Inspiration and Interactive Blogs = More Traffic
September 7, 2007
You like to read blogs? You like to write blogs? In the interest of satistying both you and me and maybe learning something in the process, I’m hoping you’ll find some value here in thoughts you might not have considered or didn’t know about. You are invited to help me delve further into these ideas because we could all benefit I think.
You find all sorts of people, thoughts, information, ideas, feelings, stories, discussions and things that may interest you or bring up a myriad of things in your mind when you read and perhaps write on blogs…am I right?
One blog I ran across about inspiration and motivation for blogging touched on the idea of conversation being his inspiration for continuing to write on his blog. I think that’s something we all want when we write. I have the same questions as he did.
Are people reading our blogs and do we want comments? Don’t we like to see people coming back and getting to know them in this way?
We do, don’t we? Of course we do. I know that’s a pretty broad statement. We write for ourselves, but in doing so, we are reaching out in a way; not for a pat on the back but moreso as a way of communicating, connecting with our readers.
We like our stats! It’s good to know we’re getting traffic on our blogs. How do we get it though?
“I’m very curious about readers who leave comments that advance the discussion… “
I am no expert here but what I do and have tried to do since I started this blog is to interact with the people who are thoughtful enough to come and leave comments. I respond to comments and when I see your a link to your blog and I come and find you and leave comments on yours too.
Linking to others is one of the key elements to successful blogging.
One thing I’ve seen mentioned over and over about successful blogs is the aspect of linking to other bloggers. This is something that I’ve been trying to do more often lately. Sharing things that we find interesting and pertinant to what we write about is always good. It doesn’t cost us anything to provide a link to an article or post that someone has written and it’s good for both your blog and the person you’ve linked to as well. It feels good to be noticed in that way. Linking is a form of “Paying It Forward”.
If you’re still reading and I sure hope you are, the thing that really inspired me the most to write this was a comment that I’d like to call attention to by Lillithmother here:
I don’t want to see blogs or people disappear. I want to encourage people whose blogs I like to continue writing. Both for me and for them. I want people to come back. I like you. I need you and it’s so good when it’s a reciprocal thing - it enhances all of us and our experiences.
The last thing I wanted to say is that sharing honestly, from the heart, with posts and comments here and on your blogs is what has made a huge difference to me, both in the success of this blog and for me personally.
Now, you tell me - please!
What inspires you to keep blogging? What inspires you to keep responding? Why do you comment on blogs? Do you feel like you should respond when people comment on your blog? Do you go to other people’s blogs and leave comments when they do on yours? Do you link to other people’s posts or articles on blogs and reference them? Do you have more angles on this I haven’t mentioned here?
I value your opinions, input and comments.
Thank you for taking the time and care to comment. Your visits honestly mean much more to than you might imagine. Jump in, comment anywhere on any of the posts. 
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September 7, 2007 at 9:37 am
Ruby…Having nearly run out of time for blogging the last few weeks…your post has given me some much needed inspiration for a post topic. I will respond to and answer these questions on my site with a link back to you. Thanks so much for inspiring me today! You are a leader and motivator! xoxo
I’m so glad I could be of some help! Never worry about the time. I have to laugh at “leader and motivator” but thanks love. xoxo
September 7, 2007 at 11:13 am
[...] you to Ruby for providing me/us with some much needed inspiration today with her most recent post. Life has gotten a little busy lately and I feel as though I have been neglecting my blogging [...]
September 7, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Right now I’m enjoying this blogging gig a lot. It’s gotten me to turn off the television at night and concentrate on people for a change (and believe me, that’s a change for me!). I always go to the other bloggers that comment on mine. Right now I’m responding to all comments because I think it’s important for people to hear from me that I value what they say. However, I don’t feel neglected when people don’t respond to my comments on their site. It’s a nice little gift, but not absolutely necessary. When I comment on someone else’s blog and they don’t respond, AND don’t come to my site to comment, I feel it’s a signal that they’re not blogging for the sense of community - and that’s OK too. Everyone has their own personal reasons for doing this.
OB, I’m glad you’re having fun with it. I think we’re alot alike in our blogging habits re. commenting and visiting etc. I sometimes feel neglected when folks don’t respond to comments left but do understand that it’s just how it is sometimes. People are busy, forgetful or just don’t want to respond to my comments at times - it’s okay - to each their own. Peace.
