Just to let you know, I didn’t always have a successful blog. I started one 6 years ago, and when no magic happened in a few months, I quit. What a mistake!
I quit too soon because I didn’t realize that the blog, just like the website, would take time to catch on, and would require a lot of marketing. I got some coaching and installed WordPress to my business site at bookcoaching.com. This one has worked well. I like WordPress because for each blog page, Google notices it and ranks your site higher in the search engines - I found this out with my Google Analytics program.
Writing your blog is also so important to get it noticed on LinkedIn. Your blog titles and content need to hook your primary audience to read them. Be sure to give value in each blog and not sell. Many steps of giving free content lead to the sale and if you are patient, you will get them as I do.
“This is a very informed post based on real experience. I know since I am discovering each of your truths as I proceed with my second blog about syndicated articles publicity. I too have found that Linkedin groups and a steady stream of blog posts are two of the most effective means to grow your brand.
Thanks for sharing.”
Myrna Greenhut
One big reason to write a blog is that you already have done some savvy content marketing by writing a book. You can save time by using chapter content in a new blog post with a new angle. Now, you can double your ROI (Return on Investment) when you add a blog to your business website. The blog is the main reason your book’s audience will come your site to eventually buy YOU, your book and your business. And the best place to share your blog is on LinkedIn groups in the “Discussion” place. This is legal if it helps that group, but be sure not to spam other unrelated groups that don’t want your information.
My book sales and coaching clients results come mainly from my blogs posted at LI groups and from my helpful tips in the groups. Members appreciate the help and then visit my site to join in and get their weekly how to’s and see how else I can help them.
Want More Blog Readers?
It’s one thing to have a blog, it’s quite another to get new and continuing readers. If you have a blog and have been blogging for a while you know what I mean. I was thrilled the first time several of my biggest competitors gave me positive feedback on several of my blog entries. They probably know a lot more than I do about some of my topics, but complimented me as though I was the top resource. They even offered to feature one of my posts at their blogs. (If you visit my blog, you will meet them, smile).
Here are 8 Tips to Get More Blog Readers from LinkedIn and Elsewhere
1. Write useful content to each of your audiences.
Most books have more than one audience, so tailor a post for each topic and audience each time. Post twice a week at your site or blog site. My blog is on my site- www.bookcoaching.com (2X a week is best for all that traffic you want)
2. Write great blog titles that will hook your reader.
Stay away from general or mysterious blog titles. No one will read them and search engines can’t spider them effectively. Be specific in your title - even to the point of naming your audience in it. Specifics sell; generalities don’t.
3. Keep blogging, even if you don’t think people are reading.
A friend just told me he visits a lot of economics blogs, and just observes, never making a comment. I just checked my Google Analytics to see how long my LI visitors were hanging around on my site. Thirty per cent stay 2 minutes to just read the blog, and the rest stay up to a half hour. Eventually, if you keep alerting your internet audience of your blog titles, they will beat a path to your website door.
4. Give away stuff.
You don’t have to give something every post, but people love freebies and it’s another way to give and show off your expertise. I always include a link to my free eBook on Book Tips along with my free newsletter, now evolved into what I call “subscribing to my site.” People who sign up get about 4 fresh how to’s on book writing and marketing.
5. Share other blog titles and a link to other useful things at the bottom of your blog entry.
You can even share a link to your coaching or teleseminar. It’s OK to promote a bit. If you don’t ask for the order, you won’t get one. And these links make it easy to “buy.”
6. Ask your visitors to comment or ask questions to get a lively discussion going.
If you don’t ask, they will just read. You want a community here, so make this request each time. One recent update is that I added to most of my blogs –“Put a smile on my face and leave a comment or question!”
Now I ask you, will you make me smile now too? I welcome your 2 cents.
7. Promote your blog heavily on your other related groups at LinkedIn by adding useful tips to the discussions.
I am active on over 10 groups in my target audience. This goes for Twitter and Facebook too.
8. Comment on other high-traffic blogs that relate to yours.
This is a great way to network with other bloggers, maybe to even do joint ventures with them. Comment on what they are doing by joining their RSS feed or filling out the subscription box that will send you emails when a new blog or comment comes up. This is a great way to make cyber-friends, some of which will pass your name on to their groups.
9. Invite people to guest blog or interview them.
They’ll promote the interview on their blog and this will help you get readers and expand your network. These interviews also make great content - soon to be new blog posts!
10. Don’t be afraid-state your opinion in your blog.
You are a go-to person with valuable opinions. It’s a good way to stimulate others to chime in, even if they don’t agree with you.
Keep your momentum going with these and all the rest of my LinkedIn tips that help with your blog. Any time you slack off or think it’s not worth it, remember the benefits to this friendly kind of marketing - to get known, get liked, and get trusted.
My life’s mission and passion is to help unknown authors create the income they deserve, build their confidence, writing skills, and marketing tactics to get their unique, useful story out to their audience who wants an outstanding life and work.