How To Build Traffic To Your Blog

With the growing interest in blogging as a means of online promotion and branding, a lot of marketers are starting blogs to promote their opinions, products, books and services.

But a blog is like a website. "Write and they will come" isn't exactly a magic formula to bring in traffic by the boatload.

If you need to promote your website in order to build traffic to it, you need to promote your blog as well.

Here are some ways you can become a well-read and influential blogger.

1. Write Posts That People Will Want To Read

This should be common sense, but many marketers tend to forget that their readers are real people and that you need to use the principles of online copywriting to make your headlines and copy interesting to your readers.

If you write posts that people enjoy reading, they will reward you by returning to your blog regularly.

Make your posts conversational, pithy and topical. Keep them short and stick to one topic per post.

Write often and regularly so that both readers and search engines visit your blog more often.
2. Optimize Your Posts for Search Engines

I cover this topic in detail in my article on "Search Engine Optimization For Blogs"

But here are the most important rules to follow to get your posts listed for keywords of your choice.

* Make sure your blog URL contains the primary keyword you want to optimize for
* Use your primary keywords in the title of your post
* Use your secondary keywords in the body of your post
* Use your keywords in the anchor text of links in the body of your posts

3. Submit Your Blog and RSS Feed To Directories

If you publish a blog you should submit your blog and RSS feed to big directories like Yahoo and Dmoz, as well as the numerous blog directories and search engines.

Here is the best list I've found of places to submit your feed or blog, compiled by Luigi Canali De Rossi, who writes under the pseudonym Robin Good.

Best Blog Directory And RSS Submission Sites

Another list of sites to submit your Blog
4. Ping The Blog Services

There are a number of services designed specifically for tracking and connecting blogs. By sending a small ping to each service you let them know you've updated your blog so they can come check you out.

Bookmark the Ping-O-Matic ping results page so you can visit it and quickly ping a number of services with a single click.
5. Build Links To Your Blog

I recommend the methods here as the best ways to get links pointing to your blog.

* Link to your blog from each page on your main website
* Trackback to other blogs in your posts
* Post legitimate comments on other blogs with related topics
* Offer to exchange links with other similarly themed blogs and websites

6. Edit Your Blog Posts Into Articles

One of the best methods for promoting your website is to write articles and submit them to article directories.

The suggestion for extending this to edit your blog posts into articles and submit them to directories came from the coach at "Explode Blog Traffic" who also has other noteworthy suggestions at his blog.

You'll find an extensive list of article directories here
7. Create Buzz About Your Blog

Creating a buzz about your blog posts and topic in the local and online media will give your marketing a viral component.

* Create a controversy around your blog or it's topic.
* Distribute bumper stickers or other merchandise with your blog's URL and tagline.
* Write a press release about something newsworthy and tie it in with your blog topic.

8. Capture Subscribers By Email

It may seem strange for a blogger to send out updates by email, but email is still the #1 choice of most people who want to receive news and information.

Using a free service like Bloglet to manage your subscriptions is easy and it allows your subscribers to manage all their subscriptions from one interface.

However, if you want more control over your list and don't mind mailing out the updates yourself, you can use an autoresponder system to capture and follow-up with subscribers.

RSS Responder is a new script that allows you to keep in touch and follow-up with your subscribers without the hassle of email.

These tips should give you a good start to building your blog traffic.

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Search Engines and SEO

One of the key ways that people find your site is through a search engine such as Google, Yahoo, or MSN. Placing highly on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) when someone is doing a search will almost guarantee lots of traffic of new visitors to your site. Placing highly on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) when someone is doing a search will almost guarantee lots of traffic of new visitors to your site. In fact, search engine results placement is so important for the business models of thousands of web-based companies that an entire industry of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) professionals exists to advise people on how to score better in the search returns. In fact, search engine results placement is so important for the business models of thousands of web-based companies that an entire industry of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) professionals exists to advise people on how to score better in the search returns.

The most popular search engines are Google, Yahoo, and MSN, with Google taking the lion's share of searches. The search engines' (Google especially) primary objective is to return the best results possible for people conducting searches . The search engines (Google especially) primary objective is to return the best results possible for people Conducting searches. They use proprietary algorithms to determine which pages rise to the top of search results based on several factors. They use proprietary algorithms to determine which pages rise to the top of search results based on several factors. Early on Google in particular gave a lot of weight to the number of other pages that linked to a particular page. Early on Google in particular gave a lot of weight to the number of other pages that linked to a particular page. So, if your site was popular and several other sites linked to it, Google interpreted this as a good indication of quality and ranked your page highly in the search results. So, if your site was popular, and several other sites linked to it, Google interpreted this as a good indication of quality and your page ranked highly in the search results. Although inbound links are still important, in recent years Google has been giving less weight to them because they can so easily be rigged by scammers. Although inbound links are still important, in recent years Google has been giving less weight to them because they can so easily be rigged by scammers. Google has also cracked down hard on sites using paid links and Pay-per-Post. Google has also cracked down hard on sites using paid links and Pay-per-Post.

