Who Comes First?
Author info: This post was guest blogged by Alan Johnson, the author of The Online Business Handbook.
There is a huge difference between blogging and simply running a static website, not realizing that would be one of the biggest mistakes you could ever make. Blogging takes the visitor-webmaster relationship to a whole new level, not taking advantage of that would simply be a shame.
How Do You Treat Your Readers?
As a blogger, seeing each and every reader as a close friend and acting accordingly is definitely a must. It’s important that you see beyond conversion rates, it’s important that you build a solid relationship with the person behind each internet connection.
Treat them with respect and the results can and will be more than worth it. Don’t, and it’s only a matter of time until an inevitable reality check will make you wish that you had been wiser. In the end, a reader who doesn’t feel respected will simply leave or, in other words, if you don’t respect your readers, you can rest assured that there are more than a few competitors who will gladly take over.
Being Self-Absorbed is Not the Way to Go!
If you think that it’s all about “you”, then I am afraid that your approach is 100% wrong. No, being a blogger is not about how you can make money, it’s all about how you can provide value to your readers. Money and everything else comes afterwards.
Visitors don’t drop by because they want you to make money, they drop by because they are interested in quality information. Take yourself as an example, how many websites do you visit because you want the webmaster to make money? I am convinced that the answer is more than clear. Yes, the websites you follow on a regular basis are most likely making money, but that’s because they provide value to each reader.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that, as a blogger, you always have to come first, because that is definitely not the way to go. Sure, you may think that writing quality articles is hard and that publishing them on a regular basis is even harder but, no matter what perspective you were to see things from, you have to understand that:
Readers Come First
If you publish quality content on a regular basis, visitors will gladly drop by on a regular basis. If you don’t then they will simply stop, that’s the way things stand. Yes, you can make a lot of money as a blogger but you have to understand that, if you want that to happen, catering to the needs of your readers first is the only way to go.
Sure, it won’t exactly be a piece of cake, but the results can and will definitely prove to be more than worth it if you do your job right. If you are interested in reaping the rewards, having the right attitude is always a must and, in the end, searching for the easy way out will get you nowhere. What about you, what’s your attitude as a blogger? Who comes first?
Best wishes,
Alan Johnson
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By SEOrious Results on May 1, 2008
Really like the sentiments you are echoing here! Those are the very reasons for frequenting this blog! Thanks for an awesome experience Ades!
By Make Money Blogging on May 1, 2008
I think this gap is narrowing with more and more sites being dynamic in nature and people are looking for an easy way to update them without re-uploading using http://FTP. Enter Joomla and the whole other range of CMS’s out there.
By Television on May 1, 2008
I think that for a blog readers are the most important.
By Dining Tables on May 1, 2008
Alan as usual has hit the nail right on its head. If you do not care for your reader and give what he/she wants to read from your blog, who will visit your blog?
By Marketing Man on May 1, 2008
Alan you are so right. This should be the approach in every business model. Its never about the money, its always about the client. If the client is happy and comes back they will bring their friends and then the process of networking begins.
This blog does exactly that I was referred to your website by one of my mates who posts here all the time, now that I am here I will return and tell my friends.
I would like to congratulate the Ades Blog on quality, informative, well written content.
By Recliners on May 1, 2008
Very valid point: a static website and a blog are two completely different things, and require completely different approaches.
By shawal on May 2, 2008
Interesting post…Of course reader comes first, just my opinion…
Ades, i just want to ask you one question, please guide me…
What plugins do you use for your Related Post?
Can you recommend me one…
Thanks in advance…
By Ades on May 2, 2008
shawal i am using this plugin for related posts. It’s a bit tricky to integrate it.
It’s strange that related posts is not working for this post.
P.S Alan is the man!
By Futon-Matt on May 3, 2008
Great post, without readers you’ll lose out in the end.
By David Marx on May 3, 2008
Readers are what make or break any publication, whether print media or online media. Happy readers will come back for more and tell their friends about their good experience. My sentiments exactly.
By PS3 on May 3, 2008
I agree with most of what is being said but not every reader comes back purely to share the experience and forge a friendship with the blogger.
How many just come for the link lurve?
By wii guy on May 3, 2008
Blogging is not only good for business but it can also be extremely rewarding. However, if you expect blogging to be easy then you are wrong. Sure, it is easy to simply rewrite other blogger’s posts, but to come up with your own content and ideas is harder than it seems.
The blogger/reader relationship is not always there but that is most probably due to the fact the content they are reading is nothing special
John
By David Marx on May 4, 2008
Interesting point raised there, PS3. A lot of commentators really contribute very little except for saying “that’s nice” in a myriad of ways, whilst garnering links in the process.
The point of creating a community is to get active participation and interaction, who knows, even making some new friends along the way.
By Eva White on May 5, 2008
I have read a lot of posts by Alan and find each post very informative. Good post…… Just to the point and now beating round the bush.
By Nicole Price on May 6, 2008
If any webmaster does not give importance to his readers, there is no way his site can succeed. Unless you have an MFA and are just looking for some quick money.
By Make Money Blogging on May 6, 2008
How about if you sell a great product and have an automated system? DO you have yo care then? It doesn’t have to be quick money to not care about the visitors.
By Marketing Man on May 15, 2008
Nicole, what’s an MFA.
By Ades on May 15, 2008
i believe it’s made for adsense