While blogging..how much do you keep the reader in mind?

Dear Bloggers,

Initially, I thought that the answer is obvious. After all, bloggers write for their readers. But, reading across the net, I am not so sure. Many bloggers blog because it benefits them - satisfaction of creative expression, an outlet for their writing skills, a way to keep them occupied etc etc; and the readers needs come a close second if not secondary.

What type of a blogger are you? Whom are you "primarily" trying to satisfy - yourself or your reader?

This is a very good question. I do not keep the readers in mind. I know i am terrible but I really do this to write. Just write on some topic.

Dear Jey,
I write keeping the readers in mind.
I am not so creative as to say that I write to express myself etc. I just spontaneouly write on topics occuring in day to day life ! But I just enjoy it - post it only if I like it fully !
Love,
Chithra.

Dear Jey
That's a very good question.
Honestly, for me, writing is just a time-pass. I dont profess to write for myself or my readers. How can I write for my readers when I do not know who they are or what they want from me?
Nor do I write for myself. Creative expression is too tall a claim for me!
I write as I find it the best way to communicate with people who are under no compulsion to agree with my views always! My self esteem gets boosted when I find someone willing to pay a little attention to what I say.
Sri

Dear AnandChitra,

Thanks for your response. Just did a glance at your blog statistics. Looks like yours is one of the most commented blogs in IL. Quite impressive. On that, I have a question for you in this thread.

Dear Chitvish,

You fall neatly into my current understanding of how the world operates:) As a marketer, I believe that when firms develop the deeper sense of customer needs, success follows. The fact that you write with the reader's need in mind easily explains the phenomenal success of your blogs.

Jey,

Quite a question to ponder..had seen this question,last week, took me a week to think honestly and come back....

How much do I keep the reader in mind..well most of the times...I do keep the reader in mind, (except of course music .. my passion..), I try to pick topics, from everyday life, sometimes things happening around, and analysing myself on the way, finding out if others think the same way....

Well you could ask me why not in the thread, some topics, to be frank which could be great discussions (not mine alone/generally speaking..) ..may be will get their due credit as a blog as the habit of reading them catches with our friends here...

Though I don't write well, I am able to communicate myself here and blogging has given me an insight into my writing skills ...better or worse only time will tell...

dear jey,
A wonderful question put forward, but again then, not all the writers reach many, to know their responses, and i think response keeps changing, sometime the least expected is getting to be noticed, and yes i am not a foodie, so i am unable to impress in indus,but if people do take the time to go through i have a variety here to have written about, so i am not a writer who writes for the mass but write what comes to my mind, if it is popular then great but even otherwise,
i would love to continue writing as it has given me plenty of friends, and admirers and co-writers, regards sunkan

Originally Posted by cheeniya

How can I write for my readers when I do not know who they are or what they want from me?

From the interactions bloggers have with readers (comments, private messages etc) wouldn't bloggers be able to figure out what their readers want from them? There has to be some hope on this front. Else, wouldn't all bloggers fly blind?

Originally Posted by cheeniya

I write as I find it the best way to communicate with people who are under no compulsion to agree with my views always!

Before you came in, IL was probably a bit more serious place. A lot of your light hearted blogs got serious responses. Any blogger who didn't have confidence and trust in his own style would have either left IL or started churning out serious stuff. You stuck to your style of writing and made your readership turn-around and enjoy those light-hearted contributions. It's a great example of striking a winning balance between having integrity in your writing style and building mass readership.

I missed this thread. I think that was an awesome question every blogger will subconsciously think while writing. For me it's mixed.

I write some of the blogs keeping readers in mind. That prompts me to write with good grammar, vocabulary and analogies. This is not how I would write personal notes or journals or diaries which are just meant for me to read.

Also I evoke a discussion from readers for some of my posts. I wish to share and learn from others in such posts. A news piece or current event posts or everyday life's problems or challenges fall into this category.

Certain other posts are just for the fun of writing. "Pages from Diary" or " philosophical notes" are under this category. If they are commented too, well and good.

Creative cells in the brain get exercised for anything I write.

Originally Posted by MeenLoch

This is not how I would write personal notes or journals or diaries which are just meant for me to read.

Certain other posts are just for the fun of writing. "Pages from Diary" or " philosophical notes" are under this category. If they are commented too, well and good.

I see that several bloggers write things in their blog that is for their own personal consumption. I am always perplexed by that. Doesn't it leave the reader confused as to what the blog is about?

Thanks for the feedback and comments Meenloch.