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Driving More Traffic To Your Blog
- by freeandflawed
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- November 05, 2008
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- 5 discussions
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- 18 comments
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It seems that driving traffic to our blogs is one of the more important parts of blogging. Of course we want others to see what we spend so much time working on. A lot of people don't realize that a strong readership will come in time - it doesn't happen over night. This guide includes a few tips that will help increase your numbers as well as strengthen your blogging community. Personally I believe it is better to develop relationships with your readers first and foremost. It's about the quality, not the quantity.
Build a Community
The key to having a successful blog is building a community with it. That community can be small, medium or large – the size is completely up to you. My favorite part of maintaining a blog is the community that came along with it. It took a while to establish myself as a blogger and create that support group, but it was well worth the wait. I am completely humbled by each and every comment I receive.
I’ve shared some of the most personal aspects of my life on my blog and the response I receive from those reading it are incredibly heart-warming and I wouldn’t trade those for anything.
Guest Blogging
Take advantage of other bloggers. I don’t mean that in a negative way! Guest blogging on another blog or inviting another blogger to guest on your site is a great way to drive more traffic to your site. It allows you to reach a new group of readers, some of whom might not know of you or your blog.
It is also a great way for you to embrace your anonymity for a day. Share something on another blog that you wouldn’t normally share on your own. It can be very therapeutic and you may be surprised by the response you receive.
20SB Big Blog Swap
The 20-Something Bloggers group organized a Big Blog Swap. People who wanted to participate were matched up with another blogger and on a specified day, they swapped blogs.
This mass guest blogging extravaganza was a huge success. So huge that they’re planning another one right now!
Surviving Myself + Dan Mega
This is a great example of guest blogging done right. Dan Mega wrote a hilarious piece for Surviving Myself. Not only did this create a lot of traffic for Chris (SM), but it brought a lot of new readers over to Dan Mega’s blog.
Oh! How Lovely! + Penelope
This example is that of guest blogging acting as a safe haven for another blogger. Sometimes are anonymity becomes compromised or we don’t feel comfortable sharing details on our blog so we move to another blogger’s home for a day.
Link Love
I love when bloggers spread link love. This is a great way to say “thanks” to those who read you. You’re sharing their blog with the rest of your readership. This could potentially increase their numbers and in return, they’d be more likely to reciprocate the link love.
Link Love
This is an example from my own blog of link love. I enjoy mixing it up a bit and shining the spotlight on blogs, certain posts as well as work I’ve done else where. Self promotion never hurts! Just be sure that you don’t over do it or you could turn off some readers.
Katelin & Awards
Katelin has done an excellent job of sharing link love. Not only is she promoting other blogs, she’s awarding them! Sharing blog awards is a wonderful way to thank your readers!
Everyday Adventures & Blog Day 2008
Blog Day 2008 took place on August 31st. The point was to share five blogs that you’re digging and write a little bit about each one. I found a lot of great bloggers through this exchange and I’m looking forward to Blog Day 2009!
Not sure if blogging is for you?
Take a peek at this guide about what kind of bloggers are out there and get a feel for the Blogosphere.
Blogger Features
Many bloggers include a regular weekly feature shining the spotlight on one of their favorite bloggers. This is another great way to increase traffic, spread the blog love and reinforce your respect for other bloggers.
Cleveland's A Plum: Featured Bloggers
Alexa from Cleveland’s A Plum features a blogger every Friday on her site. She’s cleverly come up with questions for each blogger to answer. This is a great way to get to know other bloggers!
Daddy Dan & Ask The Bloggers
Daddy Dan has a weekly Ask The Bloggers feature. He emails a group of bloggers who volunteered to answer random questions. This helps those bloggers because they’re being introduced to a new readership and it also helps his blog because these bloggers send their readership over to him.
No Ordinary Rollercoaster's Dream Date Series
Ben from NOR has taken blog features to a whole new level. Instead of interviewing said blogger, he creates a dream date with them. His stories are hilarious and they really fit the blogger he’s writing about. Great idea for both his readers and the blogger he’s dreaming about!
Blog Stats
Watching your blog stats can be addicting and confusing. They help you know who’s coming to your site, where they’re coming from, how long they stay, what links they click on, etc. Knowing how to interpret the results is another story!!
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a free service that tracks your sites visitors. It’s my favorite tracker because it lets me Google search terms that led people to my blog.
I did have trouble getting this installed on my Wordpress.com account though. I’ve had no problem with it after my switch to Wordpress.org. I imagine that Blogger would have no problem either as they’re both owned by Google, but I can’t be sure on that one!
Stat Counter
Stat Counter is another free tracker. There is a paid version, which allows you to view more details, but for basic information about who’s visiting, it’s a great choice.
My favorite feature is the map. It lets me see where in the world my visitors are coming from. If I click on the red dot that represents each reader, I can see their IP address (which comes in handy for rude comments), browser, and length of visit in addition to their city.
Be Interesting
Be interesting and be consistent. If you disappear, your blog appears inactive and you’re more likely to lose readers. Don’t write for your readers. If you find that one of your posts gets a significant amount of views, don’t feel obligated to continue blogging about the same topic if your heart isn’t in it. Your readers can tell when you’re faking it!
Just be patient. The numbers will come, it just takes time. You have to be proactive – give to receive. The more you comment, the more you’re putting your name out there. Respect your fellow bloggers and support each other!
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It’s all about the interactions. Make it genuine and you’ll find the valuable connections that both add to your blogging experience and theirs.
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