I was talking with a client who has a book releasing in about a year, and she was concerned about how to begin building her blog and increasing the traffic. At the moment she doesn’t have a great deal of time to devote to it, since she is still writing her book. We brainstormed and I gave her several tips off the top of my head — simple things she could immediately begin to change about her blog, that wouldn’t change her blog traffic immediately, but over time would have a positive effect. Here are the things we discussed.
1. Focus on the content of your blog rather than any fancy strategies for increasing traffic. The better your content, the more your blog readership will naturally grow.
2. Every post contains a single main idea. It can be supported by related ideas, but do not ramble. One idea.
3. Appeal to your reader’s emotion (without being gratuitous). Write on topics that resonate with people. Don’t be afraid to evoke feelings of sentimentality, belonging, joy, amazement, or even anger or fear.
4. Make use of bold fonts and subheads for emphasis whenever possible (without overdoing it and becoming annoying). Your goal is to create a user-friendly reading experience. Your reader must be able to scan your post for important thoughts and key words to determine whether they want to pay more attention and read carefully.
5. Write for the target reader of your books. Don’t write for other writers. Be very clear on the audience for your books (even creating a complete character profile of him or her) and write for that person.
6. Incorporate humor whenever possible. Don’t take yourself too seriously! Show readers that you’re a real person; make sure your posts have personality.
7. Be controversial. Many people shy away from it — writing things with which people are sure to disagree can be scary! But controversy draws people out of their shell and encourages dialogue, and often can increase the level of reader engagement on your blog.
8. Use at least one image in every post. I recommend you acquire them legitimately through stock photo websites. I use iStockPhoto and 123RF.
9. Intentionally spur conversation in your comment section, by asking a question or encouraging your readers to share their opinion or their story. If you don’t do this, you’d be surprised how few people will take the time to comment.
10. Pay attention to traffic and comments. If you aren’t seeing growth, don’t just sit around wondering why. Change things up; experiment. Your blog is a living, breathing learning environment. You’re in constant testing mode. Take advantage of the opportunity for immediate feedback, and respond accordingly.
11. Think carefully about your post titles. I often come up with very cute titles, but scrap them in favor of something more boring but likely to draw in readers from a Google search. If you can word your post title in a way that exactly matches how people might search on Google, you’re likely to draw in more readers.
12. Always offer the reader something valuable. When using social media to promote your blog, never say “New post!” or “Visit my blog!” Try something like, “Today’s blog post shares 13 simple steps for improving your blog.” Or use a quote from your post, or you could post your blog question, and send readers to your blog to chime in with their thoughts.
13. Keep a running idea file. Make it easily accessible and jot down EVERY possible post idea you have. I keep one in Evernote so I can write down ideas on any of my devices, wherever I am. Once you’ve created an idea file and get in the habit of using it, you will find yourself looking at the world differently. Suddenly every experience is a possible blog idea! This can be your most valuable tool in increasing the attractiveness of your content.
All of these ideas are meant to help you create the most satisfying reading experience on your blog. You want readers to love visiting your blog, and look forward to coming back.
What strategies have YOU used to improve your blog? What good blog tips have you heard lately that you are willing to share?
Tweetables
Focus on content – not SEO strategies – to build your blog, says @RachelleGardner. Click to Tweet.
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Great post.
A few things I’d add –
* Use bulleted or numbered lists – these really catch the eye, and make scanning for interest more appealing. They can be adapted to how-to tips, or a summary of one’s experiences in some arcane endeavour. Also, make the first sentence (or first few words) of each entry bold, or bold italic, to draw the eye even more.
* Be aware of possible problems in your layout. I love the B&S blog, but about half the time my computer decides to make the text a dim red, and the background dark blue. This reversal is not easy on the eye. On my blog (on blogspot), some people using WordPress can’t leave comments without opening a different web browser, and I don’t know how to fix that one.
* Take advantage of linkups, blog hops, and ‘parties’ in your field.
* Do NOT have auto-music playing. Please. Just don’t.
* Visit other bloggers, and comment on their blogs. What goes around generally comes around, and even if it doesn’t, you’ll learn something from the approach others take. You may not get back traffic from a blog author, but you very well may from other readers.
