Blog Traffic

[Beth Fred]

Hi! I've been blogging for about six months now, mostly book reviews. I haven't got one comment or one follower! Does anyone have any ideas to increase traffic?

[Susan Kaye Quinn]

There are two sure ways to increase comments/followers, but both involve time: 1) write blog postings that add value, that people find interesting (i.e. develop your blog niche) and 2) comment on other blogs/build community through blogging. Also: ask yourself WHY you blog. The answer to this will guide your blogging.

My post here talks a little about what I get out of blogging.

Good luck!

[Beth Fred]

Thanks! I had a problem for a while where people couldn't leave comments or follow me. (That makes it hard)!

[C. Lee McKenzie]

Becoming visible is a challenge, but there have been some great hints here already to help you. Do you have a webpage as well? Just curious. What's your URL. I'll pop over and follow you.

[Beth Fred]

my blog is beth-project52.blogspot.com I don't have a web page. Do you think I need one?

C. Lee McKenzie said:

Becoming visible is a challenge, but there have been some great hints here already to help you. Do you have a webpage as well? Just curious. What's your URL. I'll pop over and follow you.

[C. Lee McKenzie]

I don't really know the answer, Beth. I like having mine because it's a steady presence. I update it when something major happens: a new book sale, an appearance schedule. Some like having them. Some just go with the blogs. I think it's a personal choice, but maybe some promotion guru will have a different idea. I'm just a writer who happens to dabble in promotion.

[Beth Fred]

I don't have a book to promote!

C. Lee McKenzie said:

I don't really know the answer, Beth. I like having mine because it's a steady presence. I update it when something major happens: a new book sale, an appearance schedule. Some like having them. Some just go with the blogs. I think it's a personal choice, but maybe some promotion guru will have a different idea. I'm just a writer who happens to dabble in promotion.

[C. Lee McKenzie]

Ah, yes. But do you hope to have one? If so, be prepared with a web presence. I didn't have book to promote when I created my website or my blog. Now I wish I'd had the heart to do it sooner.

[Bryan Sabol]

The biggest change for me was when I started participating in blogfests. If you're not familiar with this concept, one writer hosts a writing “fest”, where participants all submit links to their own blogs, sharing their material that relates to a common theme. For example, there was a first page blogfest, where everyone posted the first page of their novel, and the other participants read and comment on it.

The nature of the blogfest means you'll need to commit a chunk of time first to prep whatever work you're submitting to the fest, but moreover, reserve additional time to read and provide constructive criticism on the other participants' work.

If you want to see the end result of a blogfest, I recently hosted my first blogfest. Take a look at . Although this particular event is over (blogfests are only "live" for one day), you can get a feel for how they work.

So do a scan for blogfests and jump into the fun. You'll be sure to gain responders and followers.

Luck!

Bryan

[Bryan Sabol]

somehow the link didn't come out. my blogfest example is: http://timeguardiansaga.com/blog/?p=772.

[Jenny Torres Sanchez]

Hi Bryan,

Hosting any new blogfests soon?

[Bryan Sabol]

Hi Jenny,

I've been crazy deep in revisions, so I haven't had the time to host another blogfest. But I'm feeling the withdrawls -- I want to do another soon! In the meantime, check out Andrew's upcoming blogfest page: he does a great job of tracking the up-and-comings... http://blog.dawnsrise.com/p/upcoming-blogfests.html

Jenny Torres Sanchez said:

Hi Bryan,

Hosting any new blogfests soon?

[Dawn Embers]

I would agree that taking part in different blogfests does help in followers and comments (on blogfest entries) but it doesn't always guarantee comments on other posts. And blogfests are a time commitment since you should try to read and comment on many of the other bloggers taking part in the blogfest. And remember, having followers doesn't mean there will be many comments for awhile still. I have 133 followers on one of my writing blogs that has been up for over a year, and still have posts with no comments and the others don't often get above 5. Content is part of it. Definitely follow other blogs and comment on them. I try to comment on other blogs and keep up but now am following well over 50 blogs (I think) and it's hard with everything else going on. But I'll still comment on a few blogs a day or so. I also promote my blog posts on twitter. When I post one, I'll put the link in a tweet so people who might not be following or who might follow too many blogs can see.

There are a number of different book reviewing blogs out there, so I'd follow them and comment on their blogs. Start networking with similar blogs and some different ones for a good variety. Should help a little.

Granted, the initial post was months ago, so I hope you have some better luck now in the follower/comment department but if you're like me, there is always room to grow. Good luck.