I have to admit that I’m currently in the middle of another article as I’m writing this one and the idea for this post just popped out to me so I thought I’d do something with it.
Whether you blog about a hobby for fun or you’re trying to make money with your blog are you allowing your reader to understand that you’re real just like they are? Or are you sending the message that you’re nothing more than a robot inside your own blog that just wants their money or to steal traffic for no good reason.
I hope you’re real because that’s what it takes to make it no matter what niche you’re in. Connecting with your readers is so important and doing it in such a way that makes them feel like they’re wanted and like they’re number one is critical for your success. Help them. Solve their problems. Ask them questions. We’ve all heard that before and again. Along with this we’ve also heard add your personality to your blog which is a good idea too!
Just how real can you get though? Video blogging? Audio? Why not? These are both good ways of letting your readers know that you actually exist. If you want to build their trust why wouldn’t you consider at least giving these a shot once in a while if not on a regular basis.
Here I’m going to write about what I think will come about depending on which you decide to present yourself as and you decide which sounds better to growing your blog into a lasting career earning maybe even money.
Robot:
You talk at your readers or talk to yourself and there’s no knowledge of a real person behind the words. You don’t care because you don’t market yourself anyway and if you do for some reason you’re not doing a very good job because you’re not attracting repeating visitors, instead just visitors that may come back once and then they’ll never see a single blog post of yours again. You never ask questions and you never have anything truly important to say that could actually benefit anyone.
When people look at your blog they see spam and never return so you might as well keep this as an on line journal just for yourself and never worry about doing anything with it because you’re pretty much dead at this point.
Real:
You discuss real world problems with your readers that are important to them. You also do this in such a way that involves them completely in the conversation so as to allow them to respond with comments that help your blog out as well as any other comments on your blog also. You solve their problems and let them know you’re there for them day or night. You comment on their blogs and you market yourself to the point they know you’re a real person and you make your blog fun and enjoyable experience to revisit daily and maybe even a few times a day.
Your blog truly kicks ass and you make it work for each individual who visits and new comers as well.
Great job, you’re really making things real out there!
Is your blog alive or is your blog battery operated?
COMMENTS
44 Comments
Des @ Affiliate Progress
February 5th, 2010 09:57 AM
Hi Eric, this is my first visit here (I followed your comment back from Web Career Girl).
You raise some interseting questions. I think that finding your “voice” as a blogger is something that takes time and a bit of soul searching. I hope I’m finding my feet now and am not “battery operated”, but I must admit I have looked back at past posts on my blogs and thought – that doesn’t actually give anything to my readers.
I think resisting the pressure to post on time, all the time, is important for me. If I’ve got nothing to say, better to say nothing than risk losing visitors.
Des @ Affiliate Progress´s last blog ..Free Affiliate Tools – Part 1 – Keyword Research
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Des,
You have the right idea here… If you keep on a schedule with your blog that’s great but if you have nothing to say, it isn’t worth posting something not worth reading just to stay on track. I’d simply even explain that you’re not going to be posting for so many days until you actually write something great and then post the next day you said you would and you’ll have material lined up.
It takes time to get your voice heard and a lot of hard work but it’s definitely worth it, just doesn’t feel that way when you first start out.
Thanks for checking things out here and leaving your mark, I appreciate it!
[Reply]
Dexs
February 5th, 2010 10:18 AM
Eric,
You surprised me a little when I stopped by and read this article. In fact I think you should pop over to my blog and read Customer Service. I had about the same feeling a few days ago and it popped up in my blog magically. I think what your discussing here with Robots and Real people is about the same as what I was questioning. It surprising how two people can in a way come to think about the same ideas.
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Dex,
Hey! Great minds do think alike and I agree after reading and commenting on your post that it’s true, most of us rely on programs or computers to get the job done and very few people actually go to someone to have quality work done. Nothing wrong either way as it’s matter of choice but working with someone will definitely take you farther depending on where you’re trying to go and what you’re trying to do.
Thanks for commenting!
[Reply]
Heather
February 5th, 2010 11:10 AM
I think my blog’s alive, but small at the moment. Like a little kid
– most definitely real but not necessarily someone you’d turn to for advice all the time yet.
Having a blast though, I’ll tell you that! Great post Eric, and a good point.
Heather´s last blog ..Review: Infernum The Art of Jason Engle
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Heather,
Everyone starts off somewhere and it takes time to build something incredible. You may not be the best to turn to for advice just yet but you’re out there doing it and that’s all that matters. They key is to just keep doing it and love that you are doing it.
