Are you blogging to build relationships? I sure am. And so are many other bloggers.
Sure, if we’re blogging, we probably like to write. We also probably enjoy playing on the internet to some degree. And for many of us, we’ve got businesses to promote. Yet the reason many of us blog is to create conversations. And those conversations lead to relationships with people from all over the world.
Just imagine how disappointing it’d be to have your posts generate conversations that lead bloggers to contact you only to have you drop the ball by not responding. This is like inviting someone to a lunch where you spend the whole time talking to someone else on your cell phone. Not the way to build a relationship.
Bloggers want to reach out. They want to get a viceral feeling for who you are. Doing so takes a little courage on their part. And not following through sends the message that you just don’t care.
So, here are five quick-and-easy ways to be sure you don’t make the biggest mistake in your blogging relationships:
- Reply Immediately by Email
Sending a two sentence email right away that thanks them for contact you is can send more of a positive message than a well crafted longer message two days later. The immediate response makes the other person feel like they’re important to you. - Send an Instant Message
If they publish their IM Screen Name, use it to contact them as soon as you can. Sometimes this can lead to a brief virtual conversation that can be picked up later. - Set an Appointment
Even if you’re busy, take a few moments and respond to their message by inviting a time to talk later. Scheduling an appointment time for a brief (or lenghthy) conversation can be an effective way to meet them without stopping your current work flow. - Call Them Out of the Blue
If you have the time, respond with a phone call instead of an email. This can create quite the impression. I once had a well-known blogger send me an email saying that she was going to phone me at ‘1 pm today.’ She did and we had a great talk. - Be Honest About How Busy You Are
If you’re really busy and can’t get a bit of time away, let them know. People understand. A polite message letting them know that you’d love to meet them soon, but you’re currently under a deadline crunch can easily get the point across without seeming like a blow-off.
If you’re blogging to build relationships be sure to respond to people who contact you. Not doing so will send the wrong message.
Have you made the biggest mistake in your blogging relationships? How have you made up for it? What do you do to not make the biggest mistake?
There are, of course, plenty of other mistakes you can make with your blog. Here’s a few other posts where people have offered up the wisdom of their own experiences…
- The Top Ten Blogging Mistakes I Made In My First Year – eMomsatHome
- Missed Opportunities Are Worse Then Making Mistakes – ProBlogger
- 10 Blog Mistakes / Why Your Blog Struggles – Seach-This
- 3 Blog Mistakes You Can Avoid – Lee Odden
- 10 Mistakes That Will Kill A Forum…or A Blog – ProBlogger
- 10 Common Blog Writing Mistakes and How To Fix Them – Rich Minx
- Top 5 Mistakes Made When Naming Your Website Or Company – Chitika’s Blog
- 10 Blogging Mistakes I’ve Made – Webomatica
- Top 10 SEO Mistakes – PhoenixRealm
- Twenty Usability Tips For Your Blog – Condensed From Dozens of Bloggers’ Experiences – I’d Rather Be Writing
#6: Don’t take any long road trips.
No, seriously – plan ahead for your really busy times and make sure you put people first through those times.
#7 remove the “digg this” button with 0 digg votes.
Great post Dawud. They’re so obvious and yet, I’ve been guilty of all of them on a regular basis! Thanks for pointing out what was sitting in front of my face. I think I’ll print these out and and put them next to my computer.
Easton that is a good recommendation – I took a week vacation and lined up some guest posts and wrote another bunch in advance. It worked out pretty well (no traffic drop) and was fun for both me and the guest bloggers.
Dawud, I was reading some quotes today and I found this and you popped right into my mind.
“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.” – Goethe
That is YOU! I think people become what they are capable of being only through relationship, which is what you so lovingly cultivate here. Thank you 🙂
Easton,
I hear you. I’d say put people first all the time, if possible.
TDavid,
Thanks for stopping by. Point taken.
Edward,
Yeah, there’s a reason why I know about them too. I’m hoping by sharing them that it helps people…and it reminds me too.
Webomatica,
Yeah, great idea. I’m traveling later this year and will likely be away for close to two weeks. I’ve been considering my strategy. Great ideas.
LaurenMarie,
Ooh, good one. I may have that one somewhere. But if not, I’m definitely adding it.
Thanks. I agree with you that you find more about who you are through relationships. It’s as though you need a mirror to see who you really are. And through the mirror what you focus on will expand.
