RSS
SEO Tips
Blogging Tips.png)
Interview With WriterDad From WriterDad.com
October 15, 2008
Recently I have been writing about building a community and getting more comments and RSS subscribers on your blog.
I mentioned a few people, relatively new to the blogosphere, who seem to have mastered doing this — and I promised interviews.
Being that I like to keep my promises, we had an interview last week with Joe, from ImWithJoe.com.
This week I’d like to introduce someone who has been doing an amazing job getting comments on their posts and creating some major buzz in the blogosphere — Writer Dad.
Writer Dad is unique in many different ways; fundamentally, his niche is having no niche, and what and how he writes will simply wow you, if anything else.
So without further ado, here’s my interview with Writer Dad, from WriterDad.com
1. Who is Writer Dad?
My name is Sean, and I’ve been writing for a year. I’m married to my best friend, and the father of two amazing kids.
2. In your own words, explain your niche
My niche is people who love words, and would rather read than scan. The Internet is filled with scannable content, and though I make sure mine’s pleasant to look at, I’d prefer it read to scanned. I’ve never cared too much about what others were doing, and though I did my homework before starting Writer Dad, I abandoned much of what they said. I don’t write for SEO or keywords, I just write.
3. Your blog is a little over a month old, yet you’re quite the man in the comment section. What do you do to get so many comments?
My blog is ten weeks. We have over seventeen-hundred comments. This isn’t an accident. I never publish just to publish. I place my passion behind everything I write. That kind of writing’s infectious. I believe it drives people to participate. I answer every comment as well. I think it helps promote dialogue.
4. Why do you think you became so popular, so fast?
I don’t believe I’m particularly popular. My traffic is far more slight than most imagine. What I do have, is a high rate of participation, and an excellent ratio of visitors to subscribers. This is a testament to the writing. I put my energy into words, not traffic. I’m not waving people in, but I’m waving once you get there.
5. Where do you see WriterDad.com a year from now?
Writer Dad dot com will be a portal to all my future online projects. Daisy and I have several in various stages of brain storm.
6. From reading your posts, I can tell you’re quite the family man. Do you mind telling us a little bit about them?
My wife is amazing. She’s a master teacher of twenty years, and multiple recipient of teacher of the year. She’s developed curriculum working with Johns Hopkins University. Writer Dad does what it does because she cradles her hands and nudges me over the wall. My children are four and six; both articulate, funny, and bouncing with personality.
7. Being that WriterDad.com is your first blog, how do you like blogging so far? Is it everything you expected?
Blogging is nothing like I expected. It takes a lot of work and consideration, but the rewards are there, even if I have yet to turn them into dollars. I’ve met amazing people, and the feedback I’ve received has fueled my writing toward the next level.
8. Most people feel they need a niche to start blogging, due to experts saying it’s a must. You’ve broken that mantra. What advice would you give those who want to blog, but are going nuts trying to find the right niche for them?
I know this spars with conventional wisdom, but I say just write. Write the best you can about whatever it is you feel passionate about. Exhibit Patience. Repeat.
9. What can we expect to see from Writer Dad in the coming months?
Next week I’ll be discussing my intentions for Writer Dad in more depth. Soon, I’ll announce my first offline project as well as the first Writer Dad affiliated blog.
10. Writer Dad, it’s been a pleasure interviewing you, is there anything else you would like to add? Any final statements?
Being the best means more than following SEO. Be yourself, and drop by Writer Dad to see how I’m mine.
Head on over to Writer Dad’s blog!
There you have it! Writer Dad is truly and awesome blogger and person. He’s sincere and one of the nicest people I’ve met online. I highly recommend reading some of his posts, as I’m sure they’ll put a smile on your face.
With that said, check out Writer Dad at WriterDad.com and watch you feel the urge to comment!
Here is my favorite line of this post, “I’m not waving people in, but I’m waving once you get there.” – Awesome!
That is a great perspective, but I disagree with one thing. I believe Writer Dad has a niche and he mentioned it above. Words!
He may not be focusing on a subject or a topic, but his niche is outstanding writing of words. He said it best that he prefers readers at his blog and not scanners.
This means his target market is readers, which seems to be an excellent suggestion in the blogosphere since people are reading on their screens…unless you are into video blogging like the Sammich Man!
Anyway, Writer Dad, I am also married to my best friend, so I know just how lucky you are. Congrats on that union and the beautiful children. I have two myself.
Consider yourself the proud owner of one more subscriber!!!! Oh, and I will be participating in your thriving community!
Great interview. Writer Dad writes from the heart and his community is testament to that.
I think one of the things not often mentioned when we talk about the comment section and the dialog that goes on after you hit publish is that people don’t simply find great content by googling “great content.”
The blogosphere is a selfish atmosphere of I’ll-scratch-your-back-if-you’ll-scratch-mine mentality. Ok, so that’s an exaggeration–some blogs don’t follow that doctrine, but it’s still what makes the blog gears turn.
My point: you don’t get tons of comments unless you leave tons of comments. I’m guessing Writer Dad leaves nearly as many comments on other blogs as he gets on his own blog each day.
There are a few different types of commenters: A, the kind that want to plug their own blog in hopes people click through and comment on their blog (there are many of these); B, the kind that love reading the content and comment because they feel like they really have something to contribute (the number in this group is always highly exaggerated); and C, the smallest group, is full of people who don’t even have a blog but like what they read or know the person personally.
New bloggers have to work really hard to get the readers they have. They have to work even harder to get lots of comments. Once they go viral and become a constant in the community and the entire internet, other people market the blog. Writer Dad gets a lot of others doing his marketing, and that’s because he has something unique to offer, and it seems like the timing and topic is spot on. Eventually, bloggers like WD will need to comment less, although I’m not sure he would. Would you?
Freddie: Thanks, man. That’s a wonderful comment, and I’m happy to have you. I look forward to seeing you in my corner.
Blogger Dad: Thanks for hosting a party at my house today.
Oktober 5: With every comment you leave, I like you more. I agree with everything you’ve said. Yes, at this point I have to comment less. If I don’t, I’ll never get any actual writing done. This is a topic I’ll be discussing next week, on Thursday in fact. You’re doing good work. There’s something genuine in your tone, and it’s easy to feel.
Big Sean in the hizzzzzzzzzzzzyyy!!!!!!!! Great interview Luis man, good stuff. I like that he can write whatever he wants, I’m all about a person being themeselves on their blog…
keep writing man! You doing great.
Excellent interview. I enjoyed it.
Normal Joe: Thanks for the props man. I appreciate them.
Bamboo: Thanks, Bamboo. As always.
Wow, Sean comes across very confidently in this interview. I’m impressed.
I’m glad he doesn’t engage in what I consider false humility. It can appear cocky, but I respect people who tell it like it is, or at least how they see it. As a songwriter, I am the biggest fan of my own work — as a writer, sounds like Sean very much believes in his output.
ari
Thanks, Ari. That is very kind. I never try to be cocky, but I don’t think there are too many things more important than honesty. If you can’t speak truth, then you probably shouldn’t speak.
I have subscribe RSS for this blog. Its informative. Good.