If you are afraid you won’t get any response at all, try starting a discussion around it at Twitter. People love to converse at Twitter, especially if you bring up interesting questions. People will either reply in a tweet or some will comment. You can incorporate the Twitter responses as updates to the post so the reader can see the discussion.

If you are afraid you won’t get any response at all, try starting a discussion around it at Twitter. People love to converse at Twitter, especially if you bring up interesting questions. People will either reply in a tweet or some will comment. You can incorporate the Twitter responses as updates to the post so the reader can see the discussion.

But what do you do if you don’t get any questions? Doesn’t that just make you look silly (and heaven forbid, unpopular)? How long should you give something like to catch on?

But what do you do if you don’t get any questions? Doesn’t that just make you look silly (and heaven forbid, unpopular)? How long should you give something like to catch on?

@Terry – Thanks, I think a lot of the time we stress so much about our side of the equation we try to push extra hard from where we are instead of meeting our audience where *they* are

@Gina – My twitter is over in the sidebar. Entertainment is definitely a way of engaging, even some politicians manage it. Humor is at the very least a great ice breaker but very often you can educate while keeping people entertained too.

@Giselle – Yup, two ears one mouth, work to that ratio and we don’t go far wrong

@Shane – Some blogs will be very much resources but the way to get more involvement is to start asking questions, invite people to add their input, comments, or questions back. Ask questions that anyone can answer without fear of looking wrong or stupid (I would never answer a math question for example!). Engagement grows both with opportunities to engage and evidence that the readers engagement is welcome.

@Richard – What readers want will attract them, getting value is what will keep them, so if you provide what they need in a way they can see a benefit then they will be pleased. Having said that, I tend to provide what I think is important and what I believe in even though I know that has limited my blogs growth when I could have been doing constant link baits and brain candy There is a balancing act but in the end you have to know you have produced something that is not just “popular” but worthwhile too, otherwise what is the point?

@Terry – Thanks, I think a lot of the time we stress so much about our side of the equation we try to push extra hard from where we are instead of meeting our audience where *they* are

@Gina – My twitter is over in the sidebar. Entertainment is definitely a way of engaging, even some politicians manage it. Humor is at the very least a great ice breaker but very often you can educate while keeping people entertained too.

@Giselle – Yup, two ears one mouth, work to that ratio and we don’t go far wrong

@Shane – Some blogs will be very much resources but the way to get more involvement is to start asking questions, invite people to add their input, comments, or questions back. Ask questions that anyone can answer without fear of looking wrong or stupid (I would never answer a math question for example!). Engagement grows both with opportunities to engage and evidence that the readers engagement is welcome.

@Richard – What readers want will attract them, getting value is what will keep them, so if you provide what they need in a way they can see a benefit then they will be pleased. Having said that, I tend to provide what I think is important and what I believe in even though I know that has limited my blogs growth when I could have been doing constant link baits and brain candy There is a balancing act but in the end you have to know you have produced something that is not just “popular” but worthwhile too, otherwise what is the point?

I saw the title and diagram and I thought wow! That says it all. You actually could have just posted those and it would be self explanatory. I did read the rest though.

One thing that interests me is the difference between what readers want and what they need. They aren’t necessarily the same thing and of course giving readers what they want will satisfy them initially but they might realise later that it wasn’t what they needed, and of course if you give someone what they need but not what they want they might feel that you are too controlling.

Do you have any thoughts around this, does it make your brain explode thinking about it?

I saw the title and diagram and I thought wow! That says it all. You actually could have just posted those and it would be self explanatory. I did read the rest though.

One thing that interests me is the difference between what readers want and what they need. They aren’t necessarily the same thing and of course giving readers what they want will satisfy them initially but they might realise later that it wasn’t what they needed, and of course if you give someone what they need but not what they want they might feel that you are too controlling.

Do you have any thoughts around this, does it make your brain explode thinking about it?

I am starting to believe that some blogs are destined to be resources rather than conversations – what’s your take on this?

If you agree then how do you know if you are involving your readers enough or even catching their interest? Otherwise, how do you get them more involved?

I am starting to believe that some blogs are destined to be resources rather than conversations – what’s your take on this?

If you agree then how do you know if you are involving your readers enough or even catching their interest? Otherwise, how do you get them more involved?

There’s a saying that goes KYC – Know Your Customers. My saying is KYR – Know Your Readers. You must listen to your readers to find out what they need to know or find interesting. Now that I started my blog, I will keep this in mind.

Giselle Conyette

There’s a saying that goes KYC – Know Your Customers. My saying is KYR – Know Your Readers. You must listen to your readers to find out what they need to know or find interesting. Now that I started my blog, I will keep this in mind.

Giselle Conyette

Have been Tweeting away this week as a Twitter newbie. And from my observations there I would like to add one more point to your points above on engagement – “Entertainment”. I wouldn’t call myself a “frivolous person” at all but several times I have found myself following marketers there purely because they make me laugh! And I have to say the funnier conversations are the more magnetic ones, because they make me feel good. What do you think? And where can I find you on Twitter?

@juicygina

Have been Tweeting away this week as a Twitter newbie. And from my observations there I would like to add one more point to your points above on engagement – “Entertainment”. I wouldn’t call myself a “frivolous person” at all but several times I have found myself following marketers there purely because they make me laugh! And I have to say the funnier conversations are the more magnetic ones, because they make me feel good. What do you think? And where can I find you on Twitter?

@juicygina

Good Job!!!

Good Job!!!

Thanks for the reminder Chris, I really seemed to have needed it today and now feel a bit inspired.

Thanks for the reminder Chris, I really seemed to have needed it today and now feel a bit inspired.