Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Tuesday's Tips #3

I had so much fun talking about blogging in last week's Tips that I'm going to do it some more today! Today's focus is on building relationships. That's why I chose the pic above. It's a picture of me and two of my closest girl-friends. Left to right we have Kat, Bethie, and myself :) That was taken Valentines Day Night. My hubby and I had gone out for a date earlier that day and he quite sweetly let me go out in the evening with my single girlfriends. Isn't my hubby sweet?

Ok, talking about my wonderful hubby is NOT the point of this post. Don't get me wrong, I could go on and on, but that wouldn't be much of a tip now would it?

Seriously though, building relationships is key to having a successful on-line business. I'd say probably 90% of my sales are to people that I've built some sort of connection with. That's a pretty high number! 

So how does that apply to blogging? Well there are a few things you can do. 

1. Reply to your comments! Go to their blog or e-mail them back. Even if it's just a quick "thanks." 

2. Find other blogs to follow and don't just read and leave, give them a comment! 

3. From time to time do a post that requires reader interaction. That could be a contest or even just asking a simple question. 

Lastly - be consistant! I try hard to respond to all my comments in some way shape or form, and I think I've really seen a difference since I started doing that. Now sometimes I won't respond to a comment if I'm really sick, or if that person has been catching up on my blog and left me four comments in a day, but I do get to the majority of them. Some times with a response to their comment, other times by leaving them a comment on their blog. 

Thought for the day: Time invested in building strong relationships is time invested well :)

14 comments:

Lenox Knits said...

Good post! I really try to return comments but I'm not always on top of it. Thanks for giving me motivation to try harder.

Adaptable Kay said...

Thanks for the tips!
I think socialization and communication is important :D
Thats how we make friends! Lol

Anonymous said...

A very good post. I came across your blog through an advert and saw the post.

I hope you have a great time out with your friends. My hubby is pretty open and easy going too and doesn't feel threatened by any of my friends.

Glad I stopped by here today.

Erika said...

nice post. Commenting on other blogs is a great way to get exposure to your own blog as well. And it is always great to get feedback...

sundcarrie said...

Great post and you do a great job at replying to my comments! Thanks!

Memories for Life said...

You are so very right about relationships helping business!
And thanks for helping me set up my blog so I can reply to comments too :) I don't reply to them all...but maybe I should start!

BeadedTail said...

Great tips! I try to always visit the blogs of those who left comments for me and read and comment on their blogs. It's a fun way to build a bloggy relationship!

Kristin said...

Wow! That is a high number!! But, you know, I totally see that.. I really prefer to buy from people that I have come to know! Great Post! And that is a sweet picture!

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

So very, very true! I know in my business, the ones that continually come back are the people I build a relationship with. They learn to trust you which is so important. You're so correct on the logging too! Great picture of the three of you...looked like a good time ;D

Anonymous said...

You have an awesome spirit dear one. Thanks for the tips!

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

Amen to that!!!

I do try to return all comments as well. Sometimes I get swamped with orders and have to catch up on comments on the weekend.

Glynis Peters said...

Interestingly enough, I have just given up a couple of writing places to concentrate on my blogs more, and one of the things I am going to try is to comment back to my commenters. Good tips.

Splendid Little Stars said...

good tip! I agree with Tulip, you are one special person!

James~ClosetCreature said...

This is so true. Most of our sales come the same way. We have connected with someone, or we have connected with someone that the buyer knows and they are referred. Since we have a small niche every realtionship we make will not result in a sale. But when someone else needs something and they are talking to someone we have a relationship with, we get a referral. That is what makes our business, or any small business run. Oh and BTW you don't have to come comment, because I will see you in Plurk ;)

--James ~ The ClosetCreature
http://www.birdysknits.com/blog