By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

We writers want to deliver our very best to readers. It’s our goal and we thrive on helping others by our experiences and knowledge. Sometimes we’re rewarded with retweets and a good percentage of click-throughs. Yeah!

Then come the dreaded e-mails . . . we’ve lost a follower. What happened? What did we do wrong? How did we disappoint a reader so the person flushed us down the sewer of “ain’t worth my time”?

Here are 5 ways to discourage readers from reading your blog.

1. The content is all about the writer. Read me! Love me! Buy my books, tapes, podcasts, T-shirts . . . on and on.
2. The writer fails to respond to comments. No thank-you. No taking the time to appreciate the reader’s thoughts. No researching the reader to see if there is anything the writer can do to make a new friend.
3. The writer forgets to include a tweetable with all the necessary components so the post can be easily shared. This is one of my pet peeves. I may read a fabulous blog by a wonderful and informative writer, one I want others to gain the same value. But when the writer omits what I need, I delete it. Every blog post needs the following: Title of post; @writer’s twitter name; URL; Hashtag(s) (no more than 2).
4. The writer uses the same information over and over. So why would a reader continue with the repetition?
5. The writer never promotes another writer, blog, or book project.

Here’s one huge tip: Our writing isn’t about us. God gave us the gift so we can bless others.

Let’s share what we shouldn’t do! How have you been discouraged with other blogs?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

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