A Dozen Latest Ways to Grow Your Blog!
Everyone who starts a blog knows the name of the game is bringing in more subscribers -- and keeping them! Here are the latest tips on how to grow that list of regular readers.
Tip 1: Follow your bliss. That was the late mythology professor Joseph Campbell's advice to his Sarah Lawrence College students on how to be happy. It's also good direction for doing a dynamite blog. In other words, write what you love to cover. Sharing your passion attracts readers -- and makes it easier for you to write new content when you might not feel like it. Readers are attracted to content that's created with genuine enthusiasm.
Tip 2: What you give is what you get. In the blogosphere, it pays to give as much as you can. Sure, keep up your own blog with relevant and valuable content for the community members you want. But experts advise spending more time adding value to five to ten other communities, where your potential subscribers may be checking into content and connecting with each other.
Tip 3: Be an originator more than a curator. It's fine to use your blog to organize and share information of interest to your readers. But don't stop there. Always add your original insight or find another take on the information, coming from a different point of view.
Tip 4: Think of your blog as a smart conversation. Focus on making your content as terrific as it can be. Look at things from a different perspective -- your own! -- and look for ways to induce interesting responses from the people you want to reach.
Tip 5: Add value. Don't just list the Top 10 this or the Worst 10 that. Make intelligent comparisons where you can. Concentrate on how something will benefit your audience. Tell people how to use different resources, how to access new information. Explain how you came to make the choices you did. Don't be another generic blogger!
Tip 6: Any questions? Ask your readers if there's something they'd like to know about your area of expertise. Then respond on your blog. Follow up by asking for feedback. Also, write about things you're interested in learning about that can't be readily found on the Internet. The original research you do will move your blog up in searches for that topic.
Tip 7: Answer their needs. Think about what your readers need to know. What kind of help are they looking for? Then give it to them. And always respond to all questions from readers -- these are people who gave you their time.
Tip 8: Don't be shy about sharing your opinion. Often this is what people are actually looking for.
Tip 9: Always show respect. As a blogger, you're often putting forth one side of an issue and then opening up the conversation to other points of view. When people begin commenting to one another, the blog gets a life of its own. Since it's your blog, you can jump in to keep the comments coming. Be gracious about different opinions - people want to know you've considered what they have to say, whether you agree with them or not. Your subscriptions will grow because people want to be part of something where their opinion is respected.
Tip 10: Focus on perennial problems. Some bloggers have had great success constructing an editorial schedule around ten or twelve in-depth posts on problems that crop up year after year. You'll draw in readers, get them sharing your content, move up in the search rankings and start building a list of loyal subscribers.
Tip 11: Ask for the subscription. Give prominence to the subscriber box. Make sure it's above the scroll. Many experts advise against pop-ups, which users often find annoying. Emphasize email -- it's more popular than RSS. Always ask again for subscriptions at the end of a posting. If someone's made it that far, they're a good prospect to sign up for more.
Tip 12: Make an offer. A free eBook is a great way to get new opt-in subscribers. Consider what your blog is about and put together some of your best "how to" advice. Interview experts on a topic and share their views. It's not hard to email subscribers a link where they can download a PDF of your free piece.
Every time you publish, make sure you're giving readers one more good reason to subscribe. That's the best way there is to get new readers and keep the ones you have.... Enjoy a great month!
------------------
© 2011 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation- lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.
