blog is that you make the effort to the do all of the aforementioned. Bravo!
lickshunmewah´s last blog . . .How I Lost 16kgs and Gained 20 (part 3)
Yea I know it can get very irritating, that’s one of the reasons I don’t comment on many blogs. Woohoo for Rob! I’m glad you notice me trying to connect with the community ;D
I rarely even read a “top blog” because I have to comment on what I read, every time. This isn’t going to happen on blogs that ignore their readers.
(Controversial topic coming) Am I missing good content by not reading the big boys? Not much, since they steal most ideas from lesser known blogs and then take credit for it.
Dennis Edell´s last blog . . .The Time Has Come. The Deal Is Done. It’s Time To Move!!
I don’t think your losing out on good content. I think you can learn more from a smaller blog than a bigger blog
(Just my opinion)
Exactly right.
Dennis Edell´s last blog . . .Hello & Welcome To The All New – DennisEdell.com/DirectSalesWebMarketing.com Merged – Direct Sales Coaching Blog!
Forgot to subscribe to comments.
Dennis Edell´s last blog . . .Hello & Welcome To The All New – DennisEdell.com/DirectSalesWebMarketing.com Merged – Direct Sales Coaching Blog!
In these hard economic times, I have received very touching email from my readers about their fears when looked for a home based business idea. I always email them back to get more info about them and their interest and email them several business suggestions to fit their needs. I hope that I am showing them that I care a great deal about their situations.
Melva´s last blog . . .Easy to Start Home Business for the Stay at Home Mom
You truly are. I got an email today from someone, when I replied their response back was “I never expected a response from you” so by you supporting your readers is a great way to show them you care
I’ve gotten similar responses. They make me smile chuckle and cringe all at the same time…
Smiling as I just made another friend and someone who trusts in me, a chuckle for the dundering bloggers that refuse to “get it” and a good cringe at how many of them there really are.
Dennis Edell´s last blog . . .Hello & Welcome To The All New – DennisEdell.com/DirectSalesWebMarketing.com Merged – Direct Sales Coaching Blog!
I’m right with you on that
hey think of this, one bloggers reader lost is another bloggers gain.
This is my first time coming through Rob, I can’t remember exactly where I heard about your blog but I’ve already subscribed. I like to think that I do a pretty good job taking care of my readers as well as the bloggers that visit my blog on a daily basis.
Extreme John´s last blog . . .Do It, Delegate It or Dump It
Thanks a lot John ;D I’ve checked out your blog before to, and I believe I read the Tweetmeme VS Backtype article, very informative. I’ve also saw your link-love posts, I love how you are taking the extra steps to show care about your readers. I’m ALL about that and it’s great to connect with people who are like that as well.
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