I recently published a post on how to get your readers emotionally engaged with your posts. I always love to touch people’s hearts.
No matter what you’re selling, if you manage to create that personal relationship with your readers, you will never be forgotten.
And I’m not telling you to “use” this as a trick to make people buy from you - not even close!
The point is - the more your readers are emotionally connected with you,
- the more they will enjoy your work,
- you will get good motivation to continue with your business (there’s nothing better than having a group of encouraging people around),
- they will easily trust you and ultimately buy from you, without you having to punch them on their face with your hard selling strategies.
Above all the good things one can get from blogging like a human, I personally enjoy the feel I get from finding new people everyday, connect with them, and so on.
Some of them (have) become very best friends of mine and we exist as good motivation to each other!
OK now you can make connections anywhere and everywhere - after all the whole internet is there waiting for you.
But what if you can make your readers/visitors feel home and capture their hearts? Wouldn’t that be super cool?
By doing so, you can not only win their heart but also can also build a solid business based on a true following of living people.
Why is this so important?
As much as we talk about SEO, link building, Google and other things, we need to realize that they are only the “means” through which people find you.
But neither Google nor the links you build are going to trust you and buy from you. And they are not going to appreciate you for your hard work.
Only real people can do these.
So, in my honest opinion, it is highly crucial that you treat your visitors so warm and make them feel home!
Let’s proceed.
Welcome them with your face
Now, this could be a no-brainer for some of you. While for the others it could be a joke.
Believe me, I don’t “feel” any warmth when I visit a blog that neither has an about page, nor has the (real) face of the blogger somewhere (homepage, or about page or somewhere else).
Let’s say you have guests at your home. If you go and hide yourself in the basement of your home when they arrive, how will they feel?
They will feel deserted, un-welcomed and feel really bad.
What to do? - Action tips
Create an “About” page for your blog, if you don’t have one already. If you are planning to launch a new blog, make sure you write your “About” page first.
If you already have a blog, but have no “About” page, make one TODAY (don’t procrastinate). As soon as your readers land on your blog/website, they will surely be curious to check out who you are and how your blog will help them.
Now, simply having an about page won’t cut it. Even though, the about page is about you and your blog, you should really create the copy for that page by focusing on your readers.
Look, they don’t care if you live in Amsterdam or Amazon, unless you tell them what your expertise is and how that can help them solve their problem.
And, I strongly suggest you to make your about page both about you and your blog.
So whenever a reader lands on your about page, they should be able to know about you and your blog/website.
Now don’t get me wrong when I said your readers don’t care where you live or what you eat. They do care. They’re indeed curious.
But don’t just fill your about page with your family pictures, and personal information.
Let the main focus of your about page be your readers and then do add information about your personal life (if you wish) and that will add the spice to it!
Here are some great resources to help you create kick ass “About” page
How to create an amazing blog about page - DIY Themes
How to create an engaging and effective bio page - Workawesome
Tips to create a clean structured about page - Webdesigndev
How to create a memorable about me page - Animoto
Go for “personalized” everything
The more personalized your business is, the more conversions you’ll get. Why? Simply because people will feel more closer to you when you personalize stuff.
You can think about personalizing with anything and everything.
What to do? - Action tips
Sending a newsletter?
Use the personalization features - like starting with a greeting and the first name.
You can use first name in the subject line as well.
Replying to an email?
Start by addressing them with their name. I personally hate when I get an email that starts with Hi, Hello, Hi admin, or something like that.
I love it when people address me by my name. If its “Hi Jane” - that feels much closer!
Personalize blog posts
But this post is about making your blog feel like home isn’t? You can’t write blog posts for individual persons.
I mean, you cannot start a blog post like “Hi Mary…. this is for you”. Nope. Blog posts are written for general audience.
But you can still personalize them. Instead of talking in third person, talk to your readers.
Did you realize that I am talking to “you” in this post? Whoever reads this post feels as if I am talking to them in person. Coz I am using “you”. That’s powerful stuff.
Let your blog posts be a conversation.
And when your blog readers open up their voices and cast their opinion in comments, respond to them.
Actionable takeaway
Your blog is a great place where you can welcome your readers and make them feel home.
You can easily develop a personal relationship and/or a bond with your readers by using the above mentioned simple tactics.
They’re not complicated and they’re totally doable.
1. Welcome your readers with your face; and either create a kick-ass About page, or fix the one you have now.
2. Personalize your communication (in all forms) with your readers.
Remember to build genuine relationship with your readers and let them trust you naturally for what you’ve got!
This way, I believe strongly that, you blog can be a home for your readers and you can do business the nice way (without punching your readers on their faces!).
And if you found this post useful, please share it in your social circle. I’d appreciate that; thank you!
Praveen Rajarao says
Hello Sheeba - This is pretty good stuff you have here. I completely agree with the “About” page for any blog. I had made that mistake of not having this page for my new website and was rightly pointed out by a good friend the real need for it.
