Wordless Wednesday]
I look at my blog from the perspective of a professional storyteller. I want to tell a good story when I write, and I want to entertain my audience. My main hope is that people will keep coming back. I hope that blogging friends I make will connect with other blogging friends to whom I link, and it will become one large blogging community of zany, eclectic people.
But, I won’t deny that deep in my heart of hearts lurks the dream that one day my writing will be a source of income. I love telling stories to a live audience, don’t get me wrong. But part of that means traveling here, there, and yon. Y’all, I hope I am not disillusioning you here, I am no longer a “spring chicken.” Travel is hard on an arthritic woman. Telling stories to the blogosphere may not give me instant gratification, but I enjoy it none the less.
I keep hoping that maybe a magazine editor will discover me and recruit me to write articles. Perhaps, I’ll become an uber-blogger with tons of readers and a sponsor to pay for my time. Or, my fairy godmother will wave her magic wand and all my needs will be provided! Then again, I could be kidding myself. I’ll be traveling around Texas telling stories when I’m a Q-tip [NOT the thang you use to clean out your ears---A "Q-tip" is a skinny woman with white hair and white tennis shoes. Though, technically I will never be one. I don't wear shoes if you aren't looking, skinny ain't even going to happen again because of the copious amounts of bacon I consume, and if my hair turns white I can always find a Walgreen's and buy some "product."]
Those of you who also hope that your blog will make money, should be concerned about “community.” Because I work for myself, I understand a few of the concepts of getting the attention of readers. Finding them in the first place I don’t always understand, but I’m working on that with the help of other bloggers, particularly Pro Blogger. Right now he has a contest going on called “The Top 5-Group Writing Contest.“ The task is to write a top five, and take it in any direction you want to go.
I’ve decided to write the five things that attract me to return to a blog, and I’m hoping that y’all will jump right in and add your two cents so we can all help each other! People who return to your blog are the ones who become your own little community. I think that, because I’m a “newbie” to blogging, I probably search for favorite blogs in the way that any non-blogger would. At some point I think we have to hope that our audience includes those people. Face it, particularly if you are hoping to “monetize” your blog, I don’t think bloggers are the ones who click on ads on our sites. And, if we want an audience, we want as many people to come visit as we can get. So here’s my list, and y’all tell me what’s on your list:
1. A well told tale; or as another might put it “content.” When I teach storytelling classes, I always tell beginners this, “Never tell a story that you don’t like. If you don’t like it, you cannot tell it in a way to make your audience like it.” Hopefully every blogger picks a “theme” that suits them, whether it’s parenthood, recipes, technical geek stuff, romance writing, cats, or what. Some of us are so a.d.d. that we have to use the title “eclectic,” so it gives us an excuse to write about whatever pops into our pea-brains.
If the subjects you choose are those about which you are passionate, your personality will shine through. When I look at a new blog, if all I see are memes, I usually don’t bookmark that site so I can read it daily. I want to feel as if you are talking to me, not just answering a list every day. If someone passes you a meme and it doesn’t suit you, skip it. I promise you that people will forget and forgive.
2. An appealing presentation. I started with a free blogger template, and it worked just fine. But, then I discovered that everyone I visited seemed to have picked the same template! I wanted to be different. My friend Jennymcb and I began experimenting with the help of Annie at Blog U and CeeCi at Geeky Streak. I made my blog “different,” but I still wasn’t pleased.
I was attracted to blog sites with clean lines, like Scribbit and Yellow Rose’s Garden, but I didn’t have the technical knowledge to build such a site. Finally, I contacted Leanne Wildermuth at Artist by Nature and had her design a site for me that was exactly what I wanted (though she is probably ready to slap me for adding all the cute little buttons). Did it cost money? Well sure. But, I’ve spent more in a month on “designer coffee,” and this site will be with me a lot longer. I look at this blog every day; it’s worth it to me to have what I want.
When I look at other blog sites, unless I’m just looking for humor, I don’t want to be overpowered by animated pictures and blinking lights. I want to get to the content. Less is more.
3. Ease of commenting. I’ve harped on this before, so I won’t expound on it again. I’ll just say that if you make it difficult for me to comment, then I feel as if you don’t want me in your community and I won’t keep coming back. Sign out of your account, and go to your website. If you can’t make a comment on it without signing back in with a blogger account, then other people can’t either. I’m particularly talking to those folks with Blogger templates. I don’t want to sign in with my old account. I want any of your visitors who are interested to be able to find me at my Word Press site.