September 7, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I started each of my blogs with the purpose of having an outlet for my thoughts and pictures. One blog has a specific purpose, the other is just for me. Which is its own purpose, I suppose! The community that developed from the blogging came as a surprise to me (silly me!) and is now the biggest motivation for me. I love when people comment, and I usually feel like the things people have to say are actually greater than whatever I might post!
I almost always respond when people comment, because part of what I want is an inclusive community. I don’t get so many comments that it takes much time to respond to everyone, and I also feel like I’m inviting people to a conversation, how rude of me to not participate!
I’m sure this would change to a degree if I got a ton of comments though. And I do tend to visit the blogs of the people who comment on mine, though sometimes I get lazy about things.
But I don’t feel slighted if I post a comment on someone else’s blog and they don’t respond to that comment (unless they respond to everyone else, but that might be a sign, as others have mentioned, that there isn’t a connection at all), because everyone has different approaches, or limits or philosophies or whatever. Though I am more likely to post a comment on a blog where community seems to be encouraged, otherwise I’ll probably just read it and keep my thoughts to myself. And I comment a lot more regularly on the blogs of people who comment regularly on mine.
I link to posts others have written fairly often. It makes it seem like part of a bigger conversation to me, and sometimes it also gives extra background that might help people to see where something is coming from. Or I might just want to share and encourage others to check out a specific blog or post or whatever.
Something I never think about is whether my blog is “successful”, and I wouldn’t even know how to set benchmarks or whatever to determine what I thought it meant to have a successful blog. Mostly I just want to have fun and enjoy the community. I check the stats, mostly out of curiosity, and also to see the (sometimes absurd) search terms people used to hit my blog!
I’ve seen how you are and how responsive you are and love you for it. You said:
“feel like I’m inviting people to a conversation, how rude of me to not participate!” I feel that way too.
And:
But I don’t feel slighted if I post a comment on someone else’s blog and they don’t respond to that comment (unless they respond to everyone else, but that might be a sign, as others have mentioned, that there isn’t a connection at all), ”
but I do feel a bit slighted when they comment on everyone else’s comments but not mine - that’s being exclusive and that’s never a nice way to be in my mind. Oh well. Some people are just like that and not much we can do about that besides accept it and move on. Peace Deb. Love!
September 7, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Great bunch of points everyone! I especially liked OB’s comment on “concentrating on people for a change” and Deb’s comment about “blogging success.” I have a pretty high-powered career at times and my background/education has forced me to constantly mark my life with benchmarks and successes. I find that this is really changing for me now (I still have a great job and life), but the competition aspect and that primal need for success success success is being overlaid by a much more harmonious attempt to communicate and just “be”. Thank goodness for that.
We really need to stop rushing around - and Roob’s very latest post on “obligation” is lovely too. We are here for each other…but it doesn’t have to be an intense addiction…and we shouldn’t be compelled to comment or even post for that matter - because we have lives, we are real people for goodness sakes. Cool! Speaking of which - I need to get back to work (just thought I would check in and see how the thread was running along…very interesting posts and comments today…).
xox
I’ve never been much into the whole “success” thing - the harmony thing is working pretty good for me and acceptance plays a huge part in that. Love you.
September 7, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Ruby, I started my blog as an outlet for my anger and frustration at losing so many people that I love. I convinced my sister to join me and post every second day. I have other sites that make money but blogging was new to me and I had to learn the ropes…
I soon found out that I loved it more than I could imagine. I comment on blogs sometimes because there is a great conversation going on… sometimes just to let the blogger know I haven’t forgotten them. I respond to comments on my blog because if someone took the time to leave one then I will take the time to let them know it was appreciated.
If someone new visits me then yes I will follow their link back and check out their blog. I have linked to posts that have touched me and often when referring to bloggers link back to them. My blog roll began with like minded blogs (webmaster’s rule) but some rules are made to be broken and I now link to blogs that I love no matter what the content.
Will I ever make money blogging? I no longer care. I have discovered that for every aspect of my personality there is a blogger out there to fill the need. It is food for the soul…. whether it’s comedy, spiritual, ordinary, thoughtful, deep or mysterious. I love my blogging friends. Do I feel obligated to post? Yes sometimes I do… and I may not be in the mood, so I save up my funny emails to fill the gap. Do I want traffic? Of course. The webmaster in me will always be checking stats and looking for ways to improve. The difference between my other sites though and the blog… well the sites are for earning but the blog is for learning… Learning that we are all pretty much the same on the inside though we may come in different packages and various locations.
