Dear Shauntelle,
I’m a novelist and just started a blog because… well, everybody has one! I’ve written about 10 posts so far, but I’ve only had a handful of readers. How do I get people to read myblog? — L.S. in Texas
Hello L.S.,
First of all, welcome to the blogosphere! You have just joined the largest social network that exists on the interwebs. Getting started is easy. Sign up for a free service like WordPress, Blogger, or Typepad, follow the get started wizard, type your first post, and hit publish. Easy.
The hard part happens after you start writing. It’s a funny thing, even if you start a blog purely for your own enjoyment, after a while you want an audience. As a novelist, L.S., your blog can be a great promotional tool, allowing you to connect and build loyalty with your readers. First, however, you have to let them know your blog exists.
The key to building your blog readership is to remember that the blogosphere is a social network. Sure, you can buy ad space on Google, or pay for banner buttons on other, more popular blogs. Those are definitely viable ways to attract an audience. What works best however, is jumping in and getting to know (and be known by) other bloggers. You do this by reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.
There’s a right and a wrong way to do this. The right way involves actually researching until you find blogs which you 1) honestly enjoy, and 2) reach the audience that you are trying to reach with your blog. Read these blogs and add your thoughts to the conversations they start by participating in the comments. When you add your comments, it’s generally acceptable to add your name and your blog’s address. This is how other interested readers will find you and your blog.
The wrong way is to spam other bloggers with announcements about your blog. Or to spam their comments section by making inappropriate or irrelevant comments just to advertise your website. Bloggers are generally a friendly bunch, but if you overstep this way, you WILL suffer a backlash for it.
The most important thing I can tell you is to make sure you provide readers with a reason to visit and return to your blog. Update it regularly with useful and interesting content. While your blog can be a great promotional tool, no one wants to visit a blog that’s basically an ongoing advertisement.
Finally, once you’ve established a rhythm for updating, and gotten a feel for your style of blogging, take the time to add your blog to blog directories. Additionally, consider joining a blogging group (or webring), a community of bloggers who share and blog about a common interest.
A lot of work can go into having a popular and successful blog. This advice should get you start. Check out the following links for additional information:
- Shining examples: Dooce, GapingVoid, SFgirlbyBay, Shake Your Beauty, The Sartorialist, whatiwore2day
- Interesting blog groups: Designers who blog, Blogging Mommies, The Craft Mafia Web Ring
- Sample blog directories: Technorati, Blog Catalog, Delightful blogs
- Advice on blogging: How to get traffic to your blog (Seth Godin), How to Get 53% More Readers for Every Blog Post You Write (Copyblogger), 20 Tips for Good Blogging (Writer’s Digest)
Good luck L.S.! See you around the blogosphere.
