Invisible Readers, Where Are You?
Do you remember the last time when you did something for your readers to make them feel better on your blog? How did you come to the conclusion that you had to do exactly that particular change and not others?
One of the niches I’m writing in is internet marketing. As I want to stay informed on what other people in the niche are writing, I’m subscribed to a gazillion blogs, and every now and then I even remember to read them. Many bloggers in this niche feel like monetizing their blogs is a must, taking into consideration that they write about making money with blogs. However, every once in a while, there’s a blogger who decides to get rid of all blog advertising as tribute to his readers. The results? The readers’ appreciation? I quote from the blog of Garry Conn, who’s the person in question:
Since this time, I have written some really good articles — at least what I thought to be — and have received virtually ZERO reactions to these posts. I even wrote a post about my daughter’s 16th birthday and out of 1200 subscribers on only 4 people wished her a happy birthday. So for me, I am truly offended by that. I understand nor do I expect that all 1200 people would have wished her happy birthday, but I would have expected around 20 people to do so…
So, ads are back on the blog, and so are the comments from readers. This is the last comment on the post I’ve quoted from:
I’ve never seen a marketer chew is viewers out … ?? I get great feedback, and most others do to. Only 25% of people come back to your site, meaning you’re failing on building the emotional connection. Don’t blame your viewers when you fail at generating buzz or comments. You are the one making the “first move” with your website. If you fall on your face, then work on your style, or add more value.
What do you think? Was this reader unfair? Or is it just that our readers are in such a hurry themselves that they really don’t find the time to stop and wish Happy Birthday to the daughter of somebody they learn from?
Garry Conn says...
Hi there. Thanks for writing the article. I have some thoughts that I’d like to share.
With me, I indeed share emotion on my blog. People know when I am pleased as well as when I am unhappy with something. Secondly, my readership knows when I am also happy with them and when I am not. If someone leaves feedback for me and I don’t agree with it, they will know it and know so quickly. On the flip side, if a reader leaves feedback that I agree with and even contributes to others who read my blog, I praise them and thank them for their efforts.
The point is this, I have an opinion on things and I let them be known. I don’t fear loosing my level of readership because of certain emotions or feelings I have. Some people may agree with what I say while others don’t. Some people may be offended by thoughts and feelings and they will indeed unsubscribe from newsletter or RSS syndication.
If and when I am disappointed in my readership, they will know. I think in the long run my readership does appreciate the honesty. I am not going to write a certain way or mask my true feelings so that I can score traffic, especially on my personal blog.
With all that being said, that individual who you quoted his comment is in the right:
I felt as if I expected my readership to wish my daughter happy birthday while really that wasn’t a fair expectation. My readership doesn’t come and read my blog to hear about things like that. That particular was extremely off topic from the content I normally publish.
My feelings were hurt slightly as I felt like I provide a lot of hard work in helping the people that read my blog. At the time I felt like that was the least they could do for me in terms of “paying it back.” Looking back on that moment, I was wrong.
In regards to the advertisement contracts I cancelled on my blog. That too was a mistake. It wasn’t long after when my readership started to communicate their opinions to me about dropping all my advertisers. Many of my readers explained to me that they enjoyed the advertisements on my blog for the simple fact that they trusted them. I am very strict on who I accept as an advertiser on my blog. Because of that, my readers investigate the advertisements I have up on the blog. They know or feel comfortable knowing that if I advertise it on my blog, then indeed it should be something that they can trust. At the time, I didn’t realize that and made a $250/month mistake by removing them.
A lot was learned with that post. As you know, just like with parenting, blogging doesn’t come with an instruction manual. You have to take each situation handed to you and learn from it based on how you reacted to it. A lot of people don’t learn. Fortunately for me, I have an open mind and try to absorb as much as I can. My personal blog in many ways is like a safe haven for me to make mistakes. I publish content on many different sites that I own. These sites are places that I can’t afford to make mistakes. In multiple different situations and different scenarios, I use my personal blog to learn how to blog or rather how to blog better professionally. I take what I learn and apply it to my many other blogs that allow me the income to work from home.
Best Regards,
Garry Conn
Simonne says...
Hi Garry, thank you for giving us more insights on this issue. I can surely understand your feeling, and it doesn’t need to be fair. What’s fair, anyway? I didn’t take your statement regarding your daughter’s birthday like a blame on your readers, but rather as a disappointment you’ve chosen to share with them. This triggered my curiosity to see what our readers here feel about such situations.
Garry Conn says...
Sounds like a discussion that has great potential. I will be following the conversations that take place here.
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