Comments on: Building Blog Readership by Monitoring What Other Bloggers are Writing

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:04:31 +0000

Thanks for the article – I have found that the majority of visitors to my blog have come from a link I placed after leaving a helpful, relevant comment in another blog.

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 13:20:53 +0000

Hi Darren – thank you so much for sharing these tips here. I will begin today implementing them. I do use Google Alerts, but I think I must be using them incorrectly. I’ll go look at that again, and I’ll also give Technorati a try as well.

Thanks again!

By: baiguai

baiguai — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:25:01 +0000

Thank you SO much for this! After spending hours reading the same old advice (usually good advice, but things I am already doing), to find fresh pointers that are new to me is great. I have underestimated other bloggers – focusing too much on readers. Bloggers are readers too! heh.

By: Ethan

Ethan — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:46:44 +0000

Excellent post. I will try this kind of stuff on my blog. thanks.

By: infonote

infonote — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:54:32 +0000

Hi Darren,

I have recommended your Digital Photography Blog to a work colleague. He was very impressed with your site, especially the assignment part.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:01:26 +0000

This was quite an informative post. I have had a blog, updated sporadically now for about a year. The thing is, following advice in another blog traffic article, it suggested turning comments off to avoid readers seeing that your blog has no comments on every post. This is something I did, but it has just occurred to me that I have no readers anyway – so what does it matter? I might just turn comments back on now!

By: Quais

Quais — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:32:23 +0000

Really great post Darren. One truth about increasing traffic to your site at the beginning phase of it is that it is a slow process, specially if you want to build a loyal readership and aren’t looking for one-time visits. And this post reinforeces that belief for me. Thanks Darren.

A Taylor mentioned something interesting above. Are you planning to write a book on blogging, Darren? From where I see, if there is anyone qualified to do so, it is you. I would personally really love to see a book from you.

By: Jayne

Jayne — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:44:08 +0000

Thanks for those tips!

By: vargas

vargas — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 05:10:35 +0000

That’s an excellent idea Darren. I’ve never really thought about focusing my comments to other bloggers by using key words. I’m definitely going to try that!

By: Taylor

Taylor — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 02:44:44 +0000

Another benefit to this tip, for me, is that I’m expecting to grow as a writer, webmaster, etc. as a result of the daily blogging I’m doing now while I don’t have very many readers. I still spend 45 minutes struggling with WordPress about every other time I make a post. (poor me, right?)

But I couldn’t grow without those readers I do have. I think it’s just the right time for having a small readership. I have no idea how long the learning curve will be, but it doesn’t help me learn to think about that.

I know that’s not very “pro” of me. :-)

By: Asako

Asako — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 21:11:36 +0000

I totally resonate with this post. Actually, among many tips you have provided in increasing traffic, this feels the best fit for me to implement.

How much % of Problogger readers are loyal, and how much % of readers are new? Among loyal readers, are they mostly people who come back to your site at least once a week (like myself)? How did that portfolio change over time? If you have a chance to share that with us, in the future….

By: Insane Seb

Insane Seb — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 20:13:38 +0000

Great idea Darren, I’ll start doing that right away.

Here’s an extra tip for your readers as well:
I started a new blog recently and have seen a sharp increase of readership and subscription as soon as I offered free stuff (software or ebooks). It benefits the readers and grows my own list at the same time.

For example, here’s one of my offers that has showed much success: http://insanemoneymarket.com/blog/2007/09/15/ezine-machine-v1-incredible-free-offer/

It’s always good to understand that you cannot expect anything from your readers without giving them something in return. Logical, no?

Thanks again and log live ProBlogger!

Insane Seb

By: KirkWarren

KirkWarren — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:30:35 +0000

Great post. I have recently opened my own blog and have been using this technique. I combined it with related blogs and forums that allow signatures at the end of your posts.

Forums seem to be the best place for this, at least for niche topics, like my comic book blog. You can typically make a small 500×100 pixel banner and place in your signature that links directly to your blog. As long as you post relevant and informative replies and do not just spam your site nonstop, you can build up a decent amount of new readers.

Also, if you wrote a particular article that relates to a topic posted, you can leave a summary of your article and a link to the actual post telling people that if they were interested in a longer, more detailed version to check the link.

Either way, great article. The personal approach is the best way to new readers as it builds a relationship with each new person you help and that is what makes for longterm readership, which is what you want early on.

By: Sia

Sia — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 14:45:27 +0000

I would like to add to your list another element we shouldn’t forget: building reputation. This goes hand in hand with “building your blog one reader at the time.” The more you focus on each of your readers the more you have to win: trust, respect and build rapport. A very effective technique in the Web 2.0 world. :)

I think this is also how you build reputation: by focusing on each reader you answer to their needs, you show that you really care about what they think and want from you. If they are happy, they will certainly spread the word…

By: Sue

Sue — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:53:25 +0000

I’ve been using google alerts both for news related to keywords and for blogs for a while now. I always get a rush when my posts show up at the top in the blog alerts. :D
Be careful when you set up your keywords, though. I’ve had to revise mine several times by disallowing certain words, or else you get a lot of irrelevant noise. You wouldn’t think something like “lighthouse” would have to be modified, but do you know how many foundations, churches, software, music, companies, buildings, etc. there are out there using that word?
I’ll have to try the Technorati one, that looks useful. Great post as always, Darren. I think you personally are raising the level of blogs out there, just by all the practical advice you’re giving here.

By: Patrick Britton

Patrick Britton — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:43:00 +0000

I have been highly impressed by your advice, I decided to get serious about blogging only this week and your posts are helping me get off on the right foot. I can definitely understand what you’re saying, I’m sure your success is mainly in part because of the large amount of people that you have helped. I know I am one of those people so thanks and keep up the good work!

By: Avinash

Avinash — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:24:48 +0000

I agree that one has to build their blog one reader at a time. I guess it works the same in all areas of ones life. It is all about building relationships that last.

By: Jeff Kay

Jeff Kay — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 03:51:59 +0000

Thanks for the reminder, Darren. I need to be better about commenting and participating in other peoples’ blogs. It’s #62 on my Big List of Things I Need to Put More Effort Into.

By: Kelvin Kao

Kelvin Kao — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:48:19 +0000

This reminded me: When I was using Craigslist to find subletters for an empty room we had, besides the potential subletters responding, I also got many responses that are advertisements for housing / roommate matching service websites. Although I found that a little annoying, there’s no doubt that they are targetting the right people.

By: Anthony Lawrence

Anthony Lawrence — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:11:25 +0000

Absolutely.. been doing this for years and years.. before there were blogs, I used the newsgroups, before Google Alerts I searched by hand..