You’re a HUGE Part
Information is everywhere. My younger, older brother said once,
“Our parents we lucky. They had less information. Information is the curse of this new era. We have so much information. We can’t move for sorting it out.”
He was right in so many ways.
My answer is to ignore most of it, only take what I need now.
I’ve talked to a few readers about why they read blogs and about how they choose the ones they go back to every day. Information isn’t the key ingredient. With so many blogs out there and so much information, we gotta wonder. Here are ten reasons people read YOUR blog.
10 Compelling Reasons People Read YOUR Blog
- You have ideas not just information. You look at what’s happening and add a thought about it. You’re there in the text giving the information context.
- You have thoughts, not just ideas. You look at your ideas from a variety of views giving them a “once over” with possibilities.
- You have experience. You may not have a resume from here to Mars on the subject, but you’ve tried what you’re talking about and you’re willing to say how it was for you. That’s key. Like listening to my favorite movie critic, I may not like what you like, but I know where we agree and disagree so I can tell how what you’re saying applies to me.
- You don’t try to teach me. You don’t write so complete that I’m not left with nothing to say, but “good job.” You show me what you’ve learned and how you learned it. That’s a big difference. I like learning with you. Being taught isn’t quite so appealing.
- You don’t try to be someone else. You know what you bring is of value. It’s attractive to be with people who know who they are.
- You interested in me too. Every question you ask is thoughtfully posed to find out more about me as a person who reads your blog. You don’t expect me to answer question that are too big or too personal for the comment box.
- You make me feel welcome. I get the feeling that everyone who stops by is a friend, even if he or she just arrived. That’s very appealing.
- You don’t apologize for what you write or take people down in public. It’s nice to know that folks who come by your blog get great information and get treated well too.
- You do what you can to make it easy to comment. Other than a small fence for spammers, you take the load of keeping a “clean yard” on yourself so that folks will find it easy to be part.
- You don’t write other people’s blog posts. You know you can only be a bad copy of who they are, but that you make a really good you.
More than anything, you know that you are the only you on the Internet. You’re the one we come for.
As I said, information is everywhere.
What are you doing to put more of YOU into your blog?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!! SOBCon08 is May 2,3,4 in Chicago. Register now!
Interestingly enough, Alexandria Brown’s most recent newsletter has an article in it on putting more of you in your e-newsletter, so that seems to be the tip for the week!
And it is so true. The few blogs I read regularly definitely have a sense of the person and personality in them.
And when I was starting my own, one of the first things my LA entertainment-savvy son, Chris, advised me is to entertain, to share, but never to teach.
And cleaning up my own “yard” was something I had to learn from you as my dear webmaster/son wanted people to register to comment! So I have to scroll through all those Russian-language messages to mark them as Spam – but it only takes as long as the time it takes my eyes to scroll with the screen and hit the spam button…
Great 10 Tips, Liz. And is the sun shining in Chicago?
Liz, this post really made me think. As I read through your list, I could see every blog I follow captured there.
And this one gave me pause: “You show me what you’ve learned and how you learned it. That’s a big difference. I like learning with you. Being taught isn’t quite so appealing.”
I paused because when I’m in the classroom with grad students, I think of myself as a co-learner and guide, not as an imparter of knowledge. I try to bring the same orientation to blogging, but I’m not sure I’m consistently successful, in part because some of my readership is unknown to me, just subscribers somewhere out there.
So, a question for you: How do YOU determine what your readership wants to learn alongside you? How do YOU decide what’s good food for co-learning thought and what might cross the lecturer line for your readership?
Thanks!
Liz, I appreciate your curiosity in asking the question and sharing the answers with us. I wrote an ezine for years and found that the more I shared myself, the greater response I received. It’s still about allowing our authentic selves to shine through, AND knowing how to invite others in to continue the conversation. I find your post reinforcing of what I attempt to do in my blog.
Thanks dear Liz!
Truer words could not be spoken than what you provide here. I remember reading on Darren Rowse’s blog where he explained why people subscribe to our blogs.
He said, “they think that the blog might produce content that they’ll want to know about at some point in the future.”
I also believe it is very important to be really be ourselves in our posts, rather than coming across as “know it all’s” about everything. Being able to laugh at ourselves with humor, or blogging about mistakes we’ve made etc helps readers see the real person behind the words on the screen.
It’s also important to be careful to not attack or write about others online using names etc, ’cause it takes away from your professionalism as well as can lead to lawsuits for defamation.
