Blogs are at the core of content marketing. And content is what drives the internet. Blogging can create an online presence for you for both personal and business reasons. And, depending on what platform you use, you can even start by building your blog for free and begin posting content right away.
But, what good is that content if no one is reading it? For that, you need traffic.
Of all the successful blogs on the Internet, hundreds more have failed because they simply couldn't get anyone over to their sites to read their content. Running a blog is like running a business website. Unless you are willing to put the time in and treat it seriously, you won’t be blogging for actual readers.
Now that's not to say that failed bloggers weren’t serious about blogging. But, for the most part, new bloggers aren’t prepared for the work that goes into creating a successful blog. Just building the blog and posting doesn’t mean that people will necessary come to you. You pursue the audience and give them a reason to see what you have to say.
Here are ten ideas to bring in the traffic your blog needs to survive.
1. Fresh Content
No one wants to visit a blog day after day and see the same posts. Update your blog content at least twice a week. This will be easier if you write several posts ahead of time and upload them at the appropriate times.
2. Article Marketing
The niche you’ve chosen for your blog is one that interests you. If it is interesting you will spend more time doing it. Create content not only for your blog but also to be submitted to article directories. Use the resource box to advertise your blog so people can find you.
3. Social Media
These sites are everywhere. Join Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest or a dozen others and make connections. You can join groups of likeminded people who are also bloggers or entrepreneurs.
4. Viral Marketing
This is where you spread the word about your blog. Talk to friends, family and even strangers. Give out business cards that have your blog address on them.
5. Use RSS Feeds
RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” Readers can subscribe to your feed and get email updates when new content is posted. It is an easy way for them to keep up with your blog without spending all day online.
6. Submit Blog to Search Engines
Doing this allows your blog to be ranked. Google and Yahoo! are two of the most popular search engines you want to crawl your blog pages. It doesn’t guarantee top ranking, though. You’ll have to do a little more work for that.
7. Joining Forums
As a blogger you are a budding entrepreneur. Right now you are marketing yourself to find traffic and then profit. Become a member of business forums, work at home forums and others to meet new people and share ideas. You can add a link to your blog in the signature line so others can find you.
8. Visit other blogs
Show your appreciation to those who visit you by also posting comments on their blogs. It is a kindness that shows others you are not just out to advertise your blog alone. Add links to your blog in your comments.
9. Search Engine Marketing
Whatever you write, use relevant keywords. Keyword density between three and ten percent is good for getting higher page rankings in search engines. Base your keywords on a research you do to find the most popular words used in search engines for your niche.
10. Social Bookmarking
Submitting posts to social bookmarking sites allows others who are members of those sites to track you back to your blog.
Bonus Idea: Keep Moving Forward
Using any of these ideas will start the traffic moving in your direction. It takes time but you will build the readership you want. But if you like to get even MORE advanced help, download your free copy of the “Compelling Content Checklist.”
Listen, if you’re conducting any part of your business or marketing online, you want to be creating articles and blog posts that are compelling and profitable for you. And you want to do it with ease and efficiency. That’s where the “Compelling Content Checklist” comes in. It will help you generate great content using a proven formula. You can access your own copy here.