To understand how search engines work, you first need to see what a search engine sees when it spiders your site. To understand how search engines work, you first need to see what a search engine sees when it spiders your site.

What search engine spiders see when they search your site What search engine spiders see when they search your site

Open up a browser and go to your blog. Open up a browser and go to your blog. Now do a "View Source" from your browser. Now do a "View Source" from your browser. In Firefox click on "View" in the toolbar and scroll down to "Page Source". In Firefox click on "View" in the toolbar and scroll down to "Page Source". The text that you see is exactly what the search engine spider sees. The text that you see is exactly what the search engine spider sees. The spider searches the text between the html tags to determine what the page is about. The spider searches the text between the html tags to determine what the page is about. The spider also looks at the header section of the html on the page to see what the title of the page is, and the description if there is one. The spider also looks at the header section of the html on the page to see what the title of the page is, and the description if there is one. If you post a video, but without any accompanying text, the search engine spider won't have much to go on when determining what the page is about. If you post a video, but without any accompanying text, the search engine spider will not have much to go on when determining what the page is about. If your page is text-rich, the spider will have lots of clues. If your page is text-rich, the spider will have lots of clues. If you use a lot of Flash, the search engines will have a difficult time finding you. If you use a lot of Flash, the search engines will have a difficult time finding you. So to be found and indexed well in a search engine, make sure your posts have plenty of text . So to be found and indexed well in search engines, make sure your posts have plenty of text.

How to place better in search engine results How to place better in search engine results

Here are some tips for how you can tune your blog for better SERP placement safely, without incurring the ire of the search engines. Here are some tips for how you can tune your blog for better SERP placement safely, without incurring the ire of the search engines.

* Keywords in title and text - Once you've written a post, determine what words people would use in a search on Google or Yahoo if they wanted to find exactly what you had written about. Keywords in title and text - Once you've written a post, determine what words people would use in a search on Google or Yahoo if they wanted to find exactly what you had written about. Make sure those words are in the title of your post and in the text of your post. Make sure those words are in the title of your post and in the text of your post. Refrain from "stuffing" your text with keywords, as that behavior will get you into trouble with the search engines. Chorus from "stuffing" your text with keywords, as that behavior will get you into trouble with the search engines.
* Link out - Having several natural (not paid) inbound links from other websites is a great way to boost your visibility in the search results. Link out - Having several natural (not paid) inbound links from other websites is a great way to boost your visibility in the search results. The best way to inspire others to link to you is to show that you are paying attention to them first. The best way to inspire others to link to you is to show that you are paying attention to them first. Find bloggers who write about the same stuff you do and start linking to them. Find Bloggers who write about the same stuff you do and start linking to them.
* Site links and anchor text - Link generously within your own site to other pages within your site. Site links and anchor text - Link generously within your own site to other pages within your site. When you link, make sure that the text in the link is a keyword you want that page associated with. When you link, make sure that the text in the link is a keyword you want associated with that page. For example "Click Here" means nothing, the search engines have no idea what that link is about if all it says is "click here". For example "Click Here" means nothing, the search engines have no idea what that link is all about if it says is "click here". Instead of "Apple Pie, click here ", write, "See our apple pie recipe ". Instead of "Apple Pie, click here", write, "See our apple pie recipe."
* Avoid duplicate text - Depending on how you archive your posts, you could be generating many pages of duplicate text, which could get you penalized in the search engine results. Avoid Duplicate text - Depending on how you archive your posts, you could be Generating Duplicate many pages of text, which could get you penalized in the search engine results. Either publish only an excerpt or headline in your category and monthly archives, or place a no follow robots tag in the meta data header section of your category and monthly archive templates so that search engines do not spider those pages. Either publish only an excerpt or headline in your category and monthly archives, or place a no follow robots meta tag in the data header section of your category and monthly archive templates so that search engines do not spider those pages.
* Be careful who you link to - If you link to a known spam site or link farm , you may be penalized by the search engines. Be careful who you link to - If you link to a known spam site or a link farm, you may be penalized by the search engines.
* Maintain your site - If your page is filled with links leading to pages long deceased (generating 404 errors) that doesn't look good to the SEs and your quality rating will go down. Maintain your site - If your page is filled with links leading to pages long deceased (Generating 404 errors) that does not look good to the quality SEs and your rating will go down. Keep your links fresh and working. Keep your fresh and working links.

And the most important tip of all? And the most important tip of all?

