Building your blog traffic, one reader at a time.
So, you want to start your own blog? Did you know that there are more than 150,000 blogs created every day? But don't be intimidated by the competition. If you have something to say and can say it well, your blog will do just fine. I have written my own blog since August 2007, that's about ten-years-old in blog-years. So, my friend, I have a few tips for you. Lets begin at the beginning...
1. What is the purpose of your blog?
This defines your blog, sets it apart from millions of others. Are you a mom wanting to vent- or, maybe a writer hoping for publishers to take notice of your quick wit and redemptive prose? You can make this little spot on the world wide web anything you want it to be. The more defined and specific the message, the easier it is to retain traffic.
2. Comments
Commenting is HUGE. People want to hear from you and you want to hear from others. The more you make nice and play along by encouraging others or just making witty small talk, the more blog-friends you will make - and faithful they will be! Plus, there are others out there that we bloggers like to call lurkers, they may never comment, but are reading blogs and comments as well. Often times, the comment you have left on another blog is what will bring readers and lurkers over to your site.
3. Participate in blog carnivals.
This is a pretty big deal. Very often, blogs will offer a giveaway, or will have a weekly link of participation, like Thankful Thursday (www.eph2810.com)or Wordless Wednesday (www.wordlesswednesday.com). Take advantage of these. And when you do, make sure to post on your blog about it with a link back to the host blog.
4. Have blog carnivals of your own.
There are readers out there that live for these giveaways. I don't use this to my advantage like I should. But each year I do offer a blog-design giveaway. You don't have to spend lots on a blog carnival. You can give away something small like a Starbucks gift card...everyone loves them, and they are easy to send through the mail.
5. LINK-LINK-LINK
The more you blog, the more you will discover others with gifts you want to share. From recipes, to household tips, there are lots of things your readers will love to experience right along side you.
And don't underestimate those opportunities for praying for one another. It won't be long before you find other bloggers who are hurting or crying out for prayer. Take the time to leave them a prayer in their comments and a link back to your site. This tip may not grow your traffic, but it will surely grow your prayer life. Praise the Lord!
6. Write Well!
There is no substitute for good writing. Just don't be long-winded about it. If your message is a long one, break it up into two parts and publish it over two days. Keep your posts short, a minimum of 250-500 words. It doesn't matter how much you desire to get your message out, if you don't write it well your readership will suffer.
Whether your message is short or long, I am praying your blog will change lives for His glory, one reader at a time.
19 comments:
Good post with helpful information. The part about long posts is true - if it's too long it's hard to take in and often harder to leave a comment.
That is great advice for someone starting out my friend. And ... lol ... re: lurkers. Why wouldn't people want to leave a comment? So strange. :o)
Love ya!
Beth
Good post. I need to join the carnivals more.
There are some I would like to follow, but they use absolutely no punctuation or capital letters. It's so grueling to read and understand that I seldom visit! I guess that would fall under your #5.
This was wonderful.. full of good information. I think you hit the target right on. Even though I am still knew I already see so much truth from your years of knowledge..like loving comments and the strange world of connection thru the "site of a friend's site". I enjoyed this article and I'm sure your presentation will be helpful to so many.
Well done! You did a great job. My favorite is your last piece of wisdom. Wish everyone would remember that shorter is better. There are lots of blogs out there that I think I would really love if they were more to the point.
Lurkers - one time I had a post just asking the lurkers to come on out and comment. It was amazing to find out who really is reading. I'm okay if they don't comment. (sorta)
Love ya,
S
Great tips! And were you talking to ME about the long winded posts? haha! Have a great Saturday!
Great post! I have read where they say only one or two paragraphs but I just can't do it in that. I read somewhere that one person said she wanted to read blogs in, like, a minute so that she could go elsewhere.
I also have a hard time reading a blog if it has no paragraphs and is just one big paragraph. People also don't like a blog that takes to long to load I heard.
those are wondeful tips! Thank you, Joanne! :)
I think these are some very useful tips, especially for a new blogger desiring traffic.
Thank you so much, I will definately use this advice.
Rita
www.mothersconnection.blogspot.com
Sharing all of your secrets! How sweeeeet of you! :) Your blog design is so pleasing to the eye - that helps too! :)
Have a lovely Sunday.
Thanks Joanne! Great advice! I often get confused myself on what I should be doing.
Joanne,
I just wanted to say thank you for the kind words you left on my blog. You'll never know how much they encourage me.
Also, this is great advice. Would love to learn more!
Thanks again,
Becky
Great Post! Thanks!
Thanks for the great advice. I found you through another blogger. God bless you!
Joanne, is it okay if run this post on www.inspirewriters.com blog? Of course, I will give you full credit.
You did a great job at the Blogging to Inspire workshop.
How neat! You should open up a school....actually---I need you to come down here and teach the class for newbie bloggers! Whatcha think? Would you hubs send you?? What about if I put you up??? There's cake and sweet tea in it for you??? October is a great time of year to be in Florida!
great tips...i'm following rule #2. time to work on the long-winded part!
Great advice! Mine has grown very slowly, but steadily and I do try to do lots of these things you have mentioned.
:) Loved this post! I'm not getting huge traffic after 4 years of blogging, but I love writing and meeting new friends. However, I will say the more comments I get the harder it is to keep up. I can't do all and be all. I have to trust God with the results. He is why I write.
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