Do You Appreciate Your Readers?
Posted on September 28, 2009 by Melvin
It’s kinda sad that most bloggers (even popular ones) don’t seem to show they appreciate they readers/audience. There is a big imbalance between bloggers wanting to get too much traffic and bloggers showing their appreciation to their readers. One crucial factor I think why blogs get loyal readers is the fact that readers feel appreciated and therefore they keep returning because they know the author “care” for them.
Many people misunderstood my posts about not caring for PM’s on contact form and not replying on blog comments as a proof that I really don’t give much value to my readers. It’s understandable but it’s totally untrue. The value that I place to the blog readers is the highest (higher than advertisers). Because no readers literally means no money made at all and no fun.
Well today I am going to list ways on how you can show appreciation to your readers and I hope you guys like it.
- Read and reply to their comments – It sure did take long for me to realize this one. Contrary to what I believed before, its not true that readers comment on blogs and don’t come back anymore. It surprises me a lot of times when I replied to a comment that the readers comes back and say thanks for replying. Replying to every comment may look silly but it builds readership and loyalty.
- Link out to them – Although its impossible to link out to all your commenters, giving a link love to some of their best posts can be helpful. Believe me, bloggers feel appreciated when someone links out to them, may it be a big blog or a small blog. Most people are afraid to give links because they don’t want to dilute their pagerank w/c is a lame reason. Readers > Pagerank/Metrics.
- Ask for their opinion – If you’re a long time reader of this blog, there is a customary question and answer thing here wherein a reader can ask a question and me hopefully me being able to answer it. The mistake that most blogs do is they stuff their readers so much that they are an expert in their niche that their readers won’t anymore do anything which is completely wrong. Ask out your readers for something, post a poll or just simply encourage them to do interactions with you.
- Give out incentives – Ok, so here I have never had given an ipod or a flip (and I think it’s far-fetched). The blogosphere is a tight community that every incentive received is a big thing. I can’t stress this more. It doesn’t have to be a physical product or a cash prize but anything that can be useful to them is a nice thing.
- Show Social Media Love – I always feel good when someone retweets my post or stumbles something here and stuffs. Another good way to show your appreciation is to actually do the same for them. If you’re into social media (who’s not?), a simple digg, or some buzz on their article can mean a lot to them. Remember it’s ALWAYS giving first then receiving second.
- Network With Them! – The reason I put the little social bookmark/network icon on the sidebar is to network more with my readers. Everything we are doing online is marketing. Marketing is not business, but it’s a function of the business. It helps big when you connect to your readers via other social means like Facebook, Friendfeed or maybe Youtube and etc. The good thing with blogging is that it enables us to maximize networking with other people w/c at the end leads to bigger business relationships, joint ventures or just simple friendships. If you’re not doing this, then you’re missing out a lot!
Showing your audience that you appreciate them is a big factor on having a successful blog, successful business. Sad state is that most people don’t even pay attention to it. What do you think? I would love to have your own take about it and you can do so in the comment form.
Note: Interestingly, all people who are in my top commentators list (@ sidebar) would be able to get a free advertising for one month. Just comment here and I would hook you up on something. Thanks. 
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Discussion: 45 Comments
Daniel Richard
- 28th Sep, 09 05:09am
The little things matter. Like saying “thanks” to readers who leave comments, to saying hi occasionally.
Daniel Richard´s last blog ..Top 10 Reasons Why 6 Hours of Sleep is Essential For Your Productivity
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LetUpdate
- 28th Sep, 09 09:09am
It is a must to appreciate the readers because without readers, there are no point of our blog.
LetUpdate´s last blog ..Learn Email Marketing from eBook
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Agent 001
- 28th Sep, 09 10:09am
“Ask for their opinion” works really well. People always like to give free advice and this satisfy them a lot.
I am using it now on my posts. Rather then asking directly, I put few questions after my posts and readers answer them. They ask their doubts and I clear them.
Agent 001´s last blog ..How to Get Twitter Followers Real Fast?
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Melvin Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Yep. I used not to do this but realized its wrong, awfully wrong.
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Liane YoungBlogger
- 28th Sep, 09 10:09am
I used to be very active in comments section too, but these days, I just reply to comments that really asks for questions. Of course that doesn’t mean that I’ve grown much too lazy with my readers. Or maybe I should go back to that habit. lol. No readers means no money is absolutely right.
Liane YoungBlogger´s last blog ..Launching a New Service Soon – Your Content Perfect Ebook Coming Right Up
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Agent 001 Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:41 am
Replying to every comment is not a good idea anyways. You should reply only to comments which require replying.
Agent 001´s last blog ..We have the Winners for My Small Contest
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Chris Peterson
- 28th Sep, 09 11:09am
Melvin, Hi!
I really like your ideas & believe that they are foundational to our business. However, I would love to insist on few concepts here:
1. That’s should be ideal reaction by any standards. But its time to do something proactive.
2. Give what you want to receive.
Bye
Chris Peterson´s last blog ..Want To Become More Impressive, READ ON!