* Focus on building a quality site! - The thing to always keep in mind is that Google and the other search engines are trying to deliver the best possible search results to their customers. Focus on building a quality site! - The thing to always keep in mind is that Google and other search engines are trying to deliver the best possible search results to their customers. If you aren't scoring as highly in the search returns as you would like for a keyword, look to see what the sites that are scoring higher are doing that you aren't. If you are not scoring as highly in the search returns as you would like for a keyword, look to see what the sites that are scoring higher are doing that you are not. Are they using compelling images, that load quickly? Are they using compelling images, that load quickly? Are they getting to the point and staying on topic? Are they getting to the point and staying on topic? Is their site easy to read and easy to navigate? Is their site easy to read and easy to Navigate? Have they been around longer with a more established reputation? Have they been around longer with a more established reputation? Learn from what others are doing and work on improving the quality of your content. Learn from what others are doing and work on improving the quality of your content. To consistently score high, you have to present consistently better content that others for the same keyword. To consistently score high, you have to present content that consistently better others for the same keyword.

A note on Bounce Rates A note on Bounce Rates

One of the potential metrics that search engines have when evaluating where a page should be placed on the SERPs is the "bounce rate". One of the potential metrics that have search engines when evaluating where a page should be placed on the SERPs is the "bounce rate". For example, when someone does a search and your site comes up in the returns, if the searcher clicks on it and decides, "no, that's not what I want" and clicks the back button, that is considered a "bounce". For example, when someone does a search and your site comes up in the returns, if the searcher clicks on it and decides, "no, that's not what I want" and clicks the back button, that is considered a "bounce". If your page has a low bounce rate relative to other sites for that search term, what does that tell the search engine? If your page has a bounce rate low relative to other sites for that search term, what does that tell the search engine? That your site is better meeting the expectations of the searchers. That your site is better meeting the expectations of the searchers. Although the SEs haven't publicly admitted that they are using bounce rate as a factor in determining SERP placement, many SEO professional believe that they are tracking that metric and I would be very surprised if they weren't. Although the SEs have not publicly admitted that they are using bounce rate as a factor in determining SERP placement, many SEO professionals believe that they are tracking that metric and I would be very surprised if they were not. In fact, from where I sit evaluating my own site and the SERP placements of many of my pages, it looks very much like the search engines are indeed using this metric. In fact, from where I sit evaluating my own site and the SERP placements of many of my pages, it looks very much like the search engines are indeed using this metric. High relative bounce rate = bad, low relative bounce rate = good. High relative rate = bad bounce, low bounce rate = relative good. Moral of the story? Moral of the story? Create a compelling experience on your pages, so that when someone is looking for something that you have, when they find it on your site they don't immediately click the back button. Create a compelling experience on your pages, so that when someone is looking for something that you have, when they find it on your site they do not immediately click the back button. Structure your site so that it is easy to easy to load, easy to read, and easy to navigate. Structure your site so that it is easy to easy to load, easy to read, and easy to Navigate.

site : Blogher

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How do people find your blog?

If our goal is to increase our blog traffic, the primary question we need to ask ourselves is, how do people get to our blogs in the first place? Understanding how people learn about our blogs, and make their way over to visit them, will help us better understand how to use technology to increase our visibility. Understanding how people learn about our blogs, and make their way over to visit them, will help us better understand how to use technology to increase our visibility.

So, how do people find out about us? So, how do people find out about us?



1. Someone else's website - Someone - friend, colleague, or stranger - knows about your site and is linking to it from her website. If you are just starting out, and you have lots of friends, this is probably where much of your traffic is coming from. If you are just starting out, and you have lots of friends, this is probably where much of your traffic is coming from.
2. A comment on someone else's website - You've left a comment on someone else's blog, and now that person and her readers are clicking through the comment link and finding your site. A comment on someone else's website - You've left a comment on someone else's blog, and now that person and her readers are clicking through the comment link and finding your site.
3. Google or other search engines - The search engines spider the world wide web looking for sites and indexing them. Google or other search engines - The search engines spider the world wide web looking for sites and indexing them. Somehow they found you and have your site in their index. Somehow they found you and have your site in their index. Someone has made a search on one of the search engines and has found your site in the search results. Someone has made a search on one of the search engines and has found your site in the search results. The longer your site has been around, and the more other sites link to it, the higher your site will be placed in the search results and the more people will be able to find your site that way. The longer your site has been around, and the more other sites link to it, the higher your site will be placed in the search results and the more people will be able to find your site that way.
4. You're bookmarked - Okay, maybe this isn't how someone found you in the first place, but it might be the way they find you the second time. You're bookmarked - Okay, maybe this is not how I found you in the first place, but it might be the way they find you the second time. If you change your URL structure, the directories or path names to your blog entry, you will invalidate all those bookmarked pages on the sites of readers who want to come back to visit again. If you change your URL structure, the directories or path names to your blog entry, you will invalidate all those bookmarked pages on the sites of readers who want to come back to visit again. The longer your blog is around, and the more popular, the bigger an issue this becomes. The longer your blog is around, and the more popular, the bigger an issue this becomes.
5. Newsfeeds - Newsfeed readers such as Bloglines , MyYahoo, and Personalized Google promote popular and/or interesting feeds. Newsfeeds - Newsfeed readers such as Bloglines, MyYahoo and Google Personalized promote popular and / or interesting feeds. You can make it easier for your readers to add your site to their favorite newsfeed reader, increasing your chance of being one of the more popular feeds. You can make it easier for your readers to add your site to their favorite newsfeed reader, increasing your chance of being one of the more popular feeds.
6. Social bookmarking tools - Social bookmarking tools such as Del.icio.us , Digg, Stumbleupon keep track of what people link to, and then highlight the most highly linked posts. Social Bookmarking tools - Social Bookmarking tools such as Del.icio.us, Digg, StumbleUpon keep track of what people link to, and then highlight the most highly linked posts.
7. Someone emailed your URL to someone else - You can help this along by providing an "send to friend" form on your blog. Someone emailed your URL to someone else - You can help this along by providing a "send to friend" form on your blog.
8. Press - If you get picked up in a story in print media, that can bring lots of people to your site, especially if that print media also has an online presence. Press - If you get picked up in a story in print media, that can bring lots of people to your site, especially if that print media also has an online presence. Want press? Want press? Find out what journalists are covering your space and send polite emails of introduction, offering to be a resource for any article they might want to write concerning blogs. Find out what Journalists are covering your space and send polite emails of introduction, offering to be a resource for any article they might want to write blogs concerning.

