Guest post by Kate Croston
You write your blog for a reason. It might be for money. It might be for fame. It might be that you simply have knowledge that you want to share.
Whatever your reasons are, all blogs need one thing to be successful: readers.
Without an audience, the best, most informative, most attractive blogs might as well not exist. But what makes readers want to follow a blog?
Your voice.
- Human – If your blog could be written by a machine or an encyclopedia, then you are missing a voice. You need to be human, complete with flaws and opinions that not everyone will agree with. That is what draws in readers. If they just want information they can go to Wikipedia.
- Relatable –Being human means being a part of society. It doesn’t matter if you’re blogging about computer parts or cheating spouses; make sure that you allow your readers to relate to you. Don’t rely on industry-specific vocabulary and technical diatribes. If your audience knows all the in-jokes and acronyms, then great. But if you’re not sure, you may want to omit those or at least define them at some point. Don’t lose readers because they can’t relate to what you’re saying.
- Positive – This may seem like a no-brainer, but people won’t want to read about your gripes and complaints all the time. Sure, an occasional rant is fine. Even a humorous take on bad things can make up a blog, but a constant gripe-fest will lose your readers, fast.
- Share, don’t slam –It’s one thing to have an opinion, it’s another thing to say your way is the only way. Yes, people like to hear your opinion and thoughts on things, but don’t forget to stay balanced. Don’t deride or condemn others in your posts. You can certainly point out flaws and give counter-arguments, but try to remain as unbiased as possible. You’ll keep more readers that way.
- Don’t lose your voice –This is something that many blogger have a problem with. It is so much easier to keep your voice if it is honestly yours. No matter how much your life changes, you are still you, and that is reflected in your writing. However, if you are writing in another voice, an ‘assumed personality’, then problems will eventually appear. Cracks in the façade confuse readers and they start questioning the validity of your blog. Keep in mind who you are, blog-wise, and who your readers are. With the goal always in sight, you’ll find it much easier to keep your voice.
Your voice is your online presence. It is who your readers relate to, who they connect with, and who they trust. Make sure you know what your voice is and keep it consistent. Add some of your experiences and humor to your blog, beyond just reporting the facts or your day-to-day life.
Yes, the readers want information, but they also want to get to know you, the author. The more they can relate to you, the more they’ll gain from your blog. So find your voice, keep your voice, and keep writing.
Kate Croston is a freelance writer, holds a bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She writes guest posts for different sites and loves contributing high speed internet service related topics.
About Guest Author
How and lemon tea is the best way to prevent voice loss. Many opera singers use that little trick. If it’s good enough for them…
Miller Mig Welder recently posted..Latest news and reviews
Hey Kate. I’ve seen some blogs that really do look like they’ve been written just to provide knowledge and the writer doesn’t seem to have a personality. They are a great way to get information really quick, but I never want to come back again after that. I love the ones where people have a story to tell, or add a little of themselves to their posts.
I think we all want the comfort of knowing that the one on the other side of the blog is human. :) That’s why I suggest other bloggers to make their blog posts conversational while making sure that the grammar and sentence structure is well intact. We are trying to build relationships, share information, have fun, blogs aren’t supposed to be very technical when it comes to writing. This isn’t wikipedia. :)
Gary Ashton recently posted..Diana Giles Makes New Clients in Nashville on VFD
I have start rewriting my articles. Thank you for your advice.
Sandra recently posted..By: Are Natural Breast Enhancements Effective? | Post Free Ads at Free Traffic Ads
I agree… you should relate to people in order for them to become your followers. Thank you for sharing this post.
Mandy recently posted..By: Boost Your Bust | How To Increase Breast Size
when blogging you have to keep it real. I always say to write from the heart and never post just for a link. Its the only way to really write killer blog posts. Cool information
Custom IDX
John Galt recently posted..Galtlinedesign and ABOR
Great Post ! Thanks for Sharing
Anirudh recently posted..Sustaining a Keyword to get Traffic
hmm… Great Post . Thanks for Sharing !
Keeping loyal readers is really tough task when i make a post i always keep in mind to be as original as i could and also simple because blog is about expressing yourself the best thing to do is to imagine that you are saying something in front of a society since there are real humans who are going to read your blog.
jobs ranchi recently posted..Jobs in Ranchi For MBA
Blogging is one of the right directions to get more knowledge, share ideas, thoughts and information on here.So, it will be more famous to get money and it has an lot of advantages in it.
