These days most business and websites thrive if the person or people behind it are relatable, someone people can connect with, someone with a soul. How many times have you gone to bought something or thought about using a service, but decided not to because the person or company behind the whole thing wanted your cash then wanted you out of the way so someone else could come in and pay for something?
I’m not saying you have to be friends with everyone, but being a person that someone can actually talk to even if it’s to feel comfortable enough to ask a question, to me anyway is vital;
- Story
This depends on what type of site you actually have, but in most cases I would say whether you are a one person site or not, integrating your story and personal experience is a fantastic way to really connect with your readers. This can be done by videos, text or podcasts, the main thing to remember is when you do reveal your story then make sure it’s honest and relevant, nothing worse than reading an author go off at a complete tangent without ever getting to the point of the post.
Be careful not to talk about yourself 100% of the time, again this is applicable in most cases, but if your site is about you then by all means talk about your subject but try and include other people too. Including other peoples stories is such a good way to connect with visitors too and it shows you actually do care about other people and it’s not all ”Enough about me, lets talk about me”
- Help
When you help people they remember, now a lot of business people, leading business people constantly say I am way too accessible on this site and interact with the readers of this site too much, I always thank them for their input, but they are wrong. Interaction and helping is what this site was built on, so think about this right now. Every time someone emails you, or leaves a comment on your site asking for advice or help or even if you think you can help them and they haven’t asked for it, then offer out your hand.
Sometimes people won’t take your help or advice and that’s fine, I like to find out how to do it on my own, but sometimes having someone there willing to help is a god send. By publicly offering your help, without agenda and that’s the key to it all, offering help without trying to hit them up for a sale. Don’t get me wrong here, I suppose I have an agenda for helping people, I want people to see me helping everyone in order to build the reputation of this site for being a safe haven for advice and help, so in that respect I do have an agenda, but what I mean is help without trying to charge them for something.
- Dependable
Be the person to turn too, the site or business that is always there without fail on hand to help and always having fresh content or products for your visitors. By always be ready and available people connect with you on a loyalty type of level, this type of loyalty can not be bought or sold, it’s the type of interaction that is truly un-breakable.
Every time they fall or trip, every time they get stuck, or even every time they are bored, be there and be a friend. By being the friend that is always reliable you remove that sheen of corporate efficiency and become personal and personal is where, I believe, success lies.
I fully expect some people to disagree with this and again to say wait until this is a established business and then you will re-think this post, will I? I seriously doubt it, this site was built on the foundations of my content but raised by everyone of you who visits and for that I thank you.
Please Comment
Please Re-Tweet, Digg and StumbleUpon
I think you are right. It’s important to help people out if they have trouble. It will only deepen the relationship. I think most people never think about it since the Internet is somewhat anonymous, but that’s the biggest mistake you can make. You need to make relationships with other people on the Internet otherwise you won’t be able to make it.
.-= Julius Kuhn-Regnier´s last blog ..The 3 Unwritten Rules of Blogging =-.
Hey brother, thanks man ignore people at your peril. Just treat people how you want to be treated
Totally agree, interaction as much as possible with the people, bloggers, other sites is what makes us visit here.
Dude I only just met you and already you’ve shown yourself to be more than helpful. Personally I don’t think ‘too accessible’ is an issue here. Sure, you, we, everyone needs a balance, but still, ‘too accessible’ is not something I would worry about.
.-= Mo´s last blog ..The Rolex and the Unhealthy Zorro Obsession =-.
Exactly the thinking behind the business minds telling me I am too personal goes back to making the readers reach a bit too, I don’t believe in that. My products will speak for themselves, I want have to lure people to buy them. cheers man
It’s the power of your own story that gets me. I tend not to reveal too much about myself on my sites, but when I do I find the response from readers and subscribers is much more than when I try to keep things “professional”.
Someone once said they liked my writing best when it showed my personality – it’s just finding that balance between talking about myself and focusing on others that I sometimes struggle with.
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Are online friendships “real”? =-.
Hi Chris,
You know it took a lot for me to talk about stuff and one day I just thought, you know it might actually help someone else if I talk about it, so I did. If you can motivate or educate just once person, then it’s worth it
being yourself is a big part of this blogging, I know I’ve shown my true colors many times and for better or worse it has lead me to interacting with alot people who have helped me.
