Welcome to the third installment of Blog Idol Interviews the SITS 31 Days to Build a Better Blog edition! A few weeks ago, I announced my team of fabulous bloggers helping to support the SITS event and how each Monday, I will have a Blog Idol Interview featuring the team’s advice on the topics at hand for that week of the SITS 31 Days to Build a Better Blog event.
The first week covered Assessing your Blog where the team shared advice on how to use analytics to improve your blog, their perspective on why blog buddies are vital to your success, tips for successful blogging Memes (pronounced Meems) and how to stand apart from the rest of the blogging world.
Last week, we covered Looking Under the Hood, which covered the ins and outs of a fabulous ‘About Me’ and PR Page. The Blog Idol team shared their must-have plug-ins and how to make sure your readers can find your older posts easily.
This week, they are sharing advice on building a community.
My hope is that the bloggers sharing their advice will offer you additional insight and thought when working to take your blog to the next level. In addition to this series of interviews, I have other Blog Idol Interviews from fabulous bloggers like Scary Mommy & Mama Kat. So make sure to check those out for additional tips and advice for successful blogging.
SITS Girls 31 Days to Build a Better Blog – Content Block #3 – Build a Community
Which forums do you find most engaging and useful as a blogger?
I am a Twitter-holic, and when I don’t have time to read and comment on blogs, you’ll find me engaging my audience on Twitter. I also am a huge fan of BlogFrog and you’ll find me there too. What’s great about BlogFrog is that you can ask questions on various community boards and get a variety of answers, opinions, and points of view. ~ Natalie, Mommy of a Monster & Twins
Hands down, the most successful tool for me in growing my blog was Twitter. Joining twitter and engaging with other bloggers took my blog to the next level. Aside from twitter, I engage with readers quite a bit on my Facebook page and respond to comments as well as visit my readers when they comment. WIth that being said, I can’t do ALL of these things all of the time. There are times I concentrate more on one aspect of social media and times I concentrate on others. I try to always work on engagement though. As a blog reader myself, I like to know that my comments are being heard and that my visits are appreciated, so I try to do the same for my readers. ~Jessica, Four Plus an Angel
Having a Facebook like page has been a great space to connect to people outside of the blog…a place to carry on the banter a little bit..an extra point of connection. I don’t think this strategy is the best choice for ll…I think it depends on the personality of your readers…and the tone your blog sets. Since I am light-hearted and silly…Facebook is an excellent space for just that. More room than Twitter, and there are lots of people on Facebook that are not on Twitter. ~Jenny, Jenny on the Spot
Twitter by far has brought me the most engagement. I dedicated A LOT of time in the beginning to Twitter and it has paid off. Twitter just fits my voice, my site and my personality. I have made some amazing business connections through Twitter and I would not be where I was today without it. ~Andrea, Savvy Sassy Moms
Twitter. Twitter. Twitter. Ok, how about Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Hands down, those three. Instagram is a great way to entice people and keep them interested in you with beautiful pictures! And as far as Facebook goes, apparently people still love it so it is a great traffic generator for your blog. ~Rachel, Mommy Needs a Vacation & RachelVoorhees.com
I find Twitter to be my most efficient outlet to engage with readers. Because I Work so many different Freelance gigs, it’s the easiest and quickest way for me to interact and stay plugged in. Instead of commenting on blogs, I typically retweet posts. This will not be the case for everyone. Each bloggers needs to recognize their own strengths and how their blog fits with different social media outlets. ~ Gigi, Kludgy Mom & The SITS Girls
“…I also find it very important to respond to comments on my blog for reader engagement. Pinterest is also becoming increasingly important. I love how easy it is to share on Pinterest and it gives great blog inspiration.” ~Tracy, Sellabit Mum
How do you ensure you stay connected with your readers?
I try very hard to comment back to the readers who leave comments, especially when the blog post is something deeply personal. The conversations that developed in the comments section of my posts during my weight loss journey in 2011 were incredible, readers talking to me, talking to each other, coming back and commenting again after thinking more about the topic. It is so important to not just read comments but respond as often as possible. ~Amy, Resourceful Mommy
One weakness I have is replying to comments – and making sure I visit my commenters. I notice that when I take the time to let my commenters know I have read theirs, it helps us all feel connected. This is a resolution I have for 2012….being better about replying to comments and making sure I visit back as time permits. One of my jobs is to read several hundred blogs almost weekly…so it is challenging for me to add to my blog reading. But it is important to do. A relationship flows two ways. ~Jenny, Jenny on the Spot
What goal do you have for creating a robust community of readers?
