I have just started a new blog and am having trouble gaining an audience. Could you please give me some tips?
One of the best things about blogging – and what attracts people the most – is the immediate reaction you get to your work. You slave away at an article for a couple of hours, submit it with a click of a mouse and marvel at all the supportive comments pouring in. That’s the theory behind it, anyway. Of course, finding an audience can be a challenge for a newcomer. No one wants to pump out posts without any evidence that they are even being read – unless it’s a secret diary, and I have a few of those scattered all over the internet.
Last week I got to meet the alt porn star Joanna Angel (a female entrepreneur of BurningAngel.com fame, who pretty much runs the entire alt porn industry), and we ended up talking about her job. “When people ask for advice to get into porn, I tell them porn is not hiring,” she stated bluntly. “Porn doesn’t need any more actors and actresses – what we need is more promoters, people who will push it”. Funny thing is, I’m sure Johanna was told the exact same thing when she was starting out – except it didn’t deter her.
When someone tells you you can’t do it, it usually means one of the following: a. They have failed; b. It’s a test to ‘separate the boys from the men’, to see how determined you really are. It all comes down to this: if you are fabulous at what you do, you will be accepted and embraced.
Blogosphere Circa 2009
If I were to paint an honest picture of the blogosphere today, it would resemble a Hieronymus Bosch painting: effin’ crowded. Everyone and their grandma has a blog – and, sadly, the good ones are far in between. Oversaturation causes people to become extra-picky – the real reason you’re having trouble gaining readership. The good news is that in such an abundance of talent out there, you’ll have lots to be inspired by. Yes, you may have to compete for attention, but I promise you that if you can upstage what’s already out there, you will come out on top!
Most successful bloggers have several things in common: quality content, some originality, and consistency. In other words: good writers who write about interesting subjects & put own twist on it. They build up expectations and consistently come through on them. The important thing to remember is that success doesn’t come overnight; most heavyweights of blogging have been at it for a long time. Christine of Temptalia – 2.5 years. Gala Darling – 2 years. Jane of Sea of Shoes – 2 years. I’ve been blogging since 2004 and was able to successfully transfer my readership to my own platform 9 months ago. I post 5 times a week and am not planning to stop any time soon.
Growing a successful blog
- Blog about what you know and are extremely passionate about.
- Make it as unique and as “you” as possible!
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with new subjects – you might just find your niche!
- Listen to your audience: your best guide.
- Think of your blog as a portfolio of works, a database of articles you’re seriously proud of.
- Spread the word: comment on other blogs, tell your friends, post on forums. For instance, I use MySpace & Twitter.
- Pick a posting schedule – be it 3 times a week or 3 times a day – and stick to it.
- Bad reasons to start a blog: “I’m bored”, “I need a tool of self-affirmation”, “I want to make money quick”.
- Good reasons to start a blog: “I love writing”, “I have something better to offer than what’s already out there”, “I cannot NOT blog!”.
Bottom line: do it because you love it & if you don’t love it, don’t do it!
For curious minds: Is Blogging For You?, How To Start a Blog by Gala Darling.
Deerlings: do you have a blog? How do you promote it?
So true and great tips, i have a blog, lol the funny thing is i was never “into” it, because like u said “everyone and their grandma has one” but then i started posting things in it, and it hit me, i like this, i post things even if no one comes around. I just love color and i like to show and share how i view the world i guess. I love Candy and i adore ur blog as well.
I also add some sets i make in poly, i just want my blog to be a visual one more then a writing one, i don’t write much, i just want people to see and enjoy, art, color and wacky stuff i find interesting.
My link to my blogger, excuse the mess in it, LOL!!
http://paintheadsworld.blogspot.com/
Great advice.
I have a blog – initially it was a place to vent, but now has evolved (both naturally and with a lot of effort) into a place where I have friends and can write what I want!
It has also been a stepping stone for me finding my way into freelance writing and blogging, something I’ve always wanted to do.
My blog: http://mysterycreature.wordpress.com
Sage advice, Deerie. ^^
Another way to get more visitors is to comment frequently at blogs you enjoy reading yourself! Other readers of that blog may check out your site, and 99% of the time, so will the blog owner.