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Sarah Jimenez
- 28th Sep, 09 04:09pm
Social Media Love. I totally agree. I feel so appreciated when someone re-tweets my post. And hey, it’s the same for bloggers, if they get comments, they get this feeling of being appreciated. Is it just me or… ?
Sarah Jimenez´s last blog ..My Confession. My Final Say.
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Melvin Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
totally true. I know other bloggers agree with it as well. heck I have a hard time getting retweets!
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S.Pradeep Kumar
- 28th Sep, 09 05:09pm
I reply to every comments and especially that of first time readers or commentators !
And trying my best to respect my commentators to the core !
S.Pradeep Kumar´s last blog ..The What, Why And Whodunit – September 2009
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Extreme John
- 28th Sep, 09 06:09pm
You know I love posts like this because I can remember after starting my blog my initial thought was, “This is weird why am I talking to myself on here”, now that I started networking I enjoy it more than I can even explain.
Extreme John´s last blog ..Community Coffee Carnivale Cake Review
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Melvin Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Hahaha, I can relate John. Blogging is weird and I used feel pissed off when someone calls me a blogger but anyway thats a long time ago.
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Pinoy Blogger
- 29th Sep, 09 05:09am
since you’re my visitor in my personal blog (selaplana.com), as a way of appreciating you as my blog’s visitors, I included your blog into my PR5 Pinoy Blogger’s Directory under the Marketing and SEO category
Pinoy Blogger´s last blog ..How to Immediately Add Your Blog to our Directory?
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Melvin Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
that’s a pretty cool token of appreciation.
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Walter
- 29th Sep, 09 06:09am
Hi Melvin. I agree with you on this post. Readers are the most important resources of our blogs and we must show them appreciations.
Walter´s last blog ..Finding myself beyond my identity
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Benjamin Hübner
- 29th Sep, 09 07:09am
Great and important tips to become successful with Blogging! I´ts very important to connect with your readers when you build up your blog!
Thanks for Sharing!
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elmot
- 29th Sep, 09 09:09am
Love begets love, eheheh! Corny…but it holds true to blogging…ehehe
elmot´s last blog ..Noynoy Aquino, People Power III and Coffee
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Tamahome Jenkins
- 29th Sep, 09 02:09pm
This is an excellent post for people expecting to turn a blog into just another moneymaker. I used to wonder why I couldn’t get traffic to my blog, and I realized it was because I was ignore the people who were there in an effort to get the people who weren’t. I guess I behaved like a cell phone company
Tamahome Jenkins´s last blog ..The Sad Story of Student Loans
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Melvin Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 12:04 am
It’s not really a money-related post but I think it somehow is a part of the process. Readers love to get appreciated and in my opinion its a factor on whether they want to come back or not.
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Marko Saric
- 29th Sep, 09 03:09pm
For me personally to appreciate your readers means that you consider their feedback and suggestions, you answer to reasonable questions you get via email / tweets / comments… probably the best way to show the appreciation is to write great content that your readers will be able to learn from.
Marko Saric´s last blog ..8 tips to optimize your time for blog writing
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Melvin Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Hey Marko, glad to see you hear.
I agree. Well for me I’m a little lazy to answer emails and stuffs but that is something that I am working hard to improve.
Btw, good example is you, answering my email.
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Blake @ Props Blog Ideas
- 29th Sep, 09 04:09pm
Good stuff Melvin. It is hard to find that balance between seeming needy by replying to everyone and like you don’t appreciate them because you don’t reply. Great tips on other ways to show appreciation.
Blake @ Props Blog Ideas´s last blog ..The Top 5 Make Money Sites You Should Visit
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jan geronimo
- 29th Sep, 09 05:09pm
Well, I’m glad to find a familiar face in the Retweet Club. “,)
Question: Do you have a post on making a podcast of your blog? That’s interesting, I guess.
I like the points you’ve raised not only because these are valuable recommendations but also because I know you practice what you preach. “,)
jan geronimo´s last blog ..Giving Good Loving To My Top Follow Friday People
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Melvin Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Heheh thanks. I remembered again my post about “thinking replying to comments silly”. Your comment there was completely the antithesis of that certain post.
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Hal Brown
- 29th Sep, 09 06:09pm
FYI, I found this via Danial Scocco on Twitter. And I’m glad I followed the link. I sincerely appreciate good tips about blogging, especially small but important things such as this.
I do communicate with those (very few right now) who comment. Even though I’ve been blogging for several years, I never really studied the process beyond content. And there is so much more it is a never ending process of learning, relearning.
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Melvin Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 1:48 am
Most bloggers, both newbies and intermediate usually really think blogging is just about giving out good content but as you’ve said it really is more than that.