Yes, a blog should make one feel comfortable and relaxed. To read the entire content it will take a few minutes of one’s time, and if the experience is not good, there is now you can expect them to return back or even leave a comment for your articles.
Thanks for sharing.
Praveen, that’s quite true! Our visitors are going to stay only for a short while and in that time if we are not able to please them, we will be the losers
Robert says
Wow, so many useful tips and actionable plans here. I think another great thing to make your blog like a home to welcome visitors is the design. Paying some small money for premium WordPress themes doesn’t guarantee that your visitors will love the design. You should add some personal touches as well as focus on the content to make people feel comfortable and make them happy enjoying your post.
Robert that’s a great point. Yes if we are serious about our business we should not hesitate to spend a few buck to make our site design clean and professional; coz our design is the one that welcomes our visitors
Very true, It`s readers whom we all working for.
All these Links, search updates, guest posting it`s all for them.
And I very much believe that a Blogger is not only makes money but helps to bring a good change in the society. And that can be done with users involvement.
~@khajamoin1
You’re right Khaja. Bloggers should not just blog for money (although that will be their main concern). Making a difference really matters.
Hi Khaja moin what you said is exactly true “Blogger is not only makes money but helps to bring a good change in the society. And that can be done with users involvement.”
I agree with your all points.
If we are writing topics that readers need to read then we can create a stuff.
Also for writing a topic its not big problem but its an big problem that what much readers like your written topic. Thanks for sharing the valuable points.
Aditya says
Emotions-the most sensitive way to look upon.Humans get attracted quickly to those who show care and respect what one wants to say.If a blogger has achieved the level to which he is engaged with the reader ans at the same time emotionally attached then its easy to have a good relationship besides the link building.
Very well said Aditiya. That’s what I’m trying to convey here
Thank you!
sandra tyler says
You’ve got me really thinking. Thank you. Great post.
Ivan Aliku says
Absolutely right. You just pointed out the points most people ignore. I have often told people that blogging is basically a relationship and it really matter so much to win your reader’s heart. Your readers need to trust you. Providing high quality contents and very helpful tips would make them love you the more. Well, to cap it all, you just found one regular visitor. I got here from Linkedin and I will surely come back for more. Keep the good work.
Oh that’s so sweet of you Ivan. Thanks for the nice words and keep visiting
Love your presence.
Ivan Aliku says
Thanks for the warm welcome message. I will surely be a regular visitor.
A way could be (you talked about it in the article) is too make it their home and get content that helps them solve some of their problems.
Also making your design as professional as possible makes their home feel more “homey” and credibility.
Great article Jane
You’re welcome Sam. Yes design does matter a lot. Thanks for adding that point.
Both these tips are of a great help to improve the presence of one of the blogs/sites I work for. Managing different blogs can be hard but it takes great organizational skills and knowledge.
Definitely, managing many blogs need some sort of organization! Otherwise there will be just chaos all around.
If a blogger has respect for his readers they will must become returned visitors and it many be possible in near future they must be your customers.
It’s important to understand that readers want to know that the person updating the blogs they are reading care about them and what they are reading. If things are being written and published with no really attempt at creating a relationship or investment into the people reading, then people will have no interest and leave your site.
Well put Paul. Even before every blogger starts to write a blog post (or create any sort of content) they should find out if the content is sought by their target audience.
First of all this post is making me feel like my home, true words mam. The images you used on this post, really very beautiful. Next your headlines and narration, really awesome. Thanks for the amazing article.
Mission accomplished?! Thanks Sai!
Elena Anne says
Very good advice! There are so many blogs that come across as highly impersonal, and sometimes they are so blatantly focused on ads and content stuffing that you feel a little gypped. If you’re an expert in your field, let people know! There are so many sources of information to choose from on the internet and applying these personalization techniques will definitely help make your site/blog stand out.
Elena, yup, I can see a dramatically increasing number of blogs that are loaded with ads!
Vivek says
The idea of ” creating unique about me page ” is really good. Although I am not getting too many visitors on that page, but i will try my level best to create better one.
Thanks..
You might not have many visitors to that page now, but you will get soon! So yes build it up!
Interesting! That’s very cool that you saw a difference right away.
Even if some of your pieces are longer (it’s always good to have a mix), you can still format them in a way that makes them look easier to scan through and absorb.
I always make my links open in a new window so people don’t lose my site when they click on them. Not sure if that’s the cool thing to do, but I feel more comfortable adding links when I know they’re not going to click completely off my site.
Another thing your blog is quit good Jane Sheeba
Thanks so much for the remarks Sneha
Much appreciated.
Yes, i am agree with you and think the weblog should make one experience and relaxed. To study the whole material it will take a few moments of a person’s time, and if the encounter is not good, there is now you can anticipate them to go back or even keep a statement for your material…Thank you..
Great share , the post is very informative as well as interesting to read .
Every Blogger must know the real value of his work its not just money earning process , Blogging is a place where we can see people with different knowledge and attitudes.
Yes, it’s very important to humanize your blog and let your readers know that you are a real person. And you should be authentic and honest in your posts. That way your true character will come through.