And frequent updating — There must always be frequent updating! That’s a major must.
I have a blog! And I have only a few friends who read it!
I write because I can’t help it. I have blogs since I was 10 and, in the beginning, I was bugged by the fact no one was reading my blog…
Until, one day, people started reading it and I became really bothered when I was writing a tale and people kept pushing me! “When are you going to post it?” “Is it ready yet?”
It bothered me to the point I almost stopped writing tales.
Then I closed my blog, lost my readers and started a new one…
It’s small, just for friends and I love it.
About schedule… ugh, I could never do it. There are days I don’t post at all, there are days I post 4 times…
I wish I could show you my blog and what I write, ’cause I find you a nice person, but I write in portuguese most of the time… x.x’
Oh! My blog: http://santacacau.blogspot.com/
I love blogging because it gives you something to really be proud of. Having a collection of well-written/presented articles really is such an accomplishment!
It’s also wonderful to use your blog as part of your portfolio, especially if you’re looking to get into a journalism or publishing program. hehe, I actually have an appointment with the journalism faculty at the college I applied at in a few hours. Wish me luck!!
oh, and my blog is http://www.shinypurplecats.blogspot.com
I blog because I love it. 9+ yrs of blogging, various platforms, varying levels of readership (however none nearly as high as yours!)…
I’ve also recently begun to contribute to other types of blogs, to get myself out of the rut of talking about myself. And soon, I will start my own style blog. Look out for it! stylepsandqs.com — not much there yet, but it’s coming soon. :) All the things I’ve ever wanted to do on my own site (blog.corinnebvizconde.com) but didn’t have the right focus for.
Doe — you’re a wonderful inspiration for those of us who blog because we love it.
I love blogging because it gives you something to really be proud of. Having a collection of well-written/presented articles really is such an accomplishment!
It’s also wonderful to use your blog as part of your portfolio, especially if you’re looking to get into a journalism or publishing program. hehe, I actually have an appointment with the journalism faculty at the college I applied at in a few hours. Wish me luck!!
oh, and my blog is, http://www.shinypurplecats.blogspot.com
http://www.thenakedredhead.com
I have been blogging since about 2002, but it wasn’t until the last year or so that I found my niche. I love to write…I love the process of puking your guts on a page. Blogging requires transparency and honesty.
Also, talking about sex helps, too. :)
I have been blogging for 9 years. First it was when I was following my fiance from country to country as a form to keep in touch with family and friends. Also as sort of a travel diary.
Then when I moved back to the states I stopped blogging. I felt that since I was back no one would be interested in what I wrote. So for two years I dropped out of blogging world. But I missed blogging so much I started a new blog last year. I posted a bit but then life took over and I had to stop.
Now that life has gone back to normal I am back with a vengeance. hehehe… I love it. I do not have many readers but I have a lot of fun blogging and that is what counts.
http://www.rosieabouttown.blogspot.com/
I don’t have a blog per se, but this is sage advice for those who work on other mediums as well. For me, I started a Deviant Art Page (Those who would like to see it clickme!, because I had an influx of amazing photography, but felt bad that these pictures were stuck in my hard drive.
When I first started it, I decided that it would be nothing BUT a photography page, but as I wandered around deviantart, I started noticing other works that got me inspired to what I do now: Photo Manipulation (random photo). It started off as just a fun way to play with my photography, but I ended up liking the hard work that is put into it. I wanted there to be page views galore, so I know people appreciate my work, but I realized something, its not about the page views, its about those people who keep coming back because not only do you find other works inspiring, but other people would find your own work inspiring. That’s what keeps me going.
Hey, if it weren’t for deviantart, I wouldn’t have found Mosh, and she wouldn’t have guided me towards lime crime, and I wouldn’t be talking about my experiences here with you all!
I started my blog Luscious Letters last summer, because I became inspired by so many wonderful blogs out there and realized that writing in that kind of style was something for me. Unfortunatly this has also not been a very pleasent year for me and I have not been able to blog as much as I want to, nor have I been able to blog the quality I want to in recent months.
