Want more traffic to your blog?
Want it NOW & not later?
Contrary to what you may have heard, you don’t have to wait for weeks or months to do something about boosting blog traffic.
In fact, many strategies can be implemented right now -- today -- to bring in new hits.
Here's proof:
How to Get More Blog Traffic
Take a look at this roundup of 25 specific tips aimed at boosting blog traffic -- every one of them offers a strategy to start using right now.
SOCIAL SHARING
Put social networks to work for you by maximizing their ability to promote your blog posts! Here are some specific tips for doing so:
1. Share Your Blog Posts on Facebook
Nobody wants to seem like a loudspeaker on social media, constantly shouting “Me! Me! Me!”
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t promote your content on your Facebook page -- the way Passports and Pancakes does here:
People who follow you on Facebook expect you to share your links.
In fact, Liking your page might be the easiest way for them to keep up with your updates.
2. Auto-Tweet New Blog Posts
Simplify your social sharing by setting up your blog to automatically Tweet every new post as it publishes.
You may do this through any number of scheduling tools or apps. Some of the most popular are:
3. Auto-Tweet Old Blog Posts
If you have a Wordpress-based blog, install the Tweet Old Post plugin.
Once you follow the installation instructions, set up your blog to automatically Tweet archived posts, according to the schedule & order you choose.
You can also auto-post old blog posts to Facebook with Post Planner.
4. Pin Your Images to Pinterest
Do you use your own images in your blog content? You should.
Not only does this make your content more interesting, but it also gives you freedom to share images on social sites.
Every time you publish a new blog post, share its images on Pinterest! You can even share multiple images from the same post, the way @chroniclebooks did here:
5. Call Out New Blog Posts on Instagram
Even photo-focused Instagram can help send new traffic to your site.
Put your blog link in your Instagram profile & regularly post the best images you create.
Then, when you publish a new blog post, share a photo or screenshot that tells followers about it, like @twopeasandpod does here:
6. Link to New Blog Posts on Google+
Google+ is new but getting more powerful every day.
Backed by the world’s biggest search engine, Google+ even offers search ranking benefits, according to some experts.
When you publish a new blog post, share the link on Google+, along with a little commentary & maybe one of the images from the post. This invites your audience to check out the blog post, while also alerting Google to your new content.
7. Stumble Your Content
When you publish a new blog post, share it on StumbleUpon.
This network pushes stumbled content to users, giving you an immediate burst of traffic.
What’s more, when viewers like your content, they will stumble it again, meaning more chances for your content to spread.
8. Add Sharing Buttons to Your Site
Encourage your readers to promote your blog posts by making it incredibly easy for them. Add sharing buttons to your site that allow for one-click sharing.
You may do this with:
- ShareThis
- Slick Social Share
- Sharebar
- Flare (used on this blog)
9. Include Links Everywhere
Place links to your blog in your email signature, on your personal Facebook profile, on your LinkedIn profile & so on.
By sharing the link everywhere, you increase opportunities for others to find your site.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
In today’s social-focused Internet, relationships are more important than ever. Build meaningful connections & you set up your site for success.
10. Go Where Your Audience Is
If you’re a business blogger with a target audience of entrepreneurs, think of the places where entrepreneurs go online & get yourself noticed there.
If big business sites host contests or ask for submissions, use those opportunities to put your face in front of potential contacts.
11. Leave Meaningful Comments on Relevant Blogs
If you’re a food blogger, part of building a community of readers is commenting on other food blogs.
Don’t do this in an obviously self-promotional way (i.e., putting your link in your comment, asking readers or bloggers to check out your site).
Rather, subtly promote your site by being an interesting, thoughtful commenter. Not only do you let the blogger know about your site, but you also get your name in front of your target audience.
12. Link to Other Bloggers
Post roundups of relevant links or stories, linking to the authors of those links & other bloggers. They often notice being linked to -- and this draws attention to your site.
13. Reach Out to Bloggers Directly
Sometimes it’s helpful to reach out to bloggers directly to build connections.
Find bloggers you relate to & admire -- then send heartfelt notes to say hi. Those bloggers will often click through to your site -- but more than that, they may become valuable connections in the blog world.
14. Always Respond to Comments
Part of building blog traffic is managing the blog traffic you already have.
Treat your existing readers well by being responsive. Respond to every comment & make readers feel part of a conversation -- the way the blogger does below at Social Mouths:
BLOG HABITS
Practice these simple habits on a regular basis to send traffic soaring.
15. Blog Every Day
Regular blogging is a great way to build traffic. More content means more opportunities for readers to find you -- not to mention search engines.
16. Use SEO Keywords
Google has a handy keyword tool (soon to be replaced by Keyword Planner, found within AdWords accounts), which helps you determine which keywords to target with your content.
You enter words describing your subject matter & then the tool reveals related phrases to work into your copy.
17. Offer to Guest Blog for Other Sites
Find industry sites with decent traffic & apply to write a guest post.
When you write elsewhere, it gives you new exposure & directs readers back to your site.
18. Enlist Guest Bloggers for Your Site
Finding guest bloggers for your own site is also beneficial in building traffic.
Not only do guest bloggers keep your site fresh with new content, but also they often tell their friends & fans to check out their post, sending you new visitors.
19. Write Clear, Compelling Titles
When people search for content related to your subject area, you want to compel them to click your links.
That’s why titles are so important. Ensure every title you write clearly conveys its subject matter & make them interesting enough to draw interest.
20. Add an SEO Plugin
If you have a Wordpress site, add a plugin designed to boost search engine rankings, such as All-in-One SEO Pack or Yoast.
TYPES OF CONTENT
Wondering what kind of content helps boost traffic? Consider the following:
21. Solve a Problem
Meet a need for readers & you become highly valuable. And when you’re a valued resource, readers share your content with others, bringing you new traffic.
22. Interview Someone in Your Industry
Think about leaders in your industry or bloggers you admire. Could you interview someone & post the interaction on your blog? This is a great way to bring in new traffic.
23. Write Something Controversial
You don’t want to overdo controversy, but if you feel strongly about something & are willing to take a risk, boldly post.
Controversy tends to draw high traffic, if only because it evokes readers’ passions. Be careful with this one, though -- being too controversial can backfire, sending readers away.
24. Run a Contest/Giveaway
Host a promotional giveaway on your blog & make sharing your content one of the ways to enter.
This surefire strategy brings in large traffic numbers, expanding your reach.
To monitor your entries, use a tool like Rafflecopter, the way the Cranny and Me blog did in this post.
25. Consider a Series
Brainstorm a series of blog posts about a specific topic & plan out a schedule of posts that fit into the series. By building anticipation, themed content draws readers over time.
Your Turn
These are the best 25 tips I could come up with. But I'm sure I missed something.
What tips could you offer to a fellow blogger who wants to increase traffic right away?
Let me know in the comments below. :)
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