Blog Tip #1: Make Them Want More (of You!)

My friend Garrett used to be the lead singer in a band. I remember he was advised once to give the crowd just enough to want more. To play just enough songs to make them cheer for an encore, & to give them just enough of himself to make them want to keep listening and coming back.

I think this advice translates to other arenas as well. When I think about the blogs I love the most, the thing they do so well is to make me want more. More of their blog, their friendship, their voice, their viewpoints. They give me just enough of themselves to entice me, but not completely satisfy. I can't wait for the next post.

Here's who I'm talking about specifically...

These are NOT the only blogs I read, but they are my favorites. And they are my favorite blogs for a reason. I notice that I get extra excited when I see they have a new post. Blogs are unique because they aren't complete, printed books. They are stories in progress; without an end. And readers get to be a part of it.

How to make them want more of you...

  • Be humble.
  • Be human.
  • Be helpful.
  • Answer readers’ questions (even the ones they don't ask out loud!).
  • Write short posts rather than super long ones (unless necessary and on occasion).
  • Make them think in ways they have never thought before.
  • Show them beautiful things.
  • Let them be a part of your story.
  • Etc.

They post almost daily, but not at the exact same time every day (more on that in tip #2). They keep me coming back. There is definitely another side to this. There are other bloggers (two that stick out in my mind) who give me too much (mostly via Twitter). I think there is a fine line.

The other ditch is that there are blogs I want more from, but they post too little, too infrequent to keep my craving. I am really waiting for Indiana to get back into blogging, but since baby #2 is about to arrive, I may be waiting a while longer. She is really a great blogger--willing to share a lot of personal information, be real (make fun of herself and show the good along with the bad) and is hilarious. (I mean, seriously, this is genius.) All good qualities, but her real life is so busy that her online life is slower nowadays. She shouldn't feel bad about this--she is my friend and I will still be here when she is ready to come back.

What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree?

BloggingKelsey Williams8 Comments