Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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March 1, 2010

What Makes a Blog Compelling?

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:35 am

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What will make a blog compelling to a user?

It’s a favorite question. Getting people to come and stay is what I do, and talking about it is almost as much fun. I might have said it in a slightly more corporate way, but what I answered was basically this.

Humanity is what’s compelling. We’re all hungry for a connection that makes us feel real.

Quality content that serves real human needs served up by a real human being is the combination of three things: head, heart, and practical meaning. Put them together and a blog — or rather one who writes it — can make a reader feel inspired, moved to action, and wholly alive.

People recognize the real deal.

Visitors to a barroom or a blog figure out quickly whether they get to be who they really are, and whether that’s okay with everyone already there.

Authenticity allows everyone to tell their own truth and feel valued for it.

When that “feeling valued” happens, we give back — in attention, participation, and loyalty. When we’re invested, we don’t walk away.

That’s the heart of compelling.

A compelling blog is human in every way.

What makes a blog compelling to you?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Filed under Business Life, Marketing, Successful Blog | 18 Comments »




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18 Comments to “What Makes a Blog Compelling?”

  1. March 1st, 2010 at 8:52 am
    Margo said

    “head, heart, and practical meaning” – love it. Sums up exactly what I think most of us are looking for in all our interactions. I would add “being heard” as an important component of “heart” – it absolutely seals the deal when I visit a blog and comment, and the blogger somehow makes our interaction a two way street. :)

  2. March 1st, 2010 at 7:58 pm
    Barb Hartsook said

    ‘Visitors… figure out quickly whether they get to be who they really are…’

    That’s what compels a visitor to come back to a blog. That, and if there’s something they can take with them when they go home. Encouragement, insight, validation, inspiration, nudge to act in their own behalf… these are reasons (for me) to return.

    As a blogger I want to share what I’m learning and to engage my guests in conversation. Each of my readers is intelligent and offers his/her own thoughts — expanding on what I’ve introduced, and offering back ‘who he or she really is.’

    I love that. I hope it’s compelling enough for them to return.

    Your blog compels me — I get your emails and look forward to reading what you’ve been thinking.

  3. March 2nd, 2010 at 12:15 am
    Gretchen Seefried said

    You nailed it. Think I was in @ 8th grade when I figured out that girls would like me more if I admitted to eating a whole bag of oreos than if I pretended to never be tempted.

    Nothing better than talking with (or reading) someone who says it like it is…

    and who acknowledges that the one thing that we all have in common is that we’re human.

  4. March 2nd, 2010 at 2:34 am
    Tammy Gallant said

    I like the informal yet informative type of blog. The ones that make you feel as though the blogger has invited you into their home for a cup of coffee and stimulating conversation.

  5. March 2nd, 2010 at 7:20 am
    Marcia said

    Hi Liz, I agree with you. The most compelling blogs for me are those that offer inspirational tips or suggestions combined with a personal voice that makes me want to read more or engage by commenting or subscribing.

  6. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:04 am
    Teri Conrad said

    I knew I liked you!!!

  7. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:39 am
    Jim Raffel said

    The story – I prefer blogs that are written as a story. There a a couple “blogs” I visit because they have good “how-to” posts but I’d much prefer to read a real life story of what happened to you today and how that changed and formed you as a person. (Funny – that’s how I write too ;) )

    You’ll only find me on the how-to blog when I need to well…learn how-to.

    You’ll find me at Chris Brogan everyday. You’ll find me here more than you know – I’m a lurker (first time comment – shame on me).

    My whole blog is a about living in a real, authentic and sustainable way so yes your authenticity idea speaks to me.

    Hope to meet you at SOBCon as highly recommend by a good friend. Just waiting for my schedule to gel and then hopping you still have seats left!

  8. March 2nd, 2010 at 8:04 pm
    JohnFTM said

    I always get to be myself in barrooms… that’s what vodka tonic is for! So my submission is, treat all your visitors to the blogging equivalent of a distilled beverage. A buzzed visitor is a happy visitor.

    Okay, so the analogy breaks down a little at the end. Still, I find the idea of a combined barroom and blog oddly compelling.

    Anyway, Hi Liz! I must agree with everyone, authenticity and connect-ability is what I look for. That’s what keeps us coming back here, even the slackers who take off for a year or two. ;^_^

  9. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:08 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    What a great group you are to hold up the conversation when I’ve been slacking myself!

    Not really, been working every minute, but I like to keep up with JohnFTM.

  10. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:09 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Margo,
    I heard you. I’m smiling that you took the head, heart, and meaning from what I said. That’s my favorite part. Thank you for that!

  11. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:11 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Barb,
    I look forward to your comments here, on your blog, and on Twitter. Wish I could be more timely about answering them. They always lead me to think in new and inspired ways.

    I start thinking of new words when you’re around. :)

  12. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #3 Gretchen,
    It’s irresistibly attractive to be in the presence of someone who accepts her own humanity. I’m certain I’d so enjoy your company. :)

  13. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:14 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #4
    Hi Tammy,
    If that’s the kind of blog that attracts you, I sure hope you know Barbara Hartsock’s blog. You just described it. :)

  14. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:15 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #5
    Thanks, Marcia!
    It’s even more fun when we’ve met in person. It’s hard to remember when I didn’t know you. :)

  15. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:16 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #6 Teri … it was meant to be!

  16. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:18 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #7,
    Jim,
    I’m delighted that you decided to comment. I read your words this morning before I left for a meeting and they were with me all day. Thanks for being with me as my story grew!

  17. March 2nd, 2010 at 10:19 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #8
    JohnFTM
    Like a little kid in a movie, I keep checking to see if you’re around that blog of yours. Glad and smiling to find you appear here.

    You’re missed. :)

  18. April 1st, 2010 at 9:27 pm
    What Makes a Successful Blogger? | Blondish.net said

    [...] Liz Strauss writes about this in her article What Makes a Blog Compelling? – She is right. (And by the way, she is extremely successful. I hope to have the privilege of [...]

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