4. Community. I think I might have told y’all that I like people. I like to talk to them. If someone takes the trouble to comment on my blog, I do my best to answer them (even though I’m not always timely!). When people respond to comments I make on their blog, I know they are interested in building their own little blog community, and I go back, again and again.
5. More content than commercials. Yes, most of us want to monetize our blog. But, y’all know how upset you get when you are trying to watch your American Idol television show, and the station keeps putting on commercials? I’m that way about blogs. If I want to shop, I’ll go to Amazon.com. You might catch my eye with an ad or two, and I will click on them. But, if all your blog is about is advertising, I’m not going to bother to go there. Some people are doing “pay per post.” I confess I don’t read them. And, a blogger who does too many of them loses all credibility with me. Surely there is another way. Does anyone reading this have success with pay per post? Is it really worth it? I’m ready to stand corrected if you can tell me otherwise.
Those are the top five ways to build a blog community, as I analyze it. There is a comment box below. Click on it and tell me what you think. If you have any trouble commenting, feel free to jump right in there and razz me! I’m a big girl, I can take it.
[Update: Surfing today, I found an article at Blog About Your Blog called What To Blog About that you might find of interest.]
Technorati Tags: blogging community, Pro Blogger, The Top 5-Group Writing Contest.
You make some very good points. I didn’t even realize how hard it was to sign into my blog until you pointed it out.
I’ve never put to much concern on my blog as far as monetary concern goes. For me it’s all about meeting the people and having a group of people that visit each other’s blogs…yeah that’s right I’m looking to get me some online friends! I’m not even ashamed to admit it. I’ve met a few people that I’ve made a connection with and I’m always on the look out for more.
I really hope you can make money telling your stories - you should be writing for a magazine or for books, you’re really quite good.
I’m not a story teller, but I do want people to pop by and read so I try to make an attempt at some humor etc.
Do you think having your own ‘unique’ template attracts more vistors than the general ones that are out there?
I was really hoping my contest would get me some new visitors - maybe I’ll have to offer some naughty produts for a give-a-way…lol, j/k!
Have a great night!
Thanks for your kind words, Tea. You have some fun folks who come to your site. I don’t know if my template “attracts” people, but I’m hoping it makes them curious and slows them down long enough to read. Naughty products? We could have a contest inviting people to suggest naughty products that you could knit
~skt
I very recently found your blog because of your “This Blog Blows Up My Dress” contest, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the well-written posts!
This post was insightful and honest. I, too, would of course love to make money from my blog. But I think sometimes I also need to remember that I like blogging.
Anyways, thanks for your thoughts, and I look forward to more interesting posts!
Thanks, Derek. I just skipped over to your site, and have found another one to bookmark! I appreciate the visit and the kind words.~skt
I like you more and more every time I come visit. You are wise, witty and fun. I wish a writing job for you. I will wish it every day until it lands in your lap. Then I will buy the publication that picks you up. I consider you a blogging friend of mine - my first actually. I’m delighted to have found you. You have been a blessing to me.
Whew… I’m feeling mushy here. I hope I didn’t just gush all over your shoes or anything.
Now I have to go because I need to find out what naughty things TeaMouse is doing at her blog.
Teamouse isn’t being naughty…yet. She’s just thinking about it. I will count on your good wishes. You didn’t gush on my shoes, but you made me get all teary-eyed. You are just too sweet. ♥~skt
First off, you gotta start writing some more adult stuff, your ads are Barbie ads….LOL and no I don’t want doll tones on my cell phone.
Are you checking out Blogher? They have a classified section over there and sometimes advertise for blog writers.
I think you should be printing out your stories and thinks about putting together a Sassy Texan collection of stories in a book.
I am getting close to switching to word press and will talk more to you about it when the time comes.
You were a very busy blogging chick today!
Oh, do. I think you would be able to make a wonderful template (unlike your un-geeky friend here). If not, it would be worth it to get Leanne to design a blog template for you. I haven’t been going to much of any sites this last week. I’m totally bummed about not being able to surf much. I’m probably too sassy for print…but I’d love to try it. I just wouldn’t love rejection. I can’t handle rejection. The very thought of it has made me so sad that I have to go find chocolate now.~skt
I agree with you on so many levels. For me, the most important things in finding a blog I enjoy reading on a daily basis is good content, yes, but also someone I can relate to. I have to like the person I’m reading about and care what is happening in their life if I’m to come back.