Another spot on article James. My site has become much more personal to me in regards to the friendships I’ve made and am making than what it use to be. I’m not so much focused on making money as I am enjoying the interaction and personalities of others. It has changed do to the fact that I have become more personal and less business like. That’s not why I blog. Oh sure we all want riches, but I see riches differently than a dollar or a pound.
Now get outta my way so I can get to the next guy!
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Yeah it was just Me! Twitter I like you now =-.
Brother, thanks my man. You’re definately on the up dude and it’s great to see, I think those who preach all day, those types of sites are on there way out, listening and understanding is where it’s at
As I am rebuilding all I can say is that i know who my true friends are and trust. Thanks Need to branch out more.
Yeah it’s tough putting yourself out there, but you are doing it, and you are really doing it at an incredible pace, keep it up
Yep, the holy internet has things personal again, if you let them
But it’s also an art form in itself to find the right mix between too much about you and the content/value for your community. I’m still not sure how much personal info I should put on my ” about me” page. Working on that every single day
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..The Online World needs YOU ! =-.
Yeah there is a big debate on about me pages at the minute, I try and make sure people get enough of a feel about me from reading the post and comments etc. About me pages are good if you want to go into more detail
I believe letting people what you are about without specifics are good enough, if they can’t tell by your pages what you are doing or trying to say, then they are getting it.
Hey dude,
expressing your personality really matters.
For me, i often have this believe that my readers would be bored having to read about my personal point of view. I often try to be professional.
Yet, i noticed that i am more creative when been personal. and that really matters, it makes me unique.
.-= harvestwages´s last blog ..Top 5 Social Media Business Models For Entrepreneurs =-.
People never forget the times when you helped them(hopefully)
Nevertheless coupled with these advice, if you decide to put a face behind your works from the start, be honest with whatever you say about yourself.
Honesty is the foundation of a long-lasting relationship between businesses as well as blogger-reader relationships.
.-= Martin´s last blog ..Are you on these lists? Then quit now! =-.
I have nothing to add… that’s saying alot!
.-= Rob Sellen´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Son! =-.
ha ha Stuck for words, Rob Sellen… Never?
He he…
You said it all mate.:)
.-= Rob Sellen´s last blog ..Make money online with words =-.
When someone acquires your service or product, it is also important to ask them how they are in terms of using that service or product. Perhaps getting in touch with them after a few months would do. This shows your customers that you care about whether or not it really has worked for them.
.-= Julius´s last blog ..>When Sound is not an Option: A review of Vibrating Devices for Deaf People =-.
That’s a good idea Julius, I think I will incoporate that into my upcoming plans
Good stuff James, I especially agree with the story part…. Stories are key to gaining a loyal audience and gaining their attention/admiration… without stories there is nothing to relate to.
.-= Maren Kate´s last blog ..9 Profitable Business Ideas that Make People Filthy Rich =-.
yeah exactly, it’s like when celebrities do TV shows showing them eating cereal in the morning and stubbing their toe on the bed post, all that makes them real
Great list James. No one wants to hear about the “me or I”. What’s in it for the viewer/client is the question that should be addressed. What they will be getting out of it is important. I find this so so important
.-= Alex´s last blog ..The Virtue of Obsession =-.
I do like to have a personal connection in my blog because it is written by me. I do not want to have my autobiography on there. I like the I had this experience here is what I learned type of post better than a list of how great am I stories. That being said, let me tell you how great I am…:)
.-= Justin Matthews´s last blog ..My Brain Hurts! Free Thought is Hard. =-.
ha ha the old Johnny Bravo situation, enough about me lets talk about me lol
Hi James,
I think being personal is definitley the way to be, not too much and not too little. Its always nice to know there is actually someone human on the other side.
.-= Maria´s last blog ..I Want To Be A Pro Blogger – Destined To Be A Hit! =-.
Exactly right Maria, just being yourself and being normal gives you a connection
I know this is an older post but I seriously agree with what you’ve said here. Maybe people are right about once things get going that you’ll rethink what you’ve had to say here but I don’t think so either. Helping others and really giving them whatever you can however you can is a great thing to want to offer.
I also feel that a story to help connect with people is fantastic to getting out there and doing it.
.-= Eric´s last blog ..A Tough Move Into New Opportunities =-.
Yeah man stories and personal experiences are the best way to connect, top work man