Blogs. They're everywhere and it seems like everyone is writing one while trying to find a "new angle" to gain your attention.
But what if you have a blog and no one comes...or comments? Does that mean you should give up? Try a new approach? Do more promo to gain interest?
I take time to think about what I'll write, hoping I'll have some new words of interest to catch a reader's attention. I promo my blog and try to make the title "catchy".
So...what else can be done to gain readers? Suggestions?
http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net
Photos: Flickr: alamodestuff, Kristina B., Sean MacEntee's photostreams.
It's my belief that the blog is sort of past it's sell by date unless you were one of the lucky ones who established yourself early (like, say, before 2008). In this day and age of watching "Live streams" on Facebook, Twitter book pitches and Wattpad, I'm not 100% sure how to increase readership. But what I've been told by others (and try to do) is: Be consistent (blog regularly, even on the same day each week). Be relevant (duh, but what's THAT anymore?). Support OTHER bloggers by reading, sharing and commenting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comment above. I think blogs are past their hay day. The truly successful ones are well-established from the time when blogs were big or have a unique take on things that you can't find on other blogs.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've heard from friends who do blog, be sure to keep to a schedule (blog frequently) and work with other bloggers to support one another. Then use social media to promote each post.
Sounds like great responses. I don't know that people pay any attention when I do post. But at least it's another platform for me to share.
ReplyDeleteI've begun to write chapters of a free short story every week that relates to a series I already have a following for. It's brutal (with all my other obligations and deadlines)but it's ramped up my blog readership tremendously. I actually have people asking when I'll be posting again (that's never happened in 5 years of blogging! Lol) I'm also hoping it will translate to new readers who get involved in that world enough to want to buy books from the series. But I'll admit that it's a lot of work!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about it, Marianne. I blogged aggressively in 2014 and noticed no uptick in my royalties, even though I was getting hundreds of hits every day.
ReplyDeleteSome great discussion out there. We are living in a fast changing digital world, where what works today,may not work tomorrow, but one thing is sure that quality always decides the success and failure in content world— be it writing, podcasting or video.
ReplyDeleteBlogging world has become a battle ground of aspiration than expression. In past, people started blogging to express them and others identifying with them makes them a success, but today many treat blog as business; nothing wrong with that, but when blogs fail, they become disappointment, crying at the face of blogger.
I say blog to express, if it turns profitable in monetary terms good, if not, it still be profitable for our personal development.
Some great discussion out there. We are living in a fast changing digital world, where what works today,may not work tomorrow, but one thing is sure that quality always decides the success and failure in content world— be it writing, podcasting or video.
ReplyDeleteBlogging world has become a battle ground of aspiration than expression. In past, people started blogging to express them and others identifying with them makes them a success, but today many treat blog as business; nothing wrong with that, but when blogs fail, they become disappointment, crying at the face of blogger.
I say blog to express, if it turns profitable in monetary terms good, if not, it still be profitable for our personal development.