Best Practices for Building Reader Loyalty
Guest post by Delfin Joaquin Paris III
If you’re like me, you would prefer your blog readers to visit your site each day and read your newest posts! The challenge is that there are thousands (if not millions) of other bloggers that would love to earn your readers’ loyalty, too! How can you compete for their attention?
By building reader loyalty!
Below are some best practices I personally employ on my site to help my readers know that I value them and to encourage returning to my site over and over again.
1. Go to other blogs where your readers hang out! Think about it – if you want loyal readers, why not go to them! If you’re not sure what other blogs your readers follow, ask! Whenever someone comments on a post or you receive an email, write back and say, “Do you have any other blogs that you recommend I check out?” Then, start reading those blogs! Make friends with those bloggers and begin commenting on posts. Their readers will see your site in the comment and visit! Also, that blogger may ask you to write a guest post which will also draw in new traffic!
2. Make it a policy to write everyone back who posts a comment. Now, obviously you can’t do this if your blog starts exploding with traffic, but until then, write a comment back to each reader thanking them for writing in their thoughts! An even better strategy is to keep the conversation going by playing off their comment.
3. Do a video thank-you. These days webcams are cheap and easy to use. Make a short video thanking your readers for their loyalty and ask them to tell a friend. There is no shame in honesty and saying, “I’d really like to find more readers just like you, so please tell your friends about this site!” Since they are already your fans, they will go and advocate for you!
If you employ just these three simple strategies, I promise your audience will feel more connected and will return over and over again to your blog.
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Want a good laugh? Delfin Joaquin Paris III is a humor blogger and currently has the #1 spot on Google for “funny blogs”.
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Jan 23, 2012
Good advice – one of my action items for this week is exactly that – figure out where my clients/prospects hang out and go visit with them there
Jan 26, 2012
Hi Jaime – great idea. Mine are mostly degenerates, so I have to head to some seedy places on the net.
Jan 23, 2012
Love the suggestions for personal touches – that’s what it’s all about – if you want to build loyal, raving readers, you need (to start!) with personal touches. I’ve also learned a lot about who my blog is reaching based on the comments – which is differ than who I was expecting it to reach…which is fun to see!
Jan 26, 2012
Thanks Ellen!
Yeah, the comments are awesome because readers feel like they are part of the contributing experience. It, in many cases, adds tremendous depth to my posts. Plus, some of readers are just damned funny, which help my sometimes weak jokes. Ha.
Jan 23, 2012
“I promise your audience will feel more connected …” Now THAT’s a goal I can get behind. Thanks for the simple tips, Delfin.
Jan 26, 2012
Thanks Liz! I appreciate you reading and I will check out your blog!
Jan 24, 2012
It’s communication. Just like what you said, replying to comments is one way to do it. Also answering the reader’s emails is a huge thing as well. Both aren’t much when you look at it, but greatly beneficial for the blog, for us and especially the readers. Getting a reply makes them feel valued.
Jan 26, 2012
I have a policy that ANYONE who emails me receives a personal email back. I’m not so big yet that I can’t manage it. In doing so I’ve communicated directly with readers in dozens of countries. Even the really gross countries like Albania! (just kidding)
Jan 25, 2012
Despite of our condition, we should always communicate to our reader. Personal touch is really important. It’s has a great impact on them.
Jan 26, 2012
I 100% agree. My audience likes to feel connected and I love to connect back. It’s a win-win. Plus, it totally strokes my ego – which is important.
Jan 25, 2012
Good ideas, will definitely keep in mind! I’m always looking for good blogs to follow.
Jan 26, 2012
If you’d like to follow mine, you will be sent via USPS Priority an XL men’s t-shirt that reads, “Absolute Best Friend of Delfin Joaquin Paris III”.
This is a really big honor. Will you take it?
Jan 26, 2012
Excellent advice Delfin. checked out your blog as well and its neat. Thanks for your help with this.
Jan 26, 2012
Neat? I was kind of hoping for “the funniest goddamn thing I’ve ever set eyes upon.”
But you know what? “Neat” is better than “terrible.”
Jan 27, 2012
Delfin, Neat for me is like Awesome, So I think your site has made quite an impression. I’ve sent it around to my friends as well.
Jan 27, 2012
Ed – thanks the compliment. You have a great site, too. Might I suggest an article entitled “Buy Contextual Private Blog Network Links for Instant SEO Success”?
Worked for me.
Jan 27, 2012
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Jan 27, 2012
Great tips Delfin. I love reading your blog. And I too love American Girl Dolls. My daughter has one and I’m secretly jealous that they weren’t around when I was little.
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