It’s the blogging version of the old “if a tree falls in the forest but there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” If a blogger posts but no one reads it, does it really count? Whatever your opinion is on the tree thing, if you’re a blogger, you want readers, preferably as many as possible. And you want them to stick around.
One thing that’s important to do is respond to your readers. If they take the time to read your blog and comment on a post or email you, reply to them! Answer their questions or otherwise encourage their participation. It helps create a rapport between your and readership as well just making you look like a nice guy/girl. After all, no one likes to comment in a vacuum, and as I’ve said many times, blogging is a conversation.
Of course, not every comment is going to be positive. I’m not talking about the ones that are obvious flames or attempts to incite an argument (hey, some people just like to fight and they use the anonymity of the net to do it*), but the ones that provide constructive criticism or an alternative viewpoint. It might be tough, but responding to those in a thoughtful manner can actually make you look better. Plus, engaging in a discussion about your blog’s topic and your opinions can be a learning experience, so consider criticism and dissenting opinions as an opportunity to present yourself in a positive light.
Think of your readers as customers or clients when it comes to responding to their comments - you’d definitely be sure to reply to any questions or concerns your actual clients have, right? Treat your readers as the same kind of valuable asset.
*You don’t necessarily have to approve these - just make sure that comment moderation is enabled. If you feel you must publish every comment that’s not spam, kill ‘em with kindness in your reply. And remember, in blogging as in business, you can’t please everyone all the time.
Posted by: Blogging Coach
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