I’m lucky that I have such encouraging friends who don’t pressure me to have a popular blog so quickly. Basically, my blog is something that makes me feel fulfilled and it is my way to share my experiences with the world. I don’t really actively try to promote it as much as I promote myself. I have a livejournal where I have 70 friends and a facebook, as well as a twitter. Most of my readers are people who know me well and I like to think the bit of promotion I do get is through word of mouth. Right now I’m letting it progress naturally.
I actually wrote an article on the subject myself, called Why I Blog–http://luscious-letters.blogspot.com/2009/03/why-i-blog.html
I started a blog recently…Just to share with people things that I love…makeup reading, my kids etc….whatever I am interested in…It isn’t anything serious just fun and it is fun to share ideas with other people who have the same likes as you…I really enjoy it….http://www.kristasfacinations.blogspot.com
I’m blogging for about one and a half years now, but I just started blogging in english now. First I wrote in german (because it’s easier for me ;)) but then I decided to write in english so that more people can read my blog. But I’m not really successful… Anyway, I love it and I post from time to time and I know, that it would be better to post more often.
Here is a link to my blog: http://xporcelinazerox.blogspot.com/
Oh, and it’s a blog about my work as jewelery designer and a little bit about my personal life. Just take a look!!!
I would have to say throw caution to the wind and ignore any criticism. I have my own website and have been hosting it now for 12 years. When I started I was the only reading my own work! All of my friends said my site would probably flop in six months time. I left those friends. And my site has been up and running for a while!
Anyone and everyone has their own ideas to throw at you. I agree with Xenia, do what you are fabulous at. I would further add, be brave and love what you do and show that love. When showing this passion do not do it for glory and fame. It won’t come. Do it because no matter what happens you love what you do.
The success you desire will follow suit when you have your ducks all in a row. When you have solid evidence from your blog showing attention drawing content, passion, and a dash of fabulousness then, this is when you will draw in crowds.
Good luck with your blog!! Enjoy and have fun with it.
I’ve got a Food and Shoe Blog but I’m not looking to gain an audience if people find it and like it that’s great but I mostly do it for myself and my friends. I like to explore recipes so I post them for anyone else looking to make that particular thing. Same thing about shoes, I post really great finds and if people have the same taste they will come back to see what other brand and cute shoe find I have that week. I visit this site for the makeup applications and fashion tips. I guess everyone likes a big audience but it’s more pressure I think to keep an audience around than to not have a concern if there is one or not.
Hello! I must confess my interest for blogs started when I found by chance this blog and a Spanish blog, I first saw a blue skirt and blouse of you and I loved that outfit and all the other outfits, then I started to read more blogs, fashion blogs, it was a whole new world to me! and then, don’t know why, decided to start my own blog, that was 4 months ago I think, I try to post everyday, first it was only about daily outfits, now I also post about my travels, etc. You are a great blogger, I was really interested in reading your post today, thank you for all the advices, you’re a good example to follow! Nice night, greetings!
Great post, really helpful. It is discouraging just starting out. I think I need to find that groove where I feel comfortable and churn out new ideas all of the time. Thanks for helping me get unstuck.
I started blogging 9 years ago as a means to keep in tough with friends and family while I followed my fiance from country to country.
Once I moved back to the states I stopped, thinking that no one will be interested in the blog anymore.
Then about a year ago I decided to start a new blog because I had really enjoyed blogging and I had more to talk about. Even if it was not about my adventures abroad. :)
My blog: http://rosieabouttown.blogspot.com
Thanks Doe Deere, helpful as always. :-)
there is nothing in which you cannot inspire me with xenia. by the way, i’m the girl who requested your permission for the article on bipolarism. thank you so much, your quotes completely impressed my lecturer. got a really good grade for it as well!
Not that I don’t enjoy more professional ones (like this), I think that my favorite blogs are the ones that are so messy and angsty and real that you almost feel guilty reading them. Regular blogs are like people-watching; those are emotional voyeurism.
They’re not really the kind of thing you want an audience for, though, are they? I have a blog where that kind of thing comes out now and then, but somehow it is important that it’s still public and not just a diary or anything… there’s a strange psychology to it.
Great post and advice once again!
I love blogging too… the hardest thing that I find is consistancy. I am so busy with work and projects I find it hard to post 5 times a week. It’s something I’m trying to find solutions around.
