Losing Readers
Over past days I've seen a number of comments on a number of blogs, which are about losing readers. A good example is JC's comment on the blog of Empress;
I love my readers dearly but I wouldn’t shed a tear if one of them left
I'm pretty sure this was a throwaway comment based on the smiley 
I also have no qualms in seeing readers leave, but have them leave for a good reason! Some people are like chalk and cheese, some people just can't get on, some people read blogs just to troll the blogger.
But when you lose a long standing reader, who is also a part of the blogosphere, you lose much more than just a reader…what you also lose is someone to bounce ideas off, to interact with and to pass the time of day. You also lose a whole raft of visitors as the person who has unsubbed won't link (or won't link as often) to your blog…
No-one is saying or implying that you have to bend over backward to please every reader, as that is patently impossible. But at least treat readers with a bit of respect - that way, they have no reason to leave.
Comment by ash — September 20, 2006 @ 9:55 am
I no longer read your blog, once I discovered you are Welsh.
Sorry.
Comment by burt — September 20, 2006 @ 10:54 am
That's a good'un, Boyo
Comment by Chance — September 21, 2006 @ 3:14 am
My words came back to haunt me!
No-one is saying or implying that you have to bend over backward to please every reader, as that is patently impossible. But at least treat readers with a bit of respect - that way, they have no reason to leave.
You said the same thing I was thinking much more eloquently
I write my blog for the fun of it, and I don't do a lot of monetization strategies with it on purpose- I do love my readers, but as was the case in the context of that quote, I wouldn't be held hostage to a reader threatening to stop reading my blog.
My point was I like having readers, and I want to do everything I can to keep current readers happy as well as attract more, but I can't live my life (or write my blog) worrying about something I may write tweaking an individual the wrong way and turning them off.
Oh yeah, and for the record, there will never be PayPerPost posts on my blog
Comment by burt — September 21, 2006 @ 9:17 am
JC, exactly my thoughts.
Readers can read as much as they like, but cannot tell anyone what they can and cannot write about.
So long as readers stop reading for a *good reason*, great. If it's for a poor reason such as name calling or general nastiness, well, that's pretty sad.