Are you a blogger who pumps out awesome content weekly and is still puzzled about why people aren’t flocking to your site?
Do you bust your tail honing every post to the last detail and clock hours on social media like a boss still to see no engagement from readers?
Don’t give up! I’m Jelli from Jellibean Journals, a veteran blogger who’s #1 excuse for skipping the housework is learning the top tips for marketing websites. I’m excited to be a contributor here at RTSH and to guide you toward building a loyal readership today.
You’re not alone. We’ve all been there. You didn’t think top bloggers like Brian Clark just magically created fan bases and got ridiculous numbers of meaningful comments overnight, right? Let me tell you, it takes work, serious intentional networking and interaction to create authentic relationships online and build a loyal readership.
The number one tip to build a loyal readership is CONNECTION.
Let’s talk about blog community. What is it that you want? What does your ideal readership look like? Do you want a huge number of subscribers? A few loyal and insightful like-minded commenters? Ms. Superblogger among your blogging besties?
What is it that you want?
No matter what your ideal blog community scenario is, you can work toward reaching that goal through developing personal relationships with your readers. Real, meaningful interactions, even just within your own website will gain readers’ trust, boost your credibility within your niche, and grow your audience beyond your wildest dreams.
No social media required.
That’s a pretty bold claim. Now, before you start biting off my head, let me explain. We’re constantly bombarded with posts like How to Max Out Your Site for Pinterest, Boost Twitter Traffic, and learning the ropes of G+. It’s important to interact with readers on social media BUT… you’ve got to start by building your own brand of personality and authenticity right in your own backyard, that is, on your website. For more of blog tips to pump up your site click here to sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter.
We want to know you, to know we can trust what you’ve got to say, to know that our thoughts matter.
All you’ve gotta do is connect.
Thoughtfully reply to comments. Thank readers who consistently share your content. Respond to emails within a few days. Go the extra mile and share helpful links with readers who want to dig deeper into what you’ve got to say.
Details matter!
Going above and beyond the status quo to connect on a personal level with each reader is what’s going to drive you traffic and build a loyal readership. Give them more than what they asked for, but mean it. We can all spot a phony a mile away. Do your best to give your best to your readers and they will come back time and time again introducing new friends to your site and promoting the heck outta your work.
Be authentic. Connect. Build the loyal readership of your dreams! {Tweet this!}
If you’ve got burning questions about growing and marketing your blog, be sure to contact me on Twitter. In the meantime jump-start your site growth. Follow my Grow Your Blog on Pinterest for must-have blogging resources.
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Jennifer, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a note. It’s wonderful that you’re an engaged blogger. I try my best to visit my commentors blogs but sometimes l just cannot find the time no matter how much I plan.You know, although it seems counterintuitive, some studies have shown that when monetizing your site (if that’s a goal of yours) it’s better to have a small, but highly responsive audience than a big list of follower-lurkers.
Connections are pretty important when growing your blog, as you mention. You could choose a blogger you admire within your niche and make yourself known to them. Comment on their posts, interact on social media…They’ll begin to notice you, and in time may even stop by, say hello, and share your work too.
Hope you have a fabulous weekend and keep up the amazing work!
thank you for stopping by Jennifer! jelli wrote a VERY encouraging post, and it’s nice to see that it’s something simple we can all do to build more loyal readers! I have so much to learn myself!
Jennifer and Jelli,
Thank you so much for your comments. This is so helpful to me. I recently started my blog about 1 month ago for our business. We sell decorative and artistic Baby and Wedding Time Capsules, with special and memorable paperwork and profile booklet of the baby or couple. You can check them out. These are great, unique gifts that are truly lasting. They even have “Message to the Future” letters for family and friends to fill leave tips, advice, where you see the child or couple in the future, funny stories, etc….for the child or couple to read and laugh or cry over, years later when they open their time capsule.
I have been struggling learning about how to write entertaining, informative, and unique blogs. I am still learning who our audience is, if we even have an audience yet. The key is to keep trying and learning. That is why I thank you for you comments, which helped me learn more.
I have one main question: How did you get the link at the end of your comment to link to your latest blog for visitors of the comments to read? Thank you for any help.
You two are awesome.
Marcie Norton
The Original Time Capsule Co.
Marcie,
That’s a wordpress plugin called, Comment Luv!
Yep, that’s right, CommentLuv. There’s the plugin for WordPress blogs and another way to add it in if you’re on Blogger. Thank you so much for your sweet note, Marcie. If you’re looking for more great tips about reaching your audience and/or targeting them better, I’d recommend visiting blogclarity.com or hobbytohot.com. These ladies are superstars in that area!
Happy to add some new tips to your blogging arsenal, Abiiid. Thank you so much for stopping by this weekend.
I know what you mean, Caroline. It can be frustrating trying to pry the readers who keep silent out of the woodwork. One effective way to get readers to respond is to ask a provoking question or request they share their own experiences or advice at the end of the post. Who doesn’t love to share advice? Hope this helps you out. Don’t despair, every blogger faces the same dilemma from time to time.
I deal with that same challenge all the time myself! I’m horrible at engagement on my site! But, you’re going to get me over that hump, Jelli!
Thank you for the wonderful tips. I wholeheartedly believe building a loyal readership is all about authentic connections. It does not take me long to recognize when questions and comments are leading me down a rabbit hole to buy something I don’t want. Transparent dialogue is essential to building relationships. Thanks!
Julie
You’re spot-on, Julie! While I understand that bloggers do treat their work as a paying job most of the time, there’s no need to shove sales down the throats of customers. There’s no faster way to make readers leave! In fact, building a loyal readership through trust and serving the readers things that will actually improve their lives is a much better way to market and sell anyway. Thanks so much for stopping by!
So glad I clicked on this from over at Link Party Palooza. I was so focused on photography and content my first year+ that I didn’t read anything else about blogging, in terms of connection, link parties, etc. It took a face-to-face meeting, with another food blogger who happens to live in my community (Lemons for Lulu) for me to learn this part of it. I just followed your Grow Your Blog board on Pinterest. Thanks so much for sharing!
That’s great that you already made in person connection with another blogger. I actually belong to a group where Tanya is involved. Small world, right? Thank you so much for visiting and joining us on Pinterest. Have a beautiful week.
Melanie,
I have to agree with this post a lot. I do barely any actual social media activity (with Twitter being a solid exception!) I prefer to spend my time visiting and actually interacting with other bloggers such as yourself. I also respond to comments on my blogs as fast as I can too.
I share blogging tips on my blog too, but I still feel like a rookie in many ways even though I’ve been doing this for three years. However, I didn’t dig my fingers into it until this past year. Prior to that it was just for FUN.
I look forward to learning more from you.
That’s great that you’re sharing what you’ve learned about blogging, Crystal. I always feel like I need a disclaimer in these posts since like you, I didn’t take blogging seriously for such a long time. Glad you back up the info here and so happy to meet you this week. Hope you stop by for more blogging tips later this month!
Hi Jelli, Building a connection, isn’t that what it’s all about in all aspects of our daily lives? Work, personal, and blogging all require a connection. I agree with returning the favor and visiting the blogs of those that comment on yours. It makes complete sense. This may be a digital community but it is still a community and we should befriend one another in it. Thanks again for the great tips and post.
hi Jelli, I am really thrilled by your advice. I am a new kid on this block. i have been a little hard on myself lately. well I have to wait patiently to build a brand. thanks a lot.
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