Make Them Feel they are Part Of Your Blog

January 4, 2011 - Last Modified: January 4, 2011 by Fernando Park

Bet You $100 This Will Work: Ask Your Readers Questions.. Yeah, just like that! Simple as you read. If this doesn’t work, I will give you $100. I’m not rich or anything near that but I’m so sure this will work I want to risk my bank balance for you to try it.

What are you talking about?

This all starts a couple of days ago, I was at the usual bar with my friends having some drinks when my friend introduced me to a really nice girl. We introduced to each other, told her my name, asked her how she was and she did the same. Everything was looking good until then.

So after a couple of minutes talking about how crowded the bar was and how nice it looked because the restyled it a couple of weeks ago, I asked her what she did for a living, what her job was and if she liked it. So she started talking and I was really paying attention to her, I mean I’m not the biggest listener but I was interested so I was trying hard. After a couple of minutes of her talking about what she did I think I was kind of hoping she asked me the same. Like showing some interest on it or maybe just a reciprocal question to keep the conversation going. Guess what? Never happened, it felt like she would literally kept talking and talking and as time went on I started losing interest on her.

I mean, it seemed like she was having a great conversation but only with herself. So while she was talking I started thinking “Wow, this is kind of crazy, even thought at the beginning I felt really interested on her, now I’m totally not, What happened?”.

I know what happened and it is kind of interesting. Although I was the one talking with her, I felt like if I was not part of the conversation leading that to me losing interest. The next morning, when I woke up I started thinking about it and tried to relate it with the blogosphere. I realized you have to ask the reader for their opinion, what they think, what they would change about it, how they felt. Resuming it, make them feel a part of the conversation. Because we know what happens if you don’t. Happened to me and can happen to anyone.

Ask Your Readers: Make Them Feel A Part Of Your Blog

We as bloggers and also readers, should encourage each other to give our point of views, our perspectives. It’s a simple equation, the more questions you ask your readers, the more they seem to get involved with it. Why? Because when they feel a part of it, this makes them jump onto your blogging journey, it will make them feel a part of the conversation.

Questions To Encourage Your Readers: What Do You Think?

We sometimes ask this when we finish a post and I think that’s just great because when people are reading what you wrote, they are actually thinking about it and by asking you can encourage them to take some of those thoughts into comments.

What Do You Feel?

How did they felt reading what your wrote, what kind of impact does this have on their lives. Most of the times, this is one of the most encouraging questions, because asking what you think is something completely apart from What do you feel?”. This comes to something more personal, like making a bond with the reader. Give them the chance to tell their story, their personal experiences or even just an example of their lives which may reflect on the topic. Caring about what they feel and how they felt it.

What Can You Add Up?

Give your readers a chance to disagree with you. And it’s not really disagreeing because they can actually add something up to the topic which may be useful for others. Ten perspectives are way more important than just one. Constructive thoughts or comments. How would you have done this post? Would you have tried to cover this topic a different way?

Tell them about what You Been Working On?

This is just vital, people spend so much time on personal projects, blogging projects, pretty much any project. Telling them to give you or all the audience a heads up it’s a noble thing to do. Giving them a space to share and talk about their things, their stuff.

Final Thought

I think it all comes down to make a bond with the readers, let them now you are there hearing what they have to say and showing them you are not some just machine writing content. And also, of course I would love to hear what you have to say so these are my questions, What would you ask? How would you encourage your readers?

About Fernando Park

Follow @NineToWhat

I help people make money blogging. I've just launched Nine To What and here's what are the most smart ways to make money blogging.