You’re doing great and I need to get to your blog again… Will check that out very soon!
Thanks!
[Reply]
Justin Matthews
February 5th, 2010 12:38 PM
I so want to be seen as “real” on the net. I think that it can and will really increase your brand by word of mouth, or keyboard as it is.
Justin Matthews´s last blog ..Why I stay home, part 2
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 10:58 am
It takes time to increase your brand and word of mouth is a fantastic way of doing it. As James over at TheInfoPreneur.net says, Write and Promote.
Just get in there and show people who you really are and get to know each other.
Thanks for the comment, Justin!
[Reply]
Steven | The Emotion Machine
February 5th, 2010 01:53 PM
Humans unite!
I definitely feel your concern…I have been reading a lot of blogs lately and I’ve been learning a lot…but the most painful thing is just how many bloggers are faking it. So many of them try to sound like professionals, as they stoically give advice and create lists. That kind of dead personality will never attract loyal readers – you need that sense of connection.
Great post Bluepop!
Steven | The Emotion Machine´s last blog ..The Uses And Abuses Of Setting Deadlines
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Steven,
Connection to people and to the right people is important as without it you’re dead. A good example of someone who’s busting their ass for sure and has said time and time again that they’re not a pro but are working their way up is James over at TheInfoPreneur.net. In fact, I wrote an entire article about him called Inspiration, Smart Work, Success | The InfoPreneur. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Thanks for stopping by!
[Reply]
Keith
February 5th, 2010 04:30 PM
Sometimes I wish I could put my blog on autopilot! LOL but then what would I do, I just love to write too much..
Great article, sometimes we forget that there are REAL people on the other side reading the articles…
Keith´s last blog ..Where Are Your Readers?
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 6:57 am
Keith,
Yeah I like to keep up with my blog and my readers and keep up with their blogs and such too. It’s fun and interactive and so much can be accomplished with some hard work and a little bit of creativity along the way.
I think being real and taking chances is where it’s at, what do you think?
Thanks for commenting!
[Reply]
ayo
February 5th, 2010 05:30 PM
hi eric,
how are you?
loved the analogies(they seem to get better each time)
i want to believe I’m real with my readers although i am open to corrections and criticisms.I am currently in the phase of marketing myself to a point where I am known to be real,..it’s hardwork but will get there in the end
Take care
ayo´s last blog ..46 Things To Do, When People Don’t Like You.
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 6:56 am
Ayo,
Hey!, the bottom line is, we are all real. Not everyone knows this and knows us so we have to show who we are to everyone and it does take time, which is why Social Media just plain rocks!
Thanks for the comment!
[Reply]
Jeffrey
February 5th, 2010 09:12 PM
Hi Eric,
You make some good points. My problem with Bloggers Market is that I have to talk to my followers, I can’t really engage them. Bloggers Market is for the beginner and beginners for the most part have no social structure, say ….. beyond Facebook, or MySpace. Not only that, but they have really not evolved to the point of understanding the importance of social interaction or understand the mechanics of it! As I myself started down this road of blogging, after having completed work on my own Linux OS, I was totally clueless as to what a Gravatar was. So to expect the beginner to interact with me in a “real” way, I don’t think so. Better mark me as a “robot” blog!
Jeffrey´s last blog ..Bloggers Market Now Recognized As ProBlogger!
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 6:53 am
Jeffrey,
At some point or another it may seem as if our blogs become robotic however I feel that as long as we still show interaction of some kind and continue getting interaction from those who’ve been with us from the very beginning, the newcomers are sure to understand that we are real. The sad fact is is that too many people just want to be social online. Don’t get me wrong, I love using my computer on a daily basis and working online and talking to people I know and meeting new people at the same time. I also love going out and actually seeing people and shaking their hand and getting to know them right there in person.
The Internet provides ways of being real to each other if we use the resources wisely… We just need to start doing so.
Hey, by the way, you mentioned your own Linux OS? I actually use Ubuntu 9.10 myself and was just curious as to what you’ve done with Linux.
Thanks for stopping by!
[Reply]
Gordie
February 5th, 2010 11:45 PM
Hey Eric,
I think my blog is pretty real, but I think until now I haven’t shown myself enough. I need to start making some videos, which I’ll start to do in Spring. Videos really help to get your personality across.
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 6:48 am
Gordie,
Videos and pod casts are great ways to get your point across and say, Hey! I’m here and this is who I am!
