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Ana Hoffman of Traffic Generation Cafe joins me for episode #8 of the Content Warfare Podcast.
I’ve been dying to have Ana on the Content Warfare Podcast.
About six months ago she had a major change in her personal life, a geographical move, that took her away from her blog community on a regular basis for almost two months…
But what was a astounding, what spoke to me as a blogger about Ana’s experience is that her blog community…
…the people who had grown to trust and love the work that Ana does (I’m included in that group) continue to visit her site.
Ana’s blog community continued to share her posts on Facebook and Twitter…
Ana’s blog community continued comment conversations on old articles…
Ana’s blog community continued to participate in her blog even though she wasn’t there.
That is a powerful community.
I know because I’ve guest posted for Ana twice:
- How To Blog About Blogging When It’s All Been Said Before
- How Cheapskates Build a Quality Comment System
On these two posts I could see the action that was happening…
…so I can only assume it was the same site wide.
I had to know how she did it…
So please take a listen to Ana Hoffman on web design, transparency and blogging withdrawals…
…learn how to build a community that sticks.
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Thank you again!
Ryan, I like what she did with your header and the reasoning behind it. People want to belong, and when they see their picture front-and-center and a homepage like Ana’s. She’s one bright lady. To leave and then come back is impressive as well. I would be more inclined to leave and not come back, but instead start something new. Maybe it’s my “ADD” kidding in LOL.
Mike
Mike Pedersen wants you to check out… Are You Making These Mistakes With Your Dental Website
Mike,
In my opinion everything we do in the online space is about adding value. Every action either adds value to ourselves or to our readers. Content creators that can consistently add value to readers over themselves will reap the largest benefit long term.
Thanks,
Hanley
Good stuff.
I really like Ana’s suggestion that we take notes on the blogs we like and return to. This gets me away from the world of technical people who’d have us in the most granular details.
The blogs I return to are often crappy or cluttered but they’re a delight to read and the blogger replies to comments. I like brash bloggers but not so brash that they get gratuitous.
I like that Ana mentions that the market is saturated with quick money ideas. As soon as I see a squeeze page, I’m done with a site. But another type of saturation is the blogging/bloggers. I’ve been unsubscribing from blogs that have wonderful content. But I’m dealing with the fact that I have entirely to much stuff to read. I’ve had to be harsh in deciding what stays and what goes.
Thinking this way also puts me in the world of my audience: how many people are oversubscribed? How many people subscribe and actually come back to read new stuff?
How many bloggers are going to rise to the top? How many are going to get lost in the shuffle in spite of their best efforts?
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Oz,
The idea of being Oversubscribed is a great one. Because I agree with you that many people are oversubscribed and not actually digging into and learning from the blogs they subscribe to.
This cluttered landscape means it’s even more important to let your personality shine through in your content as personality is one of the key factors that keeps people interested and subscribed.
Thanks Oz… Great to connect with you!
Good stuff Ryan. Ana’s explanation of why it’s important to “funnel your traffic to your ultimate goal” was absolutely clutch. It’s something so obviously important and necessary but something that I was completely overlooking. I appreciate the interview and I’m thankful for the information.
Keith,
Appreciate your feedback dude… I thought the same thing. We spend so much time creating content and trying to bring traffic in that we forget about building a place to actually send that traffic once we have them here.
Thanks for the great quote as well… Shared it on Google+!
Hanley
Nice! I gotta say I am amazed at the wealth of information people like you, Ana and Michael Hyatt give away for free! Bloggers and podcasters have opened me up to a completely different world. It is the internet at it’s best.
I have to agree with you Keith… That’s how I got going in all this.
Ana’s blog is definitely on my short list of blogs that I regularly visit. So it’s not surprise to met hat she was able to survive an extended absence from the blog.
Great interview Ryan!
Eugene Farber wants you to check out… How Barack Obama Marketed His Way through the 2012 Election
Thanks Eugene… Looking back now, it shouldn’t have surprised me. People are very dedicated to her and her work.
Thanks for the stopping by!
Hanley
Hi Ryan,
Awesome Podcast…
Ana is not only a successful blogger and adviser bit she is a nice person also. The way you have interviewed her is really great..
keep it up with great work.
Sneha wants you to check out… 40 Creative Icon Designs for Inspiration
Thanks so much Sneha!
I’m glad you enjoyed the format. I’ve found that a less formal approach can bring out some really interesting content.
All the best.
Hanley
Ana is not only transparent, but has a warm, engaging personality. I love her sense of humor also. I think this is part of why so many of us love her, besides her terrific advice. I have learned so much from her and always look forward to her latest post. Great podcast, Ryan and Ana!
Sheila,
I couldn’t agree more. Very few bloggers are willing to put themselves out there like Ana is… It’s a very endearing quality in our Digital World.
Thanks for listening!
Ryan H.
Hi Ryan,
FANTASTIC interview with Ana. I love her and her blog. I agree that her transparency is what’s most attractive about her. I’m aiming to model my business and blog after her. She’s built a wonderful community and I’m proud to be apart of it. Thanks for sharing this with our BizSugar community. I appreciate it!
Ti
Ti Roberts wants you to check out… 4 Hidden Traffic Tips to Spike Your Traffic Stats
Thanks Ti…
I wish you best of luck on your blog, if you’re modeling it after Ana you should be on the right path.
Ryan H
Will download and listen tomorrow. Looking forward to hearing what wise Ana has to say!
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Thanks Craig… I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!
That’s one great podcast, Ryan, if I may say so myself… lol
Thanks for having me!
Ana Hoffman wants you to check out… Why Traffic Generation Cafe Runs on Thesis
Ana,
It was very much my pleasure. Thanks for all the great insight!!
Hopefully you’ll come back again some time in the future.
Ryan H.
Another great podcast dude. Great conversation. Picked up some great information.
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Thanks dude… I’m glad you could take some tips away. Ana is very legit.
All the best.
Hanley