One thing I’ve learned in my blogging experience is that to get more traffic to your blog, you have to be more outgoing. First, you have to write, write well and write often. I’m not saying you have to write a Pulitzer Prize winning blog, but write something that is worth reading. You can be serious, funny, insitefull or just obnoxious, but so long as someone enjoys reading it, you’re good.
The second thing is you need to “play the field”. Specifically, you need to get out there, and connect with other bloggers. It’s not enough to have a frequently updated blog with lots of great posts and a awesome looking site. No, you need to develop a community. Visit other blogs, and be willing to leave quality comments on posts that interest you. Blogging really is a social thing even though most people “started blogging just to have a place to express themselves“. The reality is that what we usually are looking for is some one to listen to us and who shares our thoughts and feelings on various matters.
In this regard, I have not been very cooperative. I have managed to develop a few regular visitors which are more valuable to me than the hundreds of one-time visitors I get. Unfortunately, I’m not that social. Not that I’m a hermit but I don’t form friendships easily. I have eclectic interests and unusual ideas and stuff – not the kooky wild kind that everyone seems to enjoy but rather the “you’re weird, stay away” kind.
The question is, how much should you let blogging take over your life. Are blog relationships more or less valuable than face-to-face relationships? This is why so many people “throw in the towel” and stop blogging. Blogging interferes with their personal goals. For others, it’s an escape. There are many who have no trouble doing both and for some, it’s the only way to have regular contact. But for me, I think I need to rethink why I’m so eager to connect online but so unwilling to make face-to-face connections. It’s an ongoing battle and I hope you understand if I’m not a very active member of the blogging world.
I just wanted you to know that whether I come here to comment or not, I read every post in my Google Reader…and Julia’s, too. I just have to have something to say before I’ll speak up :) You have some good stuff here, and it’s always a treat to read! :)
@ Jennifer: Thanks. I tend to read posts in bloglines too and only comment when I can add to the post. It’s been really bad lately. My bloglines are all backed up with posts I haven’t read yet so I have to whittle them away during the tiny amount of free time I seem to have lately.
It’s interesting that you say that, because I would say the things about myself, but for different reasons. Although maybe I’m a little eccentric too.
I am pretty social, but blogging is something I can do from home and feel comfortable. I can choose who and when I want to visit, and I enjoy learning all sorts of things about different places. I have been social, and I have a good size readership, but as I feared, it is hard to keep up when I am out a lot. Thanks for commenting on my posts, even if they are a little girly.
Blogging shouldn’t take over your life…but I do find it does take a lot of time. You are right in that face to face is more important than the blogging community. But you are right in what you said about building those blog relationships. You now know what you need to do to gain a larger readership. But, it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t. You just need to decide what you want to do. Or you can use my motto…Keep on Bloggin’
I can really relate to this post. I had more to say, but I deleted it; can’t seem to express myself well today.
And I love your baby widget.