Looking forward to the videos in Spring and am going to start doing videos and much more this year.
Thanks for stopping by!
[Reply]
Anthony Feint
February 6th, 2010 01:33 AM
Great post. One thing I’ve found is that half my post ideas come from my readers comments. By using their comments as inspiration I feel im connecting with them and providing some value
Anthony Feint´s last blog ..Cool Tools for the Location Independent
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 6:47 am
Anthony,
You know, from reading what you’re saying her it’s almost as if a blog post (without actually having a connection topic related) actually connects to others in the sense that you write a blog post and then ask for comments. You get them. While reading them you may just strike up another great idea for a blog post and on goes the great cycle at least so far.
Comments are important and show that you’re actually making the effort to state your opinion in the conversation and be open to others. You should read my post An Interesting Way To Read Blogs because I talk about learning what the entire blog post talks about just by the comments if they’re are any and if they’re related enough to the topic at hand. Check it out sometime!
Thanks!
[Reply]
Ben
February 6th, 2010 02:06 AM
I’d like to think I’m “real” but I suppose the only people who can truly answer that are my readers.
You’re right Eric – real is where it is at!
Ben´s last blog ..Everything I Need to Know About Personal Discovery I Learned from Anime
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 6:43 am
Ben, Hey!
Real is definitely where it’s at bro. Yes your readers are who make everything look the way it actually is and on top of that, replying to them and taking notice that they’re making you what you are and you’re returning the favour just defines the whole meaning in itself.
Thanks for stopping by man!
[Reply]
winnie
February 6th, 2010 04:32 AM
Definitely REAL but you knew that already, and I believe so are you. I love that you take the time to notice other people and are sincere. Keep up the great work.
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 6:41 am
Winnie,
In order to make it out there you have to be real. I got another comment on here from a good friend of mine who I’ve known in person for a few years and her latest post is about Customer Service. The thing that makes it relative to this post and my comment to you is the fact that computers are everywhere and so are people. Would we rather talk to and work with a computer or talk to and work with people? I definitely recommend everyone checking out her post but yes, show who you are and take that chance because when someone actually gets interested in the person behind the words for who they really are, great things can happen. You have to shine through your words or your words are just that, words.
Thanks for the comment, Winnie!
[Reply]
Olusegun
February 6th, 2010 04:32 PM
Nice analogy.
I hope i’m more real than robot.
Having a vulnerable Human side when relating with your readers is sure win-win any day.
Olusegun´s last blog ..Blogging Lessons from Hip Hop Artistes
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 5:07 am
Olusegun,
Letting your readers know you’re real is important but also very fun because more comes about from each of you when you’re just you.
I feel you’re more real than robot by the way. You came to comment on my blog didn’t you and you added value by doing so!
Thanks for stopping by!
[Reply]
Aaron
February 6th, 2010 07:06 PM
Eric,
I am real even though I haven’t shown all of my personality to my readers. My readers and I are connected because we are passionate about the topic. I do agree that you can get more closer to the readers by showing your personality. Video posts are great for that. But this is not something I plan to do in the near future.
Aaron
Aaron´s last blog ..Passion vs. Enjoyment
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 5:06 am
Aaron,
Videos posts are not for everyone. Just writing your blog can have a big impact if everyone who is joined to your blog is passionate about the topic at hand. Video and audio just enhances that and takes it a few steps forward. You can still do a lot with text if you know how to go about it.
Thanks for the comment!
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 5:09 am
Aaron,
A good way of showing you’re real, even if you’re not showing your true personality is to show very much interest in your topic. I feel this is half the work done for you. There’s much more to the whole picture but this is big.
Thanks!
[Reply]
Walter
February 6th, 2010 11:22 PM
The wisdom you have shared here is important for all bloggers to know. I have my experience of blogs with no human essence at all and it sucks. Before I started my blog, I contemplated about what I will bring to my readers. And so I have come up with writing about some important issues about life that many of us encounter. I’m glad many have appreciated my thoughts.
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 5:04 am
Hey Walter,
It’s definitely important to let your readers know they’re dealing with a human behind the words of which you write. If not, things can definitely go down the wrong path without your intention.
Thanks!
[Reply]
uberVU - social comments
February 6th, 2010 11:30 PM
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by HotBlogTips: Real Or Robot – http://b2l.me/fmvkf (via @bluepop13)…
Agent Deepak
February 7th, 2010 10:39 AM
Nice thought Eric. This never crossed my mind. I think I should try to be more real if audio (podcasting) and videos can help, I will try.
