I’ve been meaning to write this post for quite awhile now. I receive a lot of questions about the subject, so here’s my take on how to increase your blog readership and keep them coming back.
Blog Often
Frequently updating your blog is the first step to building your blog’s readership. You don’t need to blog three times a day, but you should have a fairly consistent schedule for when you post. For instance, if you set a goal to blog three times per week, stick to it! Your readers are waiting to hear from you!
Focus On Photography
My favorite blogs are the ones that have attractive, vibrant, and interesting photos. I can’t help it. I like to look at pretty things! 😀
A lot of people say that photos don’t matter, but I totally disagree. A picture says a thousand words! How can that not enhance your blog post?! Although, I don’t think you need a ton of photos to make your point. I also don’t think you need a fancy camera to get good shots either. I love my point-and-shoot camera and I’ve taken lots of nice photos using my iPhone. Check out my post about how to improve your photos for some ideas!
Quick tip: Even just adding a little bit of color (i.e. place mat, napkin, piece of fruit, fresh flowers) to your shot can instantly increase the visual appeal of your photo.
Take Advantage of Guest Posts
Guest posts go both ways. If you have a blog, accept them from other bloggers. They will likely link your blog and spread the word via Twitter, Facebook, etc. If you’re a blogger, offer to write a guest post for another blog or even a company or brand website. (I recently wrote a post for the Eggland’s Best blog.) It’s a great way to spread the word about your blog and get traffic to your site. (FYI: I’m looking for guest posts on Trading Up Downtown!)
Think Outside of Your Community
To find difference audiences, think outside of your usual blog community. A lot of my traffic comes from the “healthy living” community with some overlap from the foodie and fitness worlds. But, imagine if I could gain new readers from the lifestyle, décor, and pet communities?! As soon as I have a good DIY project, I’m sending it to Young House Love as a guest post! 😀
Mix It Up
I’m definitely guilty of blogging about the same things over and over again: cookies, oatmeal, Body Pump, pug, cookies. Some readers don’t mind the routine, but if you want to keep those readers, you need to mix it up with your posts.
On Carrots ”˜N’ Cake, I try to keep things interesting by blogging about non-food things in almost every post. I have a lot of interests, so I just share what’s on my mind and what my readers might want to read about. Anything goes! It’s your blog!
Utilize Facebook
If you have a Facebook account, use it to promote your blog! There are 500 million active users on Facebook!! Add your blog URL to your profile info and link your favorite blog posts on your wall. Just think of how many of your friends (and their friends) are on Facebook!
Network In Person
Get out there and meet people! You can’t hide behind your blog forever! I’m actually very shy in person, but I force myself to network (and public speak). It’s a wonderful opportunity to tell people about your blog, meet other bloggers, and find ways to work together.
I attend a lot of events””many of which are open to just about anyone to attend. Some of the bigger blog get-togethers are BlogHer, BlogHer Food, Foodbuzz Festival, and Blissdom. Twitter is also a great way to find out about events in your area. Twitter is all about who you follow!
Be Authentic
There are tons of blogs out there, so you want to make sure that yours stands out from the rest, which means be yourself! I’ve met a number of CNC readers, who told me that I am exactly how I portray myself on my blog. As you can imagine, this is a really nice compliment. So, have fun with your blog and give your readers a peak inside your life to show them what makes you special. I guarantee your authenticity will come through in your posts.
Tag Your Posts
It only takes a few extra seconds to add tags to your blog post, but it’s worth the time and effort in terms of the additional traffic that will come to your blog. Tags are easily noticed by search engines, so they help potential readers find your blog. For example, I used the tag ”˜Harvard‘, so readers can find all of my posts about my time there. (Just click on Harvard to see all of those posts.)
For even more tips, check out my other posts: So, You Want to Start a Blog and Get Your Blog On.
@Tina:
Thank you so much! Sounds like the perfect Sunday afternoon project for tomorrow 🙂
I’m a blogging newbie, so I appreciate the tips!
great tips! thanks! i am trying to increase my readership and will be trying out many of those! great blog as well. i am also going to look through you photography tips…i need help in that area as well!
