| Articles and blogs are written so they could be read | | | | then they've started a conversation. Carry on with that |
| by online visitors. That's the only reason they're taken | | | | the best you can. |
| to public forums. Naturally the moment you post your | | | | Welcome healthy criticism: Indeed invite readers to |
| new articles or blogs, you begin to expect readers, and | | | | critique some of your posts. If that's too hard for you, |
| you may well be anxious about how they would react | | | | at least do not react too strongly when people |
| to the message therein. That is normal. | | | | disagree with some of your posts. They too have a |
| Readers play essential roles in shaping up a blog. It | | | | right of opinion, just like you. And it's not possible for |
| often gives a blog an entirely new direction, as well as | | | | everybody to agree with you all the time. Constructive |
| helping the blog owner to assume greater responsibility | | | | criticism can actually help refine your posts and |
| towards the content of articles posted on the blog and | | | | comments. |
| their quality. Indeed, many bloggers admit to being | | | | Inspire your readers: Write on topics that people want |
| inspired in no small way by their readers. | | | | to read about. There's no hard-and-fast rule here. But |
| So how do you assemble the type of | | | | what is more important is how you treat the topic. |
| reader-community that can inspire your blog posts? | | | | Write about what inspires you. And write excitedly |
| More importantly, how do you build a lasting relationship | | | | about them. Motivate your readers with your style of |
| with the members of this community, your article and | | | | conversation. |
| blog readers? | | | | Show your human angle: You are a human after all. |
| Start by knowing your readers: You can respectfully | | | | So don't be afraid to appear natural. Admit that you |
| ask your readers to tell you a bit about themselves. It | | | | can't possibly know all there is to know about any |
| is even possible to glean some of this information by | | | | topic. It's also a sign of humility when you ask for |
| visiting your visitor (or commentators') website. You | | | | readers' opinions or advice. Are you funny? Then |
| can also comment on their site's layout and the topics | | | | occasionally inject some humor into your articles as |
| it covers. But be sincere with your comments and | | | | well as your comments on other people's blogs. |
| posts. Empty praises can easily be seen through. | | | | Acknowledge your readers: You do this by talking |
| Engage your readers: Remember that your goal is to | | | | about your readers in your posts. You can also link to |
| go beyond a normal blogger-reader connection. So | | | | their websites. Promote their sites for free, and invite |
| occasionally pose questions to your readers. Ask them | | | | your loyal readers to other regular visitors. |
| for their candid opinions concerning the topics you treat | | | | Contribute to their own discussions; a blog is supposed |
| in your articles. Generally engage them in | | | | to link a network of people after all. And the truth is |
| conversations. That naturally suggests that you should | | | | that the larger your blog community, the more popular |
| try and respond to the comments on your blog. | | | | your blog will become. |
| Maybe not all of them. But respond to as many as you | | | | Just bear in mind that the benefits of all the above |
| reasonably can. You sure like it when other bloggers | | | | steps will not become obvious immediately. Initiating a |
| respond to your comments. So it goes. But ensure | | | | contact is easy. But building a lasting relationship takes |
| your response is not a mere "thank you." If they've | | | | effort, ongoing effort on both sides. It won't happen |
| expressed their opinion about something you wrote, | | | | overnight. But it won't take decades, either. |