Blogging Myth #1: If You Blog It, They Will Come

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Welcome to the first post in my new series for bloggers, Blogging Myths. Over the next few weeks, we're going to take a look at some of the common misconceptions that bloggers (and readers!) have about blogging. If you're interesting in growing your blog, I hope you'll stick around!

Let's start off, shall we?

Myth #1: If You Blog It, They Will Come

I started my blog in early 2008. It was an inconsistent smattering of posts written in an effort to regain some of the brain function I lost during the day while caring for a newborn and a two year old. As I became more interested in blogging, I would gaze at the little Followers box on my sidebar and wonder if anyone would ever want to read my posts.

I mistakenly assumed that readers would eventually stumble upon this little corner of the web and instantly become enthralled with my ramblings and want to devote hours of their day to chuckling over my musings.

Content is king, but it can't sustain a blog on its own.

Unless you have a preexisting blog for built-in promotion of the new one, or a relative who blogs and wants to promote you, automatic audiences are hard to come by. I don't know of any blog that exists solely on fabulous content. We all need ways to boost traffic beyond really good blog posts, right?

How do you go from a blog with solid, consistent content and no readers to a blog with solid, consistent content and regular readers?

• First and foremost, remember that most blogs take months and sometimes a few years to establish themselves. 

Being patient is important when you start a blog. Sure, there are some bloggers whose sites seem to take off within a matter of weeks. Remember that they are the exception, not the rule.

Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick recently reminded her readers not to get distracted by The Numbers. It is very easy for bloggers (rookies and seasoned pros) to get caught up in playing the comparison game. There will always be someone out there who is more talented, clever, and creative. Once you make peace with that knowledge, you're on your way!

• Networking is Key

We just wrapped up an entire blog tip series on the importance of Commenting. If you want people to know your blog is there, you have to go out and make some friends. Find a new blog, read a few posts, and start surfing through people's Blog Rolls (usually on a blog's sidebar--it's a list of blogs that person enjoys reading). Comment on posts you enjoy.

Utilize link parties, but in moderation. Crafterminds.com hosted a Tweetchat the other day that would be highly informative for anyone who regularly links to blog parties.

The basic gist of link parties? Remember your manners: read through the hostesses' post to make sure you understand the guidelines, link back, visit some of the other links, thank the hostess (blog parties are a lot of work to put on!), and don't overexpose your blog by linking the same post to 23 parties. Participating by visiting around and leaving comments is what will ultimately bring loyal readers.

• Social Media is Your Friend

When used correctly (don't let it become a time suck!), social media can bring a lot of traffic to those posts you are so proud of. The two biggies?

Facebook: Start out with a Facebook fan page for your blog and "suggest" it to your friends. If you engage with your fans and link to your posts each day, you'll find some new visitors!

Twitter: Twitter is also a great way to quickly link to your post for friends and fans. Other bloggers are quick to "Retweet" your links to their own Followers, which opens up more possibilities. I also love the fun, quick interaction between bloggers on Twitter.

• Submissions to larger blogs

If you have some solid content under your belt, consider submitting a link or two to some larger blogs who accept applications for guest posts and/or features. Be sure you have enough on your site to keep visitors interested and clicking around.

Many of you know that I team up with Kate over at Centsational Girl every other week to feature the "Best of the Blogosphere." We review submissions via email, and I thought I'd share a few quick tips for submitting your work to another blogger:

1. Include a quick message with your submission. Nothing is a bigger turnoff than opening an email and all you see is a link. Is it spam? Is it a shop? Is it a blog? Help the blogger out by quickly introducing yourself, explaining a little bit about the link you are submitting, and thanking her for her time.

2. Don't go overboard with the links. Choose one or two projects that are complete, have good photos, and are well written.


The truth is, you can have excellent content, beautiful projects, well written posts, and a hot profile picture--but if your blog is just sitting there all by its lonesome, it's going to be a long road to growing a readership.

By building a network of blogging buddies, promoting your work through social media, and looking for opportunities to share your projects on other sites, you can encourage traffic for your site and be on your way to growing a loyal group of readers!

Hope you'll join me next week to check out Myth #2! (You can click here to see all of the links for this series)

{How do you encourage visits to your blog?}

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