Fashion Friend Friday: Tap Tap Tap....Is this thing on?!

 

1. How important do you think reader connectedness is to the success your blog?

I guess I would have to define “success” for my blog.  For me, it’s an opportunity for me to share my passion for style and my firm belief in the power of adorning our bodies.  The most important thing to me is to make sure that I’m presenting myself in the most genuine way so that I’m understandable and that my thoughts and opinions are made clear.

2. What do you do to draw readers in and create that writer-reader bond?

I find the voice inside of me continually saying, “Let go of who and how many read your blog.  Be yourself.  If anyone is interested and can relate they will continue reading.  If they don’t, they won’t.”  When I get too focused on getting noticed or getting more followers, I find myself strategically dressing and posting; which makes me feel like a big phony wannabe.  Surprisingly, I’ve found that the blogs I’ve been the most drawn to seemingly have done nothing to “draw” me.  They’re just women sharing with others their style and I happen upon them and think, “Yeah, I GET her.  If she were my neighbor, we’d probably hang out!”

3.  What is one way you could improve this connection?

Hmmmm….I think kindness and being considerate is probably the best way.  If I have a new commenter, I try to always visit their blog and thank them for the visit.  If I have a new follower, I have tried always to reciprocate, even if I may not feel as much of a connection with their blog.  I just thinks it’s being courteous.   We all feel good about having  a large group of followers and it’s an easy enough thing to do for a fellow blogger.

4.  Is there a blogger you think does a great job creating that writer-reader bond? Why?

I think Terri of Rags and also Style Underdog do great at this.  And the reason is, I don’t think they really try.  I get the sense that they are who they are and that they are not doing anything on their respective blogs to gain readers.  They’re simply sharing their lives with their readers.  If it strikes a chord – GREAT!  If not – that’s okay too…..it’s not about gaining numbers.

5.  What do you do to cultivate new readers? How do you get them to your site in the first place?

I think it’s so important to be sincere.   I want my message to be:  “This is who I am and this is my point of view.  I really appreciate you stopping by and visiting”.  Let’s face it.  There are HUNDREDS of style blogs and sometimes it can feel a little like reality TV!  I post many of my blogs on my FB page, and I visit other blogs and only comment when I feel moved to; or if I feel a kinship to that blogger.  Doesn’t it really go back to what you count as success for your blog?  I have definitely felt the angst of not growing followers quickly enough and the envy of seeing other bloggers gain 100 followers in a couple of months or being courted by sponsors wanting to throw beautiful expensive garments their way.  I would have to be not even human not to feel a twinge of “why can’t it be like that for me?”.   But I want to be real and sincere in all that I do in my real life AND in my cyber life.  My focus is to reach like minded women and share with them my style, my views on life, being a woman, aging and expressing oneself at any age or income level.  I don’t believe that style is for a select few who can afford designer clothes.  It’s for every woman who has even the smallest bit of imagination.  If that resonates with someone, then I have not only a new follower, but rather a friend.  Sounds hokey as I’m writing it, but it really is how I feel.

Be sure to visit Katy of Modly Chic and sign up to become part of Fashion Friend Friday too!