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If you have a home business, one of the best ways to brand yourself and get traffic is to start a blog. But what if you started a blog but have no idea on how to build an audience? Well this is the challenge, but once you get into the habit, it’s not so bad. Let’s see what you can do to get the ball rolling….
“When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it’s because he’s so human; and that is the secret of his popularity.” ~ Walt Disney
When it comes to growing your home business you definitely want to have social proof. The question that a lot of people with home businesses have is how do you get this social proof. Well popular way to get this social proof is through blogging.
I know, many of you heard this over and over again and still don’t know the value of writing blog posts and getting that social proof. Other’s of may have a blog and you’re stuck at a cross roads and don’t know which way to go in order to get that social proof.
But behold, in order for you to have social proof you must brand yourself quite well. You have to be able to be genuinely interested in people, convey your knowledge, and be able to produce something of value that’s going to be beneficial to others. And no, not every offer you put other there is going to be valued by others.
You may already be doing this, or least you may think you’re doing this, but if you’re not getting the results you want, then you need to do a little tweaking in your approach. So what tweaking can you do with blogging?
7 Tips To Get The Momentum Going To Build Your Audience 
When it comes to blogging, the little things matter when it comes to building your audience. The following tips are from my experiences with blogging and growing an audience that not only come to your blog, but will help you build it:
Build Suspense By Guiding Your Readers
Have you ever was attracted to an article, video or a blog post by the title and as you were reading, the other keeps talking about the answer but won’t tell you the answer until the end. Yes this bugs me, but it builds up my curious. Although I hate the fact that may I have to wait until the 10th post to get the full answer, my curiosity would run rampant.
Well your readers will feel the same. Even though the suspense will be killing them, if they’re really intrigue and want to know more, they’ll keep coming back to your blog for answers.
Highlight Or Bold Major Points
Yes most of your readers, including myself, want to skim through your post in order to find the most interesting point. Now if you’re the type that knows your readers and make your blog post easy to read for them by highlighting or bolding major points, I guarantee that they will keep coming back for more. This is the type of reputation you want to build. Easy reading means more readers!
Link Up To Other Sites Within Your Niche
If your blog is about classic cars, why would you go to a knitting blog to help build your audience? Yes I know, you may run into a blog where some of the readers may be interested in cars, by why waste that time. Go to another blog where they talk about classic cars, leave your comments, and watch the audience start to grow in a shorter time. Remember, like attracts like.
Show Most Popular Posts
If you have just a few comments (less than 5), and just a few shares (less than 5), then why not showcase them? You have to start somewhere right? The one’s that are getting over 100 comments and shares started out this way too. They persisted and kept on building. This is why they have a big audience. It takes some work, but by staying consistent you will reap the rewards.
Show Top Commenters
This is social proof at it’s best. It’s great to get comments, but what if you get comments from top bloggers or home business owners? Do you think that’ll say a little something about your blog? Ya dam skippy it will. These top commenters will help you attract other people to your blog. The seed has been planted and now it’s growing!
Share On Social Media Groups And Blog Sites
This is piggy backing on linking up to other sites within your niche. You can also find your niche in blog sites and on social media by browsing through the groups. Those of you that are in your specific niche will definitely be more interested in what you have to say than those who aren’t. This is a great place to start building!
Focus on Devoted Readers
Last but not least, focus on those that keep coming back to your blog. They are the ones who are helping to build your statistics and the ones who find what you write the most interesting. Give them the respect and attention that they deserve and through them your audience will grow!
Now It’s Your Turn!
Has this been helpful? How are you growing your audience? Are you having a hard time or are you steadily growing your audience? Please share your comments below and share this post with your friends. I look forward to reading them!
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Hi Sherman,
Thanks for the valuable information, You are right that every blog had to start somewhere and that it can take time to build the audience that many desire. Being consistent and working at it will get you there.
Thanks,
Jason
Hey Jason,
You must have consistency and at the same time learn as you grow. Once you see what’s working stick with it. These are some great tips to follow to figure out what strategies you really want to use that works for you! Thanks for stopping by!
sherman smith recently posted…When Hackers Attack
Hi Sherman
Really Great tutorial you teach us . Guiding your reader is good to grow the blog traffic . If the blog reader like your way of teaching and guiding they will surly come back to your blog again to gain their knowledge
Hey Prafull,
It’s all about giving value to your audience. Like you said, if the ready value’s your information, they’ll come back for more. it all works with the law of reciprocation! Thanks for your insight!
sherman smith recently posted…When Hackers Attack
Excellent read Sherman with great tips and advice. Thanks for sharing.
