Am I Talking to You? Meme
Am I Talking to You? - Meme
Lisa at Design Your Writing Life has tagged me for a two part meme on “To Whom Do You Blog?” I think of blogging more as a collaborative conversation, so I will take it as “Who Do I Write For?” The second part is “Am I Talking to You?”. I really need your help with that part, please.
Who Do I Write For?
When I started out, I was open to how the blog direction developed, within the broad framework of “Grow Your Writing Business: For Freelance Writers Who Mean Business”. I still am. When I blog, I keep in mind the writing community, both professionals, and new writers.
I also keep in mind regular visitors, both with a writing focus and others. I am also conscious of the fact, that not everyone who visits is a blogger themselves. Plus, I write for me too.
Yikes! That’s a very broad audience, to cater to effectively with useful, targeted, relevant posts. Is it too broad? What do you think?
Writer for Hire - A Professional Web Presence
Since writing my Five Reasons Why I Blog Meme, I have firmed up on another reason I blog. That is to maintain a professional presence. I’m a writer for hire, and my blog is at least part of my virtual business card. (Pages for my professional profile will be added soon). I hope at least some clients will come from the readership. I will also direct other prospective clients to the blog, and to my professional pages. Should this have any impact on the blog?
Am I Talking to You? - Time to Define and Refine My Focus
I need to define and refine my focus, so Lisa’s challenge is a timely one. Thanks Lisa. I’ve found this useful to reflect on. Lisa has asked me to “invite your readers to let you know if you’re talking to them.”
Here are Lisa’s questions, with modifications. So, I’m asking YOU 
1. Who do you see as the current (or future) audience for this blog?
2. Who are you, and what draws you here?
3. Are the posts - too often? not often enough? too long? too short? specific enough? too broad? just right?
4. Why do you come back to my blog?
5. What do you want to read here?
6. What do you think is missing? Is there too much “fluff” and not enough “solid” information?
7. What is one thing you truly don’t like about this blog? (Ouch!)
8. What aspects can be improved, and how? What needs to be added, deleted or fine tuned?
9. Is the current focus too broad? What do you see as the preferred focus of this blog?
10.Does the blog meet the title promise of “Grow Your Writing Business?”
Please Please Please… Add Your Comments
If you visit this blog, and have never commented, now is the time to jump in… please! If you are a regular commenter, don’t stop now.
If you want to answer every question, that would be fantastic. However, any comments on any aspect would be much very appreciated. I would really value any insights to help me know what I can do to cater more effectively to my audience. I’m also keen to get more of a sense of who the audience is.
I’m definitely open to suggestions to improve the site. I’m also keen to build the Grow Your Writing Business blog community, and to add value for visitors. So please feel free to be open and honest with your feedback, and any constructive criticism.
I’m really looking forward to reading your comments. Drag your friends over to comment too. The more comments and feedback, the better. Thanks to all who do read my humble blog. I appreciate every visitor.
Credit: Comment button is courtesy of Paper Napkin for International Delurking Week in January. I’m just giving you some early practice. 
Get commenting!!
Tag Time - Who Do You Write For? Are You Talking To Your Readers?
I’m tagging the usual suspects, to also ask yourself and your readers some questions, in relation to your own site. Plus an open invitation to anyone else who wants to join in.
Jose at Tried It Myself - with a cool new look. Try it yourself.
Laura - at Writing Thoughts - who explicitly states her blog purpose.
Rachel - at Heart of Rachel. If you’re a family person, or mother, you need to check out this blog
Liz - at My Year of Getting Published and Alzheimer’s Notes at b5 media.
I’m also tagging some other bloggers whose sites I visit and enjoy, and some I’ve recently discovered -
Princess at - TheCooknTchrMom, KWiz at Women Walking in Wisdom’s Footsteps, Paula Mooney, Diva Marketing, Writer Mama, Kivi at Freelance Writing for Non Profits, and Karen at Write From Karen.
Hey! Thanks for the tag. I’ll have to think about this and post it next week.
Yes, it took me a while to mull it all over too. I hope you’ll add some feedback for this blog when you call back. I’d love to hear your insights and advice.
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne. Hope you’re enjoying the weekend. Thank you for the tag. I’ll do it soon. I’ll let you know as soon as I’m done. Take care!
Cool Rach. No rush - just when you have time. I hope you’ll come back and add a few comments here.
All the best
Yvonne
Hi, Yvonne,
Thanks to you for visiting and thanks for the tag. Honestly, I was surprised! I’ll work on my “assignment’ and I’ll let you know as soon as I’m done.