Agent Deepak´s last blog ..Get your Face on Facebook
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Agent,
Hey, yeah that’s definitely something to think about. It can make a bigger impression than text if you can do it in such a way.
Good luck with it and let me know how things go.
Thanks!
[Reply]
Karen
February 7th, 2010 11:58 AM
Hi Eric,
This is a great reminder that people want to engage with the ‘real you’ behind the articles that we write. I know for myself that there is a fine line between what I want (and am willing) to share about my personal life on my site and what I am writing. I try to always envision that I’m helping an indivdual person who has the same problems as me. It seems to help
If the article doesn’t showcase your personality, you can always be your ‘true self’ in your responses to the comments, too.
Karen
Karen´s last blog ..Why It’s Never Too Late For Your Dreams To Come True
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Karen,
Yeah and I like showing myself in my writing to in my comments both. I feel adding my personal touch is unique to everyone and it’s what I enjoy. Only share as much as you want to but do it in a way that everyone knows you’re not spam.
That’s the crazy part, too, Karen, some people who actually first start doing this stuff actually come across as spam without knowing it because they don’t know how they should do things at first. Live and learn.
Thanks for commenting!
[Reply]
Karen
February 8th, 2010 09:39 AM
Hi Eric,
Have you tried turning on threaded comments?
Look in wp-admin->Settings->Discussion for “Enable threaded (nested) comments…”. It would be great to reply back to specific comments.
Just a suggestion.
Karen´s last blog ..Are Books Worth The Money?
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Karen,
Yeah I believe you emailed me about this one too. I actually have it enabled and with this theme when I bold things they don’t turn darker. I think a theme change is in need sometime very soon.
I’m going to do threaded comments once I can get that figured out… Thanks!
Take care and thanks for stopping by!
[Reply]
Ryan Hanzel
February 8th, 2010 11:55 AM
I hope I don’t seem like a robot when I post, I try to speak from the mouth and type it down. I think interaction is the best part of blogging, it is like painting a picture, putting it in a museum, and sitting there discussing all of the feedback about it.
That is what fuel’s me to blog, it’s like having a discussion about a part of you your proud of. Great post man I will be following more posts from you.
Ryan Hanzel´s last blog ..Being a loving person
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Hey Ryan,
Glad you stopped by. Yeah you really should be interactive as that’s the best way to show you’re really out there and not just sitting there pumping out posts and doing nothing other than.
Thanks for the comment and stop by any time!
[Reply]
Tom
February 8th, 2010 01:58 PM
I was a robot. I have to admit, I think I have picked real issues, real problems, and provided real help when needed. But my entire blog hardly ever reflected my personality, other than an occasional “I” when I forgot to say “in general”. And unfortunately, this is/was my style, it wasn’t purposeful. I was able to break the ice much better when my readers got back to me either with a comment or replied to my email. All of a sudden, when I knew I was talking with a person, I was able to get real. And guess why they weren’t writing back or commenting?
So, sometime around last December I decided that I will consciously put my personality into my blog. I will continue what I was doing because I believe in it, but I will put Tom behind the post and not only the information. So, I started it by asking my readers to retweet a new tutorial I published for a prize. My 1.5 year old daughter got to draw the prize, and I posted a picture of her on the page. Have you seen wonders? When I posted this on my mailing list, I had a 97 percent click through, usually I get 20-40. Oh, and the family had fun, too.
Tom
Tom´s last blog ..Call Center Employs 1000 Blind People in Moscow
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Hey Tom,
Thanks for stopping by… Glad to have you here!
It definitely sounds like you learned quite a lot about being real on your site and showing that to your readers. It takes failure sometimes many times over to realise where we’ve went wrong and it takes a lot of confession to fix it. It can be done and once it is great things are bound to come along.
Thanks for the comment. Look forward to see you again and don’t forget to check out ‘Lets Help Each Other‘ and send me your top ten list if you want to be included.
Take care!
[Reply]
Chris
February 12th, 2010 01:09 PM
Yeah, great and relevant topic, not one I hear talked about a lot, but it is so important I think. I read a lot of blogs and I often feel that there is a sort of staleness to them, that I am only reading words, and it is boring that way! I wanna feel the person behind those words.
Chris´s last blog ..Discount Tire Stores
[Reply]
BluePop13 Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Chris,
Yeah I was just thinking the other day about how a lot of blogs I read I do so because I like the personality that comes from that blog and it feels as though I know the person in a way. Great stuff really.
Thanks!
[Reply]