Are you a blogger who has tried every “trick in the book” to improve your following? Do you watch out for falling stats every time you open your laptop or phone? I became an advice blogger to help with problems like these.
Recently, I was engaged by a skeptic.
What kind of blogger are you? I was asked.
Why, I am an advice blogger, I replied.
Advice should result in people’s happiness. How does blogging about blogging bring others happiness?
Were they even kidding? Anyone who knows a blogger, (and I’ve been privileged to meet many,) knows that increased traffic brings bloggers joy. That is the subject of this post—how to bring bloggers traffic.
The Picture
In 7 Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started Blogging, I offered free picture sites.
- Start with an interesting picture, put it on Pinterest, and then link it back to your blog post. I know a blogger who gets 40% of her page views from Pinterest. How many pictures do you need? Philosophies on that differ. Jon Morrow, whose blogging articles I often cite, believes it might slow down the loading time of your blog posts. You don’t want readers to get impatient and wander away.
- Put the picture at the top, so there aren’t so many characters at the top of the page when they first open your post.
The Headline
In 13 Foolproof Ways You Can Stop Writing Ineffective Blog Headlines, I gave many details about how to write a blog headline. However, there are only a few simple steps involved. The most effective headlines contain:
- a number, (use the digits, not the words)
- the word “How”
- the word “You”
- use the word “Ways” or “Tips”
- offer a promise
The Introduction
The arrow is pointing at the “Read More” tag.
I like putting in a “Read More” tag, so I get double page views. That means you must grab your reader in the first paragraph, or they won’t click “continue reading”. A successful introduction:
- discusses the reader’s goals
- empathizes with the reader’s inability to reach those goals
- assures them by following your tips, they can be successful
- establishes credibility. In How to End Communication Problems Once and For All Part I I explained in my introduction why I was qualified to help people with their communication problems.
The Body
I have read that until you are getting the readership you want, blogging topics should be about one of four topics–avoiding fear or frustration, or realizing dreams or desires.
- Suggest simple strategies for reaching their desires. Bullet points work well. Readers can see at a glance how many tips (or “ways”) you are offering them. Opinion on word of mouth varies as to how many tips you need. I know one blogger who believes you need a maximum of five to be effective. Blogging guru Jon Morrow advises a minimum of eleven.
- Give reasons your readers should try to accomplish reaching their goals.
The Conclusion
- I generally state my best tip last and use that as my conclusion.
- You could also restate why readers’ time was well spent by reading your post.
- End on an upbeat note.
The Call to Action
End with a question for your readers. Many times my readers have added insights to my topic I didn’t see when I first wrote the post. The icing on the cake comes when all your readers are engaged in a conversation about a question that you raised. It’s a great way to increase blog traffic too!
Readers, have you tried any of these tips and found them successful? Can you add to what I’ve suggested? What makes a post a killer post? I look forward to your views.
