how to get people to read your blog... - Page 3

[dearmama22]

Originally Posted by snowbunny

I agree. I think making sure that the feed buttons are highly visible is critical. What you really want, more than random visitors, is subscribers.

I've also found that running contests, giveaways or challenges will increase visitors and subscribers. Plus, you can't discount the importance of commenting on other people's blogs.

I agree with the contest part- definitely helps get comments!! I want to run a contest soon.. but I don't know what or how.

I haven't had a business see my site yet and offer anything, but I was just thinking about buying a little something and giving it away as a prize but I'm not sure if that's silly or not.

BTW- nice blog!

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by dearmama22

I was just thinking about buying a little something and giving it away as a prize but I'm not sure if that's silly or not.

I don't think it's silly at all. It's what I'm planning on doing some time in the near future. I've seen some contests where all you have to do is comment on a post to enter, and others where you have to comment and link to the blog to enter. I would like to do that since that would generate more traffic. But then I worry that fewer people would want to enter. What do you all think?

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by dearmama22

I realized I can just tweak as I go.

Well...there's one thing I can't tweak: my URL. I started my blog as a family endeavor (for friends and family to keep up to date on our lives). But now I'm heading in a slightly different direction (still write about our life, but write about many other things too, including product reviews). It'd be nice to not have my URL be our names.

[dearmama22]

Originally Posted by hollyvangogh

Well...there's one thing I can't tweak: my URL. I started my blog as a family endeavor (for friends and family to keep up to date on our lives). But now I'm heading in a slightly different direction (still write about our life, but write about many other things too, including product reviews). It'd be nice to not have my URL be our names.

are you using blogspot? If you are then you can change it...

[dearmama22]

Originally Posted by hollyvangogh

I don't think it's silly at all. It's what I'm planning on doing some time in the near future. I've seen some contests where all you have to do is comment on a post to enter, and others where you have to comment and link to the blog to enter. I would like to do that since that would generate more traffic. But then I worry that fewer people would want to enter. What do you all think?

I think the first time I do it, and since I don't have a ton of readers ( or people commenting!) right now I will do it that you just have to post to enter.. later down the road I would do a link back.. I think

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by dearmama22

are you using blogspot? If you are then you can change it...

I am, and I *just* discovered that last night. Now I'm racking my brain trying to come up with a new name for my blog. I'm worried that I'll lose readers if I change the address though...I guess I'd have to change the address, and then create another blog at the old address with one post directing people to the new one?


Also...I'm hosting my first giveaway! I contacted somebody and asked if they wanted to provide the prize and they said yes! :

[dearmama22]

Originally Posted by hollyvangogh

I am, and I *just* discovered that last night. Now I'm racking my brain trying to come up with a new name for my blog. I'm worried that I'll lose readers if I change the address though...I guess I'd have to change the address, and then create another blog at the old address with one post directing people to the new one?


Also...I'm hosting my first giveaway! I contacted somebody and asked if they wanted to provide the prize and they said yes! :

No, don't worry! It automatically transfers them to your new website!! It's great..

mine used to be newmamanotes.blogspot.com and I changed it to mamanotes.com that was like a month ago, and it automatically transfers it still even if someone types in the old blogspot addresses- its really cool, do it!

How awesome to have your first giveway! That's exciting!

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by dearmama22

No, don't worry! It automatically transfers them to your new website!! It's great..

Awesome! Now I just have to figure out what title I want...

ETA: It transferred my settings, followers, etc. But when you went to the old address it just said the blog didn't exist. So I recreated it with a single post directing people to the new one.

[schreiberwriter]

I really enjoyed reading your blog. But I can't follow. Blogger has a "follow" feature.

When I find a blog I enjoy, I follow it, then I update my links on my blog. Then I know when the blogs I enjoy have new content. It's more for me than others.

check out my blog to see what I mean about links and following: schreiberwriter.blogspot.com

[snowbunny]

Originally Posted by schreiberwriter

I really enjoyed reading your blog. But I can't follow. Blogger has a "follow" feature.

When I find a blog I enjoy, I follow it, then I update my links on my blog. Then I know when the blogs I enjoy have new content. It's more for me than others.

check out my blog to see what I mean about links and following: schreiberwriter.blogspot.com

You can subscribe though--as long as there's a feed and then you get updated every time there's a new post.

[annettemarie]

I'm off to a bad start. New Year's comes too close to the holidays.

My goal is to get back on track starting Monday.

