“By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that was not there before.” – Edwin Elliot
Apart from a lot of online counseling emails, I also recieve a lot of questions from readers about the fine art of blogging. So this is the first article of the New Heart Centered Blogging column! Yay a 2012 first 🙂
Readers Question: I see a lot of interaction in the comments section of your blog. What makes people come to your blog again and again?
My answer: Up until I actually started this blog(in 2009), I had no idea on earth what a blog was. really really! I remember when I visited a blog for the first time, I thought ‘oh my God, I love the author of this article. She is so thoughtful to respond to all the readers.’ Its only after I poked around that site, did I realize that there was a new article every few days, from the same blog owner/blog author….I thought to myself(still as a first time reader) ‘woohoo….more awesome writing from this lovely author. I want more.’ So I looked around and subscribed. Yes, my very first visit to a blog, and I made my way to subscribe…and yes I also left my very first comment there. From then on ofcourse I developed an amazing connection with this blogger.
So whats the point of my above rant?? To answer the reader’s question about what makes people come back again and again to the blog…
In the above experience of being a first time visitor to a blog, I didn’t fall in love with the site, or the design, or even the actual topic of the blog….I fell in love with the writer/blogger. And thats what I incorporated in Positive Provocations, when I began blogging.
There is nothing narcissistic about being authentically YOU. Infact I applaud people who stay true to themselves online and offline. There is a certain humility that comes through when you can respond to every interaction on your blog. I am just exactly the same in person as I am online.
A few ways I sprinkle a bit of personal touch to this blog:
- I read and respond to every comment, even if it takes me a little while to get to it.
- I think of each person who comes to my blog as a beautiful soul.
- I end every article with Love and Gratitude to the reader.
- I create a lot of Free Ebooks, Handbooks etc for the readers.
- I keep myself open to and love connecting with each reader on facebook, twitter, google+ and email.
- Every week I write a small thank you note to a few readers, thanking them for being part of the Positive Provocations community.
- When I am on the blog reading the comments and responding, nothing else matters. I am completely there heart and soul in the conversation.
- I share stuff about my life, without inhibitions but with some amount of filtration. I know my personal stories and experiences help many face their challenges everyday. One reader emailed me right after receiving one of my newsletters and said, “I cant tell you how much I needed to read your soothing words. Your emails make my day and recharge me to be better even when I am having a very bad day. Thank you for all you do.”
- I am polite and react to every comment with love and respect for the commenter/reader.
- Most of all, I am Me only me.
What are your thoughts on this topic? As a blogger with heart, how do you add YOU to your blog? Do you have any tips to share? And dont you think adding these tips to our offline lives can help us live more heart-centered lives too? Do share your thoughts, questions and comments in the comments section below.
What is Heart Centered Blogging?
Heart Centered Blogging is now a weekly column on Positive Provocations.
Heart Centered Blogging simply means to blog with Love, completely. In this column I’ll share my personal experiences and give you first hand info on how you too can become a Heart Centered Blogger.
I’m opening myself up more to answer any questions you may like me to address about Heart Centered Blogging. Lets put the LOVE back in blogging! I know there is a lot of technical stuff that goes into making a blog, but here in this column I’ll share what I feel works to touch a readers heart and soul, not just tickles their fancy.
Please Note: This Sunday I will be talking about how you can free yourself from the ‘being judgmental’ bug!
With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer
GET YOUR ‘HAPPINESS GOODIES’!!!
Get the latest articles(FREE) as soon as they are published, by Email OR RSS.PLUS if you are an Email Subscriber, You get the Positive Living Handbook(new 2012 release!)+My Ebook “The Best of Positive Provocations”+ “Your Self Healing Starter Kit”+a free Positive Newsletter on the 15th of every month with the months highlights+Positive Living Affirmations +New Tips and articles which are Exclusively for Email Subscribers and not published anywhere else. Come Join the facebook community & follow me on Twitter and Google+ for Positive Provocations Everyday!
Please Share Positive Provocations: If you like what you read and see here, please spread the word by sharing this article on your favorite social networks. I appreciate every bit of love and support from each and every one of you.
Positive Provocations 
The practice of blogging has turned out so differently than I expected it would. I started mine because I wanted to write some movie reviews and opinion pieces, as I used to do for my Community College newspaper. I never imagined I would also begin writing in a confessional style about my own life and experiences. It happened much as it did for you, because I so loved reading the blogs others were writing about their personal trials and spiritual lessons learned. That’s certainly how you and I recognized each other and became allies, at least on this plane.
I wonder where all this will go from here? I can’t imagine, but I have very good feelings about it.
Hi Mikey,
I know what you mean when you say blogging has evolved with us, just as our writing has evolved over time.
I do love reading about your life lessons and yes we do share so much of a connect in this plane 🙂 Your good feelings are well received and will be meditated on 🙂 May this connection be a life long one and may our blogging adventures create more good in us and around us.
