As I sit here writing this blog post, many memories and thoughts are racing through my head.
How did I get here? Where is “here” exactly? How do I have readers, a community, or followers? Do they trust me? Do they really know me? Do I really know them?
I have been blogging for three years now. Not long in the grand scheme of life, but my blog has evolved somewhat over that short period of time. What was once an outlet and hobby is now a full-time career. A passion still, yes, but a business nonetheless. I feel grateful that it happened that way, but sometimes I wonder if it changed me in the process, or even how I treat my readers.
I have seen bloggers tainted with the disease. They reach success (by either creating an income from blogging, traveling frequently to media events, launching new communities, etc.), but leave their followers in the dust along the way. They snub their dear fans at conferences or ignore their reader’s emails and comments. Their loyal supporters are now beneath them, written off. Forgotten.
Then their community slowly dies. Crickets start chirping in their comment boxes. They start to lose credibility and respect. They lose the very reason they started blogging in the first place.
It is easy to do, trust me. The more fabulous opportunities you start receiving and media events you attend, the less time you have for everything else, including engaging with your audience. Thing is, you can’t have one without the other. If the balance is off, you and the reader suffers.
This is something I struggle with often. The last thing I want is to distance myself from my readers, or have them feel disconnected from me. I cannot express enough how much I value my subscribers and loyal fans, many of which are now good friends of mine.
Our readers are not customers. Instead, they inspire us to write. To publish our work. To share with and learn from.
I am what I am today because they lead me here. They must not be forgotten.
If I haven’t said it enough lately, THANK YOU. Truly. Please approach me. Talk to me. Never stop.
What about you? Do you regularly engage with your readers and followers, or are you a reader or follower of a community and feel left behind? I would love to hear your thoughts and comments.
About Mom Spark
Great post! I try to engage with my readers when I can. I agree, because of them, I am where I am today.
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Mom Spark Reply:
January 27th, 2012 at 8:12 am
@Shop with Me Mama (Kim), Thank you!
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I do my best to stay in touch with my readers – whether it’s responding to them on FB or on comments. While I can’t always write back to everyone, I always remember and appreciate them.
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Mom Spark Reply:
January 27th, 2012 at 8:11 am
@Miriam T., I try to do the same, but I agree that it gets harder and harder to follow up with it. I especially love meeting my readers face to face. Wish I could do that more often.
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Thank you!
Once upon a time I was able to respond to every single comment. Sadly I just don’t have the time anymore. I do still respond when I can to comments, definitely answering questions and emails. Sometimes I don’t feel I have a response that will add to the convo though.
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Mom Spark Reply:
January 29th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
@Darcy, I totally hear ya.
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I haven’t been blogging all that long but I love to interact with my readers!
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This is an excellent post! I do find that with the more social media sites popping up, I start feeling spread a bit thin. I interact a lot on Twitter and Facebook and really try to stay on top of my blog comments as well. It’s tough to do it all, but when you make the connections and actually get to know your readers online and one day possibly meet them in real life, it definitely makes it worth it.
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Mom Spark Reply:
January 29th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
I know exactly what you mean, it gets tougher with each new social media network for sure! You are right, it is SO important to stay on top of though.
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I try to engage my readers but I just think I need to get a new audience ’cause no one seems to be interested in what I write. It doesn’t relate to them or their interests apparently…
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I think that happens a lot to all internet businesses. You can get caught up in the next big opportunity. Better to give back to your audience in the form of something that they want over the course of however long you will be distracted. Ask them via surveymonkee what they want ie ebook, video course, or whatever is valuable to them in relation to your expertise. Then create it, and give it away and contact them via email and/or cell phone sms.
It keeps the connection going so when your ready to engage you can let them know.
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Oh, great topic. I try to respond to every comment, but sometimes get overwhelmed. And what happens when you hire freelancers? Staying true to your community is so important. We all need a kick in the pants like this every so often.
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Mom Spark Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 1:03 pm
@Nicole Feliciano, Yes, hiring freelancers really changes the dynamic. It is important to stay grounded and remember those who support us most!
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I was just thinking today about how to RE-engage my readers. Life got the better of me and I truly lost touch, hopefully I can gain it back!
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Mom Spark Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@Tricia, The fact that you are thinking about the importance of re-engaging shows that you are a stellar blogger!
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I am a fairly new blogger and I appreciate your insight. Thank you!
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Amy I just found this post through Twitter and it’s a very moving piece.
I’ve been connected to my customers and readers since the start of our product, and encourage them to call me on the phone. I’ve had some wonderful discussions with readers or customers, about all matters written on our website.
The way to broaden this is through video, and that’s the next challenge – I’m a private person and it’s time to break through that barrier. I appreciate your video on this page.
Thanks for expressing your feelings!
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