11 Ways To Drive Traffic To Your Blog

October 4, 2009 by Moomette's Magnificents (Admin)
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Facebook, Web 2.0, blog resources, business, career opportunities, e-commerce, family, internet marketing, leisure, lifestyle, networking, sahm, social networking, twitter, wahm, wahm tips, work at home

Advice for New and Seasoned Bloggers

I belong to many forums, and one of the questions that keeps coming up consistently is how do I drive traffic to my blog?

Many work at home business artisans and mom bloggers pour their hearts and souls into blogging – night and day. Now you’ve got a great blog going with several articles and killer content. The trouble is, you don’t know if anyone is reading it besides your mom!

You feel like you’re writing to yourself most of the time and that’s not what you want. You want to get people to comment on your posts, enter your Giveaways, perhaps sell an affiliate product or make money on ads or something!

Start taking steps now to drive traffic to your blog and soon you’ll have some blog comments being posted and products being sold.

Getting traffic to a blog follows the same steps as getting traffic to a website, with a few other possibilities thrown in. Don’t concentrate on one method because traffic can, and should, come from all over.

Pay Per Click (PPC) is a quick and easy way to get traffic to your blog. It will cost you money, and if you’ve never used AdWords before, you should research how to do if effectively so you don’t lose your bloomers.

Interview an expert and post that interview on your blog. Most likely the person being interviewed will want to let his list know about the interview. This is a win-win because this person’s reputation as an expert will be cemented, and you’ll gain new viewers to your blog.

Put your blog link in your signature line when you post on forums. Join forums that are in your niche and answer questions when you know the answer and can be really helpful. You are establishing yourself as the “person in the know” and they may click on your blog link to see what else you know.

Write quality articles and submit them to article directories. Really work on your bio and link at the bottom of your articles so that targeted people can’t help but click to your site.

Post thoughtful comments on other blogs, preferably well-trafficked ones, and establish a relationship with them. One time I did this and it lead to them asking me to be a contributing writer for their network of blogs. Talk about exposure. You can also get curious people clicking through on your link from the comments you left.

Look for guest blogging opportunities. When you blog on someone else’s blog with lots of good information, their readers will visit your blog. I like to give bloggers an opportunity to guest post here on Moomette’s Magnificents (check out my sidebar under Guest Posts – let me know if you’re interested!)

Similarly, cross post with another blogger. Ask them a burning question on their blog, and they answer it on your blog and vice versa. Readers will have to go to the other blog to find out the answer. I participated in a Cross Blog Conversation with Christie – at Profitable Mommy Blogging read about it here.

Business cards are never out of fashion in the offline world. Hand them out whenever and wherever appropriate. I’ve handed mine out at craft fairs where I’d be interested in doing product reviews – you never know what opportunities will arise!

Press releases, online or off, give you and your blog attention. Your local newspaper may be interested in the human interest aspect of your blog.

Remember to feed the feeds. RSS, Atom, XML, Newsgator, Bloglines, MSN, AOL, etc. for syndication of your blog posts.

MyBlogCatalog and MyBlogLog are also ways to get your posts in front of others. Your post titles will show up in widgets on other blogs in your niche so make sure the titles are compelling enough for people to want to read them.

These are just a few of the ways to drive traffic to your blog. After all, the point of your blog is not to write to yourself but to help others and possibly make some money. When you start working on your traffic you should begin to see an ever-increasing flow of it to your blog.

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Tags: blog resources, Bloglines, BlogRush, MyBlogLog, pay per click, RSS, social networking, Weblogs

Comments

47 Comments on "11 Ways To Drive Traffic To Your Blog"

Opus #6 on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 2:00 am

Great article. Thanks for posting.
Opus #6´s last blog ..Follow the ACORN Money…

Erin Pyle on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 2:38 am

Great post with some great tips! I think many bloggers neglect simple ways to boost traffic and help with SEO! Social bookmarking, such as stumble upon and digg are also great ways to drive traffic.

Thanks for sharing such valuable information!

–
Erin
@erinjeany
ejsmomej{at}gmail{dot}com
http://google.com/profiles/ejsmomej
Erin Pyle´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday 9/30/09 Goodbye Summer!

Shelly on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 3:09 am

Great tips! I will be using these to help with my blog! Do you think twitter helps much with bringing traffic to your blog or site?
Shelly´s last blog ..October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

LizzieB on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 4:54 am

Cindi,
I’m a newbie to blogging/vlogging. I really appreciate your post – some really helpful information. My work is primarliy video posts. I have to admit it’s incredibly discouraging when you put your heart and soul into your work and no one is watching. I will give your tips a try and see if they help.

