Most people who set up a blog do so in an attempt to establish a second source of income. The more people who follow your blog, the greater your revenue-generating potential will be, as clicks on ads usually correlate with traffic. When you are first starting out on your blogging venture, it can be perplexing to know exactly how to acquire a steady stream of traffic.
Here are some helpful suggestions to keep in mind.
Subscriptions to Your Site
On your homepage, prominently display an invitation to subscribe to your website. Once readers subscribe, you can send them a daily email that contains links to your latest posts. This email can contain “teasers,” which are short blurbs igniting their interest to click on one of the links to the articles.
For example, if you have a natural health site, and you have a new post on the latest news of the benefits of green tea, you could say, “Find out how green tea can help you fight the flu.”
Content
If your content is interesting or valuable to your readers, they will return. Put yourself in the shoes of people in your blog’s niche and think about what information would be useful to them. Try personalizing the information by adding your opinion or commentary. Post five or six times a week to give them a reason to check your blog daily.
Don’t overlook the esthetics of the blog. Taking the time to select a great image to illustrate each post can make your blog come alive. Make the content easily readable with lots of “white space” by using short paragraphs.
Exercise restraint in the number of ads you put it, as too many can make your blog look cluttered and be a turn-off to your readers. If you write a post on the dangers of alcohol, placing an ad next to it for drug and alcohol abuse centers would be appropriate, but three ads might be distracting.
Interactivity
People love to connect with others, especially with those who share similar interests. At the end of your posts, invite people to share their opinion on the subject. Set up a forum so members of your niche can talk to each other and develop relationships. Polls are another interactive tool. The more engaged your readers are, the more likely they will keep coming back.
Optimize and Promote Your Blog
Employ search engine optimization techniques to get your blog ranked highly on Google for your relevant keywords. Submit your site to search engines and places like Technorati and Ping-o-matic. Promote your individual posts through social bookmarking sites, such as Stumble Upon and Delicious. Visit forums and other blogs within your niche and leave meaningful comments. Many sites will allow you to put a link to your blog in your signature.
Establishing a blog following can take time and effort, but the results can be rewarding by giving you an outlet to share your passion with others and perhaps by bringing in a little income. Taking heed to these basic principles can serve as guideposts on your blogging journey.
This post brought to you by guest blogger Michelle who enjoys writing about blogging, from how to gain followers to your blog to how drug and alcohol rehab centers can take advantage of blogs.
