Build a Relationship with Your Readers
[by Richard Harrington]
While writing a viral blog post may seem important, long-term success comes from maintaining the readers (and clients) you already have. To do this, you must build a meaningful relationship with your audience. Here are a few ways to initially connect and then build on that connection.
Stay Focused
What is your blog all about? Perhaps you should write it down “for the record.” Many bloggers struggle to come up with new posts. As such, their blog drifts away from its intended topic (and subsequently loses both its focus and its readers). One recommended technique is mind-mapping, which involves visually organizing information. You can essentially start with a few core topics and keep breaking them down into related ideas to come up with new posts. You can find out more on mind-mapping at www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map.
Remember Who Reads
Do you know who reads your blog? Be sure you have a target audience in mind when you develop posts. One thing I find useful is to look at my new Twitter followers or those who comment on the blog. You can often see who else they follow. The same holds true for social networks like Google+ and Facebook pages. This can help you develop an overview of what your audience is interested in.
Interact with Your Audience
You want to provide your audience a way to speak back to you. This can mean an email address or to allow commenting on your blog. When your audience members speak up, answer them. Thank them for participating. Respond to what they say.
You should also include surveys on your website or blog. I frequently use the survey tools from Twtpoll. Others employ the more detailed Survey Monkey. Whatever technology you use, people like having a chance to voice their opinion.
Another option is to be sure to visit places where people visit who’d be interested in your blog. This means hanging out in forums or social networking groups. Remember though, it’s not enough to just find the people who would be most interested in your content and posting a link. You need to actually start or join conversations.
How about you? Any great ideas to get the conversation going?
Richard Harrington is the founder of RHED Pixel, a visual communications company in Washington, D.C. You can read Rich’s blog at www.RichardHarringtonBlog.com as well as follow him on Twitter @rhedpixel. If you’d like to check out his books, just swing by his Amazon page. Rich also blogs about time-lapse, HDR, and panoramic photography at www.3exposure.com.