Great post Dawud. I’m gonna have to check the list of posts. It’s great of bloggers to share their mistakes so new bloggers like myself can learn how to avoid them 🙂
I don’t think I’d like an unsolicited phone call from another bloggger… but maybe it’s only me 🙂
anyway, here’s a list of 48 other blogging mistakes you can find useful: http://www.mapelli.info/blog/48-blogging-mistakes-from-the-blogosphere
well…
I still don’t like phone calls… they require full attention and you can handle only one at a time…
(I’m talking about work stuff here, obvoisly I like to receive phone calls from my friends and family)
there are cases where a phone call it’s needed, but if someone calls me to tell me something that could have been written on an email, I find it annoying…
but probably it’s just that I’m a bit misanthropic 🙂
Great tips Dawud. Creating relationships and Blogging go hand in hand. When you first start a blog you learn this very quickly.
Dee,
Thanks. I know. I’ve learned a lot and am happy to share my experiences with everyone.
francesco mapelli,
I think you’re right…not everyone would want an unsolicited phone call. But we shouldn’t limit the options to those who would.
How would you feel if someone emailed first and then asked about talking by phone?
Dawud,
You get out of relationships what you put into them. If not then you move on. No one can be a one man show. You will have to rely on someone at some time to achieve your goals.
francesco,
I understand. They do take a lot of time. Yet personally, I find that time often well spent. And I know we’re all different.
Business Blogger,
Thanks. I agree. It’s exactly why I’m blogging. I’m certain that conversation leads to relationships and relationships lead to commerce. Yet there’s a difference between building relationships just for the sake of commerce versus building relationships, helping people and trusting that some how your efforts will be reciprocated.
Dawud, real good tips here.
For me, you are talking about deep respect and operating from a heart level that increases awareness of others and fosters meaningful relationship.
Thanks.
Stuart Baker
http://www.xonsciouscooperation.com
Chris,
Absolutely. Not to mention, I feel we’re ultimately here partially to get to know each other.
Stuart,
You got it. Fostering meaningful relationship through integrity and honesty. Doesn’t get much cleaner than that.
Mistakes?
I’m guilty. I have let both emails and comments linger far too long without reply, but this is no longer an issue for me. Respond immediately! Otherwise, life happens. Then this is no longer an issue. Great post. Great advice. Great comments.
Troy,
Thanks. And great to ‘see’ you.
I’ve learned this the hard way myself. For me, if I don’t respond immediately, it’s hard to get to it later.
Wow! This is great. I’ll keep it handy for when people actually CONTACT me on my blog! I’m still in the early phases, but I love building blog relationships!
Susan,
Me too. The reason I’m blogging is for conversation and relationship with eye that at some point the relationships will lead to mutually beneficial business relationships – whatever form they naturally take. Some will be partnerships, some casual friendships – and others in between.
“Not following through sends the message that you just don’t care…
…[An] immediate response makes the other person feel like they’re important to you.”
All very true.
Dawud, great tips. I never take comments on my blog for granted, but sometimes I get a bit lax on thanking my commentators. This is just the jolt I need to keep me in a thankful frame of mind.
Thank you 🙂
Paul,
I know what you mean. And thank you for taking the time to comment.
Thanks for the resources. Making mistakes is part of the learning process. But learning from others can save time. I’m new to blogging so learning is important right now. Emma
This is something I’ve been trying to do. I’ve gotten some positive results from it, but I think I could do better.
I have a note on the comments section of my blog stating that I respond to comments in the comments section unless specifically requested by the poster. Now I’m thinking – should I remove that? should I keep it but with a disclaimer?
As for the telephone issue. I, for one, can’t stand the telephone. But in this business world, it’s a must-have and a must-use, no matter how much I loathe the thing. :sigh:
Lots to think about here other than just that!
And for the Goethe quote further up in the comments – that’s such a keeper. Thank you!
Mari,
Keep it. Important to have it. I will have one soon.
Thanks for your thoughts, Dawud.
I failed to subscribe to your blog last time I was over here. Am correcting that now.
Great post! Thanks for sharing all these insights, tips and resources. I will surely take note of all of these. Thanks!
I found this blog on a google search and boy am I glad I did. I thought I heard someone mention it in a free chat room.
Awesome read!