**Don’t forget to link up for Listable Life tomorrow! Pick a prompt below, grab my button in the sidebar for your post and link up tomorrow:
5 Things on My Bucket List (ie: Life List, to-do list before you die)
5 Things Every New Blogger Should Know5 Reasons Why Traveling to _______is a Must. (Think travel story from one of your favorite vacations)
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
So interesting to read the different perspectives. I’m with Jenny that responding and commenting is my biggest weakness!!!
gigi recently posted..Five Ways To Build A Blog Community {that don’t involve commenting}
Twitter: MTDLBlog
January 30, 2012 at 5:10 pm
I hear you! I try to hit my comment section up a couple of times a day to make sure I get to everyone.
But, I don’t always get as many comments as you, and I’m already struggling to do it all. But it’s really important to me, so I make it a priority as much as possible.
So great to hear everyone’s perspectives on this, another great installment.
Jessica recently posted..In the Trenches
Twitter: MTDLBlog
January 30, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Thanks Jessica! I appreciate all of your insight for each week! Thank you!
Twitter: Ninth_Street
January 30, 2012 at 11:28 am
I try to always reply to my readers’ comments, but I feel like a lot of comments have nothing to reply to. They are something like, “thanks for posting.” What do I say to that? Usually it’s, “glad you liked it.” I’ve been trying to put questions in bold print at the end and in the middle of my posts to try and get conversation going, but not a lot’s happening yet. How can I better engage my readers?
Amanda recently posted..I Made It! Monday Linky Week 55
Twitter: MTDLBlog
January 30, 2012 at 5:21 pm
I think you’re doing the right things. Just try to make your question a thought provoking one and over time, you’ll see your engagement improve.
Sometimes just a Thanks! is ok too.
Twitter: spitupchronicle
January 30, 2012 at 1:15 pm
I started out strong on Twitter, and recently have just kind of let it go. I really need to get back to it, and rebuild my relationships. I just have a hard time finding bloggy-friends. Thanks for this series, Ive been finding it really helpful!
Jessica recently posted..My Life, in Song
Twitter: MTDLBlog
January 30, 2012 at 7:08 pm
I’m so glad you’ve found some great advice through these interviews. It’s definitely hard to keep up with everything, but I have found Twitter to be a big source of traffic for me as well. It’s also led to some great blogging friendships. So, I’ve let some other things go in favor of Twitter.
Twitter: MrsJenBardall
January 30, 2012 at 4:00 pm
I know I need to dedicate a LOT more time to these activities, and I think I’m doing better with balancing time between blogging, social media, writing and actual “life”.
I feel like I need to work smarter, not harder. Trying to find out what that means for me and my blog.
Mrs. Jen B recently posted..Superbowl Party Foods
This was a great post! I loved learning where everyone goes to engage with their readers!
Leighann recently posted..Teenagers… They’re Just Constipated
Twitter: MTDLBlog
January 30, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Thanks! I’m also learning so much from what these ladies are sharing.
Come back next week for more!
Such great advice, thank you for including me!
Tina @ Life Without Pink recently posted..Give Me Some Eyedews {Vlog Review}
Twitter: MTDLBlog
January 30, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Thank you for joining in! You were so thorough and thoughtful with all of your responses. I’m so grateful!
TWITTER!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, I thought I would shout that out 1 more time!
Love all of the perspectives!!
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation recently posted..Project 365: Week 4
Twitter: MTDLBlog
February 1, 2012 at 8:44 am
Yes, Twitter was the consensus – haha!
Twitter: AlisonSWLee
January 31, 2012 at 12:36 am
So, Twitter it is then?
Twitter aside, I do think answering comments and paying a return visit to readers (who are not in my Reader) are essential to building a community.
Great tips, as always!
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..The Truth About Having A Second Baby
Twitter: MTDLBlog
February 1, 2012 at 8:45 am
I absolutely agree. Commenting is key. I need to get so much better at making it to more of my favorite blogger’s pages.
It looks like Twitter is the all around winner!
I do like seeing what everyone uses for building community and how they go about it. Very helpful!
Love this series b/c you can always learn something new.
For me, it’s twitter that is a time saver.
I can’t get to everyone on my blogroll so I can pass a tweet on when I see they’ve posted something new.
It’s something that shows support and says thank you.
xo
Alexandra recently posted..Down To The Last Three
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