Dear Story Siren,
I’m a brand new blogger and I have some questions on making my blog better. I’m not sure how to really pull off a pleasing blog and how to write reviews for books that people will want to read. I’m currently in the 9th grade and I love to read. I really want to get my opinion out there for others to read but I just can’t figure out how to do so. I’ve tried to put my personal touch to my blog but it just isn’t out there. Do you have any suggestions as to how I should get my blog more readers. Any advice on how to make my blog better is welcome. Thanks for your time,
Kailia Sage
Dear Story Siren,
I’m trying to improve my blog and put it out there for others to see because I love getting to know other people and I find this is one way to do this. What would you suggest to help me with this?
Thanks, S
Dear Story Siren,
I’ve had my blog since November, but only have 16 followers- of whom only about 5 are contributers to posts etc. How should I publicise my blog to get more followers and contributers?
Thanks, reader.
Dear Story Siren,
What are good sites to add your blog to so that you can get more readers?
Anon
Dear Story Siren,
I’ve been contemplating on making a blog for quite some time now, but have felt ambivalent because of how busy I am! You are so dedicated to your blog (spending 16+ hours weekly) and I wasn’t sure if I could do that being a student and all. However, I decided to go for it!!
There are so many ideas jotted into my notebook, and so many reviews already written, I just need to start… Which is the most important part!! I know you already have a whole page answering how to start a blog and promote it, which was insanely helpful, but a little more in-depth explanation would be greatly appreciated.
How can I get the word out?
Tips?
What should I do if I’m not tech savvy at all?
Thanks so much!
Love, Hannah S
Dear Story Siren,
When you started your blog, how did you get people besides friends to know that you have a blog? How did you increase your readership in the beginning?
Anon
Dear Story Siren,
How do you get more followers without only participating in memes because I want more followers but I also want to keep up the quality of my posts.
Thanks,
Your average blogger!
All of these questions are asking the same basic questions… how do I get more readers/followers/viewers? So I’m just going to answer them all in one straight shot. If you haven’t done so, I’d recommend reading my Blog Advice posts, which not only feature some fairly good advice from myself, but also contain links to other great bloggers and their tips on the same topic.
The first thing to remember about followers is, it doesn’t happen overnight. I’ve been blogging here at The Story Siren since 2007, late 2007, but still it all began in 07. I didn’t have any followers. Back in the dark ages we didn’t even have a “follower” button! If you can believe that!
My advice is don’t worry about it. Honestly, don’t stress about your number of followers/viewers/visitors, that is something that is going to come with time. Or something that should come with time.
But that’s not what you want to hear! You want to know the secret to getting visitors! Well here it is….
I know I’m mean aren’t I.
I’ll just tell you what I did.
We didn’t have memes when I started blogging, well not that I was aware of, and none that were all popular at least, I could also count the number of YA book blogs on one hand, well again, the ones that I was aware of. So I did the thing that was the most popular at the time. I made a MySpace page. You couldn’t pay me to get on MySpace now (although I do still have a page up there) but it worked for me at the time. It was a great way to network with readers and authors.
I was also very active on two popular reading forums. Random Buzzers and Book Divas. And since I’m in the advice giving mode, don’t go into a forum and start a “come visit my blog” thread. That is one of the most annoying things ever! I hated that and it would often turn me away from the blog instead of intrigue me. Join the conversations about your favorite books, isn’t that why you started blogging in the first place? Add your blog into your signature, and perhaps someone will be intrigued enough to click it.
Another thing I did was comment on other people’s blogs. They commented on mine, I commented on theirs. Don’t leave your blog url…. to me that just screams “i’m only here so you and your readers will see this url and come visit my blog” (and even if you are only there for that reason, you don’t have to advertise the fact!) as long as you are signed in with your blogger id, they should be able to find your blog just fine.
Have fun with your blog, make it your own. I can’t stress that enough. Your readers will be able to tell if you are having fun. Make your blog one that you would want to visit.
Here’s what my google analytics tell me…. Over fifty percent of my incoming traffic comes from referring sites! So it’s safe to say, it’s good to get your name out there!
Here are some of my top referring sites.
Google/Yahoo/Bing
The search engines. Did you know there are ways to make your blog more search friendly. They are called Meta Tags. Do some research on those! Find a meta tag generator, do a little html magic with your layout and ta-da, your blog is now more search friendly!
Meg Cabot is one of my biggest referrals. Which is probably because she is awesome-tastic and so is her blog and a lot of people visit it, and she has mentioned moi a few times. (And no, I never emailed and asked her to do that, I honestly don’t even think she knows I exist… ) I just sort of lucked out on that one there. There isn’t any special html magic to get mentioned on Meg’s blog. At least I don’t think so.