For bloggers, my biggest suggestion is be yourself and (loyal) readers will come in time.
I absolutely agree with being yourself! The readers will come, but I’d love to find an easier way to find them lol!~skt
As usual, I agree with you! Not too shocked, are you???? I must say that leaving thoughtful comments on other people’s blogs is also great way to attract people to your blog. Honestly, it’s how I found you. If I see a comment I like, I click over to the commenters blog.
Your template is fantastic, too! I like my template, but I’d like more features. Like being able to comment back right on the comment, like you do. I think that’s an awesome touch. It feels awkward doing in on blogger, though. Maybe it’s time I expanded and looked into something else.
Oh, you only agree with me because you think if you don’t I’ll come make snide remarks on your blog! I think yours is a wonderful template. I enjoy being able to comment on each comment, too. If you decide to change, Word Press has been great so far. Again, I don’t think I could have built my own template, but Leanne does a wonderful job and is NOT unreasonable with her prices. Go visit her and see what she does.~skt
Wonderful blogging ideas! Way to Go!
Thanks, kiddo. Did you see me make smart aleck on your last post?~skt
Signing up to your old blogger account is an inconvenience? I’m not sure how to undo my blogs on blogspot so that others may easily leave a comment and keep coming back. Give me the info!
Great points on building a community.
I find that I comment on a comment occasionally, but not as a rule.
I agree about the memes and advertisement.
Thanks for always keeping us interested and coming back!
Well, I’m glad you do come back. I’ll try to be interesting. I want you in my “community.”~skt
Okay…I see why you don’t want to sign on to blogger. You’re a dot com!
Yeah, Blogger doesn’t make that easy for those who don’t go with them~skt
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
I really enjoyed this post! It has really made me think about the template that I use for my own blog. I’m still relatively new to blogging, so I have gone with Blogger and have the sand dollar template, but when I look at other people’s blogs, like your own, and they look so pretty and distinctive, it really is so tempting to pay for someone to design a new one for me. Maybe I’ll treat myself!
If you decide to do so, don’t hesitate to contact Leanne. She sure is easy to work with, and she is intuitive, too.~skt
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
I’ve never tried to make money with my blog. It’s personal and fun, so the concept of “pay per post” is of no interest to me. However, I find that if I tell individuals who are in business– especially marketing or sales– what I ‘m doing here, they immediately want to know how much money I make doing this. And when I tell them “nada” they immediately start to figure out a business plan for me.
My point is that some people just seem hardwired to want to turn everything into a money-making scheme regardless of quality of product. They don’t seem to be able to help themselves!
I think it’s cool to be blogging just for blogging’s sake. I’m just hardwired to want to sit at my computer and work instead of get off my rear and go out in the real world
~skt
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
Well….I keep coming back, so apparently you are doing something right!
I don’t have the techical know-how to create my own template! And I don’t have the bucks to do my own. Maybe someday!
I love the template you have…but it’s the content more than anything that keeps me visiting you! In the end, that’s what it boils down to.~skt
Thanks for the Top 5 Tip - I saw it here, but thought it was for talented people like you! I gave it the ol’ fashioned try, it was fun to do anyway.
You’ve got great tips for attracting bloggers and building community!
You did a great post, too! Saskatchewan sounds wonderful, and you should be a public relations writer!~skt
You make some good points, especially re comments. Your system forces YOU to respond. A rod for your own back perhaps when you get 300 comments, but worry about that when it happens!
Thanks for mentioning the post I did at Blog About Your Blog. It is a simple post, but sometimes people read too much into blogging. The more complicated they make blogging sound, the further ahead the savvy bloggers can get!!
Oh, Ed, I don’t HAVE to respond. I can ignore everyone if I want. I just don’t want…at least until I start having to worry about 300 comments
~skt
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
This is a very well done blog! I love the design, and thanking folks for comments, how cool!
Plus, you are FUNNY.
You go with your bad self, girlfriend! (Translation: Keep up the good work, fellow WordCrafter!)
-=-
Thank you for the kudos, Jessa. I will accompany my wild side, girlfriend (Is that the same as going with my bad self?)~skt
I’ve been thinking about this overnight. (My hubby is out of town, so I could think obsessive blog thoughts all night.) Sometimes I think that there are so many blogs now that it is nearly impossible to make money at it. Maybe the market is saturated and we just came to it a little too late.
I hope I am wrong.
Seems like the ones who have made a living writing blogs eventually seek book deals too. Maybe it’s a two-headed monster - do we really need sleep?
