I was having a conversation with a friend of mine regarding people not subscribing to my blog. Actually, the conversation was more along the lines of why she didn’t subscribe to any of my blogs. She will read a post if I send her a particular post link, but otherwise, it just doesn’t happen.
She wrote back saying she was a terrible friend, but I wasn’t having any of that. See, the thing is that I’ve often wondered how any of us really believe we can sell and market to others, as well as get people to subscribe to things we do, if we can’t even get our friends and families to participate in the process. After all, these are the people who supposedly know us best, and at least are supposed to like us in some fashion, yet when it comes down to it you’re not writing anything of interest to get them to participate.
Not counting my internet friends, I have four friends of mine who are subscribed to this blog in some fashion; that’s it. I have a few more subscribed to my business blog. I’m not sure any of my friends are subscribed to my finance blog, but I wouldn’t expect them to be since it’s kind of, well, out of their realm of caring.
One truth of mine is that I’m subscribed to every one of my friend’s blogs. Only two of them write fairly regularly, and every once in awhile I comment, but I see everything. I’ve always felt it was the thing to do, but at the same time, I’m really interested in what people have to say, when they decide to say it. Just seeing them express themselves, no matter what it is, thrills me to no end. Yet, it’s not reciprocal.
Of course there is a difference. I’m really hoping to grow my blog, whereas most of them are just looking to say something and move on. Most of them probably have way fewer people following them than I do, but that’s not really the point. I guess my point, or question, is if my thinking that if I can’t even convince my friends or family to read things I write, let alone comment, then am I kidding myself in thinking that other people should be interested in it?
I know I’m not alone on this one, so please tell me your thoughts; I’d really like to know. Not that I’d stop, but I’m just trying to get my mind around it all. Thanks; enjoy your day.
I honestly don’t expect my friends and family to subscribe to my blog since they aren’t really interested in what I write about. I do expect them to follow me on Facebook, but to me that’s different from subscribing to a blog aimed at a very specific market. Just my two cents.
.-= DeAnna Troupe´s last blog ..Like twitter? You’ll Love Sokule =-.
Hi DeAnna,
It’s not just my blog. I wrote a book, created a seminar series on CD, have my newsletters, and three blogs. Even if I didn’t care all that much about the subject, if I had a friend who’d written a book I’d at least read it. I mean, I’ve given some friends free copies of my books, and they still can’t read it. I’ve given free access to my seminars, and they don’t listen. I guess I’m just a different kind of friend overall.
Good morning, Mitch.
This is a good question and I’m not entirely sure that I have a good answer, yet. I’m thinking about it.
I really don’t expect my family and friends to read what I write, let alone subscribe to any feeds or email lists.
For the most part, we don’t share the same interests and there’s only a couple of my friends who have any interest in marketing, which remains my primary interest.
Just as I would not read what they wrote about baseball, football, and countless numbers of other subjects in which I have no interest, I would not expect them to read what I have to say.
A couple of them do read my Murphy Gold News and a couple participate on Murphy Connections, but that was their choice.
I don’t even expect any of them to interact with me on Facebook, but I’m fortunate that a few do.
You ask, “I guess my point, or question, is if my thinking that if I can’t even convince my friends or family to read things I write, let alone comment, then am I kidding myself in thinking that other people should be interested in it?”
They’re not your target market. If they were, they’d be reading what you have to say.
You have lots of people who enjoy reading what you write, so why stress out because a few don’t?
In a way, your question reminds me of the old worn-out advice that I keep reading about MLMs to pitch to your friends and family. That’s not a good idea. When people market too much to their friends, especially when they have no interest in the subjects presented, it’s a good way to lose them.
Market and write for strangers who share an interest in what you have to say. Leave your family and friends alone; that way, they’re more likely to remain friends.
Does that make any sense? I haven’t even finished my first cup of coffee and this is a tricky subject.
Act on your dream!
JD
Hi John,
Overall it makes sense. Still, it’s an interesting question overall. I mean, my friends like shopping deals as much as anyone else. But they don’t go to any of my sites whenever they start shopping online, and that’s problematic for me. Then again, I also know I don’t have them laid out all that well, but they’re relatively easy to find.
And, as I said, I gave the book to many of them for free, and nothing. Here online, you see my book at the upper left there on marketing for small businesses? I sent that book to a few folks who write here, asking if they’d just look it through and if they thought it was valuable then write something about it, or comment in general even if they didn’t like it. Not calling anyone out, but neither person has ever even opened it. And it’s in a field they’d care something about.
That’s what I mean. If I were asked, and I liked the people, I’d do it. If it cost me nothing except a little bit of time, I’d do it. Maybe I’m too much a patsy; not sure.
Mitch, I’m pretty sure that no-one of my family members or friends have subscribed to any of my blogs. Heck, I’m pretty sure that none of them even read any of them, even though I’ve proven to them that I actually make money from them.
It’s never bothered me before because I’ve never thought about it. Now that you bring it up I reckon I will have to rewrite my will. 😀
.-= Sire´s last blog ..Keyword Abusers Force Comment Policy Change =-.
Good evening, Sire.
I like your approach – direct and to the point: “rewrite my will.”
😉
Act on your dream!
JD
Could you imaging the look on their faces when the will was read. I would love to be around to see that 😀
.-= Sire´s last blog ..Three Ways To Increase Your Ad Space Earnings =-.
That’s funny, Sire. I mean, it’s just something I think about here and there. You know I write stories about my real life that I occasionally send out to friends, and they love that stuff. I often see many of my blog posts as just extensions of my life and stories, but I guess they don’t.
Yeah, I can’t help it, I’m always trying to crack people up. 😀
.-= Sire´s last blog ..Keyword Abusers Force Comment Policy Change =-.
Mitch, I learned from one blogging site saying that it is not a good idea for us to let our family members to visit or subscribe to our blogs as they may compromise the Adsense ads. This is especially true if we are sharing one IP address with them. Just a thought. 🙂
.-= Rian´s last blog ..Starcraft 2 Philippines Release =-.
That’s only if they’re predisposed to clicking on your ads. The thing is that subscribing isn’t so bad, as long as people are just reading and hopefully commenting from time to time if the mood hits them.
Hey, I didn’t “out” anyone, Dennis, but trust me, you’re not the only one. I don’t mind, but, as I said on another response, it’s just the type of thing I think about.
Many of friends and quite a few of my family have subscribed to my blog. For some strange reason, they prefer not to comment on most but do email me with their observations. I find this frustrating as if they would only comment, interesting discussions can take place. Since they do not, I respect their privacy and respond to them by email too. My visits per post are high but comments are not commensurate with the visits.
.-= Rummuser´s last blog ..One Memorable Day. =-.
Rummuser, I don’t get as many visits as I’d like per post, but overall I don’t do badly. But like you, when I have a post that I want people to read, and I sent it to them, I’ll get lots of people who will check it out and send me email, but they just won’t comment publicly.