I have already talked about how to promote your individual blog post, but today I will explain to you on how to increase traffic to your whole blog. That the whole point after all with blogging, a way for loads and loads of people to read your blog posts as with higher traffic mean higher income (that is if you’re in it for the money). Growing a blog is one of the biggest task all bloggers faced, so how on earth do you overcome it? It isn’t a trick question once you worked out on how to increase traffic to your blog. But do remember it will not happen overnight, bit of a bummer really but read on and hopefully it will act as a guidance and will help you grow your blog.
Blog Links-up
A blog links-up is simple enough to understand. Google Blog links-up parties or simple blog links up and you will hundreds of fellow bloggers who have a certain day where you can participate on their blog by linking up your blog link. I have one for example on a Friday: Anna Nuttall Blog Links-up.
It’s a great way for bloggers to meet each other and will automatically increase your views on that post. That have been one of my biggest main source of traffic this year.
There are lots of blog links-up that take place across the blogosphere every single day, and I would advise that you take part in as many as possible. However, don’t just drop your link, say hi by leaving a link in a comment box. You don’t have to follow the blog to participate, but it is usually better if you do as you get a newsletter telling you a new link up is live.
StumbleUpon
It’s a bookmarking and discovery engine that allows users to ‘stumble’ through related content. It’s easy to use and once you’ve signed up you can add your latest blog post to your account, categorize it based on your blog post topic and then let StumbleUpon work its magic and promote it to users who are interested in what you’re talking about.
That also been my biggest main source of traffic this year and also been the biggest surprise for me. I never realize before using it how much traffic I would get from it. It so worthwhile doing.
As with everything, there are rule. If you do decide to give StumbleUpon a try for promoting your blog, then I should mention that they don’t like you to just adding your own content. So it might be worth actually stumbling on a few pages after submitting and adding a few on social media. Look for StumbleUpon button on bloggers posts or participate with StumbleUpon thread on Facebook Blogging Group.
Another eye-opener this year, seriously before this year I never used Facebook as a way to promote my blog. My biggest advice is to join loads of Facebook group as there are hundreds and hundreds of Facebook Blogging groups. I find joining a Facebook group a great way to promote your latest blog post, in fact 75% of my traffic to this site is from various Facebook group so I worthwhile doing if you want to increase traffic to your site. Simple search for blogging group on Facebook and you will find loads. To help you, you can always join my Facebook blogging group: The Blogging Universe.
When joining a Facebook group, don’t just dump your link and leave, do reciprocate other bloggers on the group with their links, participate and say hi to people. This way you not only get people looking at your blog but also will meet new bloggers and create connection. Also do read the rule when joining a new group.
Google+:
This is my least favorite social media platform and the one I least get traffic from. Still just as important as Facebook as it another excellent place finding for bloggers with communities and group.
The great thing for me about Google+ is that it’s full of people who are eager to +1 and share your content, well it is when Google+ is used properly. The same rule for Google+ communities and groups still applies. Don’t just dump your link and leave, do reciprocate other bloggers on the group with their links, participate and say hi to people. Don’t ignore it and use hashtag and images when you post.
Pinterest:
This is my favorite of all the social media platforms but also another one I least likely get traffic from – well until recently. Content shared on Pinterest is driven entirely by visuals, so having beautiful images is a must. And since it’s a very female-dominated website blogs whose target audience is women will benefit from using it the most. To learn more on how to use Pinterest with promoting your blog post then actually search on the site search engine and it will come up with hundreds of different visual that will give you advice.
The last month or so I took upon myself to really learn on how to get traffic to my blog. I’ve read so many bloggers report on how Pinterest is a major target for traffic, that I took upon myself to understand how this concept work.
I created a lot of my images on my blog by using Canvas – that have been a major turning point as any Pinterest image I tried to create in Photoshop in the past have always look rubbish. That have helped me create more visual pin.
I also found myself scheduling my pins by using Tailwind. I tried Boardbooaster but didn’t get on with it. I found Tailwind to be a really great and easy way to not only schedule my pins images but also an easy way to promote my latest blog post. I only done it for a month and already seen a big (not massive) increase of repins and clicks to my blog. I’m hoping if I keep on it will increase more and more.
Comment On Other Blogs:
This one of those advice that might work for you or it might not. I have found it to be another source of blog traffic this year, but it will take time.
Comment on other blogs that interest you and how you felt compelled to tell that person on how much you enjoyed reading their post. Be authentic and read the actual post – don’t just skim read and be all spammy in a blogger comment box.
Commenting on other blogs there’s a chance that bloggers will comment back on your blog or fellow readers might like your comment and take a look at your own blog.
This could lead to them sharing one or two of your posts, opening up your content to new audience. Don’t just do this once and never return, do it when a post catches your eye and you enjoyed reading. Like I said It will take time.
SEO (SEO is Search Engine Optimization
SEO is how you get Google to recognize your posts so people will find them when they’re searching for topics you’ve blogged about. For example, (and I’m sure you have also done this yourself) if I’m looking for reviews on Dirty Works Face Mask I would Google ‘Dirty Works Face Mask’ I would find hundreds of links with that keyword.
SEO can be long and complicated to understand and it took me a while to get my head round it – I eventually did as it my job now.
I get a lot of traffic from SEO, organic searches where people have found my blog through typing in something they were looking for on Google. An example is 1960s teen fashion, if someone was looking for that on Google, the SERP (search engine result page) will come up with a list of relevant links and often your blog post on 1960s teen fashion will show up on the front page letting people click thru.
I will write a separate SEO blog post explaining more about this soon. There are hundreds and hundreds of SEO guide to help you. If you have WordPress, you can install a plugin called Yoast that will make it super easy to SEO all of your posts. It well-worth doing.
Before I finish a few closing note.
Blogging is not an overnight success story, you will never be like Zoella. Sometimes, blogs do seemingly blow up overnight or have a sudden increase with traffic, but these are usually bloggers who have a unique story such as Zoella. Most of us have to work bloody hard and work out which strategic work best for our blog.
But if you want to work with brands or make money, be prepared to work even harder and be logical with your approach.
Do remember every single blog on the internet is different, and you should never compare yourself to others, especially a successful one.
If you have any tips, advice then please do comment down below as I would be interested to hear them.
