Blogging for Profit - Part 4

Yesterday, I talked about making your blog more visitor-friendly. Today, I want to talk a bit about boosting your blog traffic. If you want to make more than a few dollars a month blogging, increasing your blog's traffic and readership is the best way to do so. 

1) Read Blog by Hugh Hewitt. This is my number one recommendation to all bloggers, especially beginning bloggers. Check your library if you'd rather not buy it.

2) Pick a topic. The biggest impact Hewitt's book had upon me was to pick a focus for my blogs and to try and stay on track with those. When you come to this blog, you have a good idea what you are going to get. I love blogging and I love saving money, so meshing the two together into a blog called MoneySavingMom was perfect for me.

When you pick a focus for your blog, try to go with something that is broad enough to encompass what you are passionate about and broad enough to have a large enough market for it. Also, aim for something which you think you could write about for years and never tire of. 

3) Write often. One of the best ways to boost your blog traffic is just to blog. If you are trying to increase your traffic and readership, I recommend you spend the bulk of your time improving your blog and adding content to your blog. Updating your blog at least three times per week helps you establish a regular readership. When people know you almost always post everyday or every other day, they are more likely to visit your blog more frequently. 

4) Write well. I don't claim to be a "good writer" but I do try to at least follow basic grammar rules, avoid repetition, and abstain from typographical errors (though I do make those regularly if a post is typed somewhat in haste!).

After you type up a post, read over it before posting it, and then check it again after you've posted it to make sure it posted correctly (sometimes fonts or layout will be haywire and your audience will appreciate you for fixing this before they read it). 

How do you learn to write well? Well, write. :) That's one of the best ways to learn. The more you write and have people critique your writing, the more your writing will improve. In addition, read well-written blogs and books. Over time, by filling your mind with good writing and constantly practicing your writing skills, your writing will invariably improve. 

Write often, write well, and have an eye-pleasing blog and you'll never have a problem having some traffic--probably an ever-increasing amount of traffic.

Not only will you find that writing often and writing well allows viral marketing begins to take effect (someone finds your blog, likes it, links to it, and then their friend clicks on the link thus finding your blog, likes it, and links to it and on and on it goes), but you will also notice that you start getting picked up in search engines.

Having search engines (i.e. Google) find your blog is one great way to easily drive more traffic to your blog. In fact, this is where I get probably 30% of my blog visitors from--many of whom find my blogs initially through a search engine search. They like what they see and start regularly visiting my blog. The more content you have with relevant search terms and the more often you write, the more readily search engines will turn up your blog in search results.

5) Link frequently and liberally. If you find another post which you liked or found interesting, link to it! The blogger will love you for it and just might return the favor sometime. In addition, link to and promote blogs you like. Not only is this a great way to show appreciation to a blogger but it will often land you on their blogroll as well.

Here are a few other ideas - some are things I've done, some I've heard work well: 

-Join blogging "leagues"--there are thousands of these and I'm sure a few would be a fit for you.

-Put a link to your blog in your email signature.

-Send the link to one of your best posts out to friends and family. Or, be pro-active and send it to some of the widely-read bloggers whom you think might be interested

-Submit posts to Carnivals--Again, there are thousands of these and I've heard that participating really boosts your traffic and introduces your blog to many who have probably not heard of you before.

-Comment on other blogs--well-written regular comments on blogs can often bring a nice stream of traffic your way. But please, pretty please, do not leave comments just to get people to your blog. Comments which sound like an infomercial for your blog or which serve no purpose other than to try and get people to click over to your blog are not something most bloggers or blog readers appreciate. Join in the discussion, share something helpful and thought-provoking, and you'll likely find other people will wander over to check out your own blog as a result.

For a more exhaustive list of ideas, check out Super Blogging's post on 75 Ways To Increase Your Site's Traffic. 

How do you know where traffic is coming from? Install a Sitemeter or Statcounter on your blog. It's free and easy to do, and then you can have real-time visitor information. I highly recommend you do this from the get-go as it is not only exciting to watch your traffic count, it also gives you the ability to figure out what is working and what is not working as you can track where visitors are coming from.

 For those of you who blog, what are your best tips for boosting your blog traffic? Share them in the comments section.

Comments

[Lisa Merriman]

Thank you for these excellent tips! As a new blogger, these are very helpful!

As I mentioned in my first post, you were one of the bloggers that inspired me to finally get off my hiney and start blogging!

[Jessica Gerhart]

Being a VERY new blogger, I really appreciate these posts and look forward to reading all the links you included. (I've already placed the book you recommended on hold at the library!) I have no words of wisdom, only wanted to say "thank you"...

[Laurie]

I've been blogging for 5 years or so. One problem I constantly face is the seduction of time online verses doing what I should be doing in the home. Also, I find when I blog consistently that I start living my blog. it's in my head all of the time...ideas for posts, reactions I receive, etc. Given that tendency, would you suggest not using a blog as a means of income because it makes this more difficult? or better yet, is there a way you could suggest to keep it in it's proper place in my schedule, but also my heart?

[Emily Sims]

One question I have about putting yourself on a search engine is that people you don't know can see your personal stuff. Should I set up a different blog with things that aren't so personal (i.e. names of my kids, pics of them, etc.)??
I really want to get myself out there, but I'm conflicted between that and wanting privacy for my family... any suggestions?

