So, you have a blog. Are people actually reading it? (Hopefully your blog has statistics which you can check on a daily basis so you know the answer to that question.) If you're looking to attract more (good-looking) blog readers, here are some tips that have worked for me:
- Make sure your content is good, readable and engaging. Your writing should be conversational and topics educational. Make sure you have checked for spelling errors and have someone else read the post over before hitting the publish button for a second opinion.
- Use Twitter to gain fans. www.twitter.com is a great way to tell the world you've just posted to your blog. Read my last two posts to learn more about how Twitter works.
- Make sure your feeds are connected. A feed is is a data format used for providing users with frequently updated content. It tells the world you've posted something to your blog. www.feedburner.com is a great example of a feed aggregator (blabbermouth). Your blog designer should have connected you with Feedburner, Google and Technorati to start with to help announce your posts. Feedburner also has a great tool which you can put in your email and on your website which announces your last three posts.
- Link back to your blog from your website. You should have a very prominent link or even a page dedicated to your blog on your website. People are naturally curious and will probably click the link to find out what you have to say.
- Link to your blog from your emails, newsletters and any communication (business cards, posters, brochures). My blog is just as important (if not more so) as my website. I post it EVERYWHERE!
- Make sure your LinkedIn profile, FaceBook profile, etc. link back to your blog. Are you catching the theme yet? Create as many incoming links to your blog as you can. FaceBook has a great application which allows you to post to your FaceBook page automatically when you update your blog.
- Think about Google (and other search engines) when you post. Make sure you use keywords in the title and first lines of your posts to get great search engine placement.
- Good old fashioned word of mouth. Talk about your blog when you are in meetings, seminars, etc. Old fashioned conversations are the best way to spread the word and build trust in your brand.
- Comment on other blogs. Joining an online conversation is a great way to get in front of people. Make sure you post the link to your blog in your post.
- Keep blogging and don't stop! Pretty obvious, but the fact remains, those who blog often gain the most readers. The more you post, the more readers you boast. (Sorry, Friday humor at its best!)
Now, to me a "good-looking" reader is one who will read your blog, then spread the word about it. To quote Martha Stewart, "That's a good thing!" Follow these steps and I guarantee you'll attract those attractive readers who eventually become your biggest fans!
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