Comments on: Why you should NOT just be a Friend to your Readers

By: Charles

Charles — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:02:57 +0000

Yes Melvin, we have to work towards becoming experts to be in a position to add value to our readers.

By: Melvin

Melvin — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:26:36 +0000

Great writeup Charles! I was like that before. When I created my blog I thought at first that, all I need to do is blog and post personal stuffs. It didnt take me long to realize that I need to provide some VALUE to my readers, not just make them like my blog. That’s the time I started really working hard on helping them, and try to be an expert (especially locally)

By: Charles

Charles — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 04:32:36 +0000

Thanks Stephen, we have the same intentions – to be both expert gurus AND friends to our readers.

By: Stephen - Rat Race Trap

Stephen - Rat Race Trap — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:32:04 +0000

Good work here Charles. I agree with your thesis, but I would also like to be my readers friend in addition to being someone they rely on for insanely useful information.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:29:24 +0000

If building a strong community is your goal, of course it’s alright!

But to me, my goal is further than that, which is to monetize my blog, so building a community of friends is not enough. I need to be viewed as an expert, a thought leader, so that my community of readers listen to my recommendations.

Hope this helps!

By: TechZoomIn

TechZoomIn — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:31:40 +0000

I don’t follow any extraordinary ideas But i just try to be a friend of fellow blogger or readers…I’ll ask if i get any doubts..in the same way i’ll solve their doubts if i can…

Its enough to build a strong community or relationship..right?

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:24:22 +0000

Yeah John, I don’t feel comfortable telling my friends about making money online.

They won’t listen to me anyway, since to them, I’m just a friend and not an expert. I remember Rich Schefren sharing about his experience – even though he is THE small business expert and considered THE guru of gurus, his personal friends won’t take up his advice. Ironic but true.

That’s why perception and first impression is important. If we are first viewed as an expert, then as a trusted friend, we become trusted experts who people will listen to, and not as mere friends.

By: Extreme John

Extreme John — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:29:59 +0000

I have been in business for myself for a long time now, I actually prefer not to try and sell to friends. I really could never find comfort in doing that.

By: Charles

Charles — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:03:15 +0000

Thanks Sandeep. Maybe I didn't get across my idea properly, but when you are an expert, or perceived to be an expert, you can start selling information products from your blog, because people now trust you as an expert. You are already aware of these two great coaching programs that will teach you how to monetize blogs, aren't you? Yaro Starak's Blog Mastermind and David Risley's Blog Masters Club? They go into great detail into how to monetize your blog.

By: Curious Little Person

Curious Little Person — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:44:23 +0000

Ur post just gave me an idea… the problem most bloggers face is monetizing them…

Many bloggers including myself don’t really know how to monetize blogs…. May be an info product that gives the basics can help many of us..

I’ve read quite a few info products, bu they just don’t give out the truth..they talk more on the surface

Excellent Article…

Cheers
Sandeep