Four Conclusions from My Reader Survey and What They Mean for You
Earlier this year, I asked you to participate in my 2014 Reader Survey. This information has helped me tremendously and I think it benefits you, too. The more I know about my readers and their needs, the better I can provide content to meet those needs.
We are a new ministry and just beginning to pick up some momentum with regard to traffic and subscribers. So I wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened the survey. Typically, a good response rate is 3-5%. I was thrilled when the response rate equated to 18% of our subscribers and 10% of the number of unique visitors the site averages per month.
I prayerfully considered the results and asked God to help me use the data from the survey to chart a course for 2014. Using the survey responses and subscriber list, I have created a reader profile. Now, don’t worry if you don’t fit this exactly. I love and benefit from blogs for which I don’t fit their typical reader profile. Knowing who my most typical reader is will help me better focus my writing.
Here is who is reading my blog:
- My typical reader is a female (80%) between the ages of 41-60 (56%).
- She lives in Texas (68%), has a household income of $70,000 or more (56%), and does not work full time outside the home (21% of respondents work part-time, 14% are stay-at-home parents, and 29% are retired).
- She identifies herself as having accepted Christ (86%) and says her faith is very important to her (93%). She attends church regularly—at least twice a month (86%).
- She is active in Bible study, either on her own (34%) or with a group (64%). Yet she did not check the box stating, “I feel confident in my ability to study and understand the Bible.”(75%) However, she does feel comfortable sharing her faith with others (57%).
- With regard to my blog, she most likely found it through a link on Facebook (46%) or through the recommendation of a friend (31%).
Based on the survey and my readers’ comments, I have reached the following four conclusions:
- Keep posts relevant to everyday life. One of the most consistent responses regarding what readers like about my blog was that it is pertinent to what is going on in their life. So, I will continue to write about everyday situations, challenges, and relationships and emphasize real life at the intersection of God’s truth and grace.
- Design content that equips you to confidently study and understand the Bible. These posts and resources will provide practical guidance, tips, and step-by-step guides. As much as I adore studying with a group and using curriculum that serves up insightful observations and ideas for application, some of my most fruitful growth has come from sitting one-on-one with the Word and discovering those nuggets of truth and grace for myself. I want you to feel excited and equipped to do that as well.
- Share from a place of authenticity, sincerity, and transparency. Readers told me they appreciate the sincerity with which I share my perspective and experiences. They like when the writing comes from my heart and encourages them. They want me to continue to provide fresh insights from my personal experiences.
- Request your help in reaching more readers. Given that most of you found my blog via someone’s post on Facebook or through a friend’s recommendation, I will be asking you to regularly share links to my posts on your Facebook page (or whatever social media sites you use), and forward posts via email when you think they would be of benefit to your friends. You are the best source of new readers, and I need your help if this ministry is going to grow and be effective. If you believe in this ministry, spread the word.
You gave me some great ideas for posts. Please keep those coming in. I read every comment and email. I want to hear from you and I want so much for this to become more of a two-way dialogue. Many of you share very insightful comments on the posts when you talk to me in person, by email, or phone conversation. I’ve loved them. Unfortunately, I was the only one who was able to hear and benefit.
If you have a thought, opinion, contrary view point, or some other comment, please post it in the comments section. If you do, others will benefit and we can begin to have something like a dinner conversation with everyone pitching in their contributions to the discussion.
I believe you are going to be pleased with the direction the blog and ministry will be going for the rest of 2014. If you participated in the survey, thank you. Your feedback and ideas are a valuable gift! If you haven’t yet shared your response, it isn’t too late to throw in your two cents.
[callout] Did you arrive on this page because a friend forwarded you a link? Do you want access to all of the Newsletter articles like this one? Subscribe to updates using the form in the top right portion of this page. If you are viewing on a mobile device, page down to access the form. Only subscribers, and the friends to whom subscribers forward their newsletter (or links to the articles), have access to Newsletter content. This is not readily available to visitors of the site who have not subscribed. So subscribe now![/callout]
Recent Comments