How to Quickly Build a Blog Audience

Blog Tips

Oct 25

How to Quickly Build a Blog Audience

So you decided to start a blog. You got your site all setup. You have content, but your Google statistics read zero. It seems that for all of your hard work is getting you nowhere. I too used to be in the same boat. I did what I thought that I was supposed to do which was put out a few blog posts and wait for people to discover my brilliance. I was sure that my blog was going to shoot to the top of the blog-o- sphere. Needless to say, it did not happen like that. I enjoy success today, but it came about through hard work.

People have asked me how I managed to get to where I am today and I am going to divulge my secrets for you. I won’t lie; you have to be willing to put in the work but if you know where to focus your attention then you too, can enjoy success.

First Things First

I am going, to be honest. It takes a LOT of hard work to build an audience for your blog. It took me around two years of consistency doing what I am outlining for you today. You can’t do it once then sit back, and people will flood your website. It is true some people can go viral like that, but the norm is around two to three years of blood, sweat and tears. It is so worth it though when you finally gain traction and can make a living doing what you love.

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Blog Consistently

This one of the single most important things that you can do to increase readership. I will admit that when I first started, I was inconsistent with my blogging and my audience failed to grow or thrive.

A couple of years ago I started blogging every day, and I saw my subscribers grow three-fold. I still miss a day here and there, but I do not go weeks without posting as I did before.

Put out high-quality content

It is important to blog consistently, but it is also important to put out high-quality content. No one wants to read fluff. It also makes it harder to take you as a serious blogger if you put out low-quality articles.

If you want your blog to be your business, it is important that you take your content very seriously. Think about it. You would not turn in low-quality work to your employer, would you? I hope not. Think of your readers as your employees. They are the ones that are going to buy your products and courses and the like. Your potential clients want to see what you offer for free before they shell out 500 for a package that you offer. I am often quoted as a what you see is what you get kind of woman. If a person consistently puts out high-quality content, then you can be sure that their paid stuff is even better.

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Comment on other blogs

When I was an unknown book blogger, I had a hard time figuring out how to get recognition. I started blogging way before there was all the information that is available today. I struggled for months on how to get people to come to my blog.

I finally stopped lurking and started leaving comments on blogs. At first, this was terrifying! What if they thought I was stupid? What if they laughed at me? I mustered up all my courage and left some comments and guess what? People started leaving comments on my blog! I was thrilled!

People can’t come to your blog if they do not know that it exists. Comments are a great way to let people know about your blog.

Don’t limit yourself to just one niche to comment on. For example, I am primarily a book blog but people in other niches love to read also. Lots of people are looking for their next read, so I comment on all sorts of blogs that I like and follow. This includes fashion blogs, website designers that I like, other book blogs, Paleo blogs, etc. If you blog about fashion, don’t be afraid to leave a comment on a web design blog. Most people like to look good, so chances are they will like your blog. It is important to think outside the box and let a verity of individuals know that you have a blog.

Engage with your audience

One of my biggest pet peeves is when I leave a comment and the owner fails to comment back. I am all about interacting with the tribe that you have built, and when I take the time to leave a comment and…crickets, it gets under my skin. One of the cardinal rules of blogging is to respond to comments. And not the tired phase of thank you for stopping by but rather come up with a thoughtful comment that fathers the conversation.

It also helps to have a prompt to guide the discussion. At the end of your blog post, ask a replant question. I know it seems that should be a no-brainer but people need to be told what to do. When I put a question at the end of my blog posts, I get a lot more interaction than I do if I do not ask a question. Make sure the question is relevant to the post. Do not blog about an outfit then ask a question about a book. If your blog post is in fashion, then ask a fashion related question.

If you follow the above consistently then your traffic will increase. My traffic has gone up ten-fold since I started using these tactics.

Good luck and happy blogging!