Let’s Focus on the Readers We Have Today (Not Tomorrow)
9 October, 2008 - Blogging - 12 Comments
Photo by El Fotopakismo
How often do you say or think, “I hope this new blog post brings in some new readers”?
Now, how often do you say or think, “I hope this new blog post helps and inspires my current readers”?
It was Sid Savara who first got me thinking about this. He wrote an excellent guest post on Michael Martine’s Remarkablogger, titled, What’s Your Blogging Creed?. In the post, as a part of his blogging creed, Sid says:
“I will write for those few people who come across my site, are truly moved by something I wrote and improve their lives.”
When We Have Something, We Want More
On day one of this blog, I would have loved 160 subscribers. In fact, I would have loved 10 subscribers. But then I got 10. So I wanted 20. And I got 20, and I wanted 40. Then 50. Then 100. And now I have 160 subscribers, I want 200. Suddenly 160 seems low. Yet when I started blogging, I looked up to and was inspired by bloggers who had 160 fresh faced, motivated, active readers. 160 real humans in their homes wanting to read what the blogger writes. Wow. If I had 160 people sat in a room in front of me while I stand at the front with a microphone, would I be too far from what my current position is with this blog? I don’t think so. 160 people in a room, listening to what I have to say. Suddenly that seems like a big number.
Imagine that. All your readers sat in one room while you stand at the front and talk. Some male. Some female. Some young. Some old. Some American. Some British. Some Australian. Some Indian. Do you think you could stand there and talk and spark discussion within your niche?
Valuing Today’s Readers, for Tomorrow
As bloggers, we seem to put so much focus on new readers. Then those new readers arrive, and just as fast as they came, we say “Bye” and move on to finding the next readers. Of course, those first readers don’t leave. They’re still stood there behind our turned backs, patiently waiting for our attention while we seek out new people. We say Hi. We say Bye. And then we find somebody else to meet. Before pushing them behind us and seeking out others.
Sometimes, it’s like we have this big room that follows us around. We tempt people with our knowledge, give them five minutes of our time, then throw them in the room. We do this until the room becomes full and suddenly, at that point, the people realise they’re being forgotten. That’s when they leave. It’s too uncomfortable inside the room for them to stay.
Taking Them to the Party
So what would happen if the room that followed us contained a party, and grew in size as we put more people in? What would happen if, by some miracle, 200 clones of you were formed and you were able to give each party attendee equal attention? What would happen if we stopped standing out on the street looking for new people for our party, and instead focused on the people inside in the hope they would spread the word and get more people?
I’ll tell you what will happen. Rather than lonely you standing on the street attracting one or two people an hour, 200 people will phone, email and text their friends and attract 400 people an hour.
Let’s write a great post to impress our current readers, rather than writing a great post to gain new readers. Let’s publish our posting schedules for the convenience of our current readers, and not to attract new readers. Let’s provide more blog interactivity to better the experience of our current readers, and not to entice new readers. Because it’s our current readers that will ultimately make us attractable to new readers.
Focus on the readers you have today, and tomorrows readers will soon be on the horizon.
Are you guilty of writing too much for tomorrow, and not enough for today? Are you guilty of letting your current readers see nothing but your back? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments.
Others You May Enjoy
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Del.icio.us - Technorati - Digg This! - StumbleUpon
Posted on 9 October, 2008 by Export
Filed Under Blogging |
8 Comments»
Popular Posts
Top Commentators
- Bruce Web Site Hosting (3)
- steph (1)
- vapespous (1)
Jamie kayaking the River Rothay in January 08
Latest Musings
- Young People in Business - Jack & His Bike Storage
- My New Blog - Announcing ‘Blogging Zest’
- Customer Service As Taught by My 9 Year Old Best Friend
- Guest Posts, Search Engine Rankings & Subscriber Goal Breaking
- 5 Ways to Increase Your Search Engine Rankings
Categories
- Blogging (79)
- Ebook (1)
- Events (4)
- General Business (49)
- Guest Posts (1)
- Interviews (14)
- Misc (42)
- Motivation (31)
- Motivational Media (5)
- Polls (12)
- Quick Questions (3)
- Quick Tips (2)
- RSS Only (4)
- Social Media (4)
- Video Blogs (3)
- Web Design (10)
- Your Feedback (11)
Twitter... Follow Me
- @mikecj Unfortunately I didn't have a choice whether to do the work or not. I'm not self employed any more. :-p in reply to mikecj 5 hrs ago
- Really not in the mood for work today. So tired, and feel a little ill 15 hrs ago
- Feel so bloated. Not good, considering I'm about to take some friends out for a meal 1 day ago
- More updates...
