As February came to a close, while reflecting on what I have accomplished in the first two months of 2018, my Steemit blog came to mind. But a question kept creeping in and nagged at me, "Has my blog been successful in the short time it has been in existence?"

That led to another, but to a more important, question:

‘What does it take to have an effective and successful Steemit blog?’

In lieu of the International Women's Month, I am showcasing four of the Most Influential Filipina Bloggers in Steemit Philippines today that we, all, can learn from with regard to these key areas:

Readership

You have a blog. But who’s following it? Is anyone reading at all? Most likely, important factors would include the number of followers and number of page views. I know what you’re thinking -- ugh, stats!

Numbers are seriously complicated -- they increase, they decrease, they could even be in a limbo. Nonetheless, they’re a good barometer for blog success. Inaccurate, at times, but we can find value from it, too.

_{Image Credit: Flash Bak}

So, how do we gain a following?

Engage your readers. As simple as giving out "thoughtful comments that elicit a response", like what @purepinay said in one of her posts, makes the readers feel valued enough for them to come back for more. If you're new here, you have probably come across her profile because she's among the very few who warmly greets newcomers with her wit and charm.

Visit her blog here.

Esteem

Well, maybe, it follows that if you have a large readership, you can consider yourself a highly-esteemed blogger. I wouldn’t really know. But still, big numbers don’t always weigh much especially when they’re bogus.

As a mommy blogger, I think it’s pretty major when you’re recognized for what you do -- not just by readers, but also by your fellows. Distinguished and respected female bloggers in and out of the Steemit arena are indispensable. Most of them have been working on their craft for the longest time, and even built a stature for themselves in the long run.

_{Image Credit: Miriam Herbon}

So, how do we build a reputation?

Create well-thought out content from your chosen niche. It has got to be something that you're familiar with, in a sense that you somehow breathe and live it, just as @janicehung breathes and lives fitness. Thus, the freeflow of ideas pouring out in the form of blog posts that people can relate to and/or enjoy reading because of its spontaneity.

Visit her blog here.

Feedback

What do people say about your blog? This, I can relate to, quite a bit. I don’t have an astounding flock of followers, but I now have a few good Samaritan, loyal readers, whom I get compliments and critique from. Getting my thoughts across and gaining a reaction in return is already success in its own right.

It may be a small achievement (esteemed bloggers probably get them all the time), but the fact that people take the time to visit and comment on my blog already feels like victory.

_{Image Credit: Marilena Cremaschini}

So, how do we encourage a discussion out of our readers?

Ignite a topic that is in the now. Remember in our elementary days when our history teachers required us to submit newspaper clippings every week and talk about them in class? All that was to actually teach us the importance of current events awareness and mold us to be thinkers. Just as @chinitacharmer was all-out in talking about Woman Power, she shared with all of us the story of her mom to pay homage to all powerful women around the world. Not only was she able to draw out feedback from her readers, she also was able to inspire.

Visit her blog here.

Interaction

As a blogger, the best feeling in the world, I think, is when you get comments. Admit it. You feel the rush of excitement, too, whenever you get one. It melts the heart thinking that one of your readers just had to say something about the piece that you've been working on for hours; that what you’ve written gave rise to some of their repressed thoughts or pent-up emotions. Comments are an indication that people want to socialize with you, which leads to a fruitful relationship with your readers.

_{Image Credit: Art Special Day}

So, how do we trigger a symbiotic relationship from our followers?

Be a motivator emitting positive vibes through the platform. @thegaillery has displayed such positivity on her posts that drives people to do more. This has proven time and time again that by being an inspiration yourself, a relationship buds out so naturally that no statistic can ever fathom.

Visit her blog here.

Is my blog a success yet?

Probably not. But I am taking it with a grain of salt, and choosing to persevere. In spite of, I'm just happy to be here and that's all that matters.

Now, your turn. In your opinion, what does it really take to have a ‘successful blog’? Should success be objective to the components mentioned above, or should they be subjective to how we, bloggers, feel about our blogs?

Let’s talk!

Thank you for reading!

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