Wednesday 4 March 2015

10 Ways to Grow a Blog by Susan Gourley...

Thanks Sharon for having me as a guest on your blog. I’d like to share ideas that have worked for me in growing my blog audience. I’m not an expert, but these things have worked for me.

10 Ways to Grow a Blog

1.      Follow a variety of blogs, not just other writers. It will expose your name to an entirely different audience
2.      Always provide links to help others find some interesting content.
3.      Return comments. If some comments on your blog, visit theirs in return. They were interested in you so show you feel the same way.
4.      Keep your posts short. Most bloggers are looking for quick, interesting posts. They will skim your long post and not really get the point you were trying to make.
5.      Do more than shout, ‘buy my books.’ That leaves them no reason to comment or come back for the next post.
6.      Be yourself so people actually get to know you. If they know you, hopefully, they will like you. I’ve made some true friends through blogging.
7.      Add pictures to your posts. Book covers, the snow-covered tree, your cat or dog, make it a little bit personal.
8.      Host guest on your blog and hope their friends follow them to your blog. (Thanks, Sharon).
9.      Promote your posts on other media such as Twitter and Facebook.
10.  Participate in blog hops. I’m administrator in two big blog hops. Insecure Writer’s Support Group had been around for more than three years. We blog the first Wednesday of every month and share our woes, successes and offer support and advise. The even bigger blog hop I help run is the Blogging From A to Z Challenge. Last year over 2,000 bloggers participated. For 26 days in April, we post blogs where the content starts with a letter of the alphabet. Letter A on April first, you get the picture. I highly recommend both.

These are a few ideas that have helped me. Can you add a few more ideas in your comment? Any blog hops you recommend.

Susan Gourley writes high fantasy and also writes science fiction romance as Susan Kelley. She is the author of the bestselling science fiction romance series, The Warriors of Gaviron and The Recon Marines series. Her latest release is The Warrior and the Governor. You can find her at Susan Says or follow her on Twitter and like her page on Facebook.

16 comments:

  1. These are all great ideas for growing a blog. I agree with them all. I tend to write a longer post myself (I can't keep it short, LOL) but I don't post every day, maybe once a week. I do though try to visit blogs that I follow whenever they post and leave a comment based on what they have written, trying to encourage if I can. Blogging to me is building relationships/friendships, that's why I enjoy it so much :)

    betty

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    1. You're so right, Betty. My best online friends I met through blogging. Thanks for stopping by and adding to conversation.

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  2. Those are all great ideas! I think hosting guests is a good way to grow a blog, too! :)

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    1. I've been doing more of it lately. There are so many talented people who add good content. Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Wow, Susan, you're right on the ball this morning! Wonderful tips to keep blogs fresh and bring awareness to bloggers! You're more than welcome to guest anytime on my blog! Great content! Cheers and best wishes!

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    1. I appreciate you having me, Sharon, and making last minute adjustments because of the disaster which shall not be named.

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  4. Super excellent list, Susan. Yet it still amazes me how many bloggers don't visit other blogs. They've even whined because they don't have followers. I think they misinterpret what blogging really is. It's not the same as the old newspaper columns where you had readers you never had to interact with.

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    1. That's a good comparison to the newspaper columnists. You have to work to build a following and be a follower yourself.

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  5. Great advice! Blogging can be a chore - or it can be enjoyed if you follow these tips.

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    1. Most days it's fun but there are days when I feel like I spend too much time with it.

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  6. I agree with your tips Susan. You have been a busy bee and I'm seeing you everywhere putting proof to items on your list :) I need to add pictures to my blogs. LOL. I do keep it short though and try to visit others and comment. I LOVE getting interactions on my posts

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    1. You are a consistent blogger. You hardly miss a day, Michelle. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. These are definitely some fantastic tips. I'm terrible at #1 though. Writers writers and more writers, that's who I follow.

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    1. I do follow a lot of writers but a few other sorts too. Some people just produce interesting content.

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  8. Thanks for the great tips, Susan! I need to work on following more people and using other forms of social media.

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    1. I think we're best off concentrating on only 2 or maybe 3 forms of social media. Obviously, blogging is my biggest one and then twitter.

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