Those are the main categories that I can see. Those are the main categories that I can see. Am I missing something? Am I missing something? How do people find your blog? How do people find your blog?

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Community

When I first started blogging, I viewed the exercise mostly as a way to express myself. I didn't know what a "blogroll" was, nor did I care that much when I learned. I did not know what a "blogroll" was, nor did I care that much when I learned. Over the last few years I have found that the main distinction between a blog and any other website, other than diary-like entries, is the interconnectedness with other bloggers who care about the same things I do. Over the last few years I have found that the main distinction between a blog and any other website, other than diary-like entries, is the interconnectedness with other Bloggers who care about the same things I do. It's being part of a community of other similarly interested people that make blogging so compelling. It's being part of a community of other interested Similarly people that make blogging so compelling.

Engaging the community of people who care about the same things you do can exponentially enhance your blog's visibility. Engaging the community of people who care about the same things you can do exponentially Enhance your blog's visibility. The following tips are obvious to me now, but weren't when I first started blogging: The following tips are obvious to me now, but were not when I first started blogging:

Links!

The first bit of advice I give to people just starting out their blog and wanting to increase their readership, after the obvious advice on content (include photos! spell check! focus!), is to actively link to other bloggers who share their interests. The first bit of advice I give to people just starting out their blog and wanting to increase their readership, after the obvious advice on content (include photos! Spell check! Focus!), Is to actively link to other Bloggers who share their interests. Why? Why? Well, most people will find your site because 1) someone on another site has linked to you or 2) they found you through a search engine, a search engine that finds out about you because other people are linking to you. Well, most people will find your site because 1) someone on another site has linked to you or 2) they found you through a search engine, a search engine that finds out about you because other people are linking to you. The best way to get other people to link to you is to link to them first. The best way to get other people to link to you is to link to them first. You don't need to ask for link exchanges. You do not need to ask for link exchanges. All you need to do is have a blogroll - a list of links in your sidebar - to other blogs of similar interests, and to generously link to other bloggers in your posts. All you need to do is have a blogroll - a list of links in your sidebar - to other blogs of similar interests, and to link generously to other Bloggers in your posts. That's it. That's it. Bloggers watch their stats. Bloggers watch their stats. They notice who is linking to them. They notice who is linking to them. If they like your site, they'll start linking back. If they like your site, they'll start linking back. (If you want to keep track of which blogs are linking to you, claim your blog at Technorati.com .) (If you want to keep track of which blogs are linking to you, claim your blog at Technorati.com.)

Linking out to other blogs is the essence of the spirit of generosity that is needed to have a vibrant online community blog. In general, I will only link to another site, or add them to my blogroll, if the site has a blogroll on its front page that links to other blogs in the community. In general, I will only link to another site, or add them to my blogroll, if the site has a blogroll on its front page that links to other blogs in the community. I don't care if the site links to me or not, but if it doesn't link to anyone, that tells me the blog owner really doesn't care about the community and it is highly unlikely I'll link to them. I do not care if the site links to me or not, but if it does not link to anyone, that tells me the blog owner really does not care about the community and it is highly unlikely I'll link to them.

Comment! Comment!