[Jan]

I'm loving these posts. I'm also new to blogging and want to have a blog that is of interest to others. I feel you are making such a difference to so many. I'd love to be that kind of person too. Thanks for your inspiration and all your ideas. They've been extremely helpful!

[brandy]

Thank you for taking the time to post this for newbies like me!

[Amiyrah]

thanks for the link to the sitemeter....I always wondered how bloggers knew how many hits they received and where they came from. BTW, I am loving this series :o)

[Cara]

I am really enjoying this series. I just started a blog and did not realize you could make money doing it. I appreciate all of your helpful insight. I also installed the Sitemeter today, after your recommendation. I think that will be fun to see if people are actually reading my blog, because as of now, I get very few comments. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience in this area!

[Crystal]

I'm still new to blogging, actually just started yesterday. I like that my grandmother in Washington State (who is not very computer savvy) is able to get on and see pictures and videos of my family (In GA) with relative ease. I love all that you have to say about bringing traffic, and like the previous poster, I am a little concerned about it monopolizing too much of my day. It's quite fun and addicting I must say. But I guess the easiest way to bring traffic is to just be yourself and make friends everywhere you go. Not necessarily hard core trying to bring traffic is it? But, I'm not in it for the glory...lol

[Christina]

Although I don't yet have a BIG list of readers, I would say I HAVE improved my readership over time by promoting my site to friends and by leaving frequent, meaningful comments on ALL of the sites I regularly read.

Nothing new or different than your post, just an agreement with your words of wisdom :o)

[Sarah]

Crystal,
Thanks for the good ideas!

I started a gluten free on a budget blog after being inspired by you. Thanks for all you do. And have a great vacation!

[Rebekah]

Thank you so much for this series, Crystal! I blog mainly for my many out of state friends and family, but I love to write and your last few posts have really started me thinking about expanding my horizons. Again, thank you for all that you do here.
Rebekah

[Dana]

You have some awesome ideas here. To me the most important is to be yourself. My blog is just about me - and my quirky life.

One tool I do use (and love!) is http://www.google.com/analytics/ I love looking at stats. I can see where things I did well and not so well.

Dana

[Jennifer]

You've inspired me to start blogging! I just taught a group of elementary and high school teachers about blogs for use in their classrooms, but I'm now ready to take the plunge myself. I appreciate your insight about streamlining your content and posting often. I am now on the lookout for high-quality blogs to model mine after. I know it will be unique, but I want to study the best. Any suggestions that you can share would be fantastic.

[Danielle]

Thank you very much for the helpful hints. Being that I started my blog 2 days ago I have alot to learn.

[Jaycie]

Thank you so much for the info. on SiteMeter! I just started my blog and I wasn't sure if anyone was reading it. Now I'll know. This afternoon,I got a few emails from my friends saying that they liked it and one of them is buying Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover book! I was soo excited! I'm only blogging for fun and so my family/friends can catch some deals,too. But knowing that one of them may read Dave's book and have an eye-opening experience like me is just fantastic! Thanks for being so inspiring! I tell your website to anyone that will listen! :O)

[Natalie]

I did it! I started a blog that I have been dreaming up for a long time now. The technical aspects of template, links, headers, etc. have been challenging to me. I have high hopes though. THANKS CRYSTAL.

[Stephanie Glidden]

I'm not sure what a blogging league is?

[Megryansmom]

I started a new blog this week, just about this and that. Thanks for the great tips, added Sitemeter today.

[Dana]

I agree that leaving (useful) comments on blogs that I frequent has been great for bringing more traffic to my blog.

I agree with a previous comment that I find the most difficult thing about blogging is making the time for it! My daughter's nap times are great for blogging- but also for getting things done around the house. How do you manage?

[Gina]

What a GREAT series! Thanks Crystal. You are very inspirational to us "newbies".

[Trixie]

Hello Crystal

One of the main reasons I have enjoyed both of your blogs is that you blog from a personal perspective. Reading your posts leaves me with the feeling of "I just got to meet you!" and that's pretty neat.

When I blog, that's the feeling I try to give my readers too.

Take Care,

Trixie

[Lindsay]

Just want to say thanks...I have been told numerous times I should try blogging for profit, but it wasn't until I was turned on to your blog and your recent posts that I decided to just do it. I had an idea in my head for awhile, and now that its all set up, I'm going to be doing something I love to do anyhow--write--in a capacity that might allow me to earn money while at the same time not taking away (too much:) from my fulltime job as a mom!

[Jenna]

Thanks for all the helpful tips! I have recently revamped my blog and I will become more active on it, not sure if I will every make money with it, but just for fun.

[Pam]

I love the little bits of advice in each installation of this series. It helps me make improvements one at a time instead of being overwhelmed. I installed sitemeter today and I'm going to check out Blog at the library - it has been on my "wish" list but I just haven't gotten around to checking it out.

[Angela]

Thank you for posting tips about blogging. They have been very helpful! I know a few bloggers that would be interested in your tips. I am going let them know!

Thanks Again!

Angela

[cici]

i'm no expert at blogging - but bloggers should POST PICTURES! a computer screen full of words - even broken into short paragraphs is not very easy on the eyes.

[Crystal H.]

Hey Crystal, I love this series as well! I am about to install this sitemeter so I can see where the visitors to my Site for Teachers are coming from, so I can better help them. Thanks!
Crystal