Of course not everyone will like you. But some will. And they’ll keep returning and commenting, and even buy from you as well.
As well as this being the best long term strategy, it’s also the simplest and least stressful. You’re not pretending to be something you’re not, after all.
A lot of bloggers forget this because they’re always thinking about the money. They’re putting the “cart before the horse” so to speak.
Yes Matt, we can’t obviously please everyone. But being open and honest matters a lot!
I want to make visitors feel like home by making the comments more interesting. Attract more visitors, but it is very difficult to be optimized.
Hi!I’ve been researching a lot on how to effectively communicate with my readers using my blog and luckily I found your site.I learned so much here.I also believe that blogging is not merely because of money but it is a responsibility.
You’re very welcome Addie!
Thanks for this epic post Jane, i strongly agree with you in all you’ve laid down here in relationship building. It is a very important aspect of any business that cannot be neglected.
Once your customers knows and trust you, success is inevitable.
Thanks for sharing.
“Once your customers knows and trust you, success is inevitable.” - Well said Theodore. Thanks for stopping by!
Some great points you have made here, I remember when I was just a beginner to the whole process and I was completely going the wrong way about things so this is great guidance for any beginners! I think an ‘About’ page is must, many people make the mistake of not having one and it really does make a difference as I find it is more difficult to relate to the blog. Thank you for sharing!
About page is an absolute must, Charise. In my opinion, it is the first page that has to be created on a blog.
I like the idea that your blog should make your reader feel comfortable and relaxed, a nice experience. This is the secret way to make them come back for more I think.
Well said Veronica!
Great article Jane! Thanks for sharing some tips on improving our blogs and responding to comment posts. You are absolutely right, a blog should be entertaining and the blogger should always be (as much as possible) present for a conversation. By this, the blog is more alive. Thank you for posting this!
Exactly Shane, the host blogger’s presence counts towards the liveliness of the blog!
hira says
Hello Jane
These all tips is very informative for me, i read your blog regularly. thank you for sharing these awesome tips
Thanks for reading my blog regularly Hira. I appreciate that very much!
Have to tell you! You have great points on the author images. I haven’t uploaded them on our about us page yet, but I certainly will reconsider it. All the blogs I do follow and enjoy reading they have them and I know it helps me to trust them more, when you have human face behind it.
Having an image of the blogger certainly helps in creating the bond and building up trust. Thanks for your comment Luke!
Istiak Rayhan says
Hi Jane,
I’ve just enjoyed your writing. I’ve learned many things from the post. Totally agree with the ‘About page’. At the first stage of my blogging (still on 1st stage), I didn’t create about and contact page. When I created the About page, I found that this page is one of the most visited page.
Thanks for the post!
Akash Jain says
I liked the email part and the news letter part ! agree with the email thing…. nice
This is not very easy task, blog writer should do lot of things to attractive readers.
Hi Jane,
very good points. I recently stumbled upon an anonymous blog that I actually enjoyed reading. Surprisingly, the owner did manage to connect emotionally with the readers, but she just didn’t want to put a face or a name on her blog. Seems like a waste though, as I am sure she could get tons of readers if she did.
Hi Jane, It`s a pleasure ti find your pages especially this one. I`ve added you into my G+ circle, Please add me back to help me grow on blogging and visibility.
Sincerely yours.
Vit says
Hi Jane. I found your article in another blog and it really touched my heart. So I desided to come here and read more articles by you. I’d like to grab your free ebooks too. Please, send them to me. Thank you
Hey Vit, so sweet to hear that
You can download the ebooks by putting in your email address on any of the forms you see on the site 
Okto says
Hi Jane,
Touching reader’s heart? I haven’t think that far before, but you give me some enlightenment here. This can be a great ways to build trust and wider readership base in the middle of crowded niche.
When reader’s feels like home in your blog, surely they’ll keep coming back for more.
Thanks for sharing this post
Interesting Article Jane, These Tips are really almost overlooked by many Bloggers like having a real about page with a picture of one. I too feels guilty about this really and know its a good way to get more trust from ones readers.Thanks again.
Ehsan says
Creating an overlasting About me page is must because If a new visitor liked your content, they would surely love to know about the person behind this blog. Being personalized is what I do on my blog and It’s great to make a visitor feel like you’re talking about him/her.
Thanks for this post Jane.
Christopher Lin says
I recently created my about page a followed the advice you outlined here. In addition to your tips, I also made sure to invite them to follow me on Twitter and Facebook, which is really helping me connect on a personal level with my customers.
Thanks!
I’m glad it worked for your Chris
Vivek says
” Welcome them With Your Face ” : That’s exactly what help to build better community around your blog.
It is extremely necessary, since peoples wants to know the person who have written such an amazing article and Trust me It just you : ” Jane Sheeba “
Jackson Nwachukwu says
Hi Jane,
This is indeed a wonderful post you have written… I will apply them straight away on my blog.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Cheers!
great information for me…thanx…