Thanks for the compliment Jamie. It’s something I’ve been struggling with a bit, because everyone wants more readers, and of course I would rather have 10,000 people subscribed than a 100 subscribed.
After thinking really hard about it though, I really agree with Gary V - I am my own brand. If I’m true, and be the best me I can be, then the readers will come. If I’m a washed out version of Steve Pavlina, or if I try to emulate Jamie Harrop - people won’t stick around, they can just go read the real deal.
On SidSavara.com, it’s all about keeping my current readers happy. I want them to be so excited that they irritate their friends by forwarding my posts, and maybe one of their friends will love it, and they’ll read and tell all their friends. I don’t know if I am there yet. But that’s why my posts are the way they are: I think to myself, if you’d been with me for this journey so far, would you stick around if I published this?
This is a great post BTW really breaking down one aspect of what I wrote. Prepare to have it stumbled.
Hi Jamie - what a brilliant post. And I’m glad you’ve added plenty others folk my enjoy. It works - honestly. Go check out some of the averages on Alexa - folk definitely read more when you have those links.
I really do try to focus on today’s readers. But a big problem I have is forgetting that I have other folk beyond my commenting community, who read regularly. And you need to keep reminding yourself to write for them too. It can be difficult sometimes.
Cath Lawsons last blog post..Be A Business Success Story, No Matter What Your Age
Outside the Internet bubble this is called word of mouth, and has always been one of the best advertisements.
Jim Gaudets last blog post..Mixx Turns One - Happy Birthday! [Digg]
Hi Jamie. I thoroughly enjoyed this post! I put more focus on my current readers and I’m always happy to see them show up in the comment section. I have divided my Reader into categories so that the regulars/favourites are easy to find and I make sure that I get to their blogs regularly.
I am equally excited to see a new commenter pop up and always make the effort to visit them. This number is increasing as my Reader reflects and now it is getting challenging to make the daily rounds. The reality is that there are only so many hours in the day.
Only a fraction of my readers make comments and that leaves me wondering what I could do/write to encourage their voices.
Davinas last blog post..Thanks, It Means The World To Me
Great post Jamie! I think too often in blogging, business, and in life really we are too eager to look past today and focus on the future. While there is nothing wrong with having an eye on the future, we miss opportunities that are here and now, and short change those readers, customers, or other relationships of the value we could be bringing them today.
Matt
Matt | Small Business Entrepreneurs last blog post..Women Owned Small Business By The Numbers
I have never thought of that before. Interesting take on the topic. I suppose you need to keep your readers happy that you have and be thankful you have them.
[...] point that comes out of those results is how we all continue to focus on new readers, rather than putting the focus on our current readers. Only one of those answers focuses entirely on your current readerbase, and that is “Interact [...]
Nice to meet you, Jamie. I guess I’m a new reader of yours who accidentally drop in. Anyhow, I’m glad I did, ’cause I really love what you wrote about appreciating the readers we have today. To me, content is Everything in a blog. I love to blog, although I’m new, I really wish I could have some readers who enjoyed my blog, and come back again. I’m still in the process of it, and everyday, I can’t wait to start writing.I would spent hours of sleepless night just to make sure my post is informative and worth reading for. Hope I’m on the right route so far.
Anyhow, your post inspired me, and I will treasure my readers more.
Sorry, as some problem with my signature on previous post.
Good luck.
Ching Yas last blog post..Halloween Special : Movie Spree (4) ! ~ 迷你电影节（4）
[...] blogger must focus on the reader with quality content. That’s a [...]
[...] Writing quality posts - My audience has always responded when I have given my readers the best I have to offer. [...]
[...] you’ve got to nurture every one and give them the best you have to offer. You’ve got to focus on the readers of today - not on trying to get a new wave through social media or advertising. Those true fans will [...]