Bloggers, question 4 u
 

When you write your blogs, do you act like it's a real blog? i.e. write like someone is really going to read it, address the reader, talk about your opinion and what not or just describe the gallery/site?

I personally treat my blogs like real blogs and basically try to have a convo with the surfers. I've found that it creates a "trust" with the surfer and greatly increases the #'s of people pulling the feed and bookmarkers.

Do you think that establishing a relationship with the surfer is good? Bad? Pointless?

i just republish, thanks for the reminder.

I talk to them. I make promises for stuff I'm going to give them later in the week. Like if I just give them a few pics today, I'll do a teaser where I promise a video clip from the same set later in the week.

I try to give an opinion about the content I'm pushing or tie it in with something. I think all that helps your blog stand out from all of the 3-sentence description blogs out there.

I approach my blog like I am writing a daily newspaper. Unless you take it seriously, you won't get repeat traffic.

My feeling is, if you're not prepared to do it right, don't even start it.

:thumbsup

well, surfers are people too, if you want their repeat 'business' then you have to give them a reason to keep coming back. If you can develop a relationship with them, that will increase the likelihood of a return visit.

I agree with Lavender - if you're not going to take the time to do it right, then what's the point

Offtopic: Spermie - I LOVE your sig :1orglaugh

return visits and developing a relationship with your surfer will in the end, make more $ than just build and forget type blogs. I mean think about buying a car. You go to some random dealer and he trys to sell you an Acura, you don't know him but you like the car so you go home and "think about it" the next day a trusted friend says "buy it, you'll love it" so you go back the next day and snag that car. Not because the dealer convinced you, but because someone you trust told you it's a good idea.

Maybe I'm just rambling but I think that makes sense (loads of caffiene this morning)

Thanks for the sig luvin' :winkwink:

Of course it`s good. If they like you, they'll come back asking for more :)

bumpity bump bump

I tell them from a perceptive of a complusive porn surfer who jerks off 24/7 and blogs about it.

:1orglaugh but it's true isn't it...ISN'T IT!?

I try to build a relationship with them.

That is for this blog. Not sure I'd do the same on a second, just to see if the effort is worth it or not.

I act like I am talking to a horny friend and type that way.

I do both, when dont have much to say I just describe the gallery. But if I actually have something to say about it I will "talk" to surfer.

I think a conversational sound works best for blogs. I post what I like so it's easy to be enthusiastic about it. But I will also make comments like, this is a bit harsh for my tastes, but I bet some of you will like it. That kind of thing so I don't sound like one big commercial for a sponsor.

To me, blogging is much like a regular website where (ideally) you have to establish a sense of belonging with the surfer - like a concert-goer with a backstage pass to hang out with the band after the show. Let them think they're getting a peek behind the curtain (so-to-speak) and that they're part of the 'family'. Treat them as though they're part of the exclusive in-crowd.

Think of it in terms of an old Cheers episode...where they can feel comfortable and at-home with the familiar surroundings. People enjoy a sense of community and belonging - even if its merely in an online setting.

Try and put yourself in their shoes...and think in their terms and perspective, and consider what factors would keep you coming back on a regular basis.

:thumbsup Yeah, on most of my blogs I pretend like I'm using members area content from the sites I post about and I don't scale down the pictures/drop the the quality so they look really good.

Good point. :)

Another thing, and as odd as it may sound - we've found over the years that surfers seem to enjoy behind-the-scene pics of stuff like prop-building and set construction. We've gotten a lot of feedback on short storyboard sets that illustrate things we build or scenes we set up for photoshoots.

Again, comparing it to a backstage pass - I guess its akin to having the chance to see how the sound system works...or how the stage rigging is handled. Gives them that feeling of being among the groupies and seeing stuff most people don't.

yeah, makes them feel "special" I guess. Like they're one of the kewl guys that get to see stuff most people don't.

one of my blogs yes, the other are more like satelite blogs just to get some traffic in