Over the last week or so, I have been asking my twitter, facebook, and forum blogging friends this question: “What do you wish your blog READERS knew about blogging?” I am excited to share their answers with you today!
What do you wish your blog readers knew about blogging?
Farrah Udell, Reflective Mama: Sharing means the world to us! If you like a post, please support the blog and author by sharing it with your friends. Tagging people who you think would like it is amazing, too! I wish readers understood affiliate marketing better, so that if they were buying something online, they would look for an affiliate link to click through first to support their favorite bloggers (i.e. Amazon).
Ashley Greenwood, 3 Little Greenwoods: I don’t think readers have a clue about how long it takes a blogger to complete a post from start to finish. Especially a DIY project tutorial.
Dee Dee Wheaton, Mom, Wifes and Everything Else: Blogging is an art form to a blogger. We pour our heart, soul, and time into our posts. Every time we publish a post, we feel as if we are standing naked in the grocery store with all our business exposed. And, yet we do it because we love to connect and share with our readers.
Dini Gonsalkorale, Giramuck’s Kitchen: I wish the readers new the value of commenting and sharing the blog links!!
I don’t think they realize how much work and time goes into developing just one post – Research, recipe developing, numerous cooking/baking attempts, Photography and writing and so much more. They don’t realize that this is like a fulltime job, just as time consuming. Just a small gesture to show they enjoyed reading (Or even if they have feedback) it – with a share or a like or a tweet or a comment would be so awesome!
Sarah Nenni-Daher, Ruffles and Rainboots: I wish they knew we wanted to hear from them and that they shouldn’t be afraid to tell us what they want FROM us. Other bloggers supply the majority of my comments, with non-bloggers mostly subscribing to the email newsletter. I wish the non-bloggers would comment more and let me know what they find useful / not.
Sarah Martin, Me Plus 3 Today: I wish they knew how much we love to get comments on our blogs, or on our social media shares. It is so incredibly rewarding to actual hear from someone who read your post. Even if it’s a simple “Too cute!” or “Great post!” Even negative comments are OK, although those can hit our self-esteem pretty hard. But sometimes those comments are also the reminder we need that not everyone thinks the same way we do!
Julie DenOuden, Girl on the move: I LOVE hearing from and connecting with readers…it’s a big part of why I blog!
Casey Palmer I wish readers were more prone to commenting when they have something to say. I have a lot of friends who regularly read, but refrain from commenting because they don’t want to be seen as foolish or not adding to the conversation, etc. But I love comments. And sharing. And all of that. I guess, really, that bloggers need validation that they’re doing something right.
Irkitated I really wish more people would comment on posts! Whether they agree or disagree its just nice to have some feedback and interaction.
Samantha Clarke: Jill of all Trades I wish readers knew that they are NEVER “bothering” us. I’ve gotten so many comments and messages from shy people who actually apologize for it! I just wish they understood how much their interaction really means to us and how happy we almost always are to answer questions, get “nominated” for something, or even just chat about our posts and ideas.
Claire, World Traveler in Training: I guess I’d want readers to know that I do really want to interact and connect with them (one of the reasons I started to blog was to make friends since I’d just moved to Germany when I started), but it’s really tough to do with comments like “nice post!” or “great photos!”. I like getting comments, but I love it when someone tells me a funny anecdote about something similar that happened to them, or asks me a question. Something I can respond to, you know?
Crunchy Crafty: Blogging is not as easy as it looks! LOL my friends/family think there’s nothing to it!
Alexis Briggs, Chicademics: Blogging takes more work, energy, and inspiration to post than a reader may think.
Poeekitten, Many Waters: We love comments!
Christine Berres, Curried Cantaloupe: Sometimes you take 200 pictures to get 6 that you are happy with.
Brittany, Stories, Songs, and Praise: The importance of (relevant) commenting! I really love the community that can form around blogging – talk to me please!