By the way, what exactly is a meme?
Princess
Hi Yvonne!!!
Thank you visiting my site…I am honored. This is the second meme I’ve been invited to participate in. I liked the first meme (Five Reasons Why I Blog) because it helped me to really understand why I’m blogging. So I was able to do that. I like this one because it will help me narrow my focus, which is necessary because of some recent blog activities I participated in. So I will let you know when my post is up (I’m hoping this evening or tomorrow sometime). Thank you for tagging me!
Hi Yvonne,
Glad to be in the line up! This is a challenging meme. I’ll post my entry as soon as I can.
Take care, and have great rest of the weekend!
Jose
I”ve done my “homework”, Yvonne, and I actually enjoyed doing it!
Thanks.
Princess
Hi Princess
I’m blown away (and humbled) by what you wrote on your site. That was very generous of you to take up a whole post with your feedback. I’ll pop over soon and comment.
Thanks for your support - much appreciated.
Yvonne
Hi KWiz
I look forward to visiting your site when you have posted your meme.
Don’t forget to come back here and comment.
I’d really value any feedback you have on my site, as I’m at a crossroads now, deciding how to refine it.
All the best
Yvonne
Hi Jose
I found it challenging too. I had to think about it for quite a while, but found it very useful.
I hope you will add your comments and feedback about my blog here, when you’ve had a chance to think about the meme, and your own site. I really need as much feedback and as many suggestions as I can get, to improve my blog, and refine the focus.
Thanks
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne - thanks for the tag. Yup .. sure is challenging to say the least. But I can see where it would be a service to the blogger. Need to think about this one!
Hi Toby
The original question, before Lisa put her own unique wonderful twist on it, was - “To Whom Do You Blog?”. I guess you could go with that version of the meme, if you prefer. I found the addition of the questions, while challenging, quite useful to think about, though.
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you joining in the fun with the meme.
All the best
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne, this is my first visit to your blog, but I will be returning to have a look around when I have more time. I came here via blog tried it myself.
Hi Yvonne, I stumbled on your blog through other writing blog. Anyway, here are my answers to them:
1. Who do you see as the current (or future) audience for this blog?
- From my first glance, I can say most of your audience is to-be writers and budding writers
2. Who are you, and what draws you here?
- I am a writer and you can always visit my blog through the links given with this comment (the name is just my nick, client knows who I am)
3. Are the posts - too often? not often enough? too long? too short? specific enough? too broad? just right?
- I can’t comment on this yet.
4. Why do you come back to my blog?
- This is second time and the reason is… I was attracted to the headlines “Am I Talking to You”
5. What do you want to read here?
- More and more on this topic (Building a Writing Business)
6. What do you think is missing? Is there too much “fluff” and not enough “solid” information?
- Can’t comment on this yet.
7. What is one thing you truly don’t like about this blog? (Ouch!)
- Why do you put your Archieves pages and Specific Page (hope u know what I meant by this) underneath the comment form? It sucks big time! (Sorry for the word, but it’s true |-)
8. What aspects can be improved, and how? What needs to be added, deleted or fine tuned?
- Will tell ya later
9. Is the current focus too broad? What do you see as the preferred focus of this blog?
- It’s okay for now.
10.Does the blog meet the title promise of “Grow Your Writing Business?”
- Yep, truly is.
Hello John Doe
Thanks so much for taking the time to give me this valuable feedback. I truly appreciate that.
I have been concerned about#7 myself, so good to hear your thoughts on that too. I’ve been looking at options, such as considering taking out the Adsense Tower in the side column, and at least putting the archives there. I was thinking about consolidating the pages to main headings only e.g. Children’s Writing Articles, Travel Writing Articles, Magazine Writing Articles etc. so that only the main heading show, and you click through to a list of all the articles for that topic.
I will look into this some more, and wait to hear if others have suggestions or thoughts on this too.
I hope to see you here again. Your comments have been very helpful, and I value any future feedback, also.
Thanks a million.
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne. I decided to post my answers on your blog so that I can share it with the rest as well.
1. Who do you see as the current (or future) audience for this blog?
People who have a passion for writing and looking for ways to improve their creative writing.
People looking for some helpful guidelines and inspiration in their writing.
