I sent out a dangerous tweet.
It read, “I will write an entire blog post about whatever the first person to respond wants.” The first reply was a total misfire – @amoldkevin said, “me.” While I appreciate his tenacity, I can’t write about someone I don’t know. He graciously passed the torch to @brendasarg who asked, “How about how to get your blog out there without spamming the shit out of everyone? Upping readership?”
Okay, this is a topic I know.
If you’re goal is to get a ton of traffic, you have to do three things:
- Recognize What You Already Have
- Design a REAL Marketing Strategy
- Become Excellent at Writing
The first to do is appreciate your current readership. When I started it was just my dickhead friends. I called them often and thanked them for reading. Then, as I started to get blog comments, I made it a policy to reply to each. Thankfully only 1% of you comment and this is still manageable today. Make sure you reply to everything including comments, emails, and social media replies. It’s a way of thanking people for taking time out of their day to read your crap. Trust me, they have better things to do.
Now, to get in front of new eyeballs, here’s what has worked for me. First, read other blogs. Comment on twenty a day. You’ll be shocked how many people will see your comment and check you out. Next, join Facebook and Google+ blog networking groups. I’m in several and we read, comment, and share each other’s stuff. Join Triberr and find like-minded bloggers where you promote each other. Learn about bloghops and Twitter chats. Find websites that accept submissions. I guest posted on AimingLow for a year before they put me on staff. Finally, master one social network. Twitter is my drug of choice and I use it well.
The most important thing – write stuff worth reading. And yes, you need to take classes. I go to every seminar and conference I can afford. If you’re broke, find free writing workshops online. Read at least a book a month about your craft. Invest in your creativity. You’re worth it.
You MUST write all the time. Like every day. Yes, this sucks, but it’s true. I know you’re busy. You have a family and/or other jobs. Assume that you need to put in 10k hours (like Malcolm Gladwell determined) before you’re any good. That’s ten years. Are you willing to do the heavy lifting for ten years while you perfect your craft? You have to be willing. No exception. I wish there was an easier way. They’re ain’t.
And, guess what, over the ten years you’ll become better at writing and better at marketing. You’ll retain your current readers because you’ll connect with them and build personal relationships. You’ll learn how to create outstanding content with all the hours of practice. You’ll pick up sponsorships and eventually get paid for your work.
People ask me why I have high engagement on Twitter. It’s simple. I spend at least an hour every day writing jokes and tweeting them out. If I didn’t people wouldn’t continue to follow me. I’ve been tweeting since 2009. It takes time.
So, the bottom line is – make a ten year plan. Stop looking at page views and judging the number of comments you receive. I pour my heart into posts that receive zero comments. It happens. Just plan on writing and marketing for ten years before anything substantial happens. If you are willing to put in the time, you’ll get there. I promise.
And even if you never achieve TheBloggess or Dooce numbers, it won’t matter. You’ll have pride and satisfaction from all the hard work and sacrifice. And that lasts a lifetime.
Kevin says:
D.J.,
First up, thanks for the Follow. Second, after checking out your site I read today’s post. Good stuff there for sure, I’ll be back! If you want to succeed you need to invest the time, shit doesn’t happen over night.
Love you style and humor,
Kevin @keviniscookin
D.J. Paris says:
Thanks Kevin!
This was a very different post than I would normally write. I’ll be back to my same goofy self starting tonight. Ha!
Lindsay says:
Comment #1 of the day: unlocked.
Just kidding. Really insightful stuff, and encouraging. Thanks for sharing!
D.J. Paris says:
nice – people think that their blog should just go viral. I’ve had one mini-viral moment and then three days later my blog traffic went right back to normal. Just gotta keep making the donuts. 🙂
nabanita says:
Thanks for sharing
D.J. Paris says:
No problem – keep reading!
Dorit Sasson says:
hi, there – Nice. You have some good sound thoughts on how to build a steady following and platform, and I like the idea of a ten year plan although I sometimes wonder how I can get through the next ten minutes with a five month old. Still, I’m able to write (amazingly so) and market and participate. I also followed you on Twitter.
You make the important point of improving one’s writing skills. As a writer, I cannot stress that enough.
Dorit Sasson
http://www.GivingVoicetoVoicelessBook.com
Giving Voice to Your Story
D.J. Paris says:
Thanks Dorit – yeah with kids and stuff, who has the time? I don’t have any so it’s easy for me to say, “Just write every day!” Now, with that being said, go write every day! Ha!
Cher says:
great post, great humour 🙂
D.J. Paris says:
Thanks, Cher! I appreciate it!
Natalie - The Cat Lady Sings says:
I’ve learned from the best.
😉
D.J. Paris says:
I really am the best! You’re right! 🙂
AlwaysARedhead says:
Commenting on other peoples blogs is definitely a winner, looking a stats, not so much. In regards to writing, I like the twice weekly or weekly schedule for me. My biggest problem, is my ideas tend to come at 3am. I really need a little table and lamp beside the bed so I can write my ideas down.
D.J. Paris says:
Totally – I carry a notebook anywhere I go. It’s critical to me, as I have a terrible memory.
Rhonda says:
Holy Wow! A ten year plan? I’m going to set a one year plan ten times. Much less overwhelming for me. Thanks for the tips though. I can see a few areas I’m weak in, so I’m sure this will help out.