Thanks.
LizzieB
http://lizziebtv.com
LizzieB´s last blog ..I Love the 80’s!

Moomette's Magnificents on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 9:43 am

Hi Erin – I’m a firm believer in the power of StumbleUpon. It drives a lot of traffic when someone is kind enough to Stumble a post if they like it. I always try to help someone out by Stumbling their posts if I like it and find it informative.

Moomette's Magnificents on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 9:44 am

Hi Shelly – Yes, besides being great for social networking, Twitter is a great medium for driving traffic to your blog. I have some good Twitter tips on my sidebar under “Must Reads.”

Moomette's Magnificents on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 9:46 am

Hi LizzieB – Thanks for your kind words – I haven’t gotten into Vlogging – kinda scary for a Baby Boomer to be on camera! But I might check it out!

Louise on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 4:09 pm

Vlogging isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. I mean I did a survey and bloggers are 50/50.

I think your articles are very well thought out and your blog just amazes me. I also think your template is great, for a magazine style, it’s one of the only ones I like.
Louise´s last blog ..Remember Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boy #giveaway.

jen on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 5:08 pm

Great Tips! Thanks so much! You always have great advice and tips!
jen´s last blog ..small-talk-six-oh-SNAP!

Moomette's Magnificents on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 6:08 pm

Thanks Louise! I really don’t think Vlogging is for me – I really appreciate your compliments on my blog and articles! It’s a work in progress! LOL

Moomette's Magnificents on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 6:09 pm

Thanks Jen! I enjoy passing on blogging tips that I’ve learned to all my friends!

Faythe on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 6:15 pm

Thanks for the tips.
So much to learn it makes my brain fog over ((G))
I subscribe to your updates!
Faythe´s last blog ..Remembering 9/11

Shannon on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 7:15 pm

Thank you for the tips. I am going to bookmark this.
Shannon´s last blog ..Holiday Gift Guide Top Picks

Creative Junkie on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 7:15 pm

I don’t think I’ve even heard of blogrush and/or mybloglog? *off to check google*

I’m in the midst of a blog redesign and as soon as it’s finished, I’ll be getting new business cards – I think bloggers very often forget that option!
Creative Junkie´s last blog ..Sunday regurgitation: apparently, bacteria fly south for the winter too

Moomette's Magnificents on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 7:21 pm

Hi ~ The widget for MyBlogLog is at the bottom of my blog if you’d like to check it out!

joy on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 8:27 pm

Thanks so much for stopping by for my SITS feature day!
joy´s last blog ..surrealness {or pausing to brag, either one}

Amanda on Mon, 5th Oct 2009 6:57 am

These are all great ideas. I’ve forgotten about a few and need to get better about using them myself. Thanks for the reminder!
Amanda´s last blog ..Small Talk Six – Don’t Say as I Say

Melissa Multitasking Mama on Tue, 6th Oct 2009 7:54 am

Thank you for these great tips. I don’t know what feed the feed means (I am tech stupid). But I will definitely work on some of the others. I already write for several sites and you are right, that does bring traffic back to your blog.
Melissa Multitasking Mama´s last blog ..Kate + 8 Keep the Faith

ConnieFoggles on Wed, 7th Oct 2009 1:48 am

All important tips. May I add keywords too? Think as someone who is searching for information and use that keyword(s) in your title, first paragraph and a few more times in your blog post.
ConnieFoggles´s last blog ..The Obama Time Capsule Book Review

Jack on Wed, 7th Oct 2009 3:46 am

Bloggers love to read posts about blogging. It is an easy way to get traffic. Lists are good for that too.

The 5 things Every Blogger Must Know etc…
Jack´s last blog ..The Sins of the Father Are Visited Upon the Son- An Update

Dave Doolin on Wed, 7th Oct 2009 10:30 am

So much to learn! So much to do! I’m working on this full time; cannot imagine how a part timer could handle it all.

My main strategy is to focus on one aspect of traffic building at a time, and master it. So far, I think it’s working.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Testimonials, Disclaimers, Disclosure and the Federal Trade Commission

Raising My 4 Sons from http://raisingmy4sons.com on Sun, 11th Oct 2009 6:47 pm

Great tips! Thanks so much for sharing! I’m so glad I have come across your blog!