2. Who are you, and what draws you here?
I’m a SAHM to a 3-yr old boy. My life revolves around my family. I’m drawn to this blog because of Yvonne’s warmth and kindness. She has given me a lot of compliments that has inspired me to continue writing. Although, I’m not a writer by profession, I established my blog to reflect about different venues in my life. I don’t have any definite blog focus or follow any structure of any sort. I just write because it makes me happy. So it is such an honor to receive positive remarks from a true writer like Yvonne.
3. Are the posts - too often? not often enough? too long? too short? specific enough? too broad? just right?
I think that the posts are great the way they are.
4. Why do you come back to my blog?
I love coming back to this blog because I always learn something new and interesting.
5. What do you want to read here?
I like reading about Yvonne’s valuable insights about writing and personal causes that she believes in.
6. What do you think is missing? Is there too much “fluff” and not enough “solid” information?
I think it’s a great blog and I don’t see anything missing from its context.
7. What is one thing you truly don’t like about this blog?
I see nothing negative about this site. I think that it’s a wonderful, interesting and informative site that’s why I always come back for more.
8. What aspects can be improved, and how? What needs to be added, deleted or fine tuned?
I think it’s doing great as it is.
9. Is the current focus too broad? What do you see as the preferred focus of this blog?
I think that it has a good focus that centers on strengthening one’s writing.
10.Does the blog meet the title promise of “Grow Your Writing Business?”
Yes, most definitely.
Hi Rose
I always find it interesting to know how people found my blog, so thanks for letting me know. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I look forward to you visiting again.
Yvonne
Hi Rachel
Wow! Thanks for taking the time to answer every question. I am truly overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit shown by fellow bloggers. I never expected that readers with a non writing focus, would regularly visit the blog, but I’m thrilled that they do, as that stretches me too. I’ve been grateful for your continued support as a regular visitor, Rachel, and for your comments.
Thanks for all your feedback and support. I really appreciate it, and it will definitely help me with reflecting on where I am heading, and who the audience for the blog is. In fact, I feel that the “audience” is developing into a “community”, which is very gratifying and stimulating.
All the best
Yvonne
I know you have read this in my blog but I decided I should post it as a comment to yours. Thanks for considering my opinion.
Princess
1. Who do you see as the current (or future) audience for this blog?
I see writers who are looking for new ideas, business people interested in new ventures, students who are frantically looking for topics for their term papers, people who enjoy reading quality blogs.
2. Who are you and what draws you here?
I am a grandmother to three adoring boys, a mom to three equally adoring sons and wife to a great guy who never complains about my quirks and mood swings. I teach young kids how to prepare and enjoy good food, and then I encourage them to use what they learned to pursue their dreams.
I am drawn to your blog by the rich ideas that your posts feed my curious brain, which, if not fed enough, will just collapse unnoticed.
3. For me, the frequency of the posts is just right.
4. Why do you come back to my blog?
Because I know that I will read and find new things that will inspire me to write, just like what I am doing right now (on the side: I’ve retyped this twice because the edit function of the blog is acting up again - it wouldn’t save or publish the second time. I hope it does with this one).
Another thing, your blog is very generous in leading me from one great blog to another.
5. What do you want to read here?
As a neophyte in the field of blogging, I welcome anything that can and will make me think and write.
6. What do you think is missing? Is there too much “fluff” and not enough “solid” information?
For me, everything is just right. I find every post helpful and informational for my own need and purpose. I am still hungry.
7. What is one thing you truly don’t like about this blog?
If getting excited to read the latest post can be counted, then that is it.
8. What aspects can be improved, and how? What needs to be added, deleted or fine tuned?
I don’t see anything yet.
9. Is the current focus too broad? What do you see as the preferred focus of this blog?
I read each post independently. For me, the broader the better since every blogger or reader has his own interests. You give us the privilege of making a choice.
10. Does the blog meet the title promise of “Grow Your Writing Business?”
I think it does because it was able to make me answer a TAG!
Thanks, Yvonne!
Hi Princess
Thanks for adding your comments here as well, so everyone can read them. As I said on your blog, it was so generous of you to take space on your own blog to feature your responses and thoughts about “Grow Your Writing Business”.
I really appreciate the thought and time that has gone into this. It is very valuable and useful feedback for me.
Thanks for your continued support.
Yvonne
Yvonne, I would … no wait, I’ll save it for SOAP time.
Thanks for the meme tag. I’ve replied on my blog and passed it on.
Kivi
Great blog with lots of helpful informative information.
Here are the answers to your questions. (Questions are condensed to save space.)