* Answer comments as quickly as you can, and give the answer some thought. “Thanks for stopping by!” doesn’t really cut it.
* Give the title and content of your blog serious thought before launching it. I started with “Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart”, and since my blog has morphed into one dedicated to marriage issues, I kind of wish I had a more specific title.
* Never be negative, even if you just had a really bad day. People remember that stuff. Chin up, and smile for the camera.
* Pray that vlogs are a passing fad.
I used to use pictures, and when I realized how much time it was taking to find a good one each post…I quit. Readership didn’t change. But I do love the pictures the B&S blog typically has.
Just for the record, my most popular post came from the pre-marriage-content days.
It was called “How To Be A Vulcan”.
Live long and prosper, y’all.
Great suggestions, Andrew. I don’t care for music playing either. Ann Voskamp has it on her blog … but you can turn it on or off. And it’s a gentle listen (“gentle read” from yesterday, ha!).
Okay, I have to admit that I like vlogs … especially from other writers on this blog. I get to hear their voice and see their expressions … I get to know them better. I can see where that could be a gender/girly preference … think so? 🙂
I like getting to know people through video, too…but what I was thinking of – and this is one to ask Rachelle – is the professionalism aspect specific to building a following.
Most of the vlogs I’ve seen don’t have very good production values; they seem to be recorded through the computer camera without much preparation, and often without either script or rehearsal.
Great for friends, but if I were using one on my “author blog” I’d be concerned that an amateurish performance could affect the quality associated with my brand.
Am I nit-picking?
Okay. I see your POV. It reminded me of the old saying, “It is better to be thought a fool than to open ones’ mouth and remove all doubt.” 🙂
Beth Moore will do vlog type videos. Of course, she has a small Bible study/lesson prepared … but she’ll still act her silly self … be real. She does it well … she can be her silly self, looking totally unprofessional, and have you in tears the following second, professionally impacting your heart. 🙂
I think she uses a professional video camera, but they are always having technical difficulties … and laughing about it. I think it’s a girl thing. 🙂
Her raw humor combined with her love for God is what makes me love her.
I don’t think it’s a gender preference. I simply don’t have time for vlogs.
If it’s a video, I just go on to the next thing. I read fast and can get to the point of a written blog in half to a third of the time I’d spend trapped in a video.
And that’s exactly how videos make me feel — TRAPPED!
I agree with Judith.
Ya lost me on the vlog thing.
My vlogs are shot at my dining room table and yet always have high traffic.
I common comment? “I love hearing you talk and seeing your expressions!”
Terrific suggestions, Andrew, thank you! It’s hard for me to believe that some people still have music playing, after all this time of people expressing how much they hate it! I agree with all your points – great advice!
As I see it, although a blog is much better than a lot of empty tweets and social media flitter, until your book comes out, you’ve got no presence to advertise; all you’re going to get are a lot of other hungry writers hoping to tailgate on your connections. After publication, with a web address on the cover, then we can make plans…
I love your points, Andrew. I have a love/hate relationship with vlogs. I’ve seen some i really like. And, as has been mentioned, it’s fun to see and hear people.
I did a vlog for my very first blog post. I got good feedback. I think it took 36 takes before I was happy with the result. That’s a lot of time. 🙂 I haven’t done many since then because I’m a perfectionist and the time it takes is more than I have to expend right now.
Jeanne … I went over and watched your vlog! I loved it. So sweet to hear your voice. Jennifer once said that your voice sings … it does. You are beautiful.
Most definitely take advantage of link-ups! (I think we link-up at some of the same sites, Andrew.) This has been the number one way my blog has grown.
Thanks for this useful list, Rachelle! Sometimes it is helpful to step back and evaluate with a solid checklist.
Hi Carol, I agree it’s often helpful to have a list. Andrew’s list above is helpful too. Have fun with your blog!
My most read blog post, at twice as many reads as number two, has nothing to do with what I normally write.
The title?
The Nudist Colony Field Trip.
I hate the fact Google skims over the clever, but it does like Civil War Dresses: Of Corset Hurts . . .
http://michelleule.com/2013/10/15/nudist-colony-field-trip/
http://michelleule.com/2012/07/26/of-corset-the-clothing-hurts/
That nudist colony one is priceless!!