Kavya Hari recently posted..Amazing News For Webmasters!
Twitter: problogsuccess
says:
Sharing your views and information is the primary idea of a Blog. Every individual has his own opinion and style and it is their identity. I agree that people prefer to read an article which is written in a positive tone.
Jane recently posted..Aweber Tutorial: Track Your Page And Form Conversions
I can’t agree more on the last one. No matter how boring you think you are or how obscure your interests are, there’s always someone/some people who “get” you.
Grace Richards recently posted..Generator Rex: Agent of Providence – PS3
I guess, If you stay close to yourself, and you’re open to others and their opinions, have a little bit knowledge of seo, your blog will be a succes!
marco recently posted..Meest Gestelde Vragen
This is the main reason why i don’t use article spinners. It makes your article sound robotic and lessen the value of your article. Aside from that it will also hurt your online reputation and might lose followers. It’s better to do away with Article spinners and focus on writing high quality articles. Writing your experiences in your article gives personal touch to it and gives more user engagement.
I agree with your reason, but more than that, I love writing, so it’s not too difficult for me to find some readers. It’s doesn’t matter.
pob recently posted..Where Do I Vote in Election Day 2011
Twitter: ronniedare
says:
Very wall said (written). I love how you simply detailed the blogging/writing tips above. Thanks KATE!
RonLeyba recently posted..After Christmas Sales 2011 – Great Tips To Get The Best Out Of It
Twitter: Janis167
says:
Be free, be creative and speak from heart :) Not everyone can do it, and those who can have put in great work to master :)
Great post, I couldn’t agree more with what you’re saying. There’s nothing worse than reading a blog with robotic content that you could find elsewhere from a reliable source and not have to worry about misinformation. When I read blogs, I look for interesting opinion pieces that I can contribute to.
Twitter: indblog
says:
This is very good advice. If I want to rant about something then I Normally leave it for my personal blog. That is where people expect to see me scream and shout.
Dean Saliba recently posted..October 2011 Blog Income Report
Thanks you for sharing great article!People generally like to read things that are light or positive in nature. No need to read something negative or stressful.
Apple recently posted..New IRS Guidelines for 2010 Will Affect Arizona Tax Payers and Tax Professionals
Twitter: Rancorinfotech
says:
Some practical points and if you can follow these steps, you can attract loyal readers to your blog and attain your goal as well.
Aanchal recently posted..Website Design in India
If you’re not in your work, readers will not be either. Your blog is not a police report or a dry fact list of anything; you’re right, Wikipedia’s for that. You blog is you; if you’re not in the paragraphs poignant or passionate, people will go and find passages where the author does reside.
Anthony Smits recently posted..It’s Not About You
Twitter: bloggersethics
says:
nice article. i can connect with that. I like what you said about being HUMAN.
bloggers like to use hi-fi words which a normal readers cannot connect with. so it is important you sound personal and not in a robotic way
tushar recently posted..6 Point Check List to Check If You Can Become a Blogger
I think staying positive is a somewhat underrated point. People generally like to read things that are light or positive in nature. No need to read something negative or stressful.
Ben Jackson recently posted..SEO Writing: 6 Step Content Copywriting for the Search Engines
Great article! Gaining authority in a particular niche is hard enough. Keeping your voice is even harder if you settle for less
Marty recently posted..Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0 Review
Twitter: richescornercom
says:
I’m a big believer in being personable when you write. A lot of that comes through practice, but you can start by telling personal stories. Telling a story is one of the most effective and personal ways to get your message across. Plus when you tell a story it’s very natural to write with your own voice. Over time, with practice that will lead to developing your voice in other types of blog posts.
Richard recently posted..Get The Steve Jobs’ Biography Free Audiobook
Nice to read this, and realise I might be getting things right. Thanks.
In general I think that the topic of religion should be even forbidden in blogs as the topic is too acute and you can easily hurt someone’s feelings and cause great problems in fact. As for other tips they are right and should be followed.
really nice points buddy,i do think that blog is someone’s personal voice that he/she spreads through it’s words and that is why it should be kept real.
Abhishek recently posted..Apple Just Released IOS 5.0.1 Beta
Twitter: catchatcaren
says:
AMEN!!
I couldn’t agree more. It is talking TO your readers, not above them.
I see so many in the circle that I am in who enjoy being pompous “authorities”….give me someone who has a true knack for relating to PEOPLE any day!
caren gittleman recently posted..NATIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER APPRECIATION WEEK November 6th thru November 12th