{ 80 Responses }

Fazal Mayar says:

great stuff fernando. Any successful blogger will tell you that it's important to make relationships with your readers or else, they won't feel that they are part of your community.
Maria Pavel says:

Hello, Readers really are part of a blog, one of the most important part of the blog I'd say, no readers equals the blogger wouldn't have whom to write for so the blogger wouldn't blog - he wouldn't be a blogger. So... they are who they are because of the readers, some bloggers admit this, some don't, but this thing applies to every blogger. Great article, I like Fernando's writing style, I also use to comment on his blog too, great blog. Congratulations for the article Fernando! Best regards, Maria
Delena Silverfox says:

Fernando, I feel for you! You got into a conversation with what my girlfriends and I just call "that chick." You know the one. =) My sympathies! But you're absolutely right. If people don't take an interest in you and show that they care what you think, what you have to say, in general make you feel like you *matter* to them, then why should you care about them? Gone are the days when blogging was just an online diary or a fast, short way to update content on personal websites. It's a serious networking and business tool! But the grassroots feel is still there: If you show you don't care about anything but talking about yourself, people are going to notice and let you do just that...alone. Thanks for the observation! Delena
Isabel Rodrigues - Pro Blogger Journey says:

I liked the way you started your blog with the story. Very interesting and good example to match your thoughts. It's very important to make your blog visitors feel special and keep them interactive all the time.
Rodger says:

It is necessary to connect with your readers. By asking questions, you start a dialogue. But, read the answers and respond to them, as well.
- Fernando says:
  
  Right, always coming back!
Mani Viswanathan says:

The first line says it all. 'ASK' is the keyword here :)
- Fernando says:
  
  Thanks for stopping by Mani! :)
Vincent Chow says:

There are a lot of bloggers asking question at the end of their article these days. Using generic questions like a plain "What do you think?" won't have much effect in my opinion. Rather, more specific questions will engage the reader better, like: "Are you using this method to achieve X? How effective is it? If not, what other methods do you use and recommend?"
- Fernando says:
  
  Depends, I think what do you think is always valid because as you are reading something your head starts thinking and thinking and that's just a simple question for a reader to open up their minds. :)
Rose says:

Very interesting article. Many were already inclined to making money online as a source of income but, how many will succeed? It many depend on the interest and hardwork of anyone who wanted to do it. Hard work and research is required. Through articles like this and by keeping on reading and learning, anyone may succeed. I agree with you, we should make our readers feel like they were part of our blogs. It such a nice idea that anyone must do. Thank you for this very interesting tip.
- Fernando says:
  
  Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment Rose. I think what you say it's true but I would like to add that sometimes, you have the hard work but not the tools, so many people tend to give up, that's why if you make your research, you will succeed. Right now, I'm pretty much a full time blogger, but I have to say that I've failed many times in the past and I'm proud to say it!
The Bad Blogger says:

Although, connecting in conversation is one good thing, but we human beings are born differently, some people might have the same thought as you but some don't. So, is really hard to say who's right and who's wrong, but guess what... "asking" is really the number one tools to connect with anyone... without asking... nothing is going to happen...
- Fernando says:
  
  Exactly and also what I'm trying to talk about here, is putting the interest to make them feel they are a part of something! I mean, no one wants to read someone who just talks and talks!
  - The Bad Blogger says:
    
    Ya no one wants to listen to someone who just talk and talk, but I believe the person who ask the question is also important because, by asking a boring question it will lead to talks that are boring such as the one you speak of about the girl... maybe you shouldn't had ask about her job, maybe next time, you ask about what type of boy you like... I believe she will ask you back the same question about what type of girl you like... I thought you might want to know... most girls like boys to ask sensitive question rather then boring question such as a job... And when it comes to blogging... I bet most reader will feel bore when they see the author asking about how they feel and think... because... a question such as this... is just too common but rather asking what's their opinion about the subject might serve a better conversation... So what's your opinion about my comment? :)
    - Fernando says:
      
      I kindly disagree with you because it's like you are not being objective at all. I mean, when you talk about girls, what girls are you talking about? You can't put them all together on the same bag, same thing with guys. I think it depends on every person and what you can feel and perceive from them, basing your opinion on that, you know what you can ask. But that does not apply to blogging because it's not like you can meet everyone, so the best thing to do would be asking normal kind of questions so you can cover all people.
      - The Bad Blogger says:
        
        you can never cover all people, as you already said... you can't put all together on the same bag... that's why I thought may be a sensitive question might trigger the girl in asking the same certain question back to you, but well... if you think your still right... then you can go ahead by always asking the same old normal question to everyone and see if anyone gets bored about it....
        