As are the WW1 posts, and the one about your daughter, her bike and the Navy SEALs in Hawaii.
Actually, I enjoy your blog very much, I always learn something.
Oh Michelle, those are both SUCH good titles! You’re so clever. 🙂
Michelle, same here. My most read posts were the one where I showed pictures inside my house on a Texas county road, and the one when my husband painted, “I love Shelli” on the wall as we were repainting our kitchen. It’s interesting … I think people just like to see the real us … where we are, our lives. You just never know! 🙂
And great posts, Michelle. So funny about the kids.
Love that title, Michelle!
I’m the mother of four with a never ending mountain of laundry. I often threaten to join a nudist colony to cut down on the amount of clothing I wash. You bet your blog that I would, and did, click on that link for the title alone! 🙂
Rachelle, how often do you recommend posting? I’ve been posting about once a week over the last year, but I’ve been considering decreasing that to only two a month instead. What is enough? What is too much? I want a healthy balance for readers and myself. And my readership is nowhere near that of yours. 🙂
Shelli, the answer can’t be generalized, as it totally depends on your goals, your audience, and the purpose of your blog. I subscribe to a couple of sites that post 5 to 20 times a DAY. And others are only once every couple of weeks. I recommend once a week to keep your momentum. People like Seth Godin can post less frequently and still have readers hanging on their every word, but we don’t all have that kind of following.
Okay, Rachelle. Thank you. Sounds like I’ve been heading in the right direction.
People say I can be somewhat humourous. And that I’m slightly expressive.
Kinda.
I tried to be focused on one certain theme and it did not work. Not AT ALL.
And I think it’s because the one area I’m sort of an amateur authority is really depressing.
It took me a solid year to figure out that what my readers mst enjoyed was that “let’s sit down and talk, how ARE you?” kind of post. especially the vlogs.
Author visits are always popular, but the big ticket post of all my blogs ever was when I had featured actor Jay Tavare.
No offense, authors Laura Frantz and Lori Benton, but Jay shot the numbers through the roof. Like, an insane number that I never expected. He linked the blog on his Facebook page(s) and had well over 10, 000 hits in 2 days.
I think if I had New Direction on the blog, I might hit those kinds of numbers again.
I have a Dream Guest, but so far, he politely declined. Anyone who knows my favourite movie knows exactly who I’m talking about. But the flip side to his refusal, which was genuinely very polite, is the professional kindness he’s shown on a variety of issues. So it’s all good.
As for the vlogs with give-aways?
Ahem. You’ll just have to come visit.
Jennifer, you are right … it would be hard to always write about your book topic … it would be depressing.
You pull off vlogs so well because … it’s you! You are hilarious, and I keep a smile plastered on my face through the whole thing. You know I’ve only done one … and I couldn’t believe the amount of time it took to pull it off. I would hope it would get easier, but as you see, I haven’t made one since! 🙂 I’m not as funny as you either.
But … on the flip side, I did have more hits to that blog post than usual. Of course, they may never return after seeing that! 🙂 I can’t pull it off like you.
You can too pull it off!!
And yes, they do take a bit of time. Because Jennifer Unscripted is a scary thing.
Girl, you ROCK the blogs. 🙂
Darn auto-correct. I put Vlogs in there. Twice. VLOGS. 🙂
Thank you, Jeanne. My Very Vivacious friend.
And >WHO< was INSANE enough to promise a classical solo on her blog?
No one I know…asking for a friend.
Thanks for the tips, Rachelle. They actually help me see what I’m doing right and what I need to work on.
My most visited post was one I wrote right after ACFW last year, where I shared heart lessons I’d learned. I suspect it resonated with others who had a similar time to mine—the ups and the downs.
The posts that get the most visits on my site are those where I am the most transparent. My focus on my blog is writing about life and relationships and passions of the heart. This focus is broad enough to let me write about a lot of different topics. And, like you mentioned, as I look at the world around me, my list of blog topics grows!
Other tips I’ve heard (some I’ve implemented) are to have links embedded in your blog. When I do this, they almost always get clicked on. . And, when I have time, I type my title into a Google search to see how many results pop up. If I see a big number, I figure I’m on the right track. 🙂
I gave up on blogging altogether.