Thanks again for your inspiration!
Hey!
I’m Andressa and I’m from Brazil. I just love your blog.. and your makeup line!! So many shiny colors. I’m thinking of ordering some Magic Dust.. Everything is so bright and perfect! Oh.. I’m a Sweetest Person reader.. so I guess I can even get a discount right?? That’s just awesome!
XO
Thankyou Doe for posting my letter and for including that gorgeous photo of those lady beetles!
for everyone else: http://www.lullabiesfordita.blogspot.com
big kisses
Thankyou dearly Doe for answering the question I asked you and for including that gorgeous photo of those lady beetles!!!
You are fantastic!
For others: http://www.lullabiesfordita.blogspot.com
I write a blog, but it’s not necessarily for an audience. I do it to make me happy, and because I LOVE looking back on blogs years from now :]
Doe, your post is great! And I agree completely.
I have two blogs- one is a personal blog where I just write about my life. I don’t exactly promote that one, but due to the fact that I’m active on the blogging platform and that I am a babbly and outgoing person, I still end up with a large-ish number of people who read and comment regularly.
The other blog is one I have only started up very recently (it has a grand total of 1 (one) posts so far) and this one is a) public, b) not about my personal life but rather about my take on fashion, make-up, colours, interior decoration (and photography).. At least that’s what I have planned for it. I haven’t promoted it yet, because I think there should be at least be some material there before I promote it. If people only have one sample to determine whether they like my blog or not, I don’t think promotion will be very successful.
Hieronymus Bosch! I used to have that picture as my background. Hieronymous Bosch is also an awesome Russian death metal band. Seriously, awesome.
Sorry spelt it wrong the second time – they do spell their name like the painter…
Well I recently started a blog and it’s about everyday make up I buy, nails etc. Well I’m still working on that, kind of getting more and more specific.
But for now it’s been running for one week and I love it. I love writing! xD It’s fun even if I hate to read my blog, after I’ve posted it. I love reading the comments (got only one)!
I posted about it in two forums (slovenian but it’s in english) and that’s pretty much it.
I post every day and in a month I’ll start working on the publicite.. :)
Anyhow blogging is fun!
When I started my blog (http://padmitasmakeup.blogspot.com) back in 2006, I only planned to use it as an archive for my pics, but then I started adapting to a regular posting schedule and also giving a bit more information on my technique and stuff, and I really enjoy “painting” looks for my blog. I am limiting my beauty blog to looks only though, to make it an archive of inspiration for anyone seeking it, but I don’t post reviews or swatches (there are enough blogs for that IMO). But I have recently started another blog for my second passion: everything regarding the Phantom of the Opera and other “literature” (in the widest sense of the word, from books to movies to TV shows) I love, where I plan to post reviews, analysis and other stuff. Check it out if you’re interested: http://phantomessoftheopera.blogspot.com
Great tips! I have been blogging for 3 years or so, and yes, everyone and their grandma has one. I just blog for me and to keep family updated, but love sharing my photography and crafty creations. I have a community of bloggers that I’ve met through it and we visit each other’s blogs.
It is so very hard to get someone to come to your site if you don’t reciprocate in the commenting. There are so many blogs out there that if you don’t get a give or take with another blogger, then I usually don’t comment or read. There’s only so many hours in the day and so much content on the internet.
Great tips! My problem with my blog is consistency. Sometimes I just seriously lack the time and motivation to write. I really ought to set a schedule for myself and stick to it! :)
Yeah I recently started blogging but am having trouble with focusing on a particular strength of mine. I do some makeup/ fashion and some opinionated posts and then just some random drivel as well lol! Anyway, anyone who wants to ‘check it out’ feel free, and leave comments pwease!
http://aurorastardust.wordpress.com
Great advice!
I definitely agree that one should start just for fun and if they truly love to write and have something to share. If it ends up making money than that’s an added bonus. It should be about trying to share information with people who will appreciate it, not necessarily to gain a million followers.
