Friday, June 4, 2010

Blog Lessons: Tips to Gain Followers


Before I started blogging, I had visited a lot of blogs and thought I knew what I was doing.  It turned out that I really didn't know much at all.  It has certainly been a learning experience.  My one year blogoversary is coming up towards the end of the summer.  I can't believe I have only been blogging for one year, it seems like I have been blogging longer.

I decided to dedicate today's post to how to gain followers (since it is Friday and blog hop day).  Having followers does not mean you will necessarily gain repeat commenters or a loyal readership.  A loyal readership is what you should strive for! For that to happen, you need to comment on other blogs and to develop relationships with other bloggers.  You want readers to come back frequently.  It is all about making connections.  Connections to what you write, connections to you personally, connections, connections, connections.

Also, keep in mind I am only writing from my experiences. I am no expert on blogging.  I am still constantly learning every day.

These are tips to get people to your blog.  What happens after that is up to you! 

Write consistently
Put your best foot forward by writing good content.  Also, post frequently.  If you don't post frequently, at least try to post on a consistent schedule (such as certain days of the week).  You want people to come back and visit.  Also, make sure you proofread what you write and think before you hit the publish button (guilty as charged for those of you who stumbled upon my wacky award post last week where I hit publish instead of save since I was nowhere near done writing it).

Blog Hops
Today is Follow Me Friday, New Friend Friday, Friday Follow, and Fun Follow Friday.  If you are interested in finding new blogs to read, making connections with other bloggers, or gaining new followers, check out these blog hops.

FollowMeFridays

The Girl Creative





friday-follow

Some blog hops may request that you link to a specific post where you mention the blog hop and others do not.  These are great ways to gain visibility for your blog.  Read the directions first at the host blog so you don't get deleted for not playing according to the rules.   Just visit the links to learn more about each of the individual blog hops. Try to link up first thing in the morning for maximum exposure.

Visit other blogs and follow them
It is good blogging etiquette to follow someone who follows you.  If you are interested in gaining new followers, follow other blogs and comment.  Make connections.

Have a variety of ways for people to follow you
People love options. Can people follow you on Google Friend Connect, RSS, get updates via email, twitter, or facebook?

Make sure your blog is listed on your Blogger profile
Check the settings on your blogger profile if you are on Blogger.  This is really important if you are just starting out.   Click on dashboard.  Click on profile.  Make sure your blog is listed in case someone clicks on your profile and wants to visit you. 

Join online forums or communities of bloggers
Mom Bloggers Club is a wonderful resource when it comes to learning more about blogging or meeting other bloggers.  Be active.  Some good groups to join to gain followers are Friends Following Friends and Google Friend Connect Followers. Follow blogs that interest you or that may have some things in common with your blog.

Promote your blog
Tell people about your blog including family and friends (unless you want to stay anonymous).  Include your blog url under your signature on your emails, espceially if you have a business.  Learn about SEO (search engine optimization).  There are key words that you may use in your blog posts that may help drive more readers to your blog through search engines.  You may choose to advertise on an established blog (you may be able to do this for a few dollars each month).

Giveaways
This is a way to gain followers but keep in mind that they may only be following in order to win a giveaway.  Where can you get items to give away?  Business2Blogger and The Product Review Place are two places that connect businesses to bloggers.  There are blogs that offer giveaway linkys on certain days where you can link up your giveaways.  This will bring people to your blog to enter the giveaways.

Update 6/5/10: I should have mentioned MyBlogSpark to which has a lot of great opportunities for bloggers (including those just starting out).

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

All very good tips! Thanks for sharing!

HBrummett said...

Thanks so much for this post! I apprecaite this information!

I am a new follower from NFF
Feel free to stop by my blog atwww.livingonloveandcents.blogspot.com
Check out my $5 Gift Card to Cookies Kids Giveaway under the on the Giveaway page.Also be sure and sign up for all the FREE stuff on the Friday Fun page! ENJOY!
I look forward to reading more of your blog! Heather

Kristen said...