Thanks for all you do here. Love the site.
Thanks, Lisa. I don’t know if one can still make a living. I don’t even know if we can make it pay for itself. But, those who never chase a dream never catch one. That’s all I DO know. Thanks for visiting.~skt
Great post with lots to think about! Thanks for the ideas and the link! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
I appreciate you stopping by, Sandi. Thanks for the kudos~skt
I found your post through probloggers top five contest and I’m glad I did. We are very much on the same page regarding building communities, ease of commenting and monetizing. I am still very new to this and though I helped start our blog to support a radio project, the writing means more to me than the radio and finding others that seem to feel some the same is a gas. Good luck with your top five. And how did your contest work?
Charlie, I’ll try to send you an e-mail today about the contest, in case you are interested in one of your own. I’m glad you visited. Your Nascar blog should gain a huge following, and you won’t be able to keep up with it! Come “set on the porch” anytime.~skt
I don’t always respond to every comment on my blog, not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t have a nifty form like you do, and it often looks like I’m spamming my own blog to inflate my comment train.
One thing I try to do to people who aren’t in my reader is visit if they’ve been by. To me, that’s an important way to create community.
I try to get around, too, Susan (and I don’t get to you nearly enough). It’s not that I don’t want to visit sometimes…this real live work is cramping my style very seriously! Word Press allows this nifty form…if you ever decide to change blog templates.~skt
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
thank you very much for posting about this and including us… thats how i found the top 5 problogger thing… i dont really read that blog, but participating has reaped huge benefits for my technorati rank and the post in general
thanks a lot
You are so welcome! Thanks for commenting! I’m glad your ranking rose….ooooh gotta go check mine
! ~skt
also, you need a contact page, i wanted to email that comment to you instead
There is a button on the sidebar, but you are right. I guess I make it too hard for people to tell me something without commenting. I’ll take your suggestion next week. Thanks!~skt
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Five ways Shiatsu has changed my life Five Hard Truths of Freelance Writing 5 Top Ways to Use a VA Building a Blog Community Why I like Problogger’s group projects Five Travel Blogs You Gotta Read Top 5 Tips Writing [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
Great top five. I’m with you on the content. I want my readers to get something out of their visit. Keep pushing the writing for a living bit. I started “testing the water” in November of last year. Now I’m writing regularly (although not always just what I want, but it’s getting better). I’m not rich - yet
- but I’d say I’m making a full - part time- wage.
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
This is a great top five Shelly. I’m really liking some aspects of your blog design; especially the nested comment replies.
I have thought about paying for a designer, but I think I’ll wait a while first. I just hope my current design doesn’t look to ‘themey’.
Ok, Armen, you said “some aspects.” Give it to me straight. What do I have to do to fix it? Your blog isn’t too “themey.” The content would override that anyway. Thanks for stopping by.~skt
Being totally honest Shelly, when I said “some aspects”, I wasn’t meaning that I didn’t like the rest. It’s a great and unique design you have.
Having said that, if you want some down-to-earth advice, then I’d suggest you make more of a contrast between text and background in some areas of your blog. Some of the text in your sidebar is difficult to read because you’re using two shades of grey, and they’re too close. The other necessary change that I’d recommend, would be to move your search bar nearer the top of the page; it’s a little lost in the middle.
Those are the only two changes that I’d consider necessary. They’re usability issues, and I’m a stickler for making a visitors experience as ‘pain free’ as possible.
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
Nice post. You make some very good points about the importance of content and writing from your passions. I like your blog!!!
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building a Blog Community “I look at my blog from the perspective of a professional storyteller. I want to tell a good story when I write, and I want to entertain my audience. My main hope is that people will keep coming back. I hope that blogging friends I make will connect with other blogging friends to whom I link, and it will become one large blogging community of zany, eclectic people.” This quote is a perfect introduction to the post by Shelly Kneupper Tucker. This is surely one of the best posts that was submitted and that her introduction and further thoughts are real and valid is reflected in her comments. In other words is it a very good example of what I will be aiming at as well - that everything goes to together - the purpose, the content, the form, the audience. If I just could write half as well I would be happy (see below). [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]
[...] Five ways Shiatsu has changed my life Five Hard Truths of Freelance Writing 5 Top Ways to Use a VA Building a Blog Community Why I like Problogger’s group projects Five Travel Blogs You Gotta Read Top 5 Tips Writing [...]
[...] Building A Blog Community by Shelly Kneupper Tucker [...]