I don't normally write "How To" pieces but now that I have been blogging for over a year I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert in the field. Sure there are others that have been at it longer and others that have a bigger following, but once you hit that year mark you know that you have made it. Being a blogger past your one year "Blogoversary" (nonsense word) really does give you street cred in this medium.
I have a pretty decent following on Twitter and Facebook, but I can't be certain that at least three quarters of my followers aren't just spammers and marketers. I will just go with the idea that there are at least a few people that are following me because they actually like to read my blog.
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When you are an up and coming blogger you go anywhere to get information on how to grow your blog and gain more readers. More readers meant certain wealth, and more wealth meant instant fame. I know that I did, and really didn't find that much useful information. I must have visited hundreds of sites trying to find the most foolproof methods to gain more readership. All of them had the same nonsense about being yourself, finding your voice, creating a niche and the list goes on.
I am here to tell you the one secret that every blogger needs to know in order to get viewers.
Write a post on how to grow your blog!
I can't tell you how many times I would see a "How to" post on my Twitter stream and be compelled to read it only to find that same stuff about using Twitter and Facebook and all the great social mediums. EVERYONE WAS AN EXPERT when it came to growing their blog, I know because I read them all.
Then it hit me, I had never heard of half of these blogs and most hadn't been around the requisite one year so they could not be considered an expert in the blogging world. The only way that ANYONE visited these blogs was because they wrote a post about growing your blog.
It's genius right?
They probably didn't even know how smart they were when they were writing it. I can almost guarantee that that post was their most read post of all time. Whether or not people showed up for their next entry is besides the point, they had the hook. They suckered me in and I am sure that I wasn't alone.
The truth is, there is no right way or wrong way to grow your blog. There are no answers, I've looked.
Trust me. I'm an expert.
Damn. I read this for a couple reasons. You are an expert. It seemed like a great HOW TO blog post. And I dont spam you, I just follow you. A blog will grow as much as you want it to. If your in it for size then you will spend more time trying to spread the word than actually enjoying what you write. I know you enjoy what you blog about. Most experts dont. But you do and that is why you are better than an expert.
ReplyDeleteFunny I thought it said a jillion percent - that's why I clicked..nobody's ever done that before..thanks for the secret to blogging wealth, you're the best!
ReplyDeleteThe key is to do it because you like it... I can't say that though because that is too simple. The truth is as long as I have people like you reading, that's enough for me.
ReplyDeleteJillion would be too much and nobody would believe it
ReplyDeleteOh damn. Genius. I'm going to follow your advice except I'm using 100 kajillion percent. I am also going to add the words "Make Money Blogging". Thanks for your awesomeness.
ReplyDeleteI KNEW you would like it. I would read it, because 10 kajillion is a big number
ReplyDeletePT Barnum was right... there's a sucker born every minute, and today, that sucker is ME. But damn, you are so right on!!! It's simple, but it's so true.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. Btw, your genius tweet about this post is what hooked me.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I will have to discuss about how to get a free iPad.
ReplyDeleteUsing the word genius in a sentence about me is not something that normally happens. Genius describes people like the guy who invented the hot dog or paper plates. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is your most informative post ever.
ReplyDeleteBloggers help each other... I am here to offer my guidance.
ReplyDeleteI really needed to read this post today. Full blown belly laugh. Awesome. At first I'm like, what the hell is John doing writing a how-to and then.... LOVED IT. There are a ton of reasons to follow you here or wherever you are and I'm proud to be a DiCHead.
ReplyDeletethis is my first time visiting your blog when I saw the post on facebook, had a feeling if I clicked I would laugh... and I did. lol
ReplyDeleteYou had me at 8 billion percent! bahahahahaha
I'm glad that I was able to hook you in I thought that 8 billion was a nie round realistic number.
ReplyDeleteLike I told Scott you guys are te reason to blog... Now if there were more of you that would be awesome. Go get some of your closest friends and bring them over.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad there were no Legos to illustrate your point. I am ashamed to admit that I am actually illiterate and those videos are why I follow your blog. (JK) However, I am 8 billion percent positive that you are about to become famous (thus increasing your readership) because you invent words like blogoversary. Everybody knows that only famous people can do that!
ReplyDeleteI can't take credit for that word. It's all the rage in the blogosphere. Legos should be in every piece, I know.
ReplyDeleteHands down, best "How To" piece ever. And congratulations on what will become your most viewed post, well deserved. I may have gone with 7.849 billion...
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what's in store for your half blogoversary!
I may just give out pencils
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!
ReplyDeleteI would like to subscribe to your pamphlet.
ReplyDeleteHaha, you have a very good point. I got suckered.:)
ReplyDeleteDon't think of it as being suckered... You were researching and found the best way to grow your blog.
ReplyDeleteOoh a pamphlet... I need to get one of those. I will have to do some research
ReplyDeleteBam. You got me. Way more effective than those late night infomercials that promise me 7 billion percent more blog readers.
ReplyDeleteOh, wait, there are none.
Well done.
I'm really WORKING on "growing" my website for the first time since its inception. I preferred when I didn't give a hoot! lol...
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that when you aren't trying is when you have the most success.
ReplyDeleteNow that you know the secret, you too can increase your readership exponentially. It's fool proof.
ReplyDeleteWha?!? No answers!?! I want my money back.
ReplyDeleteThere's money in this?
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. Simply brilliant! I'm going to try it...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.momaical.com/
Oh no! I've been had!!!
ReplyDeleteYou could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
ReplyDeleteThe arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren't afraid to mention how they believe. All the time go after your heart.
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