Why Do YOU Blog?

If you think about it, we all blog towards a common goal:

TO BUILD COMMUNITY.

Why community?

Because it matters less how many hits you get to your site and it matters more how many of those visitors remain loyal over time. The thing is, loyal readers take the time to comment, or contact you through your site contact form and engage in any other way they can. Loyal readers allow themselves to be receptive to your message.

How then do we engage with our readers in a way that ensures they'€™ll be back? How do we create loyalty?

How do we build our community? You know, earn new subscribers?

What do we write about (a.k.a. blog about)? Do we write about everything and anything that comes to mind?

What social media tools should I utilize to enhance the reach of my message via my blog?

The answers to these questions and much more to come...

Comments

[meleah rebeccah]

I blog because it has taught me so much about myself and other people.

I have also been lucky enough to have discovered the coolest, nicest, most totally super awesome circle of regular readers that have become genuine friends of mine.

And, the fact that I am a writer makes blogging a great way to play with words.

[Ricardo Bueno]

"I blog because it has taught me so much about myself and other people." -- Meleah Rebeccah

I certainly love blogging for it's ability to this. The ability to share, engage, and empower others while reflecting on yourself. It's a win-win.

You're very fortunate to have developed such a vast circle of on-line friends that have developed into so much more! We should all be so lucky. It's your play on words that makes it easy :-)

Thanks for connecting Meleah!

[Kathy]

I've often said I have the best and most loyal readers any blogger could hope for. I feel like I won the lottery. I'm not sure how I created loyalty. Maybe I should ask my readers why they keep coming back? That sounds dumb, but it's a serious question.

I do believe part of it is that I always respond to their comments and thank them for dropping by. Everyone's so busy that it warms my heart that someone would take the time to say something on my blog.

[Mark H]

I originally blogged as a kind of online diary. But over time, it is more to do with the community of readers that build up and add comments. Similarly, I have built up a regular group of blogs that I read and like to contribute to. Through their writing and their photos, you feel like you get to know them better. And the tend to be such good people.

[Ricardo Bueno]

@Kathy: you're very fortunate to have attracted such a fine group of readers. But I gotta say, it's all the personality that shines through :-) and the fact that you're responsive when they engage with you to begin with. I can see why it's so easy. Think about it, how many people DON'T respond to comments? What's the point of having a conversation to begin with?

On another note, it's not a dumb question at all to ask "why" they keep coming back. Heck, I'd be wondering the same thing!

Thanks for visiting Kathy! I'll be awaiting the day you try a P&J sandwich and post it on youtube :-)

@Mark H.: you "do" get to know people better! It's truly amazing some of the friendships that we establish online by connecting through our blogs. Then finally when you meet at that bloggers picnic, it's like you've known that person for years!

Welcome Mark! Thanks for taking the time to visit...