How to get people to read your blog is easier than it may sound. Are you looking for more blog readers? Not sure how to get them to stick around that awesome post you wrote about frog legs? The following principles came from my daily reading (the book title is at the end).
As I was reading the book, I knew these principles are important to every blogger trying to make a name. I have been using these in my writing for some time but never shared (shame on me). Once I started implementing these ideals into my writing. My blogs saw better reaction and more traffic.
Three Rules to Get People to Read Your Blog:
1. Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation.
If your readers, social followers, or email list is worthy of praise. Give it to them! But don't flatter. Everyone knows that flattery is often fake and aims to achieve an end. We've all been on the receiving end of flattery.
Yes, it feels good the first time but soon we start to catch wind. Once we know the other person is trying to make us feel good to get what they want, it becomes an instant turnoff. Giving honest and sincere appreciation is most applicable within your comment section.
You should reply to at least the first three or five comments. This not only shows your readers that you are engaging and care. It also gives you the opportunity to give the person commenting your appreciation.
2. You Gain Readers Faster by Being Interested in Them.
Sorry, but your blog is not about you. If you want people to read it, it can't be. The blog and each post is about your readers. How do we make the blog about them when we are writing? Easy, give them value and don't write about yourself.
This blog you are reading is here to help you be successful with your blog. Success means different things for different people. The skills outlined are useful no matter what you decide to be success. Yes, I do have interests when it comes to my blog and my own goals, but the focus is on you.
Questions asked at the end of each blog post are to hear back from you. To figure out what you'd like to learn. To understand your stories and opinions on a subject. If your blog has no interest in the reader, you will never influence people to read your blog.
This even applies to your email list. You can't just sell in every email you send and most emails will not sell a thing. 99% of the emails from me are updating everyone that a new post is out and they may find it useful. This is because not everyone sees the post updates on social media or in their feed.
It would be disingenuous and show a lack of interest in the readers. Someone could benefit from a post and without that email they may never see it. This leads to them not getting the answers they may be looking for within a subject. Do your readers a favor and show an interest in their achievements and struggles.
3. Give Your Readers What They Want
To influence people to read your blog, think "What do I need to do, to give the person the edger desire to read my post?" Again if your blog is the "all-about-me" show, no one is going to read attend. They don't want to know about you. They want to solve their problems, for you to entertain them, or to learn something new.
Each post is different but they all have to give the reader what they want. Are we sure this is what the reader wants? That will take some effort but if you are just starting out this is where your niche comes into play.
Write your posts as if the person reading is in dire need of the information. In due time, people will notice that you are giving valuable answers to the questions they have. Or providing information on a topic they are trying to learn more about.
This is paramount, especially for new bloggers. You will get discouraged at the lack of readers and visits to your site. As long as you keep writing to a specific group or reader. The right people, the ones who want what you are offering, will find you.
Let's Recap:
So remember, always give honest and sincere appreciation not flattery. You will gain readers faster by showing them you are interested in them. Finally, give your readers what they want.
If you keep this three things in mind you will gain readers quicker than ignoring these rules. These ideas came from the book How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. (Yes, it's an affiliate link. No, it won't cost you anything extra to use it.)
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