Next to linking out to other bloggers is to start reading other blogs and leaving comments on their blogs. Next to linking out to other Bloggers is to start reading other blogs and leaving comments on their blogs. If you want a loyal following of readers, and you are not a known celebrity, it helps to be a loyal reader of blogs by people who share your interests. If you want a loyal following of readers, and you are not a known celebrity, it helps to be a loyal reader of blogs by people who share your interests. Leave the kind of thoughtful, insightful comments that you wish other people would leave on your own blog. Leave the kind of thoughtful, Insightful comments that you wish other people would leave on your own blog. Leaving comments on another person's blog is like saying, "I'm paying attention to you." Leaving comments on another person's blog is like saying, "I'm paying attention to you." Physical-world communities - our circle of friends, neighborhood associations, etc. Physical-world communities - our circle of friends, neighborhood associations, etc.. - operate through an exchange of attention. - Operate through an exchange of attention. It's no different in the online world. It's no different in the online world. I check the website of every single person who comments on my blogs, don't you? I check the website of every single person who comments on my blogs, do not you? I find fabulous blogs this way. Fabulous blogs I find this way.

It is worth noting that leaving comments per se will not help your search engine rankings. It is worth noting that leaving comments per se will not help your search engine rankings. Blogging services have incorporated a "no follow" attribute in the links that get published when you leave a comment that includes the URL to your site. Incorporated blogging services have a "no follow" attribute in the links that get published when you leave a comment that includes the URL to your site. Basically this means that search engines don't care about comment-author URLs in comments. Basically this means that search engines do not care about comment-author URLs in comments. This is a good thing, as it discourages spammers. This is a good thing, as it discourages spammers.

Plan and Join Online Events Plan and Join Online Events

A couple of years ago a man named Alberto started a little online blog cook-off called Is My Blog Burning? and requested that food bloggers cook some soup and write about it on their blogs on a certain day. A couple of years ago a man named Alberto started a little online blog cook-off called Is My Blog Burning? And requested that food Bloggers cook some soup and write about it on their blogs on a certain day. Since then, the food blog world has never been the same. Since then, the food blog world has never been the same. Is My Blog Burning turned into a monthly event (now in its 28th month), each month hosted by a different food blogger. Is My Blog Burning turned into a monthly event (now in its 28th month), each month hosted by a different food blogger. Now we have an event calendar that is filled with blog cooking events - Sugar High Friday, Weekend Herb Blogging, Hay Hay It's Donna Day, Wine Blogging Wednesday, to name a few. Now we have an event calendar that is filled with cooking blog events - Sugar High Friday, Weekend Herb Blogging, Hay Hay It's Donna Day, Wine Blogging Wednesday, to name a few.

A similar phenomenon has being occurring all across the blogsphere in the form of blog carnivals - online blogging events on practically every topic known to blogs. A similar phenomenon has being occurring all across the blogsphere in the form of blog carnivals - online blogging events on practically every topic known to blogs. Like Is My Blog Burning, blog carnivals have a topic and a host; people write about the topic in a certain time-frame and the host compiles the links to all the participating blogs. Like Is My Blog Burning, blog carnivals have a topic and a host; people write about the topic in a certain time-frame and the host compiles the links to all the participating blogs.

Memes. Memes. There are more blog memes out there than one can easily count. There are more blog memes out there than one can easily count. Like chain letters, blog memes are ideas that get replicated through throughout the blogosphere. Like chain letters, blog memes are ideas that get through replicated throughout the blogosphere. Someone writes up "20 things about me" and then "tags" (tag- you're it!) four or more other bloggers, challenging them to write up their own version of the meme and then tag more bloggers. Someone writes up "20 things about me" and then "tags" (tags-you're it!) Four or more other Bloggers, challenging them to write up their own version of the meme and then tag more Bloggers. To see how this can play out see The Cook Next Door meme at Delicious Days. To see how this can play out see The Cook Next Door meme at Delicious Days. The map at the bottom of the post details all of the connections between blogs. The map at the bottom of the post details all of the connections between blogs.

Along the same theme as carnivals and memes, Darren Rowse of ProBlogger.net frequently instigates online writing events. Along the same theme as carnivals and memes, Darren Rowse of ProBlogger.net frequently instigates online writing events. Check out If I had to Start My Blog Again for an example of a well organized group writing project. Check out If I had to Start My Blog Again for an example of a well organized group writing project.

Contribute to the Community Contribute to the Community

The last point I would like to leave you with regarding community is that communities thrive from the generosity of their members. The last point I would like to leave you with is that community regarding communities thrive from the generosity of their members. If you want a healthy, happening blogging community, do the kinds of things that will make that happen. If you want a healthy, happening blogging community, do the kinds of things that will make that happen. The best example of this spirit of generosity I know is Food Blog S'cool , a blog for food bloggers who share and learn from each other's expertise. The best example of this spirit of generosity I know is S'cool Food Blog, a blog for food Bloggers who share and learn from each other's expertise. Food Blog S'cool was started and is maintained by Sam Breach , who is also a contributing food editor at BlogHer . Food Blog S'cool was started and is maintained by Sam Breach, who is also a Contributing food editor at BlogHer. A strong and vibrant community helps everyone in it. A strong and vibrant community helps everyone in it. When you volunteer your time and expertise to help other bloggers in your community, you raise up everyone, including yourself. When you volunteer your time and expertise to help other Bloggers in your community, you raise up everyone, including yourself.

