Creating Community with your Blog

One of my favorite things about being a blogger is the community I have created with it.  In the past several years, I have met many readers, many readers have become my real friends, and many of my readers have now become friends with one another through my blog.  I have many readers who have been reading since 2005, have followed me from URL to URL, hanging in there when I went on hiatus.  I really treasure the community created with my blog, and find that this community is what ensures consistent traffic, reliable ad revenue, and promotion of the blog without me asking for it.  Here’s a few things I do to create a strong community and loyal fans of my blog.

Ask Questions.  I learned this from another blogger – end your post with a question for your readers.  This really encourages readers to comment, and share a bit about themselves.  Now it’s easy to put any old question, but have one that is not only relevant to the topic, but easy to answer.  No one wants to write a thesis in a comment, but it is nice to be able to provide something other than, “Love this outfit!”  Even better, comment back (either on their blog or in your comments) letting them know you read it, and your take on it.

Make Yourself Accessible.  Do your readers know how to reach you outside of commenting on your blog?  Many blog readers are quite shy, and don’t want to put their comment or question out there for all to see.  Offer your email, and I recommend creating a Google Doc where people can submit comments and questions (see it on my blog, here is a tutorial).  Check your Google Docs regularly for replies, and answer them promptly.  Adding the “Contact Me” page on my blog increased my traffic dramatically.

Make Your Blog Accessible.  Not everyone uses a reader, not everyone likes BlogLovin’, and many steer clear from Facebook and Twitter.  Offer many ways to be able to read your blog – is it set up to be visible on a Smartphone?  Do you have a widget so people can receive your blog posts via email?  Don’t just offer Google Friend Connect, but also an RSS button, BlogLovin’, and put your blog on NetworkedBlogs so Facebook fans can subscribe.

Show You Care.  If a reader suggests a certain lipstick and you buy it, mention it and the reader’s name in a post.  If a reader tells you about an online sale, thank them for that and let them know what you scored thanks to their heads up.  If a reader asks you a fashion question, instead of replying in a tweet or email, make it into a blog post.  Use their name, quote them, even link to their blog.  If they leave you a comment, acknowledge that you received it – you don’t have to with every comment on every post, but especially for the regular commenters let them know that they are being read.

This also holds true for Facebook and Twitter.  If someone mentions you or leaves a comment on your page, acknowledge it and show them that you are thankful for it.  Treat your random follower with as much regard as you would a celebrity or journalist.

Be Human.  I may be in the minority with this, and I know many big bloggers don’t do this, but showing vulnerability makes you human and makes readers love you and not just the pretty pictures on your blog.  Accept constructively critical comments and reply in a calm manner (send your reply to friends for review and sleep on it before posting), admit when you have a wardrobe malfunction or social faux pas.  Don’t become a Negative Nelly or get self-deprecating, but the occasional admittance of not being perfect is endearing and makes readers want to know more about you.

Visit Other Blogs.  This is in Blogging 101 – if you comment, they will come.  But instead of commenting about their pretty dress or fabulous heels, add some depth to the comment.  You love their dress because of X, you think those heels are fierce because they chose to pair it with Y.  Instead of commenting on the outfit, comment on their commentary, the location of the post, the unexpected detail that makes the whole photo great.  Not only will quality comments please the blogger, but it will intrigue other readers who will see it.  They will want to know the blogger behind the great comment, and come to your site.

Don’t make Facebook and Twitter a Repeat of your Blog.  Why follow you if you’re just providing links to recent posts?  Offer something a bit different.  Some bloggers have a weekly topic that just featured only on Facebook, others offer reject outfit post pics to view.  I know a very successful blogger writes completely unique posts just for Facebook and she has thousands of followers.  Think of something that will make it appealing to follow, and to engage on that social media platform.

Remember Not All Readers are Bloggers.  I cannot stress this enough.  When you stop blogging for bloggers (or the press), your traffic will spike tremendously.  Whether you realize it or not, your blog may be read by an elderly woman in Ukraine, it may be read by a blind woman in Barbados, it may be visited by a cross-dresser in Toledo.  Two of my most loyal readers would are not bloggers or fashion insiders, but through them I have gotten several paid writing gigs and have been mentioned in major publications.  No reader is better than another.

Are you writing content to attract other bloggers, or are you writing for the masses?  Really analyze your favorite successful blogger – would you still love her blog if you weren’t a blogger yourself?  Most likely the answer is yes.  Regularly take a step back and look at your blog and who you are blogging for.  Always blog for your readers, not for fame.  Through your readers you will achieve fame.

Alison Gary is the author behind Wardrobe Oxygen, a Washington DC-based fashion advice and personal style blog. Alison has been blogging for six years, and will admit to anyone that some of her closest friends were met through her blog.