If the vision for the blog is to sell products (etsy) or write a book, or build a following, then you need a way to reach out to your subscribers on a personal level and connect with them. Email is still one of the best ways to reach people online. Some bloggers send out newsletters.
And the best way to build an list is through give aways.
I have benefited from giveaways but I was going to comment anyway. If I did a giveaway I think I'd try to figure out who the regular viewers are and do a draw from 'the regulars'.
I do not want to build a list but I am certainly willing to connect through emails. I do have a few blog friends with whom I have connected that has gone beyond blog comments. And this has been the best that blogging has offered me.
5 comments:
I too like emailing as it reaches just who I send it to and not random people. I don't offer give-aways on my blog for the very reason you have said...I don't want numbers of followers just to have a huge list...I want my regulars who are faithful and leave me comments and actually care about who I am and what I do. Is this selfish of me? I am thankful for you sharing your lessons as I am learning as well. Terrific Tuesday Dear...
Since my e-mail has been down for awhile, I have stopped listing it on my blog. I believe most anything I have to say can come in the form of a comment.
I'm sure several of the giveaways you have won were offered without any consideration (like the DVDs you got from Seth). I'm also sure some of the giveaways required you be a follower, even though you already followed that blog.
When I have a giveaway (I had not offered once since OWOH in 2011 until the one I had for my blogoversary this year) I NEVER ask for anything in return. I figure people will follow if they like what you have to say, or make art similar to theirs, and won't follow if you don't. I've never been in it (blogging) for the followers. I've never been in it for the comments. However, I appreciate those who choose to be there every day or every few days.
This is a fun, very thought provoking series, dear. I like how you say what is on your mind, and that is why I come back over and over again.
I'm one of those "never win anything" people, partly because I never enter anything, either. I have, in the past, but it doesn't motivate me to become a follower, or even to go back to see if I did win. I just enjoy reading and seeing what others are doing and I learn stuff all of the time! I love followers and comments, mostly, I love comments! I'm not sure I have enough wisdom to impart to do a newsletter but, you know what, I read several other artist newsletters and enjoy them very much. I do feel I would be doing things differently if I had an Etsy store and wanted to sell. For now, I'm enjoying it the way it is even tho' I know there is always room for improvement.
There is a certain randomness to stumbling on a blog. I don't always comment even though I do read my regulars every day or few days unless I am not home for awhile.
Sure I would love people to read what I blog about. But mostly I am content to read others thoughts and glean some new perspective on life or my hobbies.
Interesting topic though.
I don't always comment but I do make a point of visiting the blogs I follow otherwise why follow them:) I have done two giveaways and I'm not sure I will do one again.
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