One word: Twitter. I love you Twitter. I hate you Twitter. Twitter is waaaay up there on the list. This is probably what I would do today instead of making a MySpace page. Twitter is a great social network tool, it is also a great way to waste time.
My LinkWithin widget (that thingy with the pictures to similar posts at the bottom of my posts… did that just confuse you, because it did me) is also very high on the list. And that is very surprising to me, I’m not sure how exactly that works, but nonetheless my google analytics cannot be wrong.
I’d also recommend getting a Goodreads profile, or maybe even start a YouTube page. All great social networking tools!
You’ve probably figured out that it takes some work. And it does. It’s not easy and it’s not something that is just going to fall in your lap.
The most important piece of advice:
Until next time,
Story Siren
If you have a question.... blog related, personal, book related... submit it below to be featured on a future post of "Dear Story Siren" If you've already submitted a question and it hasn't been answered, don't fret! I will try to answer every question! PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE COMMENTS IN THE BOX BELOW. The form below is to submit a question for the "Dear Story Siren" posts, not to leave a comment. Feel free to leave a comment in the "comments section" Thank you!
Related posts:
Nice! I love reading these.
And basically every post you put up here!
That was a great answer. Basically, everything takes time including getting readers to one's blog. I think that as long as the blog has quality content and keeps coming up with them, then I'm sure the readers will come in.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Story Siren!
Nice! I love reading these.
And basically every post you put up here!
This is really a great post and I can't agree with you more. I think it's all about community and "socializing". Besides, it just more fun than sitting on your own blog and waiting for followers, or readers.
It's fun being out in Twitter or Facebook to meet like minded people, or to go out to find other blogs that share your interests. I met so many lovely and wonderful people like this and some of them I can now call a friend.
Which is in the end worth much more than a big Follower list.
Awesome advise Kristi! Some I am happy I am already doing, and some I will start now! Thanks!
That was a great answer. Basically, everything takes time including getting readers to one's blog. I think that as long as the blog has quality content and keeps coming up with them, then I'm sure the readers will come in.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Story Siren!
This is really a great post and I can't agree with you more. I think it's all about community and "socializing". Besides, it just more fun than sitting on your own blog and waiting for followers, or readers.
It's fun being out in Twitter or Facebook to meet like minded people, or to go out to find other blogs that share your interests. I met so many lovely and wonderful people like this and some of them I can now call a friend.
Which is in the end worth much more than a big Follower list.
Awesome advise Kristi! Some I am happy I am already doing, and some I will start now! Thanks!
I love these, so thanks for the great advice!
You should also remember that this isn't a popularity contest. People will read you if they like what you write and how you write it. If you only have a few visits a day to your blog and another blogger has a billionty, don't get discouraged. Those people who visit you may become very loyal and will also spread the word about your blog as well.
Stats don't mean everything. Some people get a little too hung up on them. If you say you're blogging for yourself, but then complain that you don't have a ton of followers, then you're not blogging for yourself are you?
Just some old fogie advice.
It takes time, you know?
You're so great. :]
Great post! I think using twitter is a great idea to get info about my blog out there but now I spend way to much time on it
I liked the mentions about meta tag generator and linkwithin, I wasn't familiar with those – thanks!
I love these, so thanks for the great advice!
You should also remember that this isn't a popularity contest. People will read you if they like what you write and how you write it. If you only have a few visits a day to your blog and another blogger has a billionty, don't get discouraged. Those people who visit you may become very loyal and will also spread the word about your blog as well.
Stats don't mean everything. Some people get a little too hung up on them. If you say you're blogging for yourself, but then complain that you don't have a ton of followers, then you're not blogging for yourself are you?
Just some old fogie advice.
It takes time, you know?
You're so great. :]
thanks for the great advice!
great advice!but i just want to say that, there's no easy. just hard work!
I'm a new blogger, and this was really helpful! I've gotten a small handful of followers already that I didn't expect mainly from memes and commenting around the blogosphere, but I definitely have to work with some of these networking sites! =] Great post!
Great post! I think using twitter is a great idea to get info about my blog out there but now I spend way to much time on it
I liked the mentions about meta tag generator and linkwithin, I wasn't familiar with those – thanks!
I have fun visiting other blogs. I like to leave comments, especially if they reviewed a book that I might want to read too.
My blog is new too, so I have a lot to learn. The journey is the best part.
Melina
Kristi, I've been meaning to compliment you on these posts for a while. You really are awesome to share your wisdom with others. They are fun to read and informative.
I think for most people it is hard to be patient enough to wait for your readers to come to your blog. We visit well-known blogs and think, why can't mind be like that? But, like many things in life, it just takes time. And as a commenter "old fogie" (like me) said above, stats don't mean everything and it's best fo blog for yourself. Otherwise it's a lot of work (which it is but…) and not fun work. Blogging should be fun, not a duty or a job.