Thanks Liz!
Hi Paula!
Arlene’s newletter speaks to knowing our own truth and saying it. Your son is wise. Funny, how we unlearn stuff like that and have to learn it again as we get older. 🙂
Hi Tammy,
One way to stay well on this side of the line is to think of your audience as like you only without the information you have. That takes out a lot of the signal to noise. Experts and beginners both like to be reminded of things they once knew and to hear someone else’s story.
I screw up when I lecture. That’s that. 🙂
Hi Deb!
I DO believe the main difference between one blog and another is (or should be) the voice of the person writing it. We can sure find information anywhere, but information packaged in a way that suits us, from a “friend” we trust. that’s something special indeed.
Hi Lin!
I hear you! How we talk about people often leads folks to think that’s how we might talk about them.
Blogging is a relationship not just information being passed on.
Hi Liz,
Funny how you should post about this just now since I’ve been thinking for quite awhile that my blog is faltering, from my point of view, simply due to the fact that it’s (I’m) separating itself (myself) into 2 or possibly 3 different, distinct directions. One personal and 1 to 2 other not-so-personal. I get the strong feelings that my poor old single site is no longer big enough for what I want to put into it or should I say, there’s not enough rooms. Strangely enough the end result has turned out to be very few results at all.
I need to take the site and branch it out. It’s not as easy as it might seem in my situation but probably sooner than later I’m going to have to make some major changes.
That’s a fine list, Liz. You hit the proverbial nail right on the proverbial head
Wow, love the list Liz. The “take people down in public” point really hit me. I just unsubbed from the feed of a very popular blog last night because the owner did just that. I didn’t comment or e-mail about it because, well, I figured that it wouldn’t do any good. The blogger in question clearly decided to hit the publish button and my taking him/her to task on it is pointless. I’m glad you had it on the list, though, as it confirms my own sense of having made the right choice. It sure would be interesting to know if the readership of that blog dipped dramatically after that post.
Your brother’s quote? That is SO true! I waffle back and forth between loving that I live in an age where it’s so easy to find information when I need it and hating the added stress that comes when it’s more or less implied that I therefore have no excuse when I don’t know something. (No wonder I spend my time between doing snazzy, modern, internet stuff and old-world things like sitting at a spinning wheel. Best of both worlds.)
As to your list? I agree wholeheartedly with some and agree with others but need to work at putting them into action. Ones like #6 and #7 are tricky though–what happens when you THINK you’re being welcoming and inviting but others don’t think you are? (Not that I’m saying that happens to me, although, who knows? Maybe it does! If people think I’m unapproachable, who’s going to tell me?? (grin).)
Thanks, Liz: I’m putting this over my desk.
i am becoming more and more encouraged to blog thanks to your site, liz! there is so much great information that i am trying to read it all before i begin mine…
but (after reading this post) i just need to start… and let others learn with me.
great post! thanks!
*waves* HI LIZ!!! I missed you and your wonderful, encouraging words! Business (and busyness, ha) has kept me away from my blogging for a while 🙁
This was a great post to come back to, though! I like #4: “You show me what you’ve learned and how you learned it.” That’s what I try to do on my blog. I like sharing my experiences and hope others can learn something from them.
#6 “You’re interested in me too” and #7 “You make me feel welcome” are huge reasons for why I stick around a blog. You are VERY good at these, Liz! 🙂
Thanks as always for your lovely thoughts!
Gee, you know every day I post ot my blogs and just keep adding more and more text without looking more at how I am adding value to my readers.
I often will hold back so as not to offend my readers but the trouble is I think that adding tools and insights that will make people think instead of just follow are far more important.
Each of your points are valid and it seems like you have a nice little back to basics approach. I have been running statistical tests on my site using Muvar a set it and forget it program. I have to say some of the variables that keep my viewers clicking are not what I wold have expected! Thanks for your pointers it was a great article.
Hi Kirk!
Starting to blog is in some ways so much easier than keeping one going forward, isn’t it? I’m wishing for a major revamp, just because so much great content is hidden back in my archives and I won’t be writing it again.
I know the thinking you’re having, because in some ways I’m thinking the same things.
Hi Amy!
I suspect that if one post caused that reaction in you, it probably did in others. Negative statements about people lead us to believe that if someone can think and say such things about someone else, they’ll soon find a reason to do the same about us.
It might not be true, but we don’t want to be a part. Bloodletting in public is ugly. We have to see enough negative stuff we can’t do anything about, why not turn the channel when we can?