Saw you at SITS

Lisa from gardenofmany on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:02 pm

Great advice, I need to check into some of these things. I have to say my traffic is gettin better.
Lisa@gardenofmany´s last blog ..Support You Fellow Bloggers

April on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:03 pm

Thanks for sharing! This was a great post

Jenna on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:03 pm

This is a great post! I try and do alot of commenting on other blogs. It’s always nice to get some new ideas.

trisha on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:03 pm

i would use PPC for actual traffic on a blog though..there are so many other great free ways. And dont forget twitter!

lisa p on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:04 pm

great suggestions, Ill try a couple out that I havent

Cat on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:04 pm

The business cards are a good idea. I have them but I never think to bring them with me when I leave the house.
Cat´s last blog ..$200 Flowerbed Massacre

Jessica on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:04 pm

Great advice. I will be putting some of these things to use immediately
Jessica´s last blog ..Over The Top Award

Sarah on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:04 pm

I really need to start promoting myself to the offline world in Hawaii. That’s one of my goals to help drive traffic – go local! Thanks for the tips!!

Sarah
Sarah´s last blog ..Homesickness, being settled, and a boy discovering and falling for some Hawaii waves

trisha on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:04 pm

that should say WOULDNT

Faythe on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:04 pm

I appreciate the helpful hints you post, cindi!

GMT

Emily Roemmich on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:05 pm

Thanks, I haven’t heard of BlogRush and MyBlogLog – I’ll have to check them out!
Emily Roemmich´s last blog ..Halloween Help – Trick Or Treat With These Nutrition Tips

Stefanie on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:08 pm

Great tips Cindi! Thanks a bunch!
Stefanie´s last blog ..Soo exciting!

Katrina on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 2:44 pm

Thanks for the great tips.
Katrina´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday

Margo Dill on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 10:39 am

Thanks for sharing these tips. They are things I hope to do soon to get more traffic to my blog. I love blogging–and especially if you have a topic you are passionate about like mine which is children’s/YA books and education.

Thanks again!
Margo Dill´s last blog ..Timeless Thursdays: Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish and nephew, Herman Parish

Night Owl Mama on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 7:48 pm

I so need to do a few of these. I know I can get more traffic than what I’m getting thanks for the list.

momdot commenting still my internet keeps going out on me
Night Owl Mama´s last blog ..Parents Choice Baby Formula On Sale At Walmart

Just Jennifer on Sat, 17th Oct 2009 11:36 am

BlogRush is dead isn’t it?
Just Jennifer´s last blog ..Happy Birthday to Me

boracay island philippines on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 7:34 am

I have never tried reviewing an expert and using business cards. Anyway, I’ll try these two new ways, apply it to my blog and see if my blog increase it’s traffic and all.
boracay island philippines´s last blog ..Parcon Beach

Courtney on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 8:13 pm

Great post! Thanks for sharing
Courtney´s last blog ..Some of my go to items!

Cynthia At A Shimmy In My Spirit on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 12:34 pm

Thanks for the tips. It is so great to find another baby boomer blogging and tweeting. I keep telling my friends it is great for us…a place to share our experience, a community of interesting people all over the world, a place to be creative and to give and get encouragement and support. We’re not done yet!
Cynthia At A Shimmy In My Spirit´s last blog ..We’re Having A Dance Party!

Lisa Mom of 2 Boys on Sat, 31st Oct 2009 10:48 pm

Great tips – you should submit this to TPRP under Review Tips…the girls there could always use seasoned bloggers to help guide them.
Lisa Mom of 2 Boys´s last blog ..Official Family Day Off: Halloween!

Tina on Mon, 2nd Nov 2009 7:15 pm

cool tips mate. A few of those i dont do so will consider them. Cheers!
Tina´s last blog ..iPOD TRAVEL PILLOW

The Only Girl on Sun, 15th Nov 2009 5:15 pm

Some great ideas – thanks!

And thanks for stopping by my site for SITS Saturday Sharefest yesterday(oh, there’s another way to get more traffic to your site!)
The Only Girl´s last blog ..Cheers!

Kate at And Then I Was a Mom on Fri, 20th Nov 2009 7:02 pm

This was a really, really helpful article. Thanks for sharing such nifty little nuggets of info.

Chanda from Eco-Cheap Mom on Sun, 29th Nov 2009 1:14 pm

Excellent post! I’ve read several of your posts and they are all full of very helpful information. I’m glad I found you from SITS! I’m your newest follower!
Chanda @ Eco-Cheap Mom´s last blog ..Turkey Day Update…and more.

Prerna on Mon, 14th Dec 2009 5:22 am

Hi,
I came across this link via Angela England’s site and am not disappointed.. I love this post. As someone who is looking to increase readership, you’ve definitely been able to help me. Thank you!
Prerna´s last blog ..Being a Writer: How to Find Ideas for Articles

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