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Tips on promoting your blog
BLOGS need no introduction now. for among the internet fraternity, it seems that everyone has at least one or two blogs, including those in Pakistan. However, for all those still in the dark about blogs, the word came into existence by combining ‘web’ and ‘log.’
According to Forrester Research, a tech-consulting company, “blogging’s share of web traffic has grown from two per cent in 2003 to five per cent in 2004.” The percentage is likely to improve by the end of the year. Internet users like blogs, they like blogging, and the ability to instantly self-publish text and pictures has tremendous potential for all those who aspire to be writers and artists. The phenomenon is being perceived as next generation websites.
Building a great blog, conceiving and writing quality content regularly, counting hits and anticipating comments is quite challenging. What if no one reads what you have taken great pains to write? It is for this reason that one needs to promote one’s blog.
The question is how can you promote your blog, especially in this part of the world, where reading has been marginalized? Blogger.com users are quick to point to the comprehensively written article titled “Promoting your blog” by Biz Stone, Blogger Senior Specialist at Google Inc. and former Creative Director of Xanga Inc. The article can be found on the “Knowledge page” of Blogger.com (if it is not available on the home page). The article is blogger.com-specific but users of other services can also benefit from common tips and techniques discussed by the author.
For those who are interested, another article “How to promote and develop your blog” is available at:
Writing regularly, paying attention to grammar and capitalization while writing, catchy headlines and blurbs, making intelligent use of search engine friendly keywords and publicizing the blog by world of mouth may all go to waste if visitors feel tha the blog is an obvious attempt at self-promotion. Thus, while writing, one has to keep in mind the interest of the target segment. The visitors will come back if they find some thing of interest on the blog.
Internet users, particularly bloggers, look for blog URLs. Putting your blog’s URL in search directories, email signature files, letterheads, sending posts to your own circle or putting them on visiting cards may help. I know a teacher who writes the URL of his blog on the blackboard in class every day and tells his students what he has written there for them (no wonders he gets quite a lot of hits). A fellow blogger has put his blog URL along with his nick in MSN messenger. Alternatively, installing blogrolls and enabling trackback may generate more traffic. For business and organizational blogs, keyword advertising is another preferred solution.
There are all sorts of add-ons (clock, guest book, tag board, hit counter, search box, quiz and survey box, links to others resources, list of referrals, etc) available on the web that can help make any blog more meaningful and useful.
As blogging services are becoming popular and more and more people are visiting blogs, marketers have started paying attention to these sites. Some text and image advertising programs have sprung up who pay to bloggers per click. However, caution is required while adding advertisements on a blog, for even though internet readers have learnt to ignore all kinds of ads that make their to their desktops, some readers do not like them. I realized this when I joined Google’s Ad Sense programme. Earlier, Google placed ads on every blog using blogger.com but now they have started sharing this with bloggers all over the world, in a bid to earn some extra dollars.
Not surprisingly, one of my friends posted “nobody has extra time to click on the ads you have placed there,” on my blog. “Remove these ads from your site,” wrote others.
Blogs also show better search results. Unlike mainstream websites, fresh content, rich interlinking, are an added plus in blogs. Google searches have a definite dip because of the search company’s share in blogging in the form of blogger.com. Who knows, a separate search engine for blogs alone may be developed in future.
Blogs are usually referred to as random venting of thoughts without any specific topic. If one wants a following, the blog has to be focused and topical. Only then will it get out of the personal circle of the blogger and be read by others.
One of the best ways to promote your blog (as per my personal experience) is to leave comments on other blogs. However, they have to be sensible comments and not just anything, such as “great idea” or “nice picture.”
Comments should be written after reading the post. When one agrees (or disagrees) with the content and conveys this to the writer , a debate is likely to be generated. Bloggers are good at reciprocating (remember every one is interested in creating a loyal following of their own). Comments also add value to blogs.
Most blogging services provide comment systems that make it possible to get back to the commentator even if they are not bloggers. Even visitors of a particular blog may talk to each other.
The bottom line is write a great blog. Keep it updated. Be patient and it may go a long way.
The writer
