The number one question I get from fellow bloggers is “how do I increase viewership?”
What is your current Viewership? How much do you want to increase it? Why do you want to increase it? These are questions that I typically respond with. Finally I decided to sit down and explain how to do it. Consider this the bloggers manual on blogging.
VIEWERS
Let’s analyze the Big 3 types of viewers.
The Avid Blogger:(Blog to Blog)
The avid blogger is constantly posting and browsing blogs. They are looking for something interesting to read, or something that will spark an article for them. They will not stay on your page if the content is boring or the layout is hard for them to navigate.
If The Avid Blogger with a high viewership links to your blog in a post you can expect a spike in viewership. They will generate new viewers it is your job to keep them.
The Social Network Friend: (Social Network to Blog)
These friends get your posts via Facebook and Twitter feeds they will likely read some of your post, some will even comment although some of your comments will NOT appear on your blog. They will give you feedback directly from the social networking site that they found your blog link on. I count these as baseline viewers, often repeat visitors.
The Searcher: (Search Engine to Blog)
These viewers you get from different search engines. They are often looking for specific information on a specific subject. Unless you have related posts relevant to the topic they searched about you can expect them to view that blog post, and no others.
Now that you understand the different types of audiences write to and for them.
CONTENT
More is not better; it is quality that counts. The subject must be of interest your audience. An example I have a personality blog based on the Myers-Briggs Temperament Indicator and I get less views on than my blog about politics. The subject you write about widens or narrows your field of potential viewers.
Quality is a combination of content and the fine details. Overlooking the finer details of your blog can turn your viewers off. Edit your post before publishing.
Review you blog and delete ugly posts (we all have them).
There are not many people who will take the time to go through the mess of data in unkempt blog.
TIMING
It is all about timing.
What time of day do you post your blogs at? This is extremely important.
Members of your audience have lives too. If you live on the west coast as I do, do not post you blog at midnight and expect your audience to be awake. Do not post your blog at one in the afternoon and expect your audience to be home from work (you are not reading this at work are you). Resist the urge to post your blog immediately after writing it. Save it in a drafts folder and if your software allows you to schedule it so you publish your post at a designated time.
TAGGING/LABELS
It is important to understand tagging/labeling and label you post correctly. Doing so will increase the chances of drawing The Searcher, and The Avid Blogger into your posts.
Without these two audiences you will find that you will soon hit a cap in your viewership, with these two audiences you can expect your viewership to increase.
The formula for increasing viewership on your blog is: Audience + Content + Timing + Good Labels/Tags = Increase in viewership.