The One Thing That's Missing from Your Blog & Podcast: YOU

by Leesa Barnes

What makes Oprah so popular? Is it the fact that she makes billions?

No.

Is it the fact that she hosts one of the most watched shows on television?

No.

Oprah is popular because she's real. And what makes Oprah real?

Her experiences in life.

It's no secret that Oprah was abused as a young girl, faced racism as a young news anchor early in her television career and then struggled with her weight throughout her adult life.

All these experiences make Oprah appear down-to-earth. That no matter how much money she makes, we can still relate to her because of her struggles and triumphs.

This is the missing ingredient from many blogs and podcasts. While we fuss with the quality of the recording and worry over the frequency of the content, what people crave is learning more about you, your family, your experiences, your hobbies and your background.

Having snazzy content will attract attention, but it won't sustain an audience. Anyone can create content, but only you can create content that helps you connect with your audience. The easiest way to do this is to share information about who you are and what makes you the unique person you are today.

This is important because if your audience feels a connection with you, they start to like you. And when people like you, they begin to trust you. This will help your sales because people tend to buy from those they like and trust.

So, what should you share in your blog and podcast content?

• Pictures from a recent vacation or industry event. Upload your pictures to Flickr and invite your audience to go to your page to comment on the photos.
• Information about your family. Now, I'm not suggesting that you share every intimate detail. Instead, share information about an award your child just won or a promotion your spouse just got. One of my clients, Barbara Bradbury, once interviewed her sons on her podcast to introduce them to her audience. It was one of her more popular episodes.
• New or existing hobbies. Tell your audience about the challenges and joys of a hobby or interest that you have. In a recent issue of this ezine, I shared with you about my new found love for gardening. Wow, did I ever get alot of responses.
• Anything about your life. Now, this isn't your time to break down crying if you're recording a podcast or go on a tangent if you're writing a blog post. Remember, social media isn't Oprah's couch. Instead, share happy news, triumphs and successes about the personal side of your life so you make a connection with your audience.

Your Action Step

1. If you blog, dedicate at least one post a week where you share something fun about YOU. Check out this post as an example.
2. If you podcast, start every episode with a welcome message detailing something fun and exciting about YOU. Listen to this episode of Cubicle Divas for an example of how to add YOU to each episode.

© 2008 Leesa R. Barnes. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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