D.J. Paris says:
I like the one-year plan – just renew it every year!
Mandi says:
Thanks for sharing. I’m still learning, and every bit of knowledge helps…so much!
D.J. Paris says:
No problem Mandi – keep writing!
Kate Hall says:
This is really good, D.J. I’ve been following your methodology for about a year now and I have definitely seen results. Thank you! I think it’s really good to know that most people, even the ones that are successful didn’t get there overnight. You’ve been at this a long time, longer than most – I don’t think the average blogger that follows you realizes that. Twitter since 2009 is like forever.
D.J. Paris says:
Thanks. Yeah, I don’t know anyone that just made it after a few years. I’m sure there must be someone, but it’s not common. I just know (for me at least) that I’m never going to go viral – it’ll just be slow steady growth.
Perfectly Imperfect says:
Is this where I comment so I can offer a shameless plug for my blog?!
Seriously though, great article. Thanks for the tips! Thank goodness I have decent typing speed if I’m going to blog every day! 🙂
D.J. Paris says:
ha – yes, just keep at it! And yes, take the shameless plug!!!
Brenda Sargeant says:
This is great, thank you! Commit to it, put the time in, get results.
I MUST COMMIT.
D.J. Paris says:
Ha – yep. Wish I had better news for you. 🙂
Alana (@RamblinGarden) says:
I shared your awesomeness. But a 10 year plan? Will the internet exist in 10 years? Will blogs? Will I? (I’m 61). I have blogged, though, every day since late April of 2011. Through a flood, through various other things. But now that I have to be one of several caregivers to an elderly mother in law with cancer, I don’t know how much longer I can keep up the daily pace. But I will try! And you are right, commenting on other blogs is one of the keys to success. I’ve been too neglectful lately, and I’m back to caregiving later this week. I’ll just take it one day at a time.
D.J. Paris says:
The internet will indeed exist, and I shall be their leader. This is what Jesus told me. We’re close like that.
Seriously, good luck with the mom in law. Sorry to hear about it.
Shahzad Saeed says:
Hey DJ,
20 comments a day? Really?
I am looking to comment at least 10 comments a day and I know bigger the numbers greater the result. And, its not about the numbers, right?
Hmm… I will be following you on Twitter too 🙂
D.J. Paris says:
I just tell people – have SOME sort of strategy. But yes, become an awesome writer too! 🙂
Jana says:
I think #3 is the most important. I don’t think it matters how much you market your blog if the writing sucks. If I visit a blog and find the writing awkward, hard to read, or difficult to understand — I’m outta there (and I usually don’t go back).
I don’t write every day. If I try, I find the posts become kind of artificial and awkward (because I’m writing when I’m just not feeling it and I’m forcing things). I want to feel great about what I post, even if my readership is not huge. So, when I’ve got a bit of writer’s block, that’s when I read other blogs (and try to find new ones). I find they give me inspiration and often a blog will trigger a memory that has me writing a post that very day
I’m still trying to find enough free time to network more and improve my writing. I think both would be valuable and helpful!
Thanks for the great tips.
D.J. Paris says:
True – I do a shitload of marketing, but that’s because I know that if someone doesn’t like my content, they do NOT come back. So that’s why I get in front of as many people as possible. But, I have bad days, too. Yesterday what I wrote was dogshit. I’m sure I lost some first time readers. Oh well… Ha!
Lola Ambrosia says:
Great read. I needed this as motivation, actually. I have a bad habit of focusing on the stats and I keep having to remind myself that I’ve only been blogging for a year. I HAVE been on twitter 2009/2010 and I interact with my followers a lot. Unfortunately, the majority of my followers are people that I know or have met in real life.
D.J. Paris says:
We all focus on the stats. I even look at my real-time stats through Google so I can see how many people are on the page at a time! I’m nuts.
Francene Stanley says:
Great subject which will probably put many bloggers off. I blogged every day last year and gained a good following. Since designing a new blog for 2014, I’ve lost many of them. However, I’m glad of those who have joined me for another year. I’ve been writing novels for nearly 10 years, so I guess I qualify. I’m hoping my blog will generate sales for my books.
D.J. Paris says:
Ha – so far, no negative comments. But those people probably didn’t write in. 🙂
Congrats on blogging every day. I’ve done it. It’s insane!
Keep it up!!!
Mari Corona says:
Thanks for share:)
D.J. Paris says:
You’re welcome!
Ruby says:
Thanks for the follow…! After this, I followed you back (obviously), commented on your post (as you suggested) and shared your article in my office (I work for a digital agency). It’s pretty good this networking lark, isn’t it? Highly engaging content – thanks Paris
D.J. Paris says:
Wow – you did it all! Remind me to thank you with an open-mouth makeout session! I just have to check with my girlfriend first… Okay, I checked. Looks like I won’t be able to do the makeout session. Also, I am now single as a result of asking. Thanks a lot!
Jen says:
This is the best post I’ve read about building your blog…makes total sense. Be good at what you do (writing), first. And then be part of the community by reading/commenting on other blogs and replying you comments on your own.
Don’t mean to rewrite it’s just all become so much clearer! Thanks for a great post!!