Friday, December 10, 2010

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!

12 comments:

  1. Serene, You have rapidly become someone I also consider more than a follower...especially after the San Antonio connection!! You obviously have your head on straight as reflected in your answers! I am constantly questioning myself about the blog, but obviously so do others...part of it! Thanks for being a blog friend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such interesting and thought provoking questions...I almost want to answer them myself!:)
    I really like your blog, I find you are always sincere and I enjoy your sense of humor. You seem to take a genuine pleasure in your style and clothing.
    When I stumbled upon your blog, I read every post in a couple of days actually (I really hope that doesn't sound too stalkerish!:) but I just immediately really enjoyed it even though I am not really that creative with clothing myself! I love the ideas though and I LOVE thrift shopping.:)
    So keep up the great work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Serene, great words and advice! Thanks. I have wondered some of the same things and Joy and I always come up with the fact that we are just who we are. :)

    http://southerncomfortga.blogspot.com/2010/12/these-boots-were-made-for-walkin.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pam, you're such a sweetie! When I learned you were from San Antonio, I thought it was just the coolest thing!! It really is good to know that the angst that some of us have, most of us have. LOL

    Colleen, I am BEYOND flattered! I thought that I was the only one who became so intrigued by a blogger that I read everything they have! LOL I'm glad that you and I have a connection....makes us friends, not followers!

    Lise, blogging brings out some interesting things in all of us, eh? I love that you and Joy are relatively near me AND that you guys have each other! I've often wanted to partner with someone in a blog related venture. You two seem like you have a BLAST! Hugs!

    ~Serene

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just found your blog through Friend Friday -- and I love your style! Very cool.

    I think you're right about having good content and just being yourself. I think that's the best way to really connect with readers once you've got them to visit your site.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I guess we should tell our story of how we really bonded and "connected", eh? And I guess that came about with some strong things in common that just made me gush with comments! And Terri too. And the bonding keeps on rolling on.....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Serene--thank you for the mention. You're right about the importance of being ourselves, but possibly being older we are less likely to get caught up in much of the hype. I always look forward to a comment from you because you are upbeat!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree with so much of what you wrote...kindess and consideration is half the recipe. We just all need to follow THE GOLDEN RULE!

    Thanks for stopping by G&G.

    ♥ V
    http://www.gritandglamour.com
    twitter: @gritandglamour

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello Elebgant Bohomenian! First off I see you are my 187th follower, a BiG thank you for that!

    FF opens so many doors for discourse. This question has so many answers. Your answers are pretty ground in reality: there are sooo many blogs out there. You mentioned 2 bloggers that have hit upon a successful formula of reader/writer bond, and I believe you're right, it works because they're not trying. They do seem genuine and real and easy to connect with.

    Are you a member of IFB? If so do look me up: Citizen Rosebud. xo. -Bella Q

    ReplyDelete
  10. That's the way I pretty much feel about my blog ,too.I like both your content and your thrifting expertise!!!I also think that it's most important to slowly built a kind of connection with a few bloggers and not to worry about numbers.It's the quality of the connection I'm talking here!

    ReplyDelete
  11. thanks to all for the feedback. It certainly reinforces why I blog! You guys are the BEST! ~Serene

    ReplyDelete
  12. I wanted to say how much I enjoyed this post (read it a while back and didn't have time to comment) and your lovely description of the blogger being someone you would probably hang out with if she was your neighbour because you understood where she was coming from. Getting dressed and thinking about our appearance every day is something we all have to do and each person communicates to the world something about themselves in doing so. For me bloggers share that personal thought process in some way which is quite an intimate thing to share if you think about it. If someone gets you that is quite a connection.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! ~Serene