Carly Findlay

Writer, speaker, appearance activist. Loving life!

One million hits and a blogging tip – Invest in those who invest in you.

My blog has just clicked over past one million hits! Yay!

It’s been three years and three months since I started Tune into Radio Carly, and this project has been the one I’ve thrown my everything into. I’ve learnt you never work as hard as you do for yourself. This hard work has enabled me my dream of becoming a writer and speaker. Thank you to everyone who has visited, read, commented, shared, learnt something, and built a relationship with me – be it a friendship or professional network Thank you. While I still maintain that I blog for myself, it’s been you who’ve buoyed me.

I particularly love it that through sharing my story, others feel empowered to share their stories. It’s wonderful to get to know people this way, and also to help people become more confident in themselves.

I wrote about talking to people with visible difference on Tuesday. I’ve had an incredible response to this piece – so many comments, messages, shares via social media and most importantly, pride from my parents. Thank you for taking the time to think about the issue and continuing the conversation.

People ask me for blogging tips all the time. I have given a few over the years and no doubt I’ll continue to give more. But this is one (issue) that has been on my mind for some time. It’s a personal motto that I’ve tried to love by when blogging:

Invest in those who invest in you.

Too often I see bloggers (and writers in the mainstream media) push out a blog post only interact with their clique, overlooking those loyal readers who take the time to read and comment and share their posts. Emails and tweets of support receive no replies. And sadly, sometimes they don’t even interact outside their circles on social media.

I see celebrities – writers, actors, musicians – interact so well with their fans on social media. And I see high profile bloggers who could learn from these celebrities.

Bloggers, take the time to engage – especially when your blog forms some or all of your income. Have some two way conversation with your readers on your blog and social media channels. Thank people for sharing your blog with their friends. Reply to the comments you receive (I try to, and see lots of bloggers who do this well). And acknowledge those who have been loyal supporters. When you have time, stop by and read their blogs and share them with your networks.

Take the time to meet with readers you haven’t met before when you go to blogging events. They’ll be chuffed you chatted with them, especially if you left your regular blogging circles.

If someone references you or mentions you in their blog and tells you about it, thank them.

I can’t always get to all the blogs I want to, but I try my hardest.

While building a new and bigger readership is great, I also think it’s important to treasure the community you already have. It’s nice blogging manners.

Comments

  5. Congrats Carly – it's no easy feat to reach 1 million – it is hard work and it is about the engagement.

    I feel the word clique has been used in blogging of late – and a bit unfairly. I have friends I met in blogging up to three years ago who have become friends in real life because we would have become friends if we'd met any other way. I feel blessed that those friendships have been able to develop because my life is richer because of them. That doesn't stop me talking or interacting with anyone else.

  6. Three thumbs up (yes three). Completely and wholly agree. I started blogging seven plus years ago, and made an effort to return all the comments I got. It has been known to give me hell especially in the days I got comment numbers in the 70s. But I can't deny that it encourages conversation and interaction with readers and they too appreciate responses just as much as we appreciate them responding to our blog posts šŸ™‚

  8. Congratulations on your hits!

    I think your advice relates to everyone and not just in the blogging world. When it comes to friendships, relationships, work, and everything – invest in those who invest in you. One of the big things I took away from meeting you, something I'm still so pleased I got to do.

    xx Much love

  12. Champion effort Carly! And I agree wholeheartedly that interacting with people in a kind, considerate, but above all, genuine manner will garner returns – not only in terms of blog or business growth, but because of the great relationships that are built.
    Congrats to you lovely xA

  17. Absolutely Carly! I've given up commenting on blogs that never respond! I don't feel valued enough!! We need to be kind to others and remember why we started this whole thing in the first place!! X

  19. Hey Nikki thanks so much for your comment. And for all your support these past two years I've known you:
    You're right – clique is a word we have to be careful with. Like you, I've formed lots of friendships thanks to blogging, and I don't see them as cliques.
    As we discussed on twitter, we need to engage with lots of people outside our immediate circles, online and offline šŸ™‚ Thanks again

  26. Hello šŸ™‚
    You are so right – it applies to all sorts of relationships. I've stopped chasing those friends who don't pay me the same attention as I pay them, as mentioned in my women's day post, and I've done the same with bloggers. Time is too precious.
    It was so great to meet you šŸ™‚ I haven't forgotten the post with our million pictures either! Love you back x

  28. Hey Georgie
    You've been blogging a long time – wow!
    I know a few prominent bloggers who get so many comments (Styling You who commented above is one, and Faux Fucsia is another) who respond to dozens of comments. And people come back

  30. Congratulations, what an amazing milestone!

    That's great advice. I'm a very small player in this blogging gig, but I always try to reply to messages when I can, as I know how great it makes me feel when people reply to me. Gotta pass on the good vibes!

  32. Hey Corinne thanks for your comment. I haven't always replied to the majority of my comments, nor do I reply to every single one, but if someone takes the time to leave me a compliment or sends me an email, I definitely say thank you. I've become more kind full of interacting with readers since seeing those who don't Interact with me after I've taken the time to commend them.

  36. Congratulations, Carly, it certainly is a massive milestone. In such a short time! (even more of an amazing effort) And it's testament to your hard work and dedication to this craft. I've been blogging 8 years this year. My readers (and also the blogs I read) have come and gone, but certainly in the past couple of years in particular, I've made a concerted effort to reply to each comment and engage with people who have engaged with me wherever I can online. It's only polite! After all, I wouldn't willingly ignore a person in a room either.

    (and I have to say, sorry again for the jab in your hand last time we met!!!!!! omg. I still think of that and cringe. I'm so sorry. I was not myself that night and felt v spaced out just being in public!)

  39. Inspirational effort Carly! No doubt you've connected to millions and made just as many stop to think before talking. Your posts continue to be raw, thought provoking and honest. Love your work, Pip xxx

  40. Inspirational effort Carly! No doubt you've connected to millions and made just as many stop to think before talking. Your posts continue to be raw, thought provoking and honest. Love your work, Pip xxx

  44. Wow Carly, 1 million. Congratulations! Just starting out with my blog so this is all great information for me. It is too exciting when someone not only reads my post but comments. Great to share the love, Thanks for the pointers.

  48. Ha ha love that an internet connection that keeps fading in and out tricks me into believing that my comments didn't post so I re do, re do, re do. Just checked and they actually did post so it looks like I'm a stalker on repeat. Oops, sorry about that.

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