Great article! I am following you from Friday follow!
Kristen
www.fulltime-mom.blogspot.com

Hope you'll check me out too!

Laurie in SC said...

Hi! Thanks so much for this post, I am always look to learn as well and I picked up some good info here. I found you on TT Follow Friday. I would love for you come visit, I'm a practical mom, too and I am excited to now follow your blog. I am giving away 3 super glammy Sam Moon cuff bracelets right now, so come me:
www.sceneofthegrime.blogspot.com
♥Laurie

I am Harriet said...

Great tips!
Stopping by from Friday-Follow to say hello.
Have a great day!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2010/06/oil-spills-and-building-friendships-one-blog-at-a-time/

Daphne said...

I found you from Fun Follow Friday and I love your blog! The tips you just listed for blogging are fantastic!!
http://murrayfamily213.blogspot.com/
Hope you will check out my blog :)

Andrea said...

Love your blog and I'm now your newest follower, thanks to Friday Blog Hop!

www.centssaved.com

TGIF,
Andrea

The Drama Mama said...

Sweet tips!! You really are awesome. I'm so glad I "know" you. Today is my 100th post. I'm still in awe that I actually managed to make 100!!! Wow.

Happy Friday!!

Unknown said...

I love your tips! I have a new blog and am now following you from Fun Friday.

http://aglutenfreemom.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Hi,

I also followed your blog on networked blogs!

Anonymous said...

thanks for posting these tips, very useful for sure. My blog is only 2.5 mos old and I remember the day when my first non-relative, non-friend follower showed up on my dashboard. A proud day :) my husband on bff both thought I was a huge dork! Whateves!!

I'd also add that if you're going to bother commenting on someone else's blog try and write a thought about the post so that the author doesn't feel like they've been the receiver of a boxed greeting. Just a thought :D

Here from girl creative, btw. Happy weekend!!!

Lourie said...

Thanks for the tips and the links. It's always good to get new ideas. Thanks.

Bonnie @ House of Grace said...

Hi, I am following you from FF!!! I am your newest follower! I hope that you have a great weekend! Great tips!! Nice to meet you.
Bonnie

NoDebtMomma said...

Great tips! Thanks!

Have a great weekend!

I'm stopping by from TGC - New Friend Friday...I'm also your newest follower!

Sam
Mom. Undecided.
http://momundecided.blogspot.com/

Joanne said...

Lots of great blogging tips here. I like the idea of the Blog Hop Friday, which I hadn't heard of before. Thanks for the links, and Happy Weekend :)

Unknown said...

Estatic that I hopped over to your blog today and found this post! I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to the blogging world! Thank you for the tips!

Newest follower from NFF!

prendalestelle.blogspot.com

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

Great tips...thanks for that!

I'm your newest follower!

Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

Anonymous said...

Great tips...SEO is confusing to me, though. You are absolutely right about the giveaways and those who generally enter. I've started recently, in my Lifestyles section, because I love children's clothes and have been excited about the opportunity to give them away. I did notice, however, that only a few of my regular readers entered.

I also want to thank you for the kind comment you left me. It means alot.

Unknown said...

Great post!! These are fantastic things to take note of.

xo

MrsBlogAlot said...

What a great post. I love MBC. I can't tell you how many wonderful bloggers that I've met in there. It was my first online community stop when I started blogging. TribalBlogs.com is also an awesome new place for meeting other bloggers.

parenting ad absurdum said...

Great tips - and I love the bloggy love and support you show everyone!

The Drama Mama said...

I'm going to link to your post next week...

Anonymous said...

That was a great post!!!! I get a lot of emails asking about those same things and I always type out a reply, I should do a post too so I can save some time!

Or maybe, I will just forward them here!!!!!!

Joy@TPMG said...

Jenn-that is a great tip!

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