Ok friends, this is my question of the day. How do you create blog traffic for your site? I am teaching this lesson at my writers group's blog workshop on Saturday.
And, just so you know, this is the second time this question has come up for me this week. I am working hard at getting a book proposal ready for the Mt. Hermon writers conference and I read that publishers want to see 1,000 visitors a day on a new writer's site. Seriously, are they for real? I want to scream, "I don't have traffic, I have blog-friends!" Who would all fit comfortably around my kitchen table by the way...yeesh.
Now, here I am having to teach on this subject. God has a sense of humor, doesn't He? After spending almost an hour looking up this question online, I thought I would pose it to my faithful blog-friends out there.
After you comment, I'll be waiting at my kitchen table for ya!
*** Come back tomorrow, I will have the answers to building blog-traffic!***
18 comments:
That' a good question! (Ha...not a helpful answer?)
I've noticed that the more I comment on other blogs the more traffic I have. I also participate in blog "activities" (that link together with the "mr. linky" tool )every now and then for fun, and I notice that when I do that I get waaaaaaaaay more traffic that day.
I have a photography blog that I just started for my business, and I'm curious to read other blogger's responses...I need to get crackin' and try to get some more business!
honestly i am not going to have an answer that helps you at all! i don't think i care about "blog traffic". my blog is really for me and it's great if it helps someone else or brings me new friends. so, i don't know that there's anything i am doing intentionally to try and draw readers.
probably if i was making money off the blog then i would make an effort. say to visit and comment often. join in on memes and carnivals, that type of thing.
sorry not to be of any help. but how cool that you are like an offical speaker on the topic!!
Just stopped by to visit...so, I guess that whatever you did today attracted my attention! Perhaps you answered your own question????
Enjoyed your place,
Bless you!
Susan
I'm also not worried about numbers. That's not what my blog is about- but I do understand I'm probably not the norm.
I do find also that the more you comment on others- the more traffic you get.
I have no significant answers for you on this one!!!
if there is a free meal involved...count me in! good question...i'm anxious to hear the responses!
I don't have answers about traffic, but I love your blog...that chair in the header is terrific!
I would love to come and sit at your kitchen table!
I'm not big on blog traffic, but I notice that when I comment more, I get more traffic. Also foing things like Works for me wednesday brings new people to my blog, Certainly not 1000 though!
The Happy Housewife (you can find her on my left sidebar) did a post last week (or before I forget) on this very subject, and she linked to someone else who posted on it as well.
I have read that if you want traffic you should leave lots of comments on other people's blogs (although they should be well thought out and make a contribution, not just "hello."
They also say that participating in meme's will bring people to your blog and perhaps some will like it and stay. I've heard it suggested that you should do some giveaways as that will also bring people.
I also read somewhere that you should post consistently (like once a day or something, or even a few times a week). I also read that you should vary your posts so that people keep coming back to see what you are talking about today. It keeps it fresh and keeps people interested.
Probably adding pictures would make it interesting but I don't know. I suppose it depends. Some people aren't interested in pictures.
I would think that you should also visit the blogs of the people that comment on yours, as that is a nice thing to do (plus you find lots of cool blogs that way).
i don't know how to create *blog traffic* but i do know that in making blog friends...you gotta comment! might be pretty doggone time consuming if you want 1000 visitors? i took my "follow" box off because it was distracting and i didn't want the guilt to keep up with all those that keep up with me! it is all about friendship for me. this is a tough topic joanne, good luck!
I agree. Tough topic, because I think the numbers game can be so dangerous for all of us. I think many bloggers struggle with this.
Moms the word had good suggestions, as far as practical helpers. I agree that commenting is a big help, but it is very time consuming and does not fit into all seasons of our lives!
I will be interested in your post...
I agree with many of the comments - blog traffic is neither here nor there where I am concerned, BUT.... I agree with Mari too - the more I comment on others blogs the more traffic I seem to get. Of course, I have noticed when the CRISIS alert is HIGH in the life of a BLOGGER - people often seem to accumulate a lot of traffic - so if one wants to increase one's traffic a PERSONAL CRISIS might be just the thing-(;-) I am KIDDING of course.)
It also seems that if you participate in a GIVEAWAY - then the traffic comes to a blog that way.
I think blog traffic also flows - kind of like CURB appeal when house hunting. If you have an eye appealing blog or if you talk about things of interest to others than traffic will come.
But... all that being said. A person's blog should really just be about whatever they want it to be about. If you goal is traffic - then I guess you need to assess what type of traffic you wish to obtain and funnel your creativity in that direction - as you know - there are many styles of blogs 1. home, living, decoration 2. Creative 3. Shared faith and encouragement 4. Educational 5. Frugal living 6. Family life - etc. and on and on it goes.
Have a blessed day!
I will look back to see what results you came up with for blog traffic!
Daaaaaling. Fix some sweet tea and they'll be right there!
uh...I really don't have blog traffic...but I do have me some blog sistas! and I LOVE 'EM!
YOu are one! I don't have a counter...for the reason that I don't want to be concerned with blog traffic---THIS IS WHAT I THINK....the company that publishes YOUR book wants to KNOW that it'll be purchased...I will tell you this girl friend...if you get a book written...I WILL BUY ONE AND TELL ALL MY FRIENDS IN REAL LIFE AND BLOG LAND (WHICH CREATES TRAFFIC) TO GET THEIR BUSY SELVES TO THE STORE AND GET THEIR OWN COPY! CUZ I WILL BE HIGHLIGHTING IN MINE!
(that's what I do in my REALLY loved and GOOD books--highlight)
I just think you are a treat! Go on now...fix some sweet tea...."if you build it they will come"....
I'm a little late in answering. I didn't read all the comments, so I'm sorry if I repeat.
I think growing traffic is probably really time consuming, first of all. People want to hear from you, or they don't have a tendency to come back that much.
But mostly, I think there just simply has to be good, sincere content. The person behind the blog needs to be honest and real and well-written for the most part. That's what I look for anyway. And I keep coming back, so I think you're doing really well.
It's also important to remember that the number of bloggers out there continues to grow and that makes it harder because people are reading so many things, they can't possibly read it all.
There are other basic things, like networking through blog conferences and sites, but that's about all I know :)
All I can say is I agree with Angie.
Bless you dear sister.
Although like many of your blogging friends, traffic was not a goal for me...the blog was for me....it also is apparent that the more your blog is out there on other sites..the more traffic you get. Therefore it stands to reason that getting your blog address in as many places as possible (adding it to your emails, adding it to Facebook, My Space and whatever other connections you have will touch many people)
After all, that's how I found your site...it was on someone else's and I have been blessed by it. It's interesting to see that most of my fellow bloggers are just interested in blogging and making friends and yet I feel that they, like myself would be glad to know when they blessed someone.
I think you have a great topic and would love to be able to hear what you come up with. You need to post your teaching......have a blessed evening.
Looking forward to tomorrow! I forgot to add that I've heard that joining technorati or allowing google search will bring traffic to your blog as well. Also, joining certain websites that have directorys and stuff. Don't really know how much this helps because there are just so many blogs out there.
Just stopped by to say hi... so I thought I would help you reach your 1000 mark. eeeek
Have a great weekend.
Julie
1,000?!? A day?!!?! I've been blogging for 2 1/2 years and I'm not sure I've had 1,000 hits total! I'm kidding...sort of!
Never one to knock myself out to garner "traffic" I have noticed my visit numbers have dropped lately. I'm thinking it's due to the facebook phenomenon...Or, that's my story and I'm sticking to it... :-)
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