Chandra Clarke — November 16, 2016 Follow @Scribendi_IncBlogging began as a way for people to express themselves—a type of public journal in which they could record and share their thoughts and ideas. However, the medium has expanded, and blogging can now take endless forms, from being a personal diary to a news source to a technical advice hub.
Now, there are millions of blogs that have gained the attention of an audience, creating a community of dedicated followers who not only share similar ideas and interests but also look up to and trust their favorite bloggers.
Whether you’re a computer company blogging about the latest technology or a fashionista blogging about your outfit of the day, the way to keep readers coming back is to create and maintain a unique personality that your followers like and trust.
Know your audience
One of the first and most important steps in writing your posts is to know who you’re talking to. Choosing a specific target audience and getting to know their interests will help you write content that matters to them in a way they find engaging.
Keep up with news relevant to your topic to demonstrate that you are an expert on the subject; allowing your blog to fall behind on major events that interest your audience will force them to turn to similar blogs that remain up to date.
Another way to draw in and get to know your audience is to write a blog post with the intent of revisiting it by answering readers’ comments. Your follow-up post should engage your readers directly, such that not only will you be sure that the topics interest them but they will also know that you care about their opinions.
Distinguish your blog from those of others
It can be easy to get caught up in your ego and assume that your blog is the best on the subject. However, keeping your “enemies” close by checking other blogs that share the same followers as yours will help you find ways to differentiate your content and brew up new angles and ideas.
Finding a unique perspective can also lead to collaboration with other bloggers. If you and another blogger share a similar focus, both audiences will be interested if you juxtapose separate viewpoints on a subject that everyone is passionate about.
Incorporate emotion
To truly develop a blogging personality, you must connect with your followers on a personal level and create a sense of trust.
Consider how you want your readers to respond to your posts, and don’t shy away from prompting emotions. Demonstrating excitement can attract readers to a topic they might not be interested in otherwise. If you find an aspect of your topic frustrating, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion; this can be a powerful way to influence the views of your followers and stir up conversations with those who disagree. Although some bloggers fear controversy, if you maintain a positive attitude and enforce a policy of mutual respect, taking a strong stance on a subject can help you gain the respect of both dedicated followers and new readers.
Tell stories
Your audience wants to know that you love what you’re writing about, so get personal by relating your topics to your everyday life. Stories are particularly powerful. Besides demonstrating truths that support the rest of your content, stories provide a glimpse into your life and allow readers to connect with you personally.
Remember that, while you want to tell a good story, don’t bore your readers with an unnecessarily long novel that goes into irrelevant tangents. Stay focused on the topic, and tell your story as if you’re talking to a close friend.
Conclusion
It’s important to develop a unique voice for your blog—a personality that sets you apart from the many other people doing exactly the same thing as you are. Here’s the paradox, though: to create your own unique voice, you must remember that it’s not about you at all; it’s about the reader.
Write every post with the reader in mind, and know that your personality will shine through as you show them who you are and what you have to contribute.
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