Getting the Word Out: Increasing Your Blog Audience in 5 Easy Steps

I’m fairly new to blogging, but I love connecting with people all over the world. It’s amazingly fascinating to read about what other people are doing and how it works for them (when you’re a kid, that’s being nosey. When you’re an adult, it’s “networking.”)

But how to increase my audience? I mean, if I didn’t want people to read what I was writing, I’d write a diary, not a blog. After reading several articles and arduously combing the web for answers, these seem to be the keys to unlocking the door to your intended audience.

 

That's a pretty loyal blog follower right there!

1.       Interact with, read and intelligently comment on other people’s blogs. Other people are writing to be read too, and there is some FANTASTIC stuff out there. But the key is intelligent comments. Tell people why you agree or disagree, what you liked or didn’t like (but be nice! I know you’re pretty anonymous behind a computer, but gently pointing out that the wrong “there” was used is different than lambasting someone for being an idiot because they used the wrong “there,” you know).

2.       Use social media, discover engines, forums, etc to get the word out. Your Facebook page is a good spot for this. But please, dear sweet lord, DO NOT spam your blog address everywhere. For the love of all that is decent and holy, have some restraint.

3.       Use eye-catching great blog titles. I’m far more likely to read “The Top 10 Things a Publisher Looks For: Make Your Manuscript Shine!” than I am “What Publishers Care About.” I know, if feels sensationalist, especially if the same information is contained in your post, but we are a world that’s constantly distracted. You have to grab people’s attention (But don’t lie in your title about the content of your post. That’s tricksy and not very nice).

4.       Keep posting consistently! If you haven’t posted anything other than pictures of your kids (but yes, they’re adorable. And when did they get so big?!) since 2012 on your writing blog, people will lose interest. I know your kids are the most important thing in your life (OMG! Look at their little chunky cheeks! I just want to squeeze them!), but unless your entire audience has baby fever or is a bunch of weirdos, they probably aren’t going to stick around.

5.       Be objective, for just a moment. Does your font really work in yellow on a white background? Does your blog look well put together? Is your spelling atrocious? Does the comic sans font reallymake you look like you know what you’re talking about?

These are the tips that I think are the most helpful. Did I miss anything? How do you increase your blog following?