I just started one, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s about beauty but will also include my every day thoughts about all aspects of life. Blogs like yours that feature all sorts of subjects inspired me to do that. Yours is definitely the best.
littlethoughtsandlovelythings.blogspot.com
Thanks for the very helpful article. I too have just started blogging… I find that another tip is to edit, edit, edit! My best posts, at least in my opinion, are the ones that I write the day before & then edit throughout the day, then I usually post them the following morning. I know that I still have a lot of work, but it’s been so fun & I love meeting all the bloggers out there with similar interests!
http://VintageRoseClothing.blogspot.com/
I have two blogs, because I felt the topics couldn’t really combine in a cohensive way.
One is on make-up, but I haven’t quite gotten into the swing of things on it yet. You can find it at http://www.sarcasticfairy.blogspot.com
My other is about exams, basically. In Ireland you sit a series of 7 exams called The Leaving Cert. They’re known to be pretty stressful, and I’m just blogging about my experiences as a Leaving Cert student. You’ll find this one at http://www.LessStudyMoreSleep.blogspot.com
I’m still trying to get them both off the ground, and lack of feedback, through lack of audience, sometimes makes it seem sort of like, what’s the point? But I love writing, and when someone does comment, it makes me feel like it’s worth putting effort into. I find commenting other blogs is an effective way of getting your blog noticed somewhat, but often it needs to be a smallish blog, or else your comment is just among the masses.
My exam blog got mentioned today on a pretty big site, all because I started talking to one of the bloggers on that site, and he liked me & my blog. Traffic today increased significantly, and I was delighted by just that! :)
I hope, someday, to figure out the whole going it on your own, system. I haven’t really got the foggiest about domain names and hosting, perhaps a vague knowledge of what they are, but that’s about it. First I would like an audience, then I’ll venture towards getting my own website, away from Blogger. Baby steps make striding easier in the long run :) :)
I’ve always liked makeup but only recently ‘really’ became [practically] obsessed with it. With that said, I had considered starting up my own little m/u blog where I’d ‘show and tell’ about the new items I had recently acquired and show my swatches and FotD’s, etc… but I realized that there are already so many out there and the idea of posting all of this stuff and no one commenting, was a disappointing prospect. I was already posting about my m/u in my own LJ journal and hardly anyone commented, so what was the point of making another one, right?
-Well, then I decided…screw it. So I made a m/u community on LJ. Yes, there are already several on there…but most of those seem to revolve mainly around High End cosmetic brands and really polished ‘looks’, etc. I just wanted to created one for women like myself, who are not married to only High-End cosmetics and who just want to share about their recent m/u buys/swaps, show their ‘everyday’ m/u ‘looks’, ask general questions, etc.
-So far I have a modest following, but I’m hoping that it’ll grow. Even if it doesn’t, I’m content with it. I have somewhere to vent my m/u obsession and people of like-interest who will read and comment from time to time.:)
http://community.livejournal.com/makeupreviewed/
Further, I am an artist and I like to make masks and I’ve got other artistic aspirations and ideas, so once I get back into the swing of making art again, I’m going to create a blog where people who like my art can watch as I post about new-found materials, their quality, uses, etc.; my WIP photos, ideas, post about other artists I admire and feature various pieces from them, etc.
-I’ve already had some people show an interest in being put on a mailing list for my masks, so I figure I’ve already got some potential readers/commenters for an art blog.
http://EMasqueradeGallery.deviantart.com
Great post, I like how you put together ideas on how to make a blog more interesting and reader-friendly.:)
[...] Blogging tips: growing an audience [...]
I just had to comment on this post (regardless of the fact that it’s from 2009) because I had, no less then an hour ago, been thinking hrmm…how does a blog become popular.
I personally get the word out about my blog by commenting on others and posting on facebook, myspace, etc. =)
http://danceawaydarling.blogspot.com/ <<My blog.
I know that this is REALLY random, but I am REALLY scared of ladybirds…and that picture you posted just made me think “Why???”. It’s disturbing me, a LOT. URGHHHH. Sorry. Just had to get that out of my system…Wait, not done. I mean if I walked past that in real life I’d have to run away, and yeah, I’d probably cry because I do NOT want them to chase me. :( Okay, done. :)
I dont know if you read all you’re comments (cuz that must be hard) but what program did you use to start you’re blog up because i cant find a good one anywher plz help :(
Thankyou so much for this! It is inspiring <3