Lots of love~
What a well thoughtout post, Zeenat. It has been awhile since I flashed back on how I started blogging in the first place (started mine in 2008) and how exciting it is to see people commenting on our posts, subscribing and connect with us not just on our blog(s), but social media profiles as well. Sometimes work and busy lives took our time, we may get less and less appreciative to what others are responding, which is a big wake up call to many, including myself. 🙂 And I agree, we get to learn quite a lot by studying someone’s site. I can definitely see how you grow over the years and although I’m not here often (as much as I would like to), you’re always in my loop even in Facebook. Continue to spread your positive messages and optimism to the blogosphere and we all appreciate you for being YOU not just in your blog, but I’m sure in your real life too. Hugs and have a great year in 2012!
p/s: thank you so much for the link back! 🙂
Ching Ya
Social @ Blogging Tracker
Ching! I love seeing you here.
And blogging is exciting and rewarding and mind boggling all at the same time na 🙂 But we make the most of it..and I learned so much about the online world from you. You are my Social Media Awesome Gal!
Being in each others online loops is fun….I love your updates and all you share. So much soaking up for me to do.
Thank you for all your kind words dear one…I hope this 2012 brings all of us the much needed success and happiness we all so deserve.
Lots of love to you~
Zeenat,
You are one of the most sincere bloggers in the blogosphere.
Your authenticity comes through loud and clear and that’s why so many people adore you and your blog (me included).
It’s obvious to anyone who reads your posts that you put your heart and soul into them. Your appeal to the reader is that heart and soul that comes shining through. Keep on shining!
Dearest Angela,
Thank you for so much for all the love and support this past year! I consider you one of those great authentic bloggers who I connect to through your writing. I love your work..and get completely immersed everytime I read YOU 🙂
I adore you too!! 🙂
Your words here today are literally making me go ‘yipee yay yay’ !
Gratitude and love to you dear soul sister~
I read your blog regularly and enjoy all your posts. I got so inspired and tried to start a blog of my own as well. I am still so new to it. :). Your post is a big help to me for my blog. Thanks .
Darling Najma,
I’m so glad you shared your thoughts here. Wow you have your own blog!!! I must check it out. I’m here to help you…so dont hesitate to ask any questions…I’ll make sure to help you out in setting up and starting out. Blogging is also about connecting…and we all hold hands to support each other in this ginormous blogosphere.
I look forward to hearing more from you 🙂
So Much Love~
Zeenat,
You really said it all in the headline! But I’m glad you expanded to. I’m especially impressed with how your stay present in the moment and pour your heart and soul into every interaction on your blog. I agree with Angela: you are so authentic and sincere. I’m so looking forward to this new series.
Hi sandra,
Thank you for all your love and for seeing me as I am. I try very hard to stay in the present moment when I am responding to comments or any other interaction…mostly cause i feel like each soul deserves to be heard. So be it a comment or a tweet…I’m ever grateful for it all.
You are one of those authentic bloggers I admire so much! Love you!
I am already bursting with ideas of stuff to share in this column 🙂
So much love to you~
Thank you for this refreshing post, Zeenat! I too am very impressed with how you pour your heart and soul into your blog, and continue to maintain such an authentic presence. I started with more practical inspiration and shifted to personal/spiritual, because I enjoyed reading about those experiences in others. But I find it hard to shift back to writing about information and practical things. I don’t really know how to move between the practical and personal. What are your thoughts on this? Much love to you!
Hi Lynn,
You are not alone in your dilemma dear one. The few things I know work is sharing from your heart and simplicity.
If you can share and present your personal thoughts/experiences in a practical manner, that will bring about a level of simplicity to the article and to your blog, which is more easily absorbed by the readers. I will expand more on this next week…I have countless emails in my inbox asking me similar questions about writing challenges.
But you are doing a great job on your blog..and you have grown so much from the first time I read you. That’s the sign of an evolving soul….you grow and so does your experiential talent with it.
Thank you fro sharing your thoughts and asking such a lovely question here. I appreciate your input!
So Much Love to you~
Lovely Zeenat
This is truly an amazing post.The points you have mentioned are the actual reasons for most people to visit your site,how come you be so patient as to read each and every comment and even leave a reply?I mean its great!It makes people happier to know that their comments have been read sincerely and dealt with utmost care.I have just made it a point to go through your blog every day and have even had a subscription done so that I dont happen to miss any of your posts.
Even I possess a hobby in writing,I do write whenever i feel like,I also write for community souvenirs and all,I have searched out for freelance writing in the internet but the system seems way too complicated,moreover to earn money through writing is not quite my motive,I write just because it makes me feel happy and also is a nice way to pass time.You are my inspiration and I’ll be real happy if you can put in some of your suggestions regarding it.
Loads and loads of love
Hey Zeenat,
I jotted some ideas as they hit me but when I got back to them some time later I found myself not in that position to write that passionately. What might be the reason???
for example, I wanted to write about my not existing sister that if I had one…..I got sentimental but I avoided that topic purposefully……Don’t know why but that happened!!