Part 4 of my comments on a really good post from ProBlogger written by Tony Hung of DeepJiveInterests about what he calls “the five prerequisites for having a successful blog.” Realize It’s Not About You (its About Them).
…Certainly the kind of blogging you want to do is not about you at all. Its about Them. I've alluded to it plenty of times in this very article, but blogs that are successful, popular, and growing are not ones centered around their authors. They are centered around news and information that is interesting to their readership.
But what does this also mean? It means ask yourself and Them, how you can make yourself better to serve their interests. It means, changing your content to make it wildly interesting to Them. It means ask yourself if the next Big Change your going to do on your blog will cheese them off or encourage more feed signups.
It also definitely means being accessible, and getting into the conversations that you generate. Once your blog is up and going, turn your comments on, and try and reply to as many as you possibly can.
One of the secrets of really good marketing copy is that it’s all about them. Excellent marketing copy identifies the problems people are having and shares with them how your products and services provides a unique approach to solving those problems.
Successful businesses and business websites are all about their customers. After all, as the business owner, you don’t need to be convinced to buy what you’re selling – you already own it. But your audience does. So make everything in your business about serving them.
Blogging is the same way. Whether it’s new directions in content, a new blog design, or new features, make sure that everything you do with your blog enhance your audience’s experience.
And remember, blogging is about conversation. So ask. Once you have a following of loyal readers, run your ideas by them in a blog post. Solicit as much response as you can. Those who really love what you have to share will go out of their way to help you make it better.
I think you are right that “’ve alluded to it plenty of times in this very article, but blogs that are successful, popular, and growing are not ones centered around their authors. They are centered around news and information that is interesting to their readership.”
One of the secrets of really good marketing copy is that it’s all about them. Excellent marketing copy identifies the problems people are having and shares with them how your products and services provides a unique approach to solving those problems.