I appreciate the help! Thanks – love love your blog 🙂
Hi! I just started blogging a few weeks ago and I am obsessed! I have been writing every day and try to remember to take pictures when I’m out. Thanks for the tips, they are really helpful!
I just started a blog. I never realized how much work can be involved! These tips are super helpful. Thanks!
Thank you for your tips, really helpful, will deff give them a try and let you know how we get on.
Thanks for the tips! I’m trying to expand my blog audience from just family and friends! Thanks for the tips!
Love this post! I am a new blogger so this is extremely helpful!
I finally started my blog about a week ago, so I really appreciate these tips, Tina. Thanks!
Thanks, this was helpful. I never thought that tags were important, or pictures…..but, aha moments are everywhere.
Great ideas, Tina. Keep those insanely cute pics of Murphy coming!
great advise!!! thanks tina!
Great tips Tina, I’m already seeing the effects of these 🙂
Your blog has so much valuable information on it!! Thank you so much for this post x
I certainly appreciate the time you took to add this information to your sight. I am no seasoned blogger that’s for sure, but I am posting my journey as well and it feels great. I believe you are right on with your tips and I’m going to stick with it. I haven’t felt this powerful on my weightloss journey ever! Belonging is my own accountbility system. Everyone should that could!
You were a little dose of inspiration to me today.
I am now a fan of you Tina. I love the suggestions. I am a beginner and I will be patient for this venture i get into. Thank you.
Thanks for the helpful info! I am new to blogging and will definitely be looking into social events in my area to meet other bloggers and network! I am loving your blog and blogging so far! 🙂
Great topic, and lots of help! Thanks!
These are great tips, Tina. Thanks for sharing your blogging wisdom with all of us wanna-bes 😉 I’d love to guest blog for Trading Up Downtown sometime. Most of my recipes are super healthy and delicious 🙂
Because of your blogging tips, I am able to motivate myself to blog every day. Though the hardest is to find new ideas and ways to keep the readers interested!
Thanks so much for the great tips. I recently started a new blog and reading carrots n cake has been incredibly helpful and inspiring!
Some great tips. Thank you! 🙂
Thanks Tina! These tips are just as relevant and useful now as they were when you originally posted this.
I’m totally going to start putting some of these items into use!
I have a new blog….Thank you for the wonderful and helpful tips!!!! 🙂
Thank you Tina, I´m a bloggie newbie and I have a video blog mainly about vegan nutrition, I need traffic, so I appreaciate your tips!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this post. It makes it seem a little less overwhelming to get my own blog going!
Thank you for the great tips. I just started a fitness blog a couple of weeks ago, so I am brand new at this.
When would you recommend attending the blog events like BlogHer? I started my blog less than a year ago and I’m wondering if I need to have more experience before attending. I greatly appreciate your insights on this topic by the way!
Yes, it’s a great way to network and make connections! 🙂
Thank you so much for this!! I am a new blogger and I am having time building an audience. I found this blog very informative and useful especially when you shed some light on the importance of photography (something I have never really done). Time for me to follow you on twitter and like your facebook page 😉 You’re awesome!
Good afternoon! I am a mother of two and a veterinary nurse as well as brand spanking new to the blogging world!! I have stopped by your bog multiple times and am always pleased to read up on the subjects you write about. Thank you for sharing the above blogger information. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind emailing me back? I am hoping to find a well established blogger that wouldn’t mind me asking a few questions.. Also I was wondering if you ever allow guest or co-blogging? This post is from 2010 so I am not sure if you are still offering guest blogging you referred to. I am sure you receive quite a few emails a day and I understand its probably tough to answer them all, but if you found a moment to do so it would make my week!! I hope to hear from you!!
Cassie Propst
http://www.adoreyourhealth.com
Thanks so much for these tips! Makes sense…just a matter of doing them really isn’t it. There can be so much confusion out there on what to do, and what not to do. Love this.