Promoting your blog
A friend of mine emailed me today and asked me how she could grow the traffic on her blog. After quickly answering her via email I decided that several of you guys (mostly gals) would like this information as well.
Looks DO Matter
With blogs first impressions make a difference. There are so many free blog templates out there, so there is really no excuse for having an ugly blog theme. Find one you like and then customize it. Don’t go overboard with widgets and badges. Remove unnecessary items from your sidebar. I can guarantee you I will never go back and click on a post from September of ‘06. I might if you have links to post titles of your favorite posts or top posts.
Know Where They are coming from
Just like reaching goals in life you must have something to measure against. If you don’t know how many people are visiting now and where they are coming from, how will you know you are improving? I use Google Analytics & MyBlogLog to track where my traffic is coming from. I can even tell which keywords someone searched to get to me.
Claim Your Blog
Claim your blog on Technorati to keep track of your blog’s ranking. Again, it is important to measure progress.
Make Friends & Play Nice
Join online networking groups & make friends with fellow bloggers. I am a member of Twenty Something Bloggers (we have over 80 members). I also join communities on MyBlogLog of sites that I visit often. Befriend other bloggers on Technorati, MyBlogLog and any other social networking group you belong to. Make friends with fellow mommy bloggers or single girls, fellow career bloggers or anything that interests you.
Comment on other Blogs
Most blog readers are fellow bloggers. Visit blogs similar to yours and leave meaningful comments. Return comments on your own blog. I use Google Reader to keep up with the blogs that I read. If you read more than 5 blogs I highly recommend you use some sort of blog reader to keep up.
Content is King
No matter how hard you work to build traffic the most important part of your blog is your content. Your blog’s content must keep the visitors once they get their. Use an introduction section or an about page to let other’s know what your blog is about.
How do you promote your blog?
October 10th, 2007 at 9:38 am
These are great ideas, and so easy to put into place. One other way to track your traffic is through www.websitegrader.com, which is a free (for now) SEO tool…just pop in your information as directed, and you’ll get back your scores and some suggestions for improvements. Also don’t forget to use digg and de.lici.ous….which can help move traffic your way. But, as you pointed out, content is king. Have consistently good stuff and people will find you.
Anita Bruzzese
www.45things.com
October 10th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Promoting Your Blog | GenPink…
A friend of mine emailed me today and asked me how she could grow the traffic on her blog. After quickly answering her via email I decided that several of you guys (mostly gals) would like this information as well….
October 10th, 2007 at 9:48 am
I’ve been blogging for a year or two and the power of communities (like Twenty Something Bloggers) is invaluable. Great advice.
October 10th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
I definitely agree with leaving comments on blogs. Also joining groups (like 20 somethings, and mybloglog) is a great way to find other blogs similar to your style.
I’m sure hiring paparazzi to get exclusive pics of Britney Spears and Posh works too
October 10th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Great advice! I have followed most it and increased my blog traffic immensely. I suggest other bloggers do the same. I think reading/commenting on others blogs makes the most difference. You build friendships with other bloggers and they’re more likely to want to see what’s going on with you!
October 10th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
This is a great guide for people starting out. It’s too easy to focus on just one thing (The design, or the promotion etc.), and forget the others. A successful blog covers all the bases.
And thanks for the link!
October 10th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I tend to focus on the quality of the writing more than anything else - but you are absolutely right about the MySpace inspired bling-fests… a sure fire way to make people close their browser window instantly…
October 10th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
i couldn’t agree more. commenting on other sites is the number one best way to ensure good blog relationships and long-standing readers. but the last part is the most important: no one will read if the content is worthless, so first and foremost make it good!
thanks for the tips!
October 11th, 2007 at 5:28 am
Contests are a great way to generate traffic too. Right now I am running a Halloween Contest for bloggers.
H.C.
October 11th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Thanks for this post, what a great way of spelling it out. I linked to it over at the ever-evolving WriterJax (right after I claimed my blog on Technorati, of course).
happy trails!
October 11th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
This is a great list! Thanks for stopping by at Essential Keystrokes today. I also have Casual Keystrokes which went pink for October.
December 28th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Great post, lady