Kawartha Lakes Mums: When our readers leave comments it helps us write more interesting posts for them to read
Bloggers want readers to know that they love communicating with you and that blogging is a lot of work.
I was actually surprised about how everyone’s answers were about the same. The overall takeaway is that bloggers want their readers to comment on their blog, to talk to them about the article topic, to ask them questions, provide feedback, give suggestions, etc.
Bloggers also want their readers to know that they take blogging seriously. It is their job and a lot goes into every post they write. And, they write it for you, the reader.
Bloggers: would you add anything to the list? What do you wish your READERS knew about blogging?
You have captured the essence of blogging and what we, as bloggers, really want from our readers. I always show a bunch of page views but the majority of the time it is only my blogger friends commenting. It is kind of depressing at times. I had over 200 page views and maybe three to five comments.
What can we do as bloggers to get this across to our readers?
That is a very good question… I have yet to figure it out.
Hmmmmmm…maybe if a few of us put our heads together we could come up with something. Have you had any thoughts on the subject? There has to be a solution…right?
Great post! I think interaction from readers is key to keeping bloggers motivated. I know I don’t feel like writing when I don’t know if anyone is reading. Comments let me know that someone is touched or relates to what I have to say. Such a great feeling and it makes me want to publish more! Visiting you from Saturday Sharefest!
So true! If we didn’t want interaction, we’d write a diary! Keep publishing!
For years I was one of those readers that followed along and never, or rarely, commented. Now that I have my own site I truly understand how appreciated those comments are and I try to be a better blog friend and leave comments or share posts I enjoy. I also truly had no idea how much time and effort goes into creating just one post…but it’s definitely worth it.
I was the same way. I just didn’t think I had anything to add. One of my favorite blogs (that I read daily) didn’t even know I was her most devote friend. Now, if I try something out, I’ll comment or share.
What a great article. It is nice to hear that other bloggers out there struggle with the same things that I do. We are one big blogging family 🙂
Stopping by from Sits Sharefest!
That is one thing that really helps in blogging – the big blogging family!
Seems like us bloggers love comments, so…here’s a comment for you! I loved this post; an easy captivating read and you showcased other bloggers too! Genius! You always put such useful info out on your website. Keep it up!
Awe, thanks Brittany!
Awesome Post Kristie! Thank you for featuring me too. Its great to know everyone was saying more or less the same things, and even more things that we didn’t get the chance to!! 🙂
ps – my blog linkup doesnt redirect me to my blog though 🙁 still sharing on my page!!
Fixed the link! It is good to know others feel the same way you do!
I’m glad Claire said she likes it when people share similar stories, as I feel like that’s what I normally do when I comment. Sometimes I worry that people will thing I’m being too self-centered but it’s my way of trying to connect & say I understand/sympathize.
And thanks for the feature!
I always worry that blogging/commenting comes across as self-centered! Glad to know I’m not the only one.
Great post. I feel like I have to comment after what I said though!!
🙂
I know, it kind of makes you feel obligated? Thanks for commenting! 😉
This is a great post!! So true 🙂
I know, right? What would you add Megan?
This was a great post and an interesting read. I agree that thoughtful commenting can be engaging to the author and the community reading as well as supply valuable feedback.
My gut response to the initial question was that I would like my audience (and friends and family) to understand how much time it takes. That it really is the equivalent of a full-time job, even when the salary isn’t always commiserate to one.
I love your gut response. Most non bloggers don’t understand how much effort goes into blogging! One day, hopefully the salary equals a full time job!
What a great compilation of advice (for non-bloggers and bloggers alike). Pinned and shared!
Thanks for sharing Sarah!
I can say I connect with each and every one of these points, and the reason why I keep reading blogs, blogging and commenting!
Blogging is so much more than writing to a void! If we wanted to write and not communicate about it, we’d write a journal!
This was an excellent post! So well put by so many excellent bloggers. Thank you for helping others understand what it is like to blog. THANK YOU!!
That’s my goal, to help people understand blogging. Hopefully non-bloggers make it to this post