The Writer’s Blog Workshop Series: Building Your Blog
The Writer’s Blog Workshop Series Lessons: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9
Lesson Nine:
So you’ve got a blog. You’ve got a purpose and an audience in mind, strategies for developing regular material, and maybe you’re even starting to think about creating a snazzy new design. But how do you attract more readers?
Most bloggers start with a small audience. Patience is key in building a blog. Don’t give up! Here is a list of ways to promote your blog, for little or no money.
1. Business cards specific to your website. I have two business cards. One is my “real” business card, which includes actual contact information (my address, phone number, email, etc) which is for friends, editors, agents, other business professionals. The other card is my “website” card. It lists my website address with bullets like “daily blog, contests, book excerpts, writing articles” etc. This is a purely promotional card and is handy for passing out to readers, strangers, leaving on goody tables, etc. Inexpensive business cards are available online. One example is VistaPrint.
2. Develop a blogging circle. Friends helping friends is a great way to build your blog. Build a circle of friends–visit each other’s blogs, leave comments and support. Active blogs attract activity and a few regular commenters you can depend on will help create an atmosphere of activity when you’re just getting started.
3. Group blogging. There are various types of group blogs–writers who are just friends, writers who write in the same subgenre, writers who write for the same publisher/line, etc, and participation in group blogging can help draw readers back to your own blog. There are also “article” type group business blogs, like Romancing the Blog. If you don’t want to participate regularly in a group blog plus your own blog, offer to guest blog for friends or acquaintances who are part of group blogs.
4. Create bonus content–articles, interviews. special appearances. If you have an editor or agent, ask them to do a Q-and-A for your blog. Try a Q-and-A or interview with a reviewer, a publicity expert, or even an avid reader. Make reports from conferences or workshops. Promote any “bonus” blog content well in advance and get your blogging circle friends to mention the specials, too, and link back to your blog on the days they run.
5. Put your blog URL in your signature line. Always include your blog link any time you post to a list or even in regular email. Keep it out there!
6. Comment on other blogs. Comment on your blogging circle friends’ blogs, and visit popular, highly-active blogs and comment there, too. People will click on your URL in your comment and find you.
7. Hold contests. Giveaways are a great way to attract readers. Remember to promote contests in advance and get your blogging circle to link your contest the day it runs, too. Run a contest with other bloggers–that’s a great way to promote cross-blog traffic. Give away books (your own or someone else’s), or promotional items–you can even create your own promotional items at places like CafePress. A few more ideas: Solicit a popular author–who has an active blog!–and offer to purchase several of her books (don’t ask her to give the books away–make it easy and appealing for her), run a contest for autographed books, mail the books to the author to sign with the stamped, postage-paid envelopes to send them to the winners so all she has to do is sign and pop them in her mailbox–and ask the author to mention (link) the contest the day it runs. (Even busy authors are happy to help if you are doing all the work!) Give away books you pick up free at conferences (signed or not–readers love books, even if they’re not signed–but autographed is best if you can also get the free books signed). There are endless ways to run contests.
8. Get linked. Many sites list blog URLs. Romancing the Blog is the biggest, but there are many more. Click on the add-your-blog link to add your blog, and be sure to send a change of URL if your blog switches. Keep your eyes open any time you’re web-surfing or blog-hopping for opportunities to add your blog to a blogroll.
9. Create great content. Content, content, content! Be a regular blogger. Keep a schedule. Create interesting content geared to your personal style. Don’t forget your audience!
10. Have a great time. Fun is contagious. If you’re having fun, your readers will be, too.
11. Enter blog carnivals. Submit widely and regularly to blog carnivals to spread the word outside your normal reach.
12. Try Adwords. Adwords is the least expensive advertising on the internet. You can set a budget and try out variations to see what gets the most clicks.
Good luck and keep blogging! Do you have any great ideas for spreading the word about your blog? Let me know!
The Writer’s Blog Workshop Series Lessons: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9
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Another great lesson, Suzanne!!!
I might have to start a single mom blog!!! You are a very good teacher, Suzanne!!
Mary, go for it! If you have the passion to write about single-momhood, a blog is a great way to express yourself!