San Diego California USA
I visit blogs from time to time.
I want to see one thing: do these bloggers put readers first or what they want from readers first?
A few moments ago I checked out one of those top travel blogger lists. After clicking the first blog link I closed out the browser because the blog did not fully load after 5 seconds.
Why?
Well, the blogger loaded:
- heavy dynamic ads
- loaded affiliate embeds
- a pop up
which slowed down the blog.
Why?
The blogger wanted money and email addresses from readers before giving readers what; practical, free content via blog posts.
Here is how the thinking process goes:
“I know you clicked my blog post link to get free, practical tips but I need money from you or at least your email address so that is why you need to put up with dynamic ads, affiliate embeds and a pop up form before accessing the free, practical content that I know you want. I gotta get something from you before you get what you came for. Shit! That’s how the world works….right?”
Perhaps my perspective seems dramatic. But at least it is true. Either you put readers first by giving them content first via a fast-loading blog or you put what you want from them first by attempting to monetize first or perhaps by capturing their email first before giving them what they really wanted, first and foremost.
Nothing Wrong with It
Hey; there is nothing wrong with this strategy. The world loves following it. Most schools of blogging thought guide bloggers to get something from readers before readers get what they came for; the blog post title-promise and content-delivery you shared with them.
But offering content up front sans obstructions and not asking for something lays a rock solid foundation for your blogging business. Content earns trust. Content establishes credibility. Content turns cold readers into loyal followers. Content turns loyal followers into customers, clients and referral business builders.
This is why you want to give readers what they want – content – as quickly as possible. Not only does this build business, it also fosters inner peace, by clearing your conscience.
Look Closely at My Blog
After you clicked the link for this blog post, you accessed the content immediately.
Did you once get the sense that I needed, wanted or begged and pleaded for something from you? Did I make it clear that I wanted to get something from you before you accessed my content?
Nope.
I place links for my:
- course
- eBooks
for sale via a header menu and footer menu.
I embed two visual ads for the course and eBooks unobtrusively through my blog sidebar.
That’s it. I do not call you to action or even ask for the sale. I could. I see nothing wrong with doing so. But I mustered up enough confidence in:
- myself
- my content
- my premium course
- my premium eBooks
to sell themselves.
Imagine that?
You create something which helps people, guides them from problem to solution, earns trust and convinces people to buy it based exclusively on your clarity, value brought to the table and a calm sense of confidence.
The biggest upside to this strategy is maintaining peace of mind by establishing integrity.
You came to get free blogging tips. I offer you free blogging tips without asking for anything in return. I feel good about that.
As for my course for sale and eBooks for sale, take ’em or leave ’em.
I’m not afraid, desperate or greedy. Nor do I mindlessly follow what some of the blogging world guides bloggers to do. I think. I behave intuitively.
What About Using Pop Ups and Embeds and Ads and Stuff?
Using pop ups, embeds, ads, affiliate stuff and all that jazz is 100% OK.
I am not against it. But I do want you to identify your private motivators for using these tactics.
Go for it if you feel guided to do so from a sense of peace and service.
Nailing down subs on arrival can be helpful. Generating ad and affiliate revenue on arrival can be prospering.
*CAN*
Re-read the word.
*CAN*
Slowing down your blog to capture subs and earn coin is one potential strategy out of many for:
- bonding with readers
- making money through your blog
Blogging From Paradise readers:
- bookmark my blog
- follow it through Feedly
- find it through Google
- find it through X
- find it through Facebook
- find it through LinkedIn
- find it through Threads
- find it through Instagram
- find it through tens of thousands of backlinks
Do I need to use a pop up? No. Readers know my blog and re-visit it consistently.
As for monetizing, blogging for 15,000 hours created my word. My word is the monetizer. I share practical advice for free or pay. People buy in figuratively or literally.
When you choose to master a craft – and to continue to learn – for 15,000 hours you eventually reach this point. When you ride out the highs and lows, the wins and losses, the elation and heartache, everything gradually levels out so you can just give readers what they want then the readers organically give you attention, loyalty and money.
The process is easy and simple to understand logically and the most difficult thing to understand and experience emotionally because fear in your mind is unconscious, insidious and genius.
But then again, this is why you are reading this post.
Conclusion
Ask yourself why you want to get something from readers before putting them first.
If the reason comes from fear, scrap the slow-loading blog to put readers first.
If the reason comes from abundance, calm confidence and clarity, carry on, my blogging friends. Newsflash; few and rare are these bloggers.
Everything depends on your mind.
Ultimately, content makes bank.
Put it first to put your readers first.
Let your helpfulness, confidence and clarity create passive, organic traffic and blogging income.
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