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Content

Everyone knows that if you want a successful blog you have to start with great content. But what does it mean to have great content? But what does it mean to have great content? Your friends and family will read your blog because they know you and like you. Your friends and family will read your blog because they know you and like you. To reach out beyond your social network to a much wider audience you need to provide something valuable, something a reader can't easily get elsewhere, or can't easily get all in one place. To reach out beyond your social network to a much wider audience you need to provide something valuable, something a reader can not easily get elsewhere, or can not easily get all in one place. Here are some things to consider regarding what goes on the pages of your blog: Here are some things to consider regarding what goes on the pages of your blog:

Be Useful, Entertaining, or timely
The most successful blogs are useful, entertaining, timely, or a combination of all three. Of these three, probably the one that will have the most legs is "useful". Of these three, probably the one that will have the most legs is "useful". When you present something that's useful, people will return to it over and over again. When you present something that's useful, people will return to it over and over again. A blog like Darren Rowse' ProBlogger.net is filled with practical advice for bloggers. A blog like Darren Rowse 'ProBlogger.net is filled with practical advice for Bloggers. You can spend hours going through Darren's archives. You can spend hours going through Darren's archives. The addictive Life Hacker blog recommends ideas and software to help us all become more productive. The addictive Life Hacker blog recommends software and ideas to help us all become more Productive. A new favorite is Lara Ferroni's Still Life with... blog about food photography. A new favorite is Lara Ferroni's Still Life with ... a blog about food photography. With each of these examples, the content doesn't expire the day it is written, but remains valuable to readers for months or even years. With each of these examples, the content does not expire the day it is written, but remains valuable to readers for months or even years.

You don't have to write about celebrity gossip to be entertaining. You do not have to write about celebrity gossip to be entertaining. One of the most popular blogs on the planet is Heather Armstrong's Dooce . One of the most popular blogs on the planet is Heather Armstrong's Dooce. What Heather writes about (constipation, Mormon jokes, her kid) is hardly useful, nor even timely, but it is highly entertaining. Heather writes about what (Constipation, Mormon jokes, her kid) is hardly useful, nor even timely, but it is highly entertaining. The same could be said for Cute Overload , Durham Township , Post Secret , and ZeFrank . The same could be said for Cute overload, Durham Township, Post Secret, and ZeFrank.

Regarding timeliness, I would argue that sites like Engaget and Boing Boing succeed not only because of the breadth of content they deliver, but the fact that usually you can hear it from them first. Regarding timeliness, I would argue that sites like Engaget and Boing Boing succeed not only because of the breadth of content they deliver, but the fact that you can usually hear it from them first. They get the scoops on interesting products and net happenings. They get the scoops on interesting products and happenings net. Blogs covering news , sports , and stocks all rely on time-based information. Blogs covering news, sports, and stocks all rely on time-based information. Political sites like Wonkette are timely as well as entertaining, and if politics is your life, probably useful as well. Political sites like Wonkette are timely as well as entertaining, and if politics is your life, probably useful as well.

What should you emphasize - utility, entertainment, or timeliness? What should you emphasize - utilities, entertainment, or timeliness? It all depends on what you like to do, what you are good at doing, and how much time you are willing to commit. It all depends on what you like to do, what you are good at doing, and how much time you are willing to commit. To have a successful blog that relies on timely information, you need to devote a lot of time to updating your content, probably several times a day. To have a successful blog that relies on timely information, you need to devote a lot of time to update your content, probably several times a day. I read somewhere that the guy from Engaget starts his day at 6 am and puts in at least 10-12 hours a day in front of his computer. I read somewhere that the guy from Engaget starts his day at 6 am and puts in at least 10-12 hours a day in front of his computer. To be entertaining, you have to be, well, really entertaining. Some people are talented writers , most are not. To be entertaining, you have to be, well, really entertaining. Some people are talented writers, most are not. Some people are brilliant and looney and you could watch them all day , most are not. Some people are brilliant and looney, and you could watch them all day, most are not. Some people are wickedly creative . Some people are wickedly creative. Personally I don't like to write and I don't even pretend to be entertaining, so I stick with the third category, usefulness. Personally I do not like to write and I do not even pretend to be entertaining, so I stick with the third category, usefulness.

