How to create loyal blog readers
How to create loyal blog readers
In order for a blog to be successful we need to make a lasting first impression. First impressions always count. Blog success of course takes time, however, we can maximise the number of returning readers your to blog by making some simple systemic changes.
We need to understand what our target audience is looking for. Once we know we can tailor our content to fit the needs of our niche. One of the best methods to see what people are searching is by reviewing your competition. Our competitors can tell us so much including: what's popular, what works, what the current demand is and what is irrelevant. Also we can see how we can improve our blog by reviewing existing products.
Your main focus as a blogger or Webmaster is to have recurring visits. The best practice is to apply sticky content.
What is sticky content?
Sticky content consists of information people want to use again and again. Some great examples of sticky content include: multimedia, video, flash-based interactivity, quizzes, forums, podcasts, surveys, newsletter subscriptions, opinion polls, ebooks, reports and free online tools.
How sticky content works?
Sticky content is seen as the bait on the end of the fishing line, where the audience is hooked in with our captivating content: whether it is a free book, an audio recording, and interactive tool or even a cash prize giveaway. These are all methods of attracting new readers and returning visits to your blog .
Why should I create sticky content?
Sticky content can generate a number of back links from quality sources online. If you plan and create some excellent free products such as an e-book or podcast this is a good way to entice people to your blog. Spend some time thinking of ideas how to create sticky content. Make your blog innovative, dynamic, interesting, interactive and useful.
Multimedia provides good sticky content
Using podcasts and videos that can be uploaded and distributed to video sharing sites is a great method of creating interactive content. Create interactive content that will keep your visitors attention and keep them excited about new information. You may even decide to create a three part series on a certain topic through the use of video.
Many web users will visit site and leave within 30 seconds. Your goal as a blogger is to capture the bloggers were blog reader’s attention and keeps them on your site for as long as possible. People learn in different ways make use of this new found knowledge by using different ways catching audience’s attention.
Tips to make your blog user-friendly
- ·Highlight most popular blog posts
- Create a highly visible RSS subscription button
- Make your subscription method is easy to find and easy to register
- Make your mailing list subscription standout
- Reward your blog commenter’s with prizes such as: free advertising, free book or free book
- Think of different ways to conduct your message through a variety of mediums including: video and podcast
- The homepage of your blog must be like a newspaper. Include headlines of your most popular blog posts and create grappling headlines.
Road to successful blogging
Successful blogging is not an overnight; however, if you follow these techniques suggested above and persist you will be on the road to a successful blog. Always remember to address the needs of your target audience and you will then create a successful blog.
To create loyal blog readers you need to deliver what they want on a regular basis and meet their needs. Take your blog one step at a time and you’ll get there it is a matter of time.
Go for SEO as well as advertise your site worldwide in terms of internet advertising, mobile advertising, television advertising, print advertising, outdoor advertising, radio advertising and airport advertising.
SEO is important, probably one of the best and more effective long-term methods around.
“Multimedia provides good sticky content”- Agree to this statement.
Good work and article dude. Keep up the good work…
I have about 20 or so loyal readers, but how should I go about increasing the number of visitors I get? Should I include any special features?
Creating sticky content is definitely important to get and keep readers. I do however feel that there are a lot of new people out there that feel that they are not able to create content that is “good enough” because they are looking at people like Mr. Problogger and Mr. Starak and say to themselves that they can’t do what these guys do.
The point is (as I see it) that you don’t have to be as good as them. As long as you know SOMETHING then you have valuable information that you can share with the people that know less that you (and believe me there are lots of those people out there).
Get something out there and see what sticks :)
/Mikael
Hi James,
Thats what I am doing right now, Videos to upload and trying to be in ths 1st page of serps for free traffic.
Luis.
Hi Mononucleosis,
There are many techniques, I have a newsletter that is a good method.
Hi Luis,
Videos hold people’s attention for a lot longer.
Hi Mikael.
A lot of new bloggers are setting their targets too high. If you’ve read the Problogger book, that I am giving away in June for the top commentator, Darren says that it takes a long time to get where he is.
Blogging is like earning a black belt in martial arts, you need to work up step by step.
I
I didn’t read that book but that is mainly due to the fact that I don’t want to become a “famous” blogger like Darren. At least it is not what I aim for at all (won’t say no if it happens *lol*).
I have had a blog for a little over 2 months. I have a digg account, a twitter account, feeburner, etc. And I get a couple of comments a couple of times. But I want to know how to get a lot of traffic, how to get loyal readers & followers.
Hi Computer Repair Service,
Best way to generate traffic is give people what they want on a regular basis.
Hi Thanks for the comment. Don’t worry there will plenty more content coming online.
My focus has always been to attract search traffic as opposed to loyal readers. It\’s nice to have a stable readership, however, when you\’re trying to turn a profit, you need a steady stream of traffic.
Hi Lumineers,
SEO would be a good investment for a blog. I am taking this into serious consideration.
Sticky content is a nice way to put it. I\\\\\\\’m always trying to create sticky content. Another thing we need to do is to create a sticky brand for your blog. This comes from things like your portraying your unique personality through your unique writing style, unique blog design, etc.
Hi Charles,
Yes indeed, sticky content is important for any blog success. Unique blog design and content does help.
Thanks for the comment.
Readers can click on it and automatically download the pdf file and keep for future references. How to actually do this? I’m just not familiar with it.
It may be worth while spending a couple of hours searching for directories to advertise on. Dont pay for advertising until you have used all the free avenues first.
James,
I love the idea that your homepage needs to be like a newspaper. Grab their attention quickly! I always learn something new from your posts.
Thanks,
John@jvanwyk.com
Hi John,
Some marketer that was trying to sell websites for 9 months asked me “what is a homepage?”, i couldn’t believe it, how can you sell a product if you don’t know what you’re selling.