How to Get Blog Followers like the Pied Piper of Hamelin!
There are countless blogs on the internet. Some good, many bad and a few that are indifferent. What is it that makes those good blogs stand out from the rest and what can you do to ensure that your blog breaks into the elite and gets followers, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin? In simple terms the answer to the question is you need to learn how to play the right tune.
Why do You Need to Know How to Get Blog Followers?
Before you start a blog you need to understand your purpose for doing so. Is it:
- to make money through content marketing so you can drive traffic to a product or service?
- so you can increase brand awareness for your company?
- to gain feedback from your loyal following that will help your marketing endeavours moving forward?
- purely for recreational purposes?
- to highlight your expertise in a given area or field?
Whatever your purpose you need to have a clear picture of your end goal in mind before you blog, as without that focus your words will be lost in a sea of competing blogs and simply get washed away. Even with the crystal clear clarity of your end goal the path to success is not guaranteed.
Know you have clarified the purpose of the blog you need to consider the following;
Content is King
In order for your blog to be taken seriously you need to produce compelling content that people want to read. If your content is sub standard, it provides no value, is not educational, entertaining or enlightening then people will move on.
There is no room for mediocrity you need to take the time and patience to learn how to blog effectively;
Pick the right subject matter
Check, double check and even triple check the readability of your content before publishing.
Think about including other media formats such as video, images, info graphics.
If you can do this while keeping it fresh and your message compelling then you will keep your reader engaged to the final full stop and the call to action.
Post Regularly
One of the main reason long running sitcoms gain and keep their popularity is because people know what time they will be on. People get conditioned to know that on Tuesday and Thursday a new episode will be aired and they then fit this into their plans.
Set a timeline and stick to it. Even better, broadcast when you will be publishing new content so you are held accountable by your readership if you don’t publish.
Invite Comments
Ask questions, be controversial or open up a debate. These are great ways that you can get people to start commenting on your posts. Don’t be offended if you don’t get any comments, think back to times when you have been in training or a seminar and the organizer has asked for questions and everyone waits until somebody else goes first as they don’t want to look stupid.
You are not going to look stupid. Say what you think. If you think the post is good, let the writer know and why. If you disagree with a point then let the author know, if you think there is something else that could add value to the blog or the topic then add it.
With all that in mind if you would like to leave a comment to let me know exactly what you think of this post then please do so. I won’t be offended. Honest!
Display Your Social Signals
By letting new readers to your blog know that there is already a community who read and are engaged with your blog people will feel more comfortable.
For example on the right hand side of my blog I have my Facebook page, my Twitter feed and my YouTube channel displaying some of the fans and followers that are engaged with my blog.
Do the same on your blog; promote your blog in as many ways as possible. Make people feel that they are part of something bigger. Give those new readers the opportunity to connect with you in as many ways as possible.
Give a Gift
Give your potential loyal reader the opportunity to claim a free gift to keep them connected with your blog
- A training series based on how to overcome a common problem in your niche
- An EBook outlining and dispelling common myths in your industry
- A step by step How to video
Learning how to get more blog followers is about giving INCREDIBLE value. The more value you can give to your audience, the greater the chance you have of building those long term connections and satisfying the purpose of you going through the trials and tribulations of starting a blog in the first place.
About
James Debono is a small business owner and Internet entrepreneur. James dedicates his time to helping other small business owners leverage the power of the Internet to drive business growth and positive change. Click here Join James Debono on Google+
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This is a fantastic post! I agree that we must understand the importance of gaining clarity about our blogging experience. Thank you for sharing extremely valuable tips and strategies to help us make a positive impact in the marketplace. Continued success to you!
Kadena Tate recently posted..The Invisible Entrepreneur
Hi Kadena,
I appreciate your positive comment and I hope the comments will add value to your blogging experience.
Regards,
James
Just like to start by saying thanks… You are the first person I have found with all the info I needed to help get my blog out there. I was kinda skeptical to try blogging but I think this gonna suit me very well!
Thanks,
L.Crain
Hi Luke,
Glad it helped and Good luck.
James