        Fernando says:
        
        Hahaha, don't get mad, disagreeing is something completely normal in a conversation :) I'm not saying it's better to ask the same old question, I'm just saying I think it's better to ask questions that can cover the biggest portion of the audience. Remember, disagreeing is the beauty of a discussion :)
Val says:

This is a controversial subject for me. On one hand, I understand the importance of establishing connection with your readers. On the other hand, delving too deep into comments, tweets and other feedback consumes unlimited amount of time. Can you suggest a system of handling such communications without making it a full-time job?
- Fernando says:
  
  Not really, it's like eating the whole pie and not getting fat! :)
Liza says:

This is such a great post. I used to be shy about asking readers questions in my blog. I mean, what if nobody answered?! Then I'd look like a try-hard loner on an empty blog with no comments. Since I started blogging I got over this fear and it really does work. I don't ask questions in every blog post, but it was amazing how my reader engagement grew when I started asking questions in some posts. Even if it's a quick question at the end - "So who else is going to such and such event?" or "Thoughts?", it still helps to get the reader more involved. And the funny thing is - a lot of commenters don't end up even answering the question. It seems to just warm them up for a comment and then instead of answering they pitch in with their own idea or feedback, which is great.
- Fernando says:
  
  Liza, thanks for your comment! I get your point, I mean, who wants a 'ghost town' blog, right?! Glad we share the same points here!
Jeevan Jacob John says:

Great post, Fernando ! I agree with you on adding questions to the end of the post. Question based titles, sentences, etc. really work in Blogosphere (for some reason, they are the best ! - I mean best articles). I think this is due to the fact that questions make us curious. Adding a questions towards the end of the post will really help in terms of maintaining the discussion. Anyway, great post !
- Fernando says:
  
  Thanks Jeevan! Haven't seen you in a while! Thanks for the input! And I think it all comes down to what human nature is, curiosity!
  - Jeevan Jacob John says:
    
    Welcome ! Yeah, I was busy with converting to WordPress (Thanks to Hesham for his support!). I agree. Thank you for the fast reply !
    - Fernando says:
      
      Nice! WordPress is the way to go!
Pritam says:

Well said. Its happened to everyone. If they think they are being ignored, they lose the interest. In blog, you should think about your readers while you are thinking to write something. They must think that they are being involved in your blog.
- Fernando says:
  
  Exactly right Pritam! You have to make it reciprocal having interest as a tool :)
zack says:

For now I love to use social media such as facebook to get in touch with. I just starting my new blog after learn and read lot of blog. This is was bookmarked on my FF, Great post!
- Fernando says:
  
  Thanks for bookmarking Zack! Hope to see you around :)
Michael Aulia says:

Great introduction paragraph :) It's true and spot on
- Fernando says:
  
  Thanks Michael :)
Murlu says:

I did this not too long ago on my blog about niche site ideas - it got everyone talking about their own methods which I later followed up by sharing some of my own - it went over really, really well and had people coming back since it was fresh on their mind :)
- Fernando says:
  
  Nice to hear that Murlu! Glad you liked it :)
Alex says:

Hi Fernando, Although I don't own a blog I must confess that the web has become more and more social and when someone starts a conversation and creates a connection with someone, that someone will surely return to read your other posts too. I mean we can only take a look at facebook and twitter they are all about social, and I think the web is following this trend. That is why blogs have so much success, because people can interact with the writer!
- Fernando says:
  
  Yeah, exactly the same, Social Media are so famous just because of that, because they actually make you feel a part of that big system and it makes it even more personal with the profiles!
Dennis Edell says:

I've been saying this all along, your call to cation at the end of a post should always be in question form...I start posts this way too, putting a question right in the title. ;-)
- Fernando says:
  
  I bet that's working!
  - Dennis Edell says:
    
    Always has. ;-)
    - Fernando says:
      
      Great way to kick it Dennis! I use Chrome and I can't really see your site properly, have you tried debugging your site's style?
      - Dennis Edell says:
        
        Do me a favor Fernando, I'd appreciate it. Shoot me an email (admin@dennisedell.com) and pinpoint it a little more for me if you can. "I can’t really see your site properly" doesn't do much for me. I'm about to unveil a new theme and would like to know if the same problems are there afterward, so lets keep in touch.
        