It was fun while it lasted, but I came to realize it is a big time sucker and it was not entirely clear how well a blog audience would convert to fans of christian speculative fiction. Not saying it’s impossible, just that in my experience it did not seem like the right tool to use for building my platform.
Instead, I am writing more, and I am planning to give away novellas and short stories for free. I mean, who would care that I don’t have a blog if I can grow my email list to 10k+? 🙂
My most-read post was titled “What are church clothes?” Seems everybody and her sister had an opinion on that one! lol But typically I get very few comments, so it’s only by checking Google Analytics that I see which posts spiked and which ones flatlined. Encouraging more reader comments is one of my goals. Not sure yet how to do that.
Although I’m not yet published in fiction, my ideal reader is a woman who feels a deep longing or nostalgia for the grace and gentleness of yesteryear (admittedly a somewhat idealized, rose-colored yesteryear–isn’t that why at least a few of us are drawn to historical fiction? Let’s see a show of white-gloved hands!) I think that’s the sort of reader who will enjoy my stories, if and when the time comes. Even if that day never comes, it’s still a joy to blog, because I enjoy the topic so much.
Jenny, I took a look at your beautiful blog! I’m so jealous that you can open your house through the summer. A/C here! All closed up. But … fall is coming … we usually have maybe one day of fall, right between summer and winter! 🙂
I have two blogs, one devoted to my family life and all that encompasses and one devoted to writing. My writing one just began and has a decent number of hits. My parenting blog has been around for awhile and the post that routinely gets the most attention? DIY soap scum remover! Cracks me up! Oh, and now that Halloween is coming, people seem to be reading about my search for a Tic-Toc-Croc costume for my then three yo. (waldenmommyandfamily.blogspot.com if anyone is interested)
Great tips!
First we must define: And what’s a “blog”?
My dictionary is an older version. It only lists “blob(a lump of something viscid).”
Therefore, then my blog shall be a “blob” with a “g” and will remain as something viscid(with a sticky consistency, having an adhesive quality).
Stay adhesive(sticky) my friends.
-sidney
Thank you for the helpful tips, Rachelle. Most of your ideas I’ve been using, and I appreciate the reminder on the ones I’ve neglected.
One of the tips I’ve learned is to tag each post appropriately. I noticed new readers on my last post because I had added the tag, homeschooling. I mentioned it in the post.
If I’ve talked about faith issues then I tag it with Christian, and it lets other people find me that way too.
Tags are important.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac ❀
Wendy, so glad you talked about tagging. I’m still finessing the art of tagging well. But I can tell when I have because those are the posts that get more hits. 🙂
Titles are important. I am prone to click on something that is controversial sounding or mysterious.
I go back and forth between wanting to build blog traffic and wanting to stop trying so hard and focus more on writing another book or publishing my current book.
My most popular posts have been the ones I wrote in ten minutes in a fit of emotion.
Sadly, I wrote about the shocking death of a teenager in my neighborhood and got 8,000 hits, where my usual post gets 200 ish.
I love reading everyone’s opinion on here.
JJ
I think it’s important to stay on topic. I’ve been blogging twice a week for about five years about words, books, and kids. I try not to get into things not on those subjects. But my blog posts also appear on Facebook and I get more comments there than on the blog itself.
I love blogging! I wish I had more time for it, but now that I am working it’s tough to keep them all up.
These are wonderful tips, Rachelle. It’s always good to have a refresher. One thing I did to boost traffic at my busy mom’s blog is set up a pin on Pinterest titled “Tips for Busy Moms.” I pinned articles from my blog that fall into that category.
Awesome comments on this thread. I would just throw out that I love including my own photography on The Penzy. When I first starting blogging, I used a few stock images, but it just felt inauthentic to me. Over the past four years, I’ve gotten more confident at shooting, to the point that I’ve created a bank of images for my posts. And I don’t really have any crazy-fancy equipment; just an iPhone at first and then later a starter DSLR with a kit lens (although I am saving for a better lens now!). Thanks for your list, Rachelle.
This is wonderful advice! Thanks so much for the encouragement. Your dedication to helping writers is admirable.
great