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Anyone with access the internet can start a blog, but not every blog becomes popular. By popular, I mean a blog that has more than a handful of readers on average that keep coming back. If you have a blog that's not maintaining as much of a readership as you'd like, try the following things. 1. Write in your own voice. People visit a blog in part because of their ability to relate to the writer. It's easier to relate to a live person than to a page of text, so be a live person on your blog. Write honestly about your experiences and opinions so that your voice comes through in your posts. 2. Write about something you know. If you've never changed a tire, don't write a blog all about cars. Readers will sense that you don't know what you're talking about and be turned off - and away from your blog. Pick a "niche", as it's called, and stick with it. 3. Stay on topic. For the most part, people don't like reading blogs about everything to pops into someone else's head. Even if every post you write isn't about a narrow niche, readers appreciate a sense of predictability when they read your blog. Otherwise, they have no reason to keep reading because a post like the one they saw and liked on their first visit may never appear again. 4. Stay current. If you're going to post about current events, do it early before readers have already seen it in several places. At the very least add something new, factual, and useful to readers. 4. Write. Dead blogs are no fun. Continually update your blog with new content on a schedule that's somewhat predictable - once a day, three times a week, etc. Mind how often you post so that subscribers to your blog aren't bombarded with too many emails per day or forget that your blog exists because you post too infrequently. 5. Listen to your readers and talk back to them. Readers leave comments when they think it's worthwhile. Whether they're telling you that they love a post or that they have something to add or disagree with it, pay attention and respond. It gives readers a sense of connection and makes you seem more real (see #1). If you generally ignore comments, critical or positive, you risk alienating what readers you have. 6. Don't expect to get rich. Blogging has the potential to be a source of income, but don't quit your day job for it. Even with ads and tons of visitors, a blog will typically take at least a few months to draw in substantial amounts of money. Following these tips, you're more likely to increase the likelihood of your blog making money if that is your goal. Whether you already have a blog or are just starting out, implement these tips and see what happens. Results may not be immediate but you may surprised. Mike Vera is a freelance writer working for Invesp and loves to write on social media websites like Mybloglogand LinkedIn.
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