Do you think it’s okay to actually talk with your readers about the intention of your blog, and asking for their opinion?

I began as a blog to share my illustrations and rhymes. I need to sell my art…but then I shared a story about my Mother who has Alzheimers, and found that everyone was suddenly interested in her. They have sent her cards and become very much her friend over the past months. They’ve been amazing.

But selling my illustrations allows me to be with her at the hospice. If I spend too much time focusing on her, I don’t sell illustrations. I’m not building my sales the way that I need to build them.

Do I dare discuss this with my readers?
What is appropriate? Defining the purpose of your blog is important and I totally agree with that. But how do you step back and regroup?

This was a fabulous post. Thank you very much.

My blog gets a fair amount of traffic but the percentage of people actually commenting on each post is comparatively pretty small. Yet, my daily traffic remains high each day. I just assume some people appreciate my posts but don’t feel the need to comment, or they read in a reader and it is extra effort to make a comment so they just read and move on. Other times, like this week, I might get over 90 comments on a post because I was inviting people to share their opinion. People love to share if you ask them the right kinds of questions!

I love the connection I can make when people comment, and do my best to return visits at least within the week, but you are so right, you cannot use the number of comments as a yardstick to measure your worth. Some people like to connect and some don’t. It takes awhile to find the ones who do.

Great work, thanks for putting this post together!

Melissa

I think it’s important to remember to do what you can, and move on. We can’t control our readers, other bloggers, the blogs we comment on. Comments aren’t the end all, be all, and they’re not the only yardstick for measuring a good blog. I know it FEELS that way sometimes.

Comments have been on the light side, but the traffic is still there. i do my best to respond personally on their blog or email. if all else fails, i respond in my own comment section.

the posts with the most comments – the giveaways for sure!!

Thanks again!

I think it’s important to ask the question I talked about back in my first post about blogging here at BD – what’s your blog about? If it’s mostly about you and your family – and it’s completely and totally fine if it is – then make the space for you, and don’t worry too much about the comment number.

But if you’re hoping to generate some money, or be the go-to resource for something specific, then you need to write for your readers, and not for you. Be in it for them, seek out ways to improve their life, and write about it. Present material your readers want, and their comments should hopefully follow.

So, I guess what I’m saying is – decide on your blog’s purpose, and if you write for you, then the comments are just gravy.

Although I also blog about what I want to as well rather than blogging about things that people may comment more on. It’s what my whole blog is about to me.

But some comments would be good..

Will pop in again soon!

Need to add those plugins to my site. That’s one thing I don’t always have time to do- is work on the admin part.

Thanks for the helpful post.