Thanks again! I enjoy your blog so very much! I don't wonder that you are mentioned on Meg Cabot's site. She's a smart lady and smart to link to you. LOL
thanks for the great advice!
great advice!but i just want to say that, there's no easy. just hard work!
I'm a new blogger, and this was really helpful! I've gotten a small handful of followers already that I didn't expect mainly from memes and commenting around the blogosphere, but I definitely have to work with some of these networking sites! =] Great post!
I have fun visiting other blogs. I like to leave comments, especially if they reviewed a book that I might want to read too.
My blog is new too, so I have a lot to learn. The journey is the best part.
Melina
Kristi, I've been meaning to compliment you on these posts for a while. You really are awesome to share your wisdom with others. They are fun to read and informative.
I think for most people it is hard to be patient enough to wait for your readers to come to your blog. We visit well-known blogs and think, why can't mind be like that? But, like many things in life, it just takes time. And as a commenter "old fogie" (like me) said above, stats don't mean everything and it's best fo blog for yourself. Otherwise it's a lot of work (which it is but…) and not fun work. Blogging should be fun, not a duty or a job.
Thanks again! I enjoy your blog so very much! I don't wonder that you are mentioned on Meg Cabot's site. She's a smart lady and smart to link to you. LOL
Thanks that is great Advice!
Thanks for making this post! It's very helpful.
Thanks that is great Advice!
Thanks for making this post! It's very helpful.
Thanks for answering this question! I'm still relatively new myself, and it's tough trying to get followers! Like everything, it just takes time
I LOVE THE POLL BY THE WAY!
Thanks for answering this question! I'm still relatively new myself, and it's tough trying to get followers! Like everything, it just takes time
I LOVE THE POLL BY THE WAY!
I agree with your statement that it takes time to get readers or followers. Just look at Julie Powell, the real one! It took her a long time before her blog got noticed! And then it was a smash hit! She made a book about it, and later a huge movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams! That didn't come overnight tho! It took a while! So patience is definately a good quality to practice!
I agree with your statement that it takes time to get readers or followers. Just look at Julie Powell, the real one! It took her a long time before her blog got noticed! And then it was a smash hit! She made a book about it, and later a huge movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams! That didn't come overnight tho! It took a while! So patience is definately a good quality to practice!
This post couldn't come at a better time! While I knew what to do, I was growing discouraged at the lack of followers and such. Suddenly, things look up and I know what I'm going to do to help get myself out there.
Your blog has been so helpful and inspiring. Thank you! Please keep up the good work.
Awesome.
Thanks, Kristi.
Ooh, and guess what? I just got back from my very first author event!
It was the LA Times Book Festival and it was awesome!
Five signed books from wonderful authors along with a lot of book marks.
This post couldn't come at a better time! While I knew what to do, I was growing discouraged at the lack of followers and such. Suddenly, things look up and I know what I'm going to do to help get myself out there.
Your blog has been so helpful and inspiring. Thank you! Please keep up the good work.
The beginning is always rough, but it gets better.
Great advice! Thanks!
Awesome.
Thanks, Kristi.
Ooh, and guess what? I just got back from my very first author event!
It was the LA Times Book Festival and it was awesome!
Five signed books from wonderful authors along with a lot of book marks.
The beginning is always rough, but it gets better.
Great advice! Thanks!
Thanks for the great advice. I am just thinking of starting a blog and was wondering about this. I will definitely check out all the blog advice posts before I start mine.
Thanks for the great advice. I am just thinking of starting a blog and was wondering about this. I will definitely check out all the blog advice posts before I start mine.
I tend to ignore followers numbers because it wasn't around when I started blogging/reading blogs. I read a lot of blogs but don't follow all of them; and there are some blogs I "follow" and don't read. I think using other sources (stats, RSS readers) better indicate if people are reading you.
I havent used Link Within, so I'll add that to my blog. Thanks for the info!
I tend to ignore followers numbers because it wasn't around when I started blogging/reading blogs. I read a lot of blogs but don't follow all of them; and there are some blogs I "follow" and don't read. I think using other sources (stats, RSS readers) better indicate if people are reading you.
I havent used Link Within, so I'll add that to my blog. Thanks for the info!
When I first started blogging I was really into "numbers." Now I care more about reading and sharing my reviews. The followers I do have are quite loyal and always post good comments. I feel like I have a relationship with my readers, which is way more important than having thousands of disinterested people.
When I first started blogging I was really into "numbers." Now I care more about reading and sharing my reviews. The followers I do have are quite loyal and always post good comments. I feel like I have a relationship with my readers, which is way more important than having thousands of disinterested people.
thanks, great advice
thanks, great advice