Hi David!
I hope you read it every day! It’s particularly about how good YOU are. 🙂
Liz:
I really enjoyed reading this list. I couldn’t help but use it as a mental checklist to see if I succeeded in meeting each point you listed. I’m glad to say I met most of them with reasonable degree of success! Made me feel good about being on track with why people come to my blog.
By the way, Liz, on another subject, imagine my BIG surprise when I discovered that you were quoted in a book called “The Celebrity Experience.” I was delighted to see you mentioned on page 112. I loved the example you gave Donna Cutting, the author. I had a heck of a time laughing when imagining the faces of “Hoity” and “Toity” those snooty retail clerks at some upscale store who took one look at you (you described how very down to earth you were dressed and then some) and refused to serve you. But another clerk at the same store thought differently and served you only to sell a thousand dollars worth of clothes within an hour. I could only imagine the looks of those snooty and tooty clerks when the other saleslady was happily ringing up sales they missed!!!! Fabulous story.
Hi Jen,
Most of learned my reading and doing it. Most of us learn a lot of things that way. 🙂
Jump in there’s plenty of help around. 🙂
Hi LaurenMarie!
Most folks don’t realize that I notice when they’re not around. This week has seen you, Kirk, and Zakman back here. It’s been a good one for me.
Thank you for coming to say something. It means a lot. 🙂
Hi Internet Business Blogger,
Your name is more important than the name of your blog here. We value how you think. In the same way, when we visit your blog, we’re looking for the person behind the screen who worried over the words that sit there. 🙂
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your kind words. I know you didn’t mean that you were surprised to find me quoted . . . 🙂
Donna and I met over her request to use that story. I was delighted and we’ve since become friends. She’ll be at SOBCon in May. You’ll get to meet her. 🙂
Liz:
You’re right, what I meant to say was I was delightfully excited to see you quoted in Donna’s book. Or shall I say “pleasantly surprised”? Not, my God, you were quoted, I can’t believe that but more like, ‘Oh wow, my goodness, my good friend is in this delightful book!” Wink, wink.
Well, I’m excited as heck to know that Donna is planning to be there. I didn’t know that. We had been communicating back and forth lately (she had sent me a complimentary copy of her book as a gift – I LOVED it. It was a hoot).
I’m all set for SOBCon. See you soon.
One thing I should tell you about Club Quarters hotel. When I went to make a reservation, I was very disappointed to find out that they were only taking reservations for single bed rooms and could not guarantee rooms with twin beds (in case we want to room with someone). It didn’t make sense that the reservations agent couldn’t look into the system and tell me if a room was open for the dates I wanted to stay there. All she said was if you do room with someone, it’s an extra charge of $15 a night with a rollout bed. I was very surprised but since they were pretty cheap compared to other hotels in the area, I went ahead and booked a room for myself for the moment. You might want to update your webpage and warn or inform (that’s a better word) people about this caveate.
Hi Stephen!
Sorry to hear about your hotel reservation experience. I know that two things were required. That you say you were booking an Summit event and that you book early. Not a lot of double rooms could be had. We did what we could.
I know you weren’t putting me down, Stephen, I was just teasing you. I’m delighted you and Donna will meet. 🙂
Liz:
I knew that you knew that I knew I wasn’t putting you down. Har har har. How’s that for a tongue twister.
I cannot wait to tell Donna that I am going to SOB. She will be thrilled – I told her in an email, not knowing she knew you and that she was going to SOB that “one day our paths will cross – I know it, I feel it.” And then BOOM you tell me she’s coming.
Wow. Is the universe good or what? Wink, wink. And by the way, I was teasing you too. Hugs….
Liz,
I loved this post. There’s not a thing on it I couldn’t improve on, which means it’s a great bar to measure myself against. I’ve even recently let go of the last hoop to jump through for commenters, which seems to be going fine.
To misquote Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets, with this post you make me want to be a better blogger.
Thanks!
Regards,
Kelly
wow Kelly!
Thank you!
It’s nice to hear that something I worked hard on has that effect. Sounds to me like you could already be there, though. 🙂
Liz,
Aww, shucks, thanks. Where’s the emoticon for *smiles with humility*?
Actually, as I approach my hundredth post (I’m not an every-day-er so this has taken some time), I am starting to feel some growing pains. Learning not to say it all was a big one, around post 50. I still work hard on that. I think from all the nudges I keep getting from fellow bloggers, becoming a lot more accessible (leaving my small pond with the Blue LilyPad) might be the next big one. We’ll see.