        Fernando says:
        
        Ok, because it's like your site looks moved, some stuff are one top of other stuff, will send you a screenshot.
Daniel Sharkov says:

Hey Fernando, I will confirm that asking a question is a solid strategy. The day you apply it, is the day you start getting more engagement on your blog. Liked your story by the way. I was in a similar situation and it definitely is a strange feeling. At a certain point no matter how interesting, you just start asking yourself 'is he/she ever going to stop rambling about it?' People should realize that the example you've given and blogging as well are both reciprocal. That's how it works. You say something and the other party says something. Interaction is the key. It's similar concept with Twitter. Many people don't get the point of it. It's a place to build new relationships firstly and then to use it as a traffic source.
- Fernando says:
  
  Exactly right, it's also a way to show an interest on the other person. Like the old said says, whenever you get interested for someone, they will get interested back. That's how it works.
Andreas says:

It should be easy to make your readers feel as part of your blog if you encourage them to participate in discussions, ask and answer questions and give suggestions which you can implement in your blog from time to time.
- Fernando says:
  
  And also enables you to make some kind of a community along them!
Kareem Williams says:

this is a powerful, people must make people feel like they are part of your blog. thanks a million for this post.
- Fernando says:
  
  Thanks to you for reading and commenting :)
TJ McDowell says:

Questions are an interesting thing. In the book How To Win Friends And Influence People, there's a section on being a good listener, and you mainly do that through questions. The author talked to influential people asking questions about things they were interested in. He rarely said a word except to ask another question. At the end of the chat, the result was they felt like he was a great conversationalist. All he did was ask questions. I wonder if the girl thinks that you've got mad conversation skills. We're all curious what she thinks of you now =)
- Fernando says:
  
  Hahaha, I saw her on New Years Eve because it's the same bar we always go, but we didn't really talk, I don't think she saw me, I was trying to avoid her. Or maybe she was avoiding me! Who knows? Hahaha
  - TJ McDowell says:
    
    Gotcha, so it's not like you're playing hard to get. You really didn't want to listen to her again =)
    - Fernando says:
      
      Hahaha, I mean, it was a really turn off just listening to her, I mean I just imaging her on other stuff just talking and talking and I would rather hang myself hahah joke joke
Bilal Ahmad says:

If i am visiting a blog on regularly basis and the admin of the blog never replay to my comment, i will disappoint and leave reading the blog. This is what happening with Problogger.net Because he is not replaying to most of the commenters. So yes it is very important to make readers feel that the blog owner care about them.
- Fernando says:
  
  Oh I just hate that! I hate when blog owners don't reply to comments, it makes me feel I'm talking with a sandbox!
Kerry says:

Fernando - I liked the example used to show the similarities between blogging and the girl you met at the bar. Making people feel part of the conversation is a great way to improve the community of your blog. And what better way to make people feel like part of the conversation than to ask them questions. I also loved your strategy on giving your readers a chance to disagree with you, which is something I will try doing on my own blog. Thanks for the tips.
- Fernando says:
  
  I think disagreeing is beautiful because if not, it makes it to monotone. I mean, it's like always reading the happy ending story Hahaha
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach says:

Engagement always works wonders - making your readers feel like they're the focus is a fantastic style in which to write. True, lots of people sometimes don't have the time to comment, even if your content is stellar...but keep at it and focused on the long run success.
- Rahul says:
  
  if they readers feel they are part of the blog this is the time that you gain momentum and trust from them
  - Fernando says:
    
    Yes and you know what comes after trust, right? People will start telling about your blog to others and that's something just great!
- Fernando says:
  
  Can I slightly disagree with you? I don't think people don't have time to comment, sometimes it happens to me that I read some article but I seriously don't have anything to comment, happens to me a lot with articles I can't really understand what the author is trying to talk about. I mean reading an article may take about 5~10 minutes. And commenting it would just take about 2 minutes. Thanks for reading and your input :)
- Fernando says:
  
  Hope they find at least a couple of minutes! Hahaha! Nice to meet you Barbara! And thanks for the comment! I agree sometimes people are just too lazy to comment so it's a nice way to approach them asking questions!
Wasim Ismail says:

By asking questions to your readers and also implementing them on to your blog will make them feel important, as everyone likes to know that they are brining something to the table. Once in a while you can write an refresher article, solely for the purpose to get your reader to interact and give you feedback about your blog, what you can do, improve, or maybe even what's not working well.
- Fernando says:
  
  I totally agree! Thanks for reading Wasim :)
Deck says:

Asking questions in the end is one of the awesome way to engage with your blog readers. Doing 'ask the readers' is another awesome tip. I do ask the readers in every week or 2 and have to say it really works awesome. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
- Fernando says:
  
  Thanks for reading gowpdeck :)
Richard says:

Hi Fernando, Your story reminds me of a saying about young lovers. They say young lovers never lack for conversation because they always talk about themselves. That girl must have really liked you! But on a more serious note, I agree with your point about engaging with your audience by asking questions. It's sometimes good to end your posts with a question for the readers. However, make sure you don't over do it with too many questions all over your articles.
- Fernando says:
  
  That's interesting what you are mentioning because it happens to me that sometimes I'm reading some article and by the end of it, it asks like 400 questions and I don't really know which one to answer. And about the girl, I saw her on New Years Eve, but I tried to stay far from her!
Ryan Biddulph says:

Hi Fernando, Engagement makes the blog. You asked some good questions here. Your situation proves how boring self-centered people are. This is why the most appealing people are the folks who make you feel special. A person who makes you feel like the only person in the room possesses a talent that can't be measured in numbers. This is the type of charisma that many world-changing business people possess. A one-way blog rarely draws in readers. Nobody wants to listen to a blogger on his or her bully pulpit. We don't want a lecture, we want a conversation. I end every post with a question. Sometimes I pepper in an additional question or 2 throughout the post. I also respond to each comment. I can't see the value of a blog unless it's a 2 way street. Thanks for sharing your insight. RB
- Fernando says:
  
  Hi Ryan, exactly right, you got it on the point. We want a conversation not a lecture!
Patricia says:

Hi Fernando I love visiting blogs and staying to comment where there is interaction and a good conversation going. Even better when the commenters answer some of the questions too that other commenters are asking. Means they feel right at home and this is their community. I love that :-) When I write a post; usually write very conversationally. This should create a relaxed atmosphere where my readers feel free to join in and they do lol Asking for their opinions and encouraging them to give it should help too. Patricia Perth Australia
- Fernando says:
  
  Hi Pat! Nice to see you around here! I agree with you on the way you talk about having a relaxed atmosphere and also feeling free to join the conversation, I mean, but not only on blogs, I think life should be like this, don't you feel uncomfortable when someone is just talking and talking to you like a machine?
Henway says:

Great post... so many times I read blog posts where I feel like the blogger is lecturing me and teaching me, and it doesn't feel like a conversation, so I don't comment. But if the blogger had the wisdom and awareness to end the blog post with a curious question that I could answer, I would comment. People just wanna talk about themselves, and their viewpoints.. LET THEM. End blog posts with a question!
- Fernando says:
  
  Totally! Thanks for the comment Henway :)
Jack Harold says:

It is seriously important to connect with your readers. Treat them as your friends rather than marketing prospects. Would you like to be given sales pitches over and over again? It just doesn't make sense! A blog is where you connect with a community, a TRIBE!
Vivek Parmar says:

that's a great thing which everyone has to take care of it while blogging, never write other than your niche, totally concentrate on niche. Ask your reader at the end of article do they like it or need something more, etc. Work hard to offer quality content P.S. did you like the girl??
- Fernando says:
  
  She was definitely hot, that for sure! But my night wasn't that good thou! :)
  - Jack Harold says:
    
    I would prefer a Paris Hilton anytime. That girl didn't suit my taste..hahhahah!
    - Fernando says:
      
      Hahaha, it's not about if she suits you or not. It's the opposite, do you think Paris Hilton would like you? I mean, I'm not saying you are ugly, don't get me wrong, I'm just saying women always choose. That's why I think this story I was saying was so funny!

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Ask Your Readers: Make Them Feel A Part Of Your Blog

Questions To Encourage Your Readers: What Do You Think?

What Do You Feel?

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