52WoC #15: Get to Know Your Readers

Hello and welcome to 52WoC. It’s Week #15 of our 52 Weeks of Blog Community Project

This week’s task is pretty much a continuation of last week’s task. This time, though, I encourage you to do something to get to know your readers better. If you already do this on a regular basis, share with us what you do. If you have a sample post on how you get to know your readers, share them in the comments section below.

If you do not have any ideas on what to do to get to know your readers better, here are some suggestions:

1. Start a Tell Me About You project. You don’t have to make it an ongoing project, if you feel it’s too much to cope with. A one-off session might do you for now.

2. Post some of the questions last week’s task (with a link to the originator of the questions, if possible). Encourage your readers to answer those questions.

3. Do your own “Getting to Know You” session in your blog. Ask a question, encourage commenter #2 to answer your question and post a new question, etc etc etc.

4. Hold a delurking day!

Whatever it is that you decide to do, please share your post’s links here, so we can visit them and send them some love. Maybe even take part in them!

In any case, I hope this task will help you to bring some readers closer to you…

Anyway, thanks again to all who shared a little more about themselves in last week’s task, Getting to Know You (52WoC #14):

• Heather
• Nicola
• Hanna
• Nenette
• Christie
• Sushi
• Toni
• Jayme
• Jami

I really enjoyed reading all the answers and questions. When there was a bit of confusion to begin with, I was really impressed when you all managed to get things back on track. Well done, all. Thank you!

Since Jami posted the last 3 questions, I promised to answer them here. So, here you go…

1. Outside of the internet, do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?

For the most part, I really consider myself an introvert. I know some people may not believe this – especially ever since I started my 365 project… and began organising parties/events. Truth is, I started making these projects recently to overcome my tendency for too much introversion.

I realised that although my natural inclination is to turn inward, I do not wish to be disconnected. I want to be able to reach out, to touch people’s lives, to make a difference… And I cannot do that if I refuse to open up myself.

So, here I am… opening up in ways than I never thought I ever would. And, in spite of all the inner battles I had to fight to do what I do… I am very pleased to grow and to evolve.

2. If you could go back in time to visit a certain period/decade/event, when and why would you go?

This question makes me think of that song… “I wish I was a punk rocker, with flowers in my hair…” I kinda’ empathise with bits of that song’s sentiments, you see.

Anyway, in reality though, if I were to have the power to go back at a certain time… I think I’d like to choose a time when I can see my parents in a different light. I would’ve loved to see what they were like, while they were growing up. To see what they’ve been through… To look at their lives, outside of being their little girl.

Why? Because I feel as though I’ve grown up not knowing who they really are. I know them as my mom and dad. I know them through the stories they’ve told us. But, a lot of those stories and experiences were already filtered through years of living. Filtered through the voices of parenthood.

I want to know them without those filters.

3. If you could have a super hero’s power, what would it be and how would you use it?

The Power to Heal. To fix broken hearts. To cure those who seem incurable. But then, I’m not sure how that one will work… I mean, on one had, I hate the feeling helplessness and hopelessness when people go through pain and trouble. On the other hand, there’s something to be gained through all these things.

Maybe, it’s better to have The Power of Giving Hope. That when someone’s in a very difficult situation, Super Shai can come in and give that gift of hope. I won’t necessarily take away the pain – but I can offer them the absolute comfort of knowing that It Will Get Better. Ah, but then, I’m no God.