KLCK Bloggers Network

October 11 2010

Pembroke Hotel, Kilkenny

How to Grow Traffic to Your Blog

Why Blog?

Starting a blog shows commitment and passion

Establishes you as someone who has something to say, teach, and learn.

Characteristics of a Great Blogger

PassionatePatientHelps othersAdds valueWrites regularly

compelling contentEngages audience

Have you chosen your niche?

Is it your passion?

Is it clear what your blog is about?

Stay focussed

Determine Your AudienceCraft your posts

based on your target audience’s needs

This will help you stay focussed

What valuable content can you provide them with?

Create Compelling Content

BrevityGuest PostsAsk open-ended questions that invite

commentGoogle loves updated contentGood graphics - screen captures, video Post frequently but remember quality

wins over quantity

Start with a Great Headline“On average, 5 times as many people read the

headlines as read the body copy. It follows that unless your headline sells your product, you have wasted 90% of your money.” - David Ogilvy, founder of the Ogilvy & Mather advertising agency

Google: “Recent research suggests that users decide to stay or leave your site in 8 seconds or less — in that short amount of time, headlines are the one piece of copy that users will actually read.”

Source: Denise Fay: How to Write Killer Headlines – denisefay.com

Top Tips for HeadlinesShort and simpleDraw in the reader with your

headlineAsk a question10 ways, or 7 easy steps

headlineHow to headline

Ask Yourself1. Does your headline touch a nerve?2. Does it make a unique claim or statement?3. Does it provoke curiosity?4. Is it credible?5. Is it specific?6. Does it have a news element?7. Does it offer a compelling benefit for

reading?

Source: Clayton Makepeace teleconference, 12/20/06. (Courtesy of The Blog Squad)

A Note on SEOUse your SEO terms in your first line, and

throughout blog post.Rule of thumb – use 2-4% (i.e. 2-4 times

per 100 words)Anything more is called keyword-stuffing,

and is frowned on by you know who!Use your SEO terms subtly when you post

messages in other blogs. Respond or guest post often.

Links Are Web Currency

Google considers each link to your site a vote for the site

butWhere those links

come from is important.

The more reputable links are better votes

Creating LinksComment and post your url on

other relevant blog postsGuest post on other peoples

blogs or sites. Add a hyper-link to your bio to

help increase links.

Build Traffic with CommentsAdding value – if you can’t add any value

to the post don’t post linksPush the conversationAsk questionsAs I leave comments on other peoples'

blogs I am building relationships and getting to know other people

Try to post comments on blogs that have influence

My Top Tip

Email directlyand/or

comment on the blog of

those that leave comments for you

Host a Webinar

Demonstrate an aspect of your expertise.

Remind your audience they can continue getting the same great content by subscribing to and reading your blog.

Run a Contest

Social Media Examiner offers this excellent idea.Run a contest based on the content of the blog. Have an “answer hunt” where the answers to

win the prize(s) are found within the blog posts. That will get people reading the quality,

content-rich posts while attempting to win a prize.

Then use Twitter to post questions and the winner(s).

Guest Blog PostsInviting other bloggers to guest post on

your blog Offering to guest post on complementary

blogs. Both ways can generate visibility for your

blog. Creates connections with colleagues Value to bloggers and readers

Tips for Building your Community

Sharing knowledgeCommunication EngagementSpend time educating, entertaining,

engaging your audienceIt’s not about broadcasting yourself, it's

about conversation. Develop a strategy to have them WANT to

become part of the community

Promote Your BlogSubmit your blog to blog directoriesWrite and post a media releaseSend an email announcement to your mailing

lists Create a video to promote Your blogRelease videos through YouTubePublish a blog post from your own website

with the video on itGoogle loves combination of video AND

WordPress

Share the Love

1. Make it easy for readers to share your posts

2. Share the love – return the favour

Stumble UponEasy to register and post your blogIf the page has already been submitted by

another user, the "I like it" or "thumbs up" icon will appear

If the page has not been submitted you will be asked to complete a brief review of the post

Include information in your review that will help others determine the content of the post

Add Stumble Upon buttons to your posts. Encourage those who read to Stumble your

content

Promoting your Blog on TwitterWrite a strong bioAdd a link to your blogPromote your posts to TwitterDon’t be a spammer!Engage with your Twitter communityUse a Twitter management tool such as

HootSuite, Tweetdeck to monitor conversations by setting up searches for particular keywords.

Where are the conversations around your area of interest happening?

Maximising LinkedINCreate a group

Join existing groups

Provide helpful answers to questions

Also Yahoo Answers

LinkedIN Answers Sign into your LinkedIn

account. Use search bar, select

Answers from the dropdown and enter your keyword.

Why not try answering some?

Use the Advanced Search option to find keywords specifically in questions only, and check the option to look for only open questions.

3 Keys to Success

1. Keep Blogging 2. Keep Promoting3. Keep Engaging