Finding your community

1 | Ginny

July 2nd, 2009 at 11:57 am

I think that it is amazing how quickly that network based platforms such as blogs and twitter and facebook find themselves morphing to their audiences. With nothing between the content provider and the content user, a true value relationship is established. No manipulation through marketing or agent intervention… The content provider either listens and responds to user feedback or slips into the dreaded land of ‘no eyeballs’.

I think that your advice to your friend is perfect – give your audiences even more of what they want and try to find another vehicle (with a different audience) for your other content.

My feeling is that this too will shift, however. As audiences continue to seek new stimulation and perspectives they may also grow ‘bored’ with product updates, in this case. We must be ‘listening’ every day and adjusting our messages and platforms accordingly.

Ginny

2 | Ron

July 2nd, 2009 at 12:04 pm

You are dead on here Christen. Like 100%

We all want to be successful, to be noticed, to have people appreciate what we have to say. And what I’ve found is, they do. But we can’t expect to achieve the critical mass of our idols if you will, because well..it’s all about timing and a hook that allows you to do that.

And that’s a bit of luck, but it’s something that occurs when you’re passionate about something and manage to draw other people into that.

It’s easier said than done.

As for the personal blog thing, I think it really has been hard to figure out what the purpose of my blog was for. It’s shifted a lot. I could probably generate another post about this, but..I just tend to think that you have to really understand what you’re trying to achieve and then not to be afraid to put that out there.

For me, it was about using my blog as a way to let people know what I’d been doing and what I’d like to be doing. That’s it. My interests are cool, but in a world where you don’t get much time, I don’t think that my random interests matter nearly as much as the projects I’ve worked on, coupled with the insights I can provide.

Anyway…you’re totally onto something here. Thanks for it. As a side bar, it’s the conversation we had on Twitter last week that really fueled me to start thinking about this in a way that’s been truly productive. So thanks. :)

3 | Danny Brown

July 4th, 2009 at 7:42 pm

The funny thing about blogging is you can never quite tell what the reaction is going to be on a per-post basis. I’ve found some of my best work (in my eyes) has received less views than ones about Twitter, or blogging tips, or more “mainstream” posts.

I think it’s just the way of the beast. Sometimes readers might expect a certain topic on a blog and anything outside that may not hold the same interest levels.

I think another problem your friend may be facing is that he’s started it as a company blog and that may be just what readers want – an inside look at the company and its products. The more personal stuff (sadly) may not interest the blog’s readers.

That’s not to take away from your friend’s writing – it may just be that the blog is perceived as a business blog first and foremost.

Maybe your friend could try something like Posterous.com for a more personal one (I use it myself for tidbits and thoughts outside my normal blog), and keep the company one for the products?

4 | David Airey

July 7th, 2009 at 9:23 am

Hi Christen,

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog recently. I appreciate it.

As for your tips here — spot on. The blogs I enjoy most are those with a passionate author, so it'd be interesting to read what your friend has to say. Launching a new blog for such insights, while doubling the work in some cases, is definitely worth a shot.

5 | x10

July 8th, 2009 at 12:37 am

I agree, that after a while, more stimulating content is necessary. But to deliver that content with credibility we all need to establish a connection with our communities. We have to have heard them.

6 | x10

July 8th, 2009 at 12:40 am

Ron, thanks for your thoughts. You continue to inspire me to new heights.

I like what you said "you have to really understand what you're trying to achieve and then not to be afraid to put that out there."

I'm still trying to figure out what I'm trying to achieve. It feels so selfish most of the time…. here I am, hear me blog! I'm also trying to get over that fear of putting myself out there. Sometimes it's hardest to just say what we feel.

I look forward to seeing what you do with all your mad skillz! Keep me posted!

7 | x10

July 8th, 2009 at 12:44 am

Thanks for the comment Danny!
I've noticed that too about you never can tell which ones get more traffic. Sometimes just a by someone with lots of Twitter followers gets lots of hits, but not much loyalty.
I heard Timothy Ferriss at WordCamp say that for all his hard work on some amazing posts, his biggest source of traffic was a post he did for fun showing how to peel a hard boiled egg. So we never can tell.
I think Posterous is good advice for some… but I've never got in the habit of using my account there.

8 | x10

July 8th, 2009 at 12:45 am

Thanks for the comment Danny!

I've noticed that too about you never can tell which ones get more traffic. Sometimes just a by someone with lots of Twitter followers gets lots of hits, but not much loyalty.

I heard Timothy Ferriss at WordCamp say that for all his hard work on some amazing posts, his biggest source of traffic was a post he did for fun showing how to peel a hard boiled egg. So we never can tell.

I think Posterous is good advice for some… but I've never got in the habit of using my account there.

9 | x10

July 8th, 2009 at 12:47 am

Thanks David. I've been a big fan of your design work for a long time now. I'm honoured to have you stop by!

I would love to hear what my friend has to say too… hint hint, wink wink!

I'm not sure if he's up to it. Busy guy.