How to grow a blog.

by Steph on June 30, 2008

Just typing that title, I’m sitting here laughing like a freaking hyena. I’m not Ree or Dooce. I don’t have a huge following. I have a following that’s grown (a lot), and I have readers who are also commenters (something like 1/4 of the folks who subscribe to this thing also comment – I’m very, very okay with that). But I’ve been asked what I did, so I’ll spill the beans. :D

First, I read a lot of articles on how to get traffic. I followed the miscellaneous suggestions religiously. With LJ, I went and posted in one of the Add Me communities. I joined blog carnivals and blog directories. I went and commented on other blogs. I put a link to my blog in my e-mail signature. I told everyone I knew about my blog. I handed out MOO cards. I did a lot of stuff, kids. And I realized I was worn out. I was spending more time promoting my blog than writing it.

So, I decided, “Screw it. I’m going to write what I want, and if I get traffic, so be it.” Oddly enough, once I started focusing on the content, traffic started to come. And it wasn’t just drive-by traffic (although I get my fair share of that), these folks were stopping and taking a long look around. They were subscribing, and they were leaving comments. Regularly.

So how did I grow my blog? I started writing stuff people seemed to want to read. In this big ol’ blogosphere where good writers are a dime a dozen, I chose to use my own voice and perspective as my best “tools” to gain and, more importantly, keep readers. That’s it, that’s all.

Of course, this hasn’t stopped me from praying someone Stumbles me like they did Missy so I can have a kazillion and two hits per day. :grin:

P.S. Go check out Myra’s blog, wouldja? She featured meeeee for her very first Mixtape Monday!

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{ 16 comments }

1
Vote -1 Vote +1Missy June 30, 2008 at 11:04 am

Honestly this is absolutely perfect advice.

Good content = good traffic.

If you write about something people will want to read about, the readers will show up. Not to get all field of dreams on you but if you build it, they will come.

2
Vote -1 Vote +1d June 30, 2008 at 11:36 am

Word to what Missy said. You know that I’m not a blog reader. I only have 3 blogs I read on a regular basis. I come to yours because of the content. I mean, you’re my friend, but your content makes me LULZ.

What I love about your blog is that you don’t really have *thing*. I know that sounds funny, but your blog is not a political blog, or a religious blog…etc. I like reading your stuff because it’s like a smörgåsbord of info. I never know what’s gonna be on the menu for that day. Could be kid stuff, could be political. I LOVE that about your blog.

The other thing that keeps me reading, is that you’re real. You’re always you. I never read anything you write and say “wow, that sounds phony!” On other blogs (that will remain nameless) I feel that way. But not yours. Good, bad, funny, sad, you share it all. That makes you awesome and rare in my blogsphere dude.

3
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph June 30, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Missy – I still wouldn’t mind being Stumbled. :grin:

d – I adopted a policy long ago that I would write about whatever was in my head, and since I’m ADD, yeah. Total smorgasbord. :grin:

Also, it’s always been important to me that anyone who reads this sucker gets the real me. They get the me that they’d get if they showed up at my house for coffee. I’m glad that shows. :)

4
Vote -1 Vote +1Missy June 30, 2008 at 1:16 pm

Dude honestly, the stumble was pure luck that somebody who reviews tons of blogs happened to find mine somehow. If I had any idea how I did it you’d be the first person I’d tell!

5
Vote -1 Vote +1San Diego Momma June 30, 2008 at 1:32 pm

You give good advice.
The bloggers I read regularly all have their own voice and are uniquely themselves.
That is one of the things I instantly picked up on with you.
The same with Myra…and I’m so happy to see you featured on one of my fave blogs.

Love,
Deb

6
Vote -1 Vote +1Noel June 30, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Damn. I was kind of hoping you sacrificed chickens in the night or something.

7
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph June 30, 2008 at 6:05 pm

Deb – Well, thanks. :blush:

Noel – No, not for *that purpose anyway.

8
Vote -1 Vote +1Myra June 30, 2008 at 8:36 pm

steph, you forgot in your tips to say how you help out newbies, and you’re nice just for the sake of being nice. never expecting anything in return. and on top of that, you’re real, and you make me laugh. you’d probably tell me the truth if i asked you if my jeans made my butt look big. but i’d take it from you.

9
Vote -1 Vote +1matteroffactmommy June 30, 2008 at 10:29 pm

LMAO @ how to grow a blog…

i love you for being you. and that’s that. *hug*

10
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph June 30, 2008 at 11:03 pm

Myra – Mostly because I just don’t think about myself as “nice” or “helpful”. :grin: But thank you – I’ve gone beet red twice today due to you. :grin:

MoFM – I would not have it any other way. Except if you decide to go lesbian. Then you can love me for being smart enough to dump Bill for you. And Lindsey. And Missy.

11
Vote -1 Vote +1Jane June 30, 2008 at 11:34 pm

Leaving aside all the “big name” bloggers (please!) I love your blog because it’s you doing what you love. Talking about what you’re interested in and just expressing yourself. Not to make a buck or whatever, but just to be STEPH. And dammit, that’s a damn good thing.

12
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph June 30, 2008 at 11:51 pm

Jane – And that, my friend, ain’t gonna change anytime soon. :grin:

13
Vote -1 Vote +1Jane July 1, 2008 at 12:59 am

Amen. Sister.

14
Vote -1 Vote +1Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy July 1, 2008 at 2:51 am

I come here because you don’t pull any punches, you say what you mean, have a great sense of humor and write well. Simple as that.

15
Vote -1 Vote +1Steph July 1, 2008 at 11:59 am

Mel – Well, thanks. :)

16
Vote -1 Vote +1matteroffactmommy July 1, 2008 at 9:15 pm

ugh with the big name bloggers… srsly.

your writing kicks ass too. i forgot to mention that in my previous comment…

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