One Important Question for Church Bloggers to Remember
We live in a world of big box stores that are as likely to have security guards standing at the door as “welcomers.” But it wasn’t so very long ago that the typical shopping experience was much more personal.
You would walk through a shop door and a clerk behind a counter or perhaps stocking shelves would look up and say, “Good morning. How can I help you today?”
This is a great question. It is different than a shorter “Can I help you?” or a brusk “What do you want?” which both sound a bit like your visit is an interruption.
The phrasing is actually important. “How can I help you today?” defines the role of the shopworker and lays the foundation of the transaction that is about to follow. The shopworker is the servant. The shop visitor is there to be served. Furthermore, it prompts the customer to define his or her expectations and opens the door to new possibilities.
There is also an immediacy to the question. “How can I help you today?” implies the desire to drop everything and care for the customer’s needs at the moment. The shopworker is reminded of his mission every time he or she asks the question.
How does this relate to blogging? There is no customer standing in front of you.
Blogging is hard work. It can be solitary work when you are trying to find a topic of interest. It is extremely common for bloggers to burn out after a few months. You will face dry spells. You will struggle at times to find direction. But it helps to remember that when your fingers hit the keyboard, you are initiating a transaction with your readers.
Remembering to ask this question will help. Write it on an index card. Tape it to the side of your computer screen. “How can I help you today?”
An image of your audience may begin to form in your mind. You may start to imagine them at work in their lives.
Soon other questions will follow: What information are they looking for? What questions do they have that I am qualified to address? How can I make their day better or their work easier? Do they know God? How can I help them know Jesus?
Come to think — this is a pretty good question for all Christians to ask themselves as they gulp down their morning coffee.