Apologies in advance if this video gets preachy or pedantic, but I’ve gotten a lot of questions from wine bloggers lately about how to increase following and engagement, and openly asked recently via twitter and facebook if this info. would be helpful to others (almost unanimously the answer was "Yes"). This is what has worked for me, your mileage may vary. So I hope you’ll take it as a sort-of “tough-luv” bit of well-meant advice, and let me (and everyone else!) know your thoughts!
Cheers!
Very informative, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching (& commenting!!) CJ.
Thank you for posting this! I often find your blog as one of the most helpful when it comes to wine, and I really appreciate you taking the time to help us newer wine bloggers out. I couldn't agree more with you with regards to specificity – I think it's essential to be "unique" in today's overwhelming internet presence of just about everything. I've been blogging about wine for about 2 years now, placing emphasis on consumers that want to know more about wine, but are intimidated. I am just now figuring out what seems to attract my readers. Although I know I have a small following now, it took awhile for me to find a specific area that I felt comfortable writing about that also attracted an audience. It can be frustrating at times when one receives little feedback, but don't give up! Hearing people thank you for your posts is very rewarding.
Thanks, Denise! As my friend Mark Oldman says, don't quit five minutes before the miracle happens! :)
Great video Joe! Helps to reinforce what I already know but often forget. Marketing is key and it does fell weird at times for sure to talk about yourself. I do have a niche, but at times it is still hard to get people as excited about it as I am, so I often fall away from it and find something else to talk about. But I am still blogging, so hopefully people will catch on! Thanks again, love the blog.
Thanks, Renee. I didn't mention just persevering but some of you have in the comments, and it's a great point. So many blogs just give up…
First: I love you, you know this. But we have to talk about your production value.
Second: Get a damn mic.
Third: Hang a green screen and key in video of riding a rollercoaster or something; your bedroom walls are not an interesting thing to look at. Pan the camera down and do the video from the bed behind you, and now you're talking.
Fourth: As you were saying, the content (what you're actually saying) is of course spot-on.
Fifth: There is no fifth item. Peace!
Thanks, Randy. So… What should I be doing in the bed exactly? ;-)
One name for you: Gary Vaynerchuk. He had none of the frills and a huge following. There was endless debate on his forum about content quality (and eventually he did get lighting and a mic) although in the end he didn't need any of it. Regarding your third point, a green screen? There is no studio audience; this is not Who's Line is it Anyway? Don't get me wrong, I am all for high quality and visually entertaining/pleasing content; but I feel that if the dude decided to hang a green screen, jungle cats and something resembling Splash Mountain in the background, it might cheapen the content quality and focus he mentions in this video.
Guys – I can tell you that most of these will stay “raw” with an exception: I've got a six-episode project I'm working on that will be professionally shot, apart from being done in my kitchen. Much more to come on that in the next couple of months. But otherwise, quality will remain within a modest budget unless/until I get sponsorship for these vids. I do appreciate the nod that the messages matter more than the format. That's why I love you people!!! :)
Thank you! I am grateful for the learning opportunities you (and fellow tweeters) provide in both the wine realm and the media world. Good insight and encouragement.
Thanks Alissa.
Joe, curious, for someone like me who is never a physical part of my writing and stories, do you think it hurts those of us who don't put a face and a personality with our brands?
It seems to work for you well. This is just an interesting point, I think I know the answer, but would love to hear what you think.
Wayne – fantastic question. Short answer is maybe. I think increasingly it will make it a bit harder for younger gen of wine fans to feel that they know you, and they are often looking for a feeling of connection even before establishing if you're a credible source (actually it is part of establishing that for a lot of people, I think). So it might make that job harder but certainly not impossible.
Thanks Joe. I think you are right, particularly with younger viewers. Always a toss up to me if I should be more involved or less. Being less involved has lead to some opportunities, but being more involved might too.
We shall see what the future holds.
This is why I think Courtney at Quit WINEing will blow up soon, she has the charm to go with the content. This has helped you as well.
Thanks Wayne. Totally agree about Courtney, she has drive as well and is doing something unique and I hope she takes the wine world by storm soon!
As usual your "pedantic philosophy" is right on point. In a sea of content it is necessary to have an identifiable island for people to take shelter on, and drink some vino if they happened to drift onto this island with their bags in toe! Speaking from the heart I think is the most important facet you mentioned, even in this oversaturated environment many of our eyeballs scan over it is often difficult to find true passion.
Thanks, Joel! To your point, I keep getting asked how I got the playboy.com gig, & the answer is that I got it by being myself, by being different and not being afraid to be different. Cheers!
Good stuff, Joe. Thank you. Staying focused like a laser! :-)
Thanks, Cliff – lock on! :)
Great Video…good stuff. It's all in the Marketing. Ahhh….you are so right and I'm working on it…
Thanks Suzanne – it's all in the *genuine* marketing. :)
Hi, Joe,
So glad you went ahead with this! Your short video is a straight-forward, honest, and valuable piece that is relevant way beyond the wine world. I'm going share it with my non-wine-geek clients because your personal success story reflects and reinforces many of the principles of effective communications/marketing.
Plus, it's good for me to take some of that wisdom of yours and apply it to my own work ;)
Cheers,
K.
Wow, thanks Kathleen. I only charge $4 per each of those referrals so go ahead. ;-)
Thank you! Refreshing positive voice, cheers!
Thanks, Lisa.
Did you make this video for me? I feel like you were talking straight to me as a new wine blogger. I know you weren't, but your delivery is very authentic and personal. Thanks for this!
Thanks, Dolce. How did you know it was meant for you personally??? Uncanny!!! ;-). But seriously, glad it was useful. Cheers!
Joe: Good stuff, as usual, but I disagree on the "general" wine blog space being already filled by you, Alder and Tyler. From my experience the quality of the content and the frequency of posting is the most important thing and not how broad your subject matter is. And as much as I would like to read a Dry Creek Zinfandel blog there is just enough there to build an audience (same for your Tokaji example).
I think the market for really kick-ass wine content is infinite; it just might take new entrants more time to get attention these days.
As far as Randy's comments above, get a mic, take down the stuff on the back wall, put a chalkboard with some cryptic comment on the right and get a Steelers spit bucket ;-)
Thanks Tim. Great points, except about the spit bucket :). It's true that it's not impossible to make a mark as a generalist, but I really do think it's harder to make a big mark that way. And the folks I mentioned are not the only ones in that space, of course. Cheers!
Somehow the word "not" did not make it into my previous comment but I think you got my main point that quality and frequency are more important than owning a niche. I also think you should rethink your spit bucket decision :)
Tim – totally. And no I won't be rethinking the spit bucket! :)
My apologies I'm so late top the conversation… travelling for the day job. :)
I appreciated this advice a lot too. I was concerned at first that my blog's Italian wine theme would be too niche, but in fact I think you're very right- I perhaps have fewer, but better-engaged, followers. Plus, I try not to take myself too seriously, and I write about other types of wines sometimes anyway (mostly because, as you have said as well, it's MY blog).
I think this whole wine blogging thing is a lot of fun, and it's been a unique way to record fun events and awesome wines I come across. I have been a follower of your blog for years because I believe you approach it the same way.
Thanks for doing what you do…
Joanie
Joanie – thank *you* for chiming in!
Joe, I came across this episode and just had to watch it–not sure how I missed it previously. Love it and always appreciate your candidness!
Thanks, Miss B!
I really needed this. Who needs subtle anyway? You make some great points that apply to virtually any kind of niche blogging. Thanks a million for sharing your philosophy….
Thanks, Rick.