Focus
Blogs become popular by attracting the attention of other Bloggers with similar interests who link to them. The more you focus on a subject the more likely you are to attract readers and other bloggers who care about that subject. The more you focus on a subject the more likely you are to attract readers and other Bloggers who care about that subject. If you care about building an audience, it's better to have a blog about gardening, and only gardening, than it is to have a blog about gardening, movie reviews, political commentary, and astrology. If you care about building an audience, it's better to have a blog about gardening, and only gardening, than it is to have a blog about gardening, movie reviews, political Commentary, and astrology. Unless the movies, political commentary, and astrology entries are actually about gardening. Unless the movies, political Commentary, astrology, and entries are actually about gardening. (When the moon transits Venus later this month, Aquarians will be advised to plant tulips.) (When Venus transits the moon later this month, Aquarians will be advised to plant Tulips.)

Post Frequently, But Not At The expense Of Quality

Conventional wisdom states that one should post a new blog entry at least once a day. Conventional wisdom states that one should post a new blog entry at least once a day. I don't agree with this. I do not agree with this. For the most part, frequent posting is better than infrequent posting, but not at the expense of the quality of the posts. For the most part, frequent posting is better than infrequent posts, but not at the expense of the quality of the posts. We all have limited time and most of us would rather spend it reading things worthwhile than entries with little substance that were obviously put up just to fulfill some arbitrary "post everyday" rule. We all have limited time and most of us would rather spend it reading things worthwhile than entries with little substance that were obviously put up just to fulfill some arbitrary "post out" rule. Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks updates her blog once or twice a week. Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks updates her blog once or twice a week. 101 Cookbooks is a gorgeous blog, well written, with beautiful photography. 101 Cookbooks is a gorgeous blog, well written, with beautiful photography. Heidi gets thousands of visitors each day to her site, and she is one of the most highly ranked food blogs in Technorati. Heidi gets thousands of visitors each day to her site, and she is one of the most highly ranked food blogs in Technorati. If you only post once a month, don't expect thousands of readers. If you only post once a month, do not expect thousands of readers. But unless you have a blog that depends on producing timely information, eg a news blog, you simply do not have to post every day. But unless you have a blog that depends on producing timely information, eg a news blog, you simply do not have to post every day. Actually, when I start feeling pressure to update my main blog every day it sort of takes the fun out the process and the blog begins to feel burdensome. Actually, when I start feeling pressure to update my blog every day play it sort of takes the fun out the blog and the process begins to feel burdensome. I know when I start feeling resentful of my blog that it's time to take a break. I know when I start feeling resentful of my blog that it's time to take a break. Usually a few days away does the trick. Usually a few days away does the trick.

Posting more than once a day may actually have a negative effect on blog popularity. Post more than once a day may actually have a negative effect on blog popularity. As Erik Kintz discusses in his Why Blog Post Frequency Does Not Matter Anymore post, too much posting can lead to "RSS fatigue". As Erik Kintz discusses in his Why Blog Post Frequency Does Not Matter Anymore post, too much can lead to post "RSS fatigue." People remove you from their feed subscriptions because they are tired of sorting through all your posts to get to the good ones. People remove you from their feed Subscriptions because they are tired of sorting through all your posts to get to the good ones.

Use Images and Photographs Use Images and class
This may seem like a trivial suggestion, but let's face it. We are visual creatures. We are visual creatures. We respond well to beautiful images. We respond well to beautiful images. Even the Wall St. Even the Wall St. Journal now has color and photographs throughout its pages, for a reason - people want them. Journal now has color and class throughout its pages, for a reason - people want them. Graphics and photos can help to accent or illustrate your points. Graphics and photos can help to accent or illustrate your points. They also break up the monotony of text, and give relief to eyes tired of reading online. They also break up the monotony of text, and give relief to eyes tired of reading online. If you use graphics or photos, make sure they are high quality. If you use graphics or photos, make sure they are high quality. Don't take them from other sites unless you have clear permission from the site author. Do not take them from other sites unless you have clear permission from the site author. Invest in software (eg Photoshop) and a decent digital camera, preferably an SLR (ie the Canon Rebel or the Nikon D70). Invest in software (eg Photoshop) and a decent digital camera, preferably an SLR (ie the Canon Rebel or the Nikon D70). Take as much care with the quality of your images as you do with the quality of your writing. Take as much care with the quality of your images as you do with the quality of your writing. Which reminds me... Which reminds me ...

Write Well Write Well

Writing is a craft, a skill that improves with practice. Writing is a craft, a skill that improves with practice. Some people are great writers; most of us struggle to be simply proficient. Some people are great writers, most of us simply struggle to be proficient. Help your readers by not rambling - get to your point. Help your readers by not rambling - get to your point. Punctuate. Punctuate. Capital letters exist for a reason. Capital letters exist for a reason. Check for spelling and grammatical errors and typos. Check for spelling and grammatical errors and typos. Proofread before you post. Proofread before you post. After you post, read it again, just to be sure, and correct then any mistakes. After you post, read it again, just to be sure, and then correct any mistakes. Keep it simple. Keep it simple.