[flowers]

What a fabulous thread!

Originally Posted by aoife

Yes, thank you!

I'm biting my nails afraid to launch a site because I'm such a perfectionist. I want it perfect from the get-go, which is probably silly. I have an idea. I have a domain name. I have web space. Should I just jump in and get it going already?

This is me. I have been practice secret blogging since the fall but won't give it out. I was also waiting until I had my own url and hosting b/c I didn't want to loose readers in the transition. I never thought I was a perfectionist until I started wanting to build a website/blog and now I want every little thing perfect before telling anyone about it.


I just wanted to note that some people do have wild success just by letting people peek into their lives. If you have a wonderful way of displaying your life....look at Amanda Blake Soule.

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by dearmama22

I haven't had a business see my site yet and offer anything, but I was just thinking about buying a little something and giving it away as a prize but I'm not sure if that's silly or not.

Don't wait for an offer. Go ask people if they want to do one! That's what I did.

ETA: Approach people who make things you sincerely want to promote (my first giveaway was a Motivated Moms planner).

And try browsing Etsy. I used the feature that lets you check out shops that have not yet had a sale. I looked through those until I found one with items I liked. Then I messaged the seller asking if she wanted to do a giveaway. Gets me traffic for my blog, gets her traffic for her shop. win-win That's the giveaway I'm running right now.

[Arwyn]

Hah!

Originally Posted by schreiberwriter

I really enjoyed reading your blog. But I can't follow. Blogger has a "follow" feature.

When I find a blog I enjoy, I follow it, then I update my links on my blog. Then I know when the blogs I enjoy have new content. It's more for me than others.

check out my blog to see what I mean about links and following: schreiberwriter.blogspot.com

This is totally offtopic, but I JUST linked you-there to you-here. You'da THUNK the username/blog URL woulda given it away, but nooooooooo... :

Anyway hi!

(And, um, back to your regularly scheduled thread... )

Speaking of, is anyone on BlogHer? I'm thinking of doing that, as another way to get myself Out There, but it's a wee bit intimidatin'. Plus the apparent completely lack of blog-list-searchability makes me go "whaaaaa? what's the point of that??" Any experience/tips/thoughts?

[3pink1blue]

I am not a fan of BlogHer. From what I've seen, it's very mainstream. However, I still listed my blog there. I put it under Mommy & Family blogs. I get quite a bit of traffic from there, actually, and here is a tip: when listing, somehow work a number or sympbol into your title to get on the front page. Mine is listed as * 2 Under 2 * and I'm way up top on the page.

Also I have a personal vendetta against BlogHer because they won't accept me for advertising despite hundreds of page impressions per day and a huge list of feed subscribers. I guess it doesn't matter because my three (yes, it's three now!) sponsors found me through their blog list. Take THAT, BlogHer!

[Arwyn]

I heard their ad rolls are UBER hard to get on to. And pretty "duh" on the mainstream, but there just aren't that many potential places for a feminist parent blog to get "found", y'know?

[annettemarie]

I didn't have any problem getting accepted to BlogHer ads. Mostly it was just a PITA to fax the paperwork to them. I can't figure out how to get paid though.

[OrganicSister]

Has anyone mentioned Twitter.com? I just started w Twitter not long ago and it has definitely boosted my readers. I've been able to network with all kinds of people, find new blogs and websites thru them and when I post a new blog, I can tweet it. Twitter is my top referrer right now.

(PS If you're on Twitter, I'd love to follow you! http://twitter.com/OrganicSister)

Also want to add, the first thing I see when I'm looking at a blog is layout and colors. If the layout and colors are not conducive to reading or pleasant to the eye, I'm off the blog in 2 seconds flat, usually regardless of content and especially ifit distracts from content. For instance: colored text is difficult to read, background color can't be too bright. Or if their is only one color for the entire blog with nothing to break up or contrast different "sections" (widgets from header from blog posts from sidebars, etc).

Some of this could just be me of course but I'm told the same thing by some of my "mentors". Layout and design is crucial!

[flowers]

Hi Organic Sister,

I have to tell you I have been stalking your blog lately-love it! We are into a lot of the same stuff: urban homestead, permaculture and the likes.

I just joined twitter and would love to hook up. I am flowers13.

Also, how did you make those lists on the blog. I would love to do something like that for my own sanity, as I love to cross stuff off master lists and our to-do eco-home lists are massive!

[annettemarie]

Could you share more about Twitter? I have an account, but I just don't quite get it!