What started out as anger has turned out to be the best therapy in the world and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Dawn, Yeah, we sure do lose so many people in this life. Sucks bigtime. I haven’t been back to the beginning of your blog but maybe will now. I’m sorry. You have a money making blog? Hm. Never really thought about that much although I know folks can make some money somehow. I’ve been getting more and more laid back about blogging and writing lately - it’s the only way I’ll be able to continue is if I give myself many breaks. I’m so glad we met! You’re lucky to have a sister in on it. Peace to you today. Thanks for the comment!
September 7, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Hey Roobs,
I dont know what inspires me to blog. I think I like the live communication/bond that you can get with your readers. In a way it’s like a little party, with lots of guests who all have their own take on something.
But I also like to entertain people, especially to make them laugh or think. Again, no idea why - just something I like.
I try to always visit those who have commented on a post - because quite simply I can’t visit my whole blogroll every day - just don’t have the time. I always, always, respond to comments on posts - it’s a personal thing with me, some bloggers don’t or pick out certain comments to respond to - but my feeling is that if a person came and read and went to the trouble to make a comment you should at least acknowledge that in some form.
Also, if I have time, I try to visit those who have visited but not necessarily commented - you can tell by looking at your ‘referrers’ list on that admin page of the blog.
And yes, I do link other bloggers posts, as well as highlight bloggers with links and kudos every couple of months - and sometimes invite other bloggers to do a guest post, especially if they are newbies and I think they are fab and want to help them get to know folks in our little neighborhood.
So, there you have it - in a nutshell.
Love ya,
Annie
WC, Thanks for the nutshell! You are a good entertainer - me? Not so much. It seems to come naturally to you. I guess I’m too much of a recluse. I’m with you about the commenting and responding. I’m a good visitor of other blogs too - maybe too much sometimes. You’re a sweetie and I hope your having a beautiful day. Thanks for your thoughts…it’s always good to know what others are thinking and hopefully makes others think too. Peace love.
September 7, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Dya know, I feel like I should be shot or something right now, I`ve been here before, I`ve seen your comments elsewhere, I “know” someone who wrote and played a lovely song for you (Bro.Reg!) and I see links to you in some far off places and I have`nt been here but twice now…and I can`t believe it!!! Its like some kinda weird twilight-zone trick or something!! Duh!!
I think I agree with ALL the comments here…I think it would be interesting to read a paper on the whys and wherefores of the Bloggers World cos I sure as heck love it to bits and am glad to be “in” it so-to-speak…although I have no expectations at all in it, I regard a comment/response as a complete bonus and love to leave them where I go if I feel able…but the people I have “met” seem so real and true its like therapy to me!! Long may it go on I say!
So if you don`t mind, Ruby, I`m blogrolling you right now so I can get back here!!
Ceeque, No shooting on this blog! Yes, I’ve seen you around and been to your blog as well but I had thought you’d quit writing but after visiting the other day I see you’re a bit more active now. Aww, you remember the song, how sweet. I’m so glad you came back here - I thought you just didn’t like me! Us folks are just as real as any “real” people though - now you’ve gone and made me smile! I hope to see you soon (here there and everywhere) and thanks for your comments. Ciao!
September 8, 2007 at 12:15 am
I dont read other blogs through a feed thingy, or whatever that feed thing is called or does or whatever. No, I stay updated with my blogroll the old school way. I click on each site in my blogroll, at least once daily, to stay updated with everyone and everything. Your site is alphabetically first, but being an OCD’r, I read it last because I start at the bottom and make my way up. I’ve tried to go the other way and that was just too weird. Anyhow. I love that your site is saved for last because I always leave it feeling that I’m in a better place. That my mood is a bit more upbeat. And I thank you for that. And that, my lovely, is what inspires me to keep coming back, to keep commenting, to keep blogging myself.
Red, At least once a day? Wow! I’m so far behind it’s not funny. Your comment is so sweet about “saved for last” and a “better place”. Aww. Thanks. You keep coming back and I will too. Hugs!
September 8, 2007 at 2:04 pm
More things to think about.
I’m such an illiterate at computery things.
I’m not new to putting my stuff out there for the world to see–but linking is a brand new thing for me. I just discovered how to put things in the sidebar a few months ago. *blushing* And I dare say I get a bit mission focused and don’t remember those little things that can be huge to others.
I’d be honoured to include you in ‘the places I’m privileged to go’ spot–unless there’s an objection.
It is a privilege to get to show up here, yaknow….
Mel, You illiterate? I’d never have thought so. Feel free to put me whereever you’d like, it’s a privilege to have you visit, really. You always do make me smile. Hugs!