Since this is Building Readership Week at Successful Blog, I have to share this with you.
Some posts are a 10 out of 10. Darren Rowse’s post Blog Hooks – Elements that Draw Readers Back is one of them. In it he lays out the qualities that hook readers into becoming devoted fans. He says
We are blogging in a context where there are literally millions of blogs, in some niches there are hundreds (if not thousands) of alternatives for people to read. Successful blogs do something that makes them distinct from the rest.
They are not âââ¬ÃÅjust another blog on ((insert topic here))âââ‰â¢ – they are âââ¬ÃÅthe blog thatâââ¬Ã¦.((insert âââ¬ÃÅhookâââ‰â¢ here))âââ‰â¢
He then lists what he thinks are the seven most intriguing hooks for readers.
- personality of the blogger
- design element
- readers participation and community
- thought leading content
- latest news
- practical tips
- readership levels
Some appeal to readers who are thinkers. Some appeal to readers who are feelers. All tell readers that their time is well invested. Every one in some way tells readers this is a quality experience.
Imagine a blog that has 3 or more of Darren’s “hooks.” How could a reader leave without planning to return?
Sometimes you have to say, “I wish I wrote that.”
–ME “Liz” Strauss