Merle Gibbins recently posted…Starting From Home With An Online Business Has Never Been Easier !
Hi Sherman,
Excellent! Share your story. Pull readers in. Doing this helps you become much more attractive to a growing audience.
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Hey Ryan,
Yes, I noticed when you share your story you become human LOL…. but this definitely is attractive to a lot of people! Thanks for stopping by!
sherman smith recently posted…When Hackers Attack
Hi Sherman,
Excellent post with solid tips! Share your message through your story to pull your readers with you into the story and engage them.
That is such an excellent idea. It helps build credibility and helps you be that ‘social proof’. Not just that, how about the traffic it begins to generate when people start liking your stuff? 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Kumar
Hey Kumar,
I notice that those people who bring their personality and share their story get better responses and just as much traffic as those that focus on just strategies and tools. It shows that you are human and that you’re on the same level as your readers! Thanks for your comment Kumar!
admin recently posted…When Hackers Attack
It’s all about relating to your audience. Give what your audience wants and they will be coming back for more. I like what you said about showing popular posts. It creates curiosity and giving your audience what they want and more. Thanks Sherman!
Nate Leung recently posted…MLM Tips: Why You Are Responsible For Your Success
Hey Nate,
It definitely is about relating to your audience. Relationship building is the key, and once you’re on the same level as your audience you can take the lead with your blog. Your audience will see the value you give and will want to come back for more!
sherman smith recently posted…When Hackers Attack
Sherman,
Great tips to follow! It is all about writing to our audience. Giving them knowledge they can use. They do come back again and again when writing good content.
We also have to be on the social networks to promote others and in turn, they will promote us.
Yes, we all don’t have time to read each and every word on every blog. Sometimes we do have to skim and giving those bold titles do help.
Thanks!
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted…Leveraging Social Media
Hey Donna,
Thanks for the compliment! If we want a following, you want to write to your audience. Better yet, you want to talk with your audience as though they’re right beside you. When your on the same level as your audience and give them some helpful tips, then they’ll definitely want to come back!
sherman smith recently posted…When Hackers Attack
However good your content when you start a new blog, you have to work hard to bring people to read what you have to say. I agree that social networking and commenting on other blogs is invaluable. Joining blogging networks which are aimed at mutual support is good way to find people. I would not have discovered this blog without being part of the same network as you.
I see you have comment luv installed which is another great way of showing your appreciation to those who comment.
Sue Bride recently posted…Bling Your Blog
Hey Sue,
Not only do you have to work hard but you have to really enjoy what you’re doing. It will definitely come out into your blog. You can definitely find some great people and bloggers by joining blogging networks and as well as engaging on different blogs. This will definitely benefit you in the end! Thanks for your insight!
sherman smith recently posted…When Hackers Attack
Good post. Sometimes it is hard to get in the habit of updating a blog which has been my problem but once you do and get in the habit, people start following you because they know you will post on a regular basis.
Monna Ellithorpe recently posted…The Benefits of a Focus Group and Accountability Friends
Hey Monna,
Once you get into the habit and make it a routine, people will definitely appreciate and look forward to your up and coming posts!
sherman smith recently posted…When Hackers Attack
Hey Michael,
Thanks for the compliment! It’s funny how your personality can carry over to your blog. If you were popular offline, then you can definitely be popular online. They both mirrror each other! Thanks for sharing!
sherman smith recently posted…When Hackers Attack
Hey Sherman,
I love your posts. They’re insightful and always showing a common thread – care for others. I like celebrating the successes and efforts of others. It takes effort to visit someone’s blog and comment on it. So they certainly should be honored in some way. As usual, wonderful tips…
Lesly Federici recently posted…Resources 4 Video Pizazz
Thanks, Sherman, you have made some great suggestions for increasing a blog audience. I will put those tips to use.
Mary Austin recently posted…Network Marketing Tips – Is Facebook Marketing Still Worth Your Time?
Hey Mary,
I’m glad that this post has been helpful for you!
sherman smith recently posted…Why Do People Give Up On Their Home Businesses?
Thank you Sherman,its like you wrote this for me 🙂
This is what I have to learn .
good advise.
Erika Mohssen-Beyk recently posted…A Story About my Little Friend Ana
Hey Erika,
I’m glad that you found this post of value to you!
sherman smith recently posted…Why Do People Give Up On Their Home Businesses?