5 Simple Rules to Building an Audience for Your New Blog
On the day you launch your new blog, you're excited, motivated, and bursting with ideas and possibilities.
You write a HUGE introductory post.
Maybe two others.
All on that first day.
Same deal on the second day.
Then...
it happens.
You miss a day.
Then another.
Then you write a post about how you're sorry you haven't posted in two days.
Meanwhile, nobody cares, because nobody's reading your blog! Don't feel bad.
Lots of new bloggers are in the same boat.
But you need to get off that boat as soon as possible.
You need to separate yourself from the crowd, develop discipline, and start writing posts that people actually want to read.
You need to build an audience by following these five simple rules: Rule #1: Be Unique Forget "Be Yourself.
" Being yourself doesn't require much thought or discipline.
Being unique does.
You don't have to reinvent the wheel, but you do have to have a certain amount of uniqueness to attract readers.
Whether it's the subject matter you choose to write about, the photos you post, or your crazy sense of humor, there has to be something that sets you apart.
The sooner you figure out your "something," the sooner you'll attract an audience.
And remember: audiences like performances, not lectures.
Rule #2: Post No Less Than 4 Times a Week Think of this as the "At Least Every Other Day" rule.
No one visits a blog that's updated once a week.
Blogging = Posting, and posting takes discipline.
If you can manage to write at least four posts per week (all on separate days), it means you're posting more than half the week, which is a great start.
You can build from there, but you can't expect to gain readers unless you meet this minimum requirement.
Rule #3: When Someone Comments, Comment Back The first comment you get from a complete stranger is very exciting.
Especially when it's intelligent and meaningful.
This may sound like obvious advice, but you'd be surprised how often bloggers don't take the time to respond in turn.
No matter how busy you are, you're never too busy to quickly respond with at least a "thank you.
" It makes a tremendous difference, and creates a loyal fan.
Rule #4: Reward Your Earliest Readers You know that rock band you "discovered?" The one you were a big fan of before they made it big? By paying special attention to the first few readers who visit your blog, you can be that rock band for them.
And they'll always be loyal fans if you treat them right.
Ask for their birthdays and remember them with a quick email.
Interview them and post their answers on you blog.
If you can engage as many readers as possible, so much the better, but be sure to make special efforts with your early ones.
They'll constantly sing your praises and help grow your readership.
Rule #5: Link to Your Readers' Blogs There's plenty of room on your blogroll for all your favorite sites, but unless your blog's called "Egomaniac," don't make the mistake of having a link list that's all about you.
Make it about your readers as well.
Lots of room for their sites too, and since they've been kind enough to visit and comment on yours, do the right (and savvy) thing: hook them up with a link.
They'll likely return the favor, which will help your page rankings in all the major search engines.
So there you have them.
Five simple rules to building an audience for your new blog.
Read them again, apply them, and before you know it, you'll be the net's newest rock star!
You write a HUGE introductory post.
Maybe two others.
All on that first day.
Same deal on the second day.
Then...
it happens.
You miss a day.
Then another.
Then you write a post about how you're sorry you haven't posted in two days.
Meanwhile, nobody cares, because nobody's reading your blog! Don't feel bad.
Lots of new bloggers are in the same boat.
But you need to get off that boat as soon as possible.
You need to separate yourself from the crowd, develop discipline, and start writing posts that people actually want to read.
You need to build an audience by following these five simple rules: Rule #1: Be Unique Forget "Be Yourself.
" Being yourself doesn't require much thought or discipline.
Being unique does.
You don't have to reinvent the wheel, but you do have to have a certain amount of uniqueness to attract readers.
Whether it's the subject matter you choose to write about, the photos you post, or your crazy sense of humor, there has to be something that sets you apart.
The sooner you figure out your "something," the sooner you'll attract an audience.
And remember: audiences like performances, not lectures.
Rule #2: Post No Less Than 4 Times a Week Think of this as the "At Least Every Other Day" rule.
No one visits a blog that's updated once a week.
Blogging = Posting, and posting takes discipline.
If you can manage to write at least four posts per week (all on separate days), it means you're posting more than half the week, which is a great start.
You can build from there, but you can't expect to gain readers unless you meet this minimum requirement.
Rule #3: When Someone Comments, Comment Back The first comment you get from a complete stranger is very exciting.
Especially when it's intelligent and meaningful.
This may sound like obvious advice, but you'd be surprised how often bloggers don't take the time to respond in turn.
No matter how busy you are, you're never too busy to quickly respond with at least a "thank you.
" It makes a tremendous difference, and creates a loyal fan.
Rule #4: Reward Your Earliest Readers You know that rock band you "discovered?" The one you were a big fan of before they made it big? By paying special attention to the first few readers who visit your blog, you can be that rock band for them.
And they'll always be loyal fans if you treat them right.
Ask for their birthdays and remember them with a quick email.
Interview them and post their answers on you blog.
If you can engage as many readers as possible, so much the better, but be sure to make special efforts with your early ones.
They'll constantly sing your praises and help grow your readership.
Rule #5: Link to Your Readers' Blogs There's plenty of room on your blogroll for all your favorite sites, but unless your blog's called "Egomaniac," don't make the mistake of having a link list that's all about you.
Make it about your readers as well.
Lots of room for their sites too, and since they've been kind enough to visit and comment on yours, do the right (and savvy) thing: hook them up with a link.
They'll likely return the favor, which will help your page rankings in all the major search engines.
So there you have them.
Five simple rules to building an audience for your new blog.
Read them again, apply them, and before you know it, you'll be the net's newest rock star!