Consider Headlines Consider Headlines

Most professional marketers-turned-bloggers I know promote the use of imaginative, eye-catching headlines in blog posts. Most professional marketers-turned-Bloggers I know promote the use of imaginative, eye-CATCHING headlines in blog posts. Personally, I think this tip is overrated. Personally, I think this tip is overrated. I'm more concerned that the headlines contain keywords in them that will be picked up by the search engines (more on that in a future post). I'm more concerned that the headlines contain keywords in them that will be picked up by the search engines (more on that in a future post). In most situations, I want the headline to clearly indicate what is in the blog entry. In most situations, I want the headline to clearly indicate what is in the blog entry. If however, your blog is more oriented toward being timely and entertaining, and you aren't particularly concerned about traffic from search engines, then a snappy headline makes a lot of sense. If however, your blog is more oriented toward being timely and entertaining, and you are not particularly concerned about traffic from search engines, then a snappy headline makes a lot of sense.

Make Us Care Make Us Care

On building blog traffic, your blog needs to be about something that some people, somewhere, care about. As I mentioned in the introduction to this post series on building blog traffic, your blog needs to be about something that some people, somewhere, care about. No one's going to give a hoot about your blog unless you care passionately about it first. No one's going to give a hoot about your blog unless you care passionately about it first. When you feel passionate about your subject, it will be reflected in your writing. When you feel passionate about your subject, it will be reflected in your writing. It is the energy, care, and attention that you bring to your subject (or anything for that matter) that will inspire others to take notice and to come back. It is the energy, care and attention that you bring to your subject (or anything for that matter) that will inspire others to take notice and to come back.

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How to Build Blog Traffic - Intro

You spend hours, days, weeks, months writing, photographing, Uploading, editing your blog. At the end of the day you hope that someone (or more than a few someones) takes the time to read it. At the end of the day you hope that someone (or more than a few something) takes the time to read it. One would think that it is pretty obvious the steps one must take to build an audience, or build traffic to one's blog; you have to have great content, right? One would think that it is pretty obvious the steps one must take to build an audience, or build traffic to one's blog, you have to have great content, right? But less obvious are the roles that community and technology play in increasing your blog audience. But less obvious are the roles that community and technology play in increasing your blog's audience.

writing up a series of posts about all the different things you can do to increase traffic to your blog - content, site traffic - what it is and how to measure , the stats you should care about, how people find your site, Google, search engines, and SEO, site design, RSS, community, and tags. The three main themes that we'll see over and over again are content, community, and technology. The three main themes that we'll see over and over again are content, community, and technology.

Content
If you don't start with good content, you can pretty much ignore everything else. If you do not start with good content, you can pretty much ignore everything else. But what defines "good content"? But what defines "good content"? Do you really have to post every day, or even several times a day? Do you really have to post every day, or even several times a day? If you are just starting out, what should your blog be about? If you are just starting out, what should your blog be about?

Community Community
The number one thing you can do to increase your audience, after producing brilliant content of course, is to engage the community of people who might possibly care about what you are writing. The number one thing you can do to increase your audience, after producing brilliant content of course, is to Engage the community of people who might possibly care about what you are writing. By the way, engaging a community doesn't mean asking for link exchanges. By the way, engaging a community does not mean asking for link exchanges. It does mean actively linking to, commenting on, and participating in events on the weblogs of others who share a common interest. It does mean actively linking to, commenting on, and participating in events on the weblogs of others who share a common interest. This linking becomes even more important when we dive into technology and the role of search engines. This linking becomes even more important when we Dive into technology and the role of search engines.

Technology Technology
Your blog traffic consists of people who already know about your blog and have visited it before, and people who have found your blog somehow and are coming there for the first time. Your blog's traffic consists of people who already know about your blog and have visited it before, and people who have found your blog somehow and are coming there for the first time. Understanding and properly using technologies such as RSS, SEO, and tags can greatly accelerate the number of people finding your blog for the first time. Understanding and properly using technologies such as RSS, SEO, tags, and can greatly accelerate the number of people finding your blog for the first time. If they like what they see, they'll come back, especially if you make it easy for them. If they like what they see, they'll come back, especially if you make it easy for them. But they do need to find you in the first place, and using available web technologies appropriately can help this along. But they do need to find you in the first place, and using available web technologies appropriately can help this along.

Passion Passion
Your blog needs to be about something that some people, somewhere, care about. Your blog needs to be about something that some people, somewhere, care about. And no one's going to give a hoot about your blog unless you care passionately about it first. And no one's going to give a hoot about your blog unless you care passionately about it first. If you have something to say, say it well, and concern yourself about not only the blog but the people reading it too, the strategies that will be reviewed in this series will help you grow your audience. If you have something to say, say it well, and concern yourself about not only the blog but the people reading it too, the strategies that will be Reviewed in this series will help you grow your audience. Otherwise, who cares? Otherwise, who cares?

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