1. Audience: Primarily writers and bloggers.
2. Who am I? A freelance writer drawn by your helpful articles and insights.
3. Frequency and length of posts: perfect.
4. Why do I come back? Because of the helpful articles and insights (delivered in a humorous and readable style).
5. What do you want to read here? Anything that will spark my creativity or make my work easier.
6. Is anything missing? A bio. Maybe links to some of your other work. (That’s missing on my blog too.)
7. What don’t I like? I like this blog.
8. Fine tuning: When I clicked on your photo in the Site Author box I expected to be taken to a page with your bio on it. Instead, I got an error. Also, your photos in your posts aren’t clickable.
9. I think your focus is fine.
10. This is really a good site. It’s one of the better blogs that I visit. Keep it up!!
Hi Laura
I know you have a looming deadline at the moment, so it was very good of you to take the time away from your work to come over and comment. Thanks for your valuable feeddback.
Good tip about the bio and clickable author photo. This may take me awhile, as I’m still working on my professional pages. I’m not clear on the purpose of clickable photos in the posts. Do you mean to see a larger version of the same picture? If you see this, or if anyone else is familiar with this concept, can you let me know what you would like to see, in terms of clickable photos please.
Thanks
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
I finally finished my meme. Thanks so much for tagging me!
Hi KWiz
I read your meme. It was great (like your blog). I hope if you have time, you will call back, and add your feedback about my blog. I’d be keen to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
First, I think you have an excellent an inviting writing style. You have an engaging manner of conversing, and it comes out in your writing. I think that it reflects your warm and engaging personality.
Because of the focus of your blog, I think your audience is definitely writers and aspiring writers. I am an aspiring writer, and I feel that you’re talking to me when I read your entries.
Since you are a writer and you post about the subject of writing, I would have to say that the frequency of your posts is fine. They aren’t too long for me. So far, I found that the content in each post is relevant to the topic that you are posting about.
I will definitely return to your blog, and I think I’d like to learn more about what led you to become a writer, and why you chose this profession. I’d also like to know what inspires you to write.
Your blog has a very neat and professional look and feel. The only thing that I would suggest is a little more color. Adding a couple colorful banner ads could help to brighten it up a bit (take a look at Techcrunch.com).
You cover a broad subject. So, I don’t think your blog is too broad, and I definitely think that your title meets its objective, which is to help readers grow their writing businesses.
I hope these comments are helpful. You have definitely helped me in my growth as a blogger, and as a writer. Thanks.
Take care, and all the best to you, always!
Jose
There’s one more thing. I don’t know if you’re aware of it, but your picture has a broken link. I always click on it expecting to see a larger picture of you, but I never do. Maybe you’re just being shy.
Hi Jose
Thanks for your extensive feedback - much appreciated. Laura pointed out the photo too. It wasn’t linked to anything, so I will work on a bio to link it to, over the next few weeks. I will also rethink the whole banner, ads area. It’s been on my mind, so good to hear some thoughts on that. I will also take on board what you say about talking about my writing, and my journey as a writer. Great to have your input.
Thanks
Yvonne
You’re welcome, Yvonne.
Hi Yvonne!
Okay, here’s my feedback.
I like the simple design of your blog. It leaves so much room to take in the content of your site. You’ve got a nice photo included which gives your site a personal touch (that says alot for me, huh?).
I love your topics as well. You write about “writing,” yes, but you also write about other “related” topics too. That makes your blog appealing to people who don’t view themselves as writers. For me, personally, the content you provide may just encourage those who might not thought of themselves as writers to try their hand at it. In fact, your article series, “Grow Your Children’s Writing Business” appears to be not only extensive, but incredibly informative for anyone who is just thinking about that prospect.
I also like the fact that you don’t have too many categories. And your category titles are clear - what appears behind each category fits each category.
Moreover, the images you use are great! I especially like the, “Would it hurt you to comment?” image. It’s just enough to keep the interest up.
So if I can summarize, while you may view your current audience as “writers,” I’d say they could be anyone who is interested in writing good content for their blog in general. In fact, it doesn’t matter what you have to say if it’s not said well. Your content gives advice on how to do that. And that’s why I’ve come back and will continue to do so (I’ve subscribed).
I personally don’t see anything I’d really change. What is different is your site navigation at the bottom of the page. I’m not used to that, but that just makes it different. Other readers might not find that to be “different.”
I hope this helps!!!
Hi KWiz
I appreciate you taking the time to give me all that great feedback. All of it is is incredibly useful to me. Thanks for subscribing. I am humbled that you wanted to do that.
Your reminder that non writers may find something of interest if useful to me as well.
Thank you so much
Yvonne
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