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printedproof
- 29th Sep, 09 07:09pm
Great article. Very helpful list breakdown!
printedproof´s last blog ..B2B: forget the EPPC, try D2P
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Benjamin Cip
- 29th Sep, 09 11:09pm
I always take the time to reply to my readers, except when there is nothing to be said. But if you take a look at my comment section, the communication is “very” active depending on the topic. I really appreciate my reader. Their comments are very important for me. Top bloggers don’t have to worry much about their readers because they already create a blog that bring traffic like bee to honey.
Benjamin Cip´s last blog ..PhpBay Pro Review
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Mr. I
- 30th Sep, 09 03:09am
I always reply to comments on my posts. Reader comments are great asset for any blog and I really appreciate the time and value that readers put into comments.
I try to go a step further and reply via email (personally, no plugins) to comments that ask questions/are great!
Mr. I´s last blog ..Serendipity Is a Blogger’s Muse
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Ajith Edassery
- 30th Sep, 09 07:09am
Nice post man. I agree to all these points except the incentives part. Incentives for staying with a blog may not be what one needs but more of interesting and relevant competitions to make them participate. Of course, if a sponsor wants to give away stuff why not?
Also, what about commentluv/keywordluv/topcommentator way to appreciate? If that’s done, probably many do not expect a reply (esp those who seek backlinks alone). Anyhow, I amd done with all those options
Ajith Edassery´s last blog ..Even bloggers need rest!
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Melvin Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 2:59 am
Well I think its the fact that most bloggers do incentivizing wrong. I mean they just give out stuffs and eventually it doesn’t hand out value to both their readers and them. So the result is that the spike would just last for a few weeks maybe and then the readers would start to go away.
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Web Career Girl
- 30th Sep, 09 01:09pm
I think having a conversation with your readers by replying to emails and comments is a must. It makes it so much more rewarding, and you often get to know people through doing so.
Web Career Girl´s last blog ..HubPages On Hold
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Rhys
- 30th Sep, 09 01:09pm
I do try and reply the best I can to readers. Of course, there aren’t enough hours in a day, and people do slip through the net. I do try and respond via email, rather than comments, as they’re more likely to read it then.
Rhys´s last blog ..Trip to Anfield – Liverpool vs Hull – Premier League 26th September 2009
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Melvin Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Me as well. I realized that even though sometimes you like to reply to as much as you can, you can only do so much. We, people are busy persons and we’d rather prioritize things that are needed to.
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Pradeep
- 1st Oct, 09 10:10am
Good POst Mevin
Its the readers …to be more precise loyal readers who make your blog a lovely one.
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Dinesh
- 1st Oct, 09 03:10pm
Bonding with your readers is important, landed first time on your blog, good wanna exchange links.
Dinesh´s last blog ..Microsoft Security Essentials Now Available For Download
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Gerri - Ninety Niney Ways
- 1st Oct, 09 06:10pm
I think it is silly to ignore and not appreciate your readers. I you don’t there is no point in having a blog.
Gerri – Ninety Niney Ways´s last blog ..The Ninety Nine Ways Relaunch Contest – More Than $900 in Prizes to be Won!
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Benjamin Cip Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:40 am
Without your readers, your blog is dead.
Benjamin Cip´s last blog ..What Is Better “Social Media Marketing” Or “Email Marketing” ?
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Mailing List Building Blog
- 2nd Oct, 09 03:10pm
Appreciating our readers is must in blogging. They are essential that makes the blog alive.
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nathan
- 3rd Oct, 09 03:10am
It’s really annoying for the readers if they did comment and no one ever replied or noticed it. A loyal reader may get upset too.
nathan´s last blog ..6 Practical Ways To Survive a Major Philippine Flood
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lifetyle phone
- 4th Oct, 09 05:10pm
Social Media Love. I totally agree.
lifetyle phone´s last blog ..blackberry bold 9000 smartphone new unlocked phone
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Millionaire Acts
- 6th Oct, 09 09:10am
Nice points Melvin! For me, I try my best to answer any queries that they have. And definitely, I appreciate my readers taking their time to share any valuable insights that they have in my articles.
Millionaire Acts´s last blog ..Skills You Need To Learn In Your Job
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mytheory
- 11th Oct, 09 05:10am
this is my first time to visit your blog Melvin, and this is the first post i read from you,
talking about appreciate our readers, i always reply my reader comments, of course the comments which needs to be replied, but it’s just 1:10 ratio between readers will be back after i reply his comment and the readers not coming back after i reply his comment . heheh.. maybe i need to grow up my loyal visitors to my blog, your blog has good amount of total visitors! great!
mytheory´s last blog ..How to find Dofollow Blogs
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SW@Social Bookmarking Service
- 27th Oct, 09 05:10pm
Really appreciate this and just mind one thing.
Your visitors bring advertisers to you and to your blog so your visitors should be your first priority.
SW@Social Bookmarking Service´s last blog ..Social Bookmarking Service
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infopediaonlinehere
- 8th Mar, 10 12:03pm
always visitors first
infopediaonlinehere´s last blog ..Google App Engine technologies, Google App Engine SDK, Google cloud computing google app engine
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