Blogging Lessons From a Cat
What can a cat (or dog) teach you about your readers? I will use a cat in this analogy because they are generally more free-roaming than dogs, but the same lessons can be learned from a dog.
My cat usually goes outside at night. Cats are nocturnal by nature; outside is where “the wild things” are. I assume he hunts and devours many things during the dark hours of night. But you know what? He always comes back. Why does he do this? He wants the good food and a pat on the head.
Your readers are the same way. They may roam and devour other goodies but they will come back to you for “the good food.” Of course, you have to make sure you’re feeding them the good stuff.
The food is your content. Is it worthy of a finicky cat or, in this case, your readers? If you aren’t giving your cat the good stuff, eventually he will find some kind-hearted, little old woman who will feed him the good stuff—cats are just like that. Readers are also the same way. If you aren’t giving them the quality content they crave—they’ll find it somewhere else.
Your readers may roam like a cat; to keep them coming back to your content, it has to be meaty, rich and tasty.
Cats also like a nice pat on the head or their chin rubbed. How do you do this for your readers? The information you give them is one way. Another way is to give them something for free—an ebook, mp3 file—something.
Cats also like to cuddle up where it’s cozy. Readers are the same way. Wouldn’t you rather read a blog that feels warm and inviting—like the writer really put their heart and some personality into it? If you want your readers to be cozy—be yourself. You don’t need fancy language or a lot of techno jargon (unless you write a highly technical blog).
The bottom line is; if you’re an animal lover, give your blog some of the same love and attention you give your pet. If you’re not an animal lover and can’t relate to that analogy, then find something you can relate to and give that attention to your blog. Your readers will thank you, come back for more and they may even tell the other cats in the neighborhood.
Solid analogy Patti. I wrote a feline-themed post about how I learned to trust from a cat. Nature is the best teacher. When you think that you know a lot observing the simplicity and elegance of God's creatures opens the mind.
Your post gives me a mixed feeling of being terrified to loose my readers and humble to all and everyone I have. However, after four years I've come to that the only thing I can do is to stick to my theme, be honest to myself and write when as well as about what inspirer me (less is more?) In Norway, we have an expression: "Good friends and wild flowers always comes back" and I guess that goes for pets too
It's a great way to understand our readers. Great article, Patti!
Thats a very interesting article and well explained as well. Sometimes, as they say, out of box thinking or lateral thing is all that works whereas some other time, just following the tried and tested common thinking is the best way out.
very nicely explained using metaphors..
Patti,
Im an animal lover so I love this analogy. It's a great way to keep in mind the needs of your readers. I think you absolutely hit the nail on the head with giving good content, free stuff and definately being your honest self!
Thanks for the great kitty picture too!