You want to throw a party and have lots of people show up.You want to have a successful blog but you want people to read it.
It’s a trick
So here’s the trick (and it really is a mental trick). You have to write a blog post like someone is reading it…even if no one is. Anyone who knows how to use Google and can “cut and paste” can add analytics to their site to see exactly how many people are visiting. Here’s my advice…add analytics and then ignore them. They’re too discouraging and in the end it’s not the point. CNN.com has a lot more visits than your web site and they always will. So what? If your goal is to spread your ideas then start spreading them one post at a time. You’ll know when your ideas are spreading, trust me.
How do I get traffic?
Somebody cares about what you’re saying. If no one seems to care then talk about something else or change how you’re delivering your message. But, somebody cares. Let’s go back to the party comparison. If you don’t come to my party guess what…I’m not coming to yours. So if you want me to come to your blog then come to mine and let me know how to get back to yours. If you want readers then spread the love. Spend time at other blogs and then go back to yours regularly and write like someone is reading it.
You better have a frosty beverage for me
The other reason you need to write like someone is reading is that one day, when you do start to get visitors you’ll need something for them to read. Blogs archive your entries so they’ll have a treasure trove of info that you’ve written if you post before they show up. Not regularly posting to your blog or creating content of any kind (podcast, ebooks etc.) and inviting me to visit your site is like inviting me to a party without having any good beer to drink or any food to snack on. When I get there…I expect something from you. It’s bad news if you expect those people to come back if they didn’t find anything the first time they showed up…they’re not likely to return.
Action points:
- Install analytics on your site
- Ignore the analytics for a long time
- Comment on other sites every day (you can start with this blog). Commenting on the bigg blogs can get you traffic…not from the big names but from other people who leave comments (happened to me this week).
- Write a post a week (minimum). But please write something.
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Thanks for the great advice, Andy. I've made my living working for other people in the technology area since I graduated from college, but I've begun to dream about how I can provide for my family beyond the IT world. I want writing to play some part in my "next career." Your post is a good reminder to start communicating...the people who will connect with what you have to say will find you.
Andy - some great points here. While Blogs are a great way to draw traffic, people will be able to tell if you are writing just for the sake of writing. Pick a topic that interests you (or that you think is valuable advice) and go with it. I wrote about Dr. Seuss today because that's what my daughter and I read last night. (www.elevation-coaching.com)
Man do I stink at posting at our family's blog too! I understand. Remember too that the blog might not be the place people want to go for updates. A lot of folks prefer to get family news on Facebook b/c they're already on Facebook. You may consider setting up a cross-posting situation where your blog posts also send out a note to Facebook so you save a step. Thx for commenting Chris.
You're welcome Ron. Thanks for reading and commenting.
That's a good English teacher! Glad you liked the advice and thanks for leaving a comment. Let me know when you write something so I can go check it out.
Thanks for posting, Andy. I'm trying to get better at regular postings on our family's farm blog, but sometimes struggle with the idea people won't give a rip to read it. A "who cares?" attitude is probably just what's needed to keep me motivated in the short term. Thanks again.
Andy - some great points here. While Blogs are a great way to draw traffic, people will be able to tell if you are writing just for the sake of writing. Pick a topic that interests you (or that you think is valuable advice) and go with it. I wrote about Dr. Seuss today because that's what my daughter and I read last night. (www.elevation-coaching.com)
Man do I stink at posting at our family's blog too! I understand. Remember too that the blog might not be the place people want to go for updates. A lot of folks prefer to get family news on Facebook b/c they're already on Facebook. You may consider setting up a cross-posting situation where your blog posts also send out a note to Facebook so you save a step. Thx for commenting Chris.
You're welcome Ron. Thanks for reading and commenting.
That's a good English teacher! Glad you liked the advice and thanks for leaving a comment. Let me know when you write something so I can go check it out.
Thanks for posting, Andy. I'm trying to get better at regular postings on our family's farm blog, but sometimes struggle with the idea people won't give a rip to read it. A "who cares?" attitude is probably just what's needed to keep me motivated in the short term. Thanks again.
Andy - some great points here. While Blogs are a great way to draw traffic, people will be able to tell if you are writing just for the sake of writing. Pick a topic that interests you (or that you think is valuable advice) and go with it. I wrote about Dr. Seuss today because that's what my daughter and I read last night. (www.elevation-coaching.com)
Man do I stink at posting at our family's blog too! I understand. Remember too that the blog might not be the place people want to go for updates. A lot of folks prefer to get family news on Facebook b/c they're already on Facebook. You may consider setting up a cross-posting situation where your blog posts also send out a note to Facebook so you save a step. Thx for commenting Chris.
You're welcome Ron. Thanks for reading and commenting.
That's a good English teacher! Glad you liked the advice and thanks for leaving a comment. Let me know when you write something so I can go check it out.
Thanks for posting, Andy. I'm trying to get better at regular postings on our family's farm blog, but sometimes struggle with the idea people won't give a rip to read it. A "who cares?" attitude is probably just what's needed to keep me motivated in the short term. Thanks again.
Good advice all around. Thanks Andy!
I think my English teacher did a really good job about teaching me to write to my audience, because I can't even write a journal entry without writing as if someone else is going to read it. Thanks for the good advice.
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