One thing that I had going for me right away was having grown up in the era of letters. I mean, handwritten missives telling someone far away and inaccessible due to outrageous long-distance telephone calls, what’s going on in your life, or what you philosophy is on a subject. With a pen. On paper. Anyone remember those? My “style” of writing was set around thirty years ago. So now, most of the time I just imagine a client, a prospect, or someone who just wants to know more about Experience Design, and I write a letter to them. Of course that probably also explains why I tend to be overly complete. 🙂
Regards,
Kelly
Hi Liz, the only one I would add is don’t bite off more than you can chew: we’re not talking about a one-off deal, but a daily long-term commitment. I was shocked to discover how much work a blog really was.
And don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path: talk about what truly interests you, or you’ll start to resent it pretty quickly.
Hello Liz!
Another keeper – this one tunes up lots of loose ends.
The main theme for me: it’s all about YOU – you, the reader and you, the writer.
Keeping a sense of who’s sitting on the other side of the screen helps me focus on sharing ideas with people I like to be with. Much more fulfilling than cranking out another how-to article for the masses.
Barbara
Hi Kelly,
You said another great word Imagine We don’t get as many occasions to challenge our imagination with a blank slate these days either. It’s fun to do that with thoughts on a blog.
Ria,
That’s an important one to remember! Oh yeah! I’ve been so caught in that loop before. 🙂
Thanks Barbara!
The reminder that it’s about the relationship through the screen is crucial to keep in mind. It’s everything worth keeping up the work for.
Compellingnizationness! 10. Yes, Liz, thank you for sharing vital and valuable information on this particular topic. I have always wondered, now I know. Wow!
Hi Zubli!
I think every cell that is you already knew. 🙂
Great post, with so many valid points to keep in mind as I’m writing my own blog posts. I think, at times, I get ‘stuck’ in that same old dry, business-think mentality and forget to let my personality show through to readers. There’s a fine line between presenting a ‘professional’ image and giving readers an opportunity to get to know you. I have learned to walk that tight rope with ease just yet…but your post help give me a little more perspective. Thanks!
Hi Sandi!
Yeah, being there as a guide and not as an instructor is a fine line. We like to learn but we sure don’t like to be taught. I slide back on that one too. I’m always listening for it. 🙂
Every reason you have stated here is certainly compelling. However, the biggest take-away for me is “Being taught isn’t quite so appealing.”. Simple words, profound meaning. Thank you, Liz.
Hi Vivienne!
Thank you for leaving your kind words. I find the ideas compelling too.
Hi Liz!
It’s a great piece of information for me: a relative novice to blogging.
We share our experiences, which may vary person to person; together it may be a whole new experience. And that too may change with each moment.
Thank you for the list that acts as a mirror in life and in blogging too!
Solomon
Hi Liz!
I’m clearly a bit late to this discussion, but I actually just entered a Google query of the phrase ‘blogs people like to read’ and this post appeared on page 1 with a title I wanted to see! I started a travel-related blog a couple of months ago at the same that two other friends began foodie blogs. They’ve since seen a higher success rate in terms of traffic, commentary, and repeat visitors. It got me a bit frustrated, and then it got me thinking.. hence how I ended up here.
The points that you raise make a lot of sense and are certainly all elements that I can improve upon – perhaps, most importantly, really defining my own voice and direction. Thank you for the insight!
Best,
Suz (a.k.a. Lil’ Boozie)
Hi Suz!
Welcome!
The asynchronous wonder of blogs means that late isn’t really doesn’t it?
Besides, the points up there, I’d also keep in mind that food bloggers have a community around that topic. People who travel don’t tend to form the same sort of community — at least I don’t see the same thing. I’d love to know what you find.
I was really hoping you’d say something along those lines, Liz :). I suppose it is a bit different within the travel community. There are already so many defined and established travel community sites which is why, I believe, creating an individual travel-related blog is a bit more of a challenge.
In any case, I’ll continue to apply the tactics & strategies noted above, and will keep you updated with any significant findings.
Best,
Suz
Yup i agree with dont’t try to “teach” our readers, just write naturally of what we think from our experience or our own perspective 🙂
Thank you for sharing this valuable information with us.
And also for pointing out to put part of us in what we write.
It ‘s not all about the information in it , it ‘s about the person, brain and thoughts behind it.