Use Blog Comments, Big Publications And My Best Kept Secret To Boost Blog Traffic
The most popular question I hear from bloggers is ‘How Do I Increase My Blog Traffic?’
I won’t sugar coat it, the real big traffic comes to those who- hustle hard and are in it for the long haul. However, I’ve got a few simple ways to get your blog noticed and increase your blog traffic, if you’re willing to make the effort. The efforts I made over the past few weeks have led to one of my blog posts being published in a major publication! Plus I’ve noticed a spike in traffic because of it:) You can totally do it too!
As a blogger, writing is only (a sometimes small) part of the job. Gaining exposure is key if you want anyone to actually read your work. You can’t just set it and forget it if you want more blog traffic. And, let’s be honest, we all want more to increase blog traffic.
I’m currently working toward a degree in Social Media Marketing at George Brown College. I’m using the skills I’m learning there, along with my background in journalism to really shape and continue to grow Steph’s Social Pie. I’ve been super busy the past few weeks creating content I hope my readers love and marketing it properly to really increase my blog traffic.
Easy, Effective Ways To Get Your Blog Noticed
1.) Optimize Your Site. You can have the best content on the web, but if your blog is slow and sketchy chances are Google won’t favor your site in search engines and your audience will click and leave. Your site should be easy to navigate through and you should be able to reach any post within 3 clicks. Your page should also load quickly and be mobile friendly. So, if you’re curious about how your site is performing, you can check the speed easily here https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/
2.) Be Useful. Write stories people want to read. Answer the questions people want to know. Read other stories, and find ways to make them better. Sometimes I’ll read a story and have a few questions after and I’ll use that as a base for a future story. Those are always popular posts! I find Quora helpful in finding out what people want to know, and to generate story ideas! I know the most popular blog question right now is how to increase blog traffic.
Tell Me A Story
Now that you’ve got your story idea, write it like you are telling a story. This is my favorite little piece of advice that has always helped me a lot as a writer. For example, if you can captivate your audience with your words, it’ll set you apart from the millions of other writers. There’s already a million blog posts about ‘my favorite spring outfits’ or ‘101 blog post ideas’ but out of those they’ll be a few that stand out. Why? Because they’re providing you with information that you don’t already know and find useful and the way the writer is telling the story. Make it fun and relatable.
Que the shameless self-promo now: Just this week, I had a post noticed by an editor of Thought Catalog who happens to be a huge fan of the tv show Friends. She liked my fun spin on the series and therefore asked to publish the article. You should check it out here. This has already brought me a major backlink, more traffic and readers I wouldn’t have had otherwise and for that I’m so grateful!
Interact With Other Bloggers
3.) The Power Of A Good Comment. If there’s one thing I wish I had of done more of in the beginning, it would be commenting on more blogs. In the beginning I was so focused on my own blog- writing and marketing, that I brushed off the significance of this simple act. Meaningful comments take time, but this one step alone has really helped me connect and grow my blog traffic and drove the right audience to my site!
Get Your Comment Noticed
You could just skim through the post, write a quick ‘Great post. Super helpful’ and be done with it but you won’t be achieving much other than wasting your time. If you want to establish meaningful connections with other bloggers, they have to know you exist and that you have something useful to say. So, check out some blogs within your niche and after you read their articles thoroughly. And if you feel compelled to write a comment, first ask yourself ‘Does my comment add value?” Or maybe you’ve read the post and want to ask a thought provoking question? Do it, but do it well. You only have a few sentences to hook other readers, so choose your words wisely.
If done right, you can attract the attention of the blogger themselves and also their readers. If you comment on the big blogs, with a super witty and insightful remark, you can get some authoritative followers and a relationship with the blogger.
Go Beyond Social Media To Market Yourself
4.) Get Yourself Out There. You’ve done the work, but that’s only half the battle- now you have to get noticed. If you want to establish yourself as someone with impeccable writing abilities and story ideas people want to read, try reaching out to some major publications to have your stories published. This provides you with confidence that you’re doing something right and most publications offer you a bio and a backlink. It may seem counterproductive to write for other sites, but if you can get a few high quality backlinks and new visitors to your site it’s absolutely not a waste of time. Plus, if your articles are popular you could become a regular contributor .
Writing guest posts for other blogs is also a great way to get new eyes on your blog as well as a valuable backlink. Just a few external posts can do big things for your blog brand and authority.
My Best Kept Secret
I’ve discovered an amazing, supportive blogging community that has very active threads, Pinterest group boards, and more. The Bloggers Traffic Community. is organized and easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. It’s free to join and this has been a huge source of blog traffic for me every day! I’ve shared this group in a recent post and had so many bloggers join in the awesomeness that they made me inaugural member of the week, my second week in! I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received to my blog and in general!
Blogger Recognition Award
I always knew I loved to write and thought of blogging as just an outlet for my thoughts. I didn’t expect to find such a supportive community. A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be nominated for the Blogger Recognition Award by these two sweet bloggers- Jenni of https://housewifehustle.blog and Claire of https://ourfavouritejar.home.blog. I really like this award idea, as it will also help many other bloggers gain exposure, grow you blog traffic and backlinks, so I’m all about it!
The Rules Of The Blogger Recognition Award:
- Thank the blogger that nominated you.
- Write a post to show your award.
- Give a brief story of how your blog started.
- Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
- Select new bloggers to receive the award.
- Let the new blogger know that they have been nominated and provide them with a link to the post you made.
About Steph’s Social Pie
I started Steph’s Social Pie as an online outlet for my writing. As a journalist and Social Media Marketing student- blogging mixed the two fields perfectly and really seemed like a no-brainer. Steph’s Social Pie is all about sharing a slice of the social pie with you. I want to have my pie and eat it too. I’m ready to launch Steph’s Social Pie Seasonal Editorial next month, which will feature some pretty cool seasonal articles as well as a feature blogger. If you’re reading this, head over here and get yourself signed up so we can feature your blog!
My Nominations: These Awesome Bloggers
Morgan Jo of https://barbedwifeandlaceblog.com MJ also created a Secret Tribe for bloggers and business owners to connect and exchange ideas, support and more. You should check them out here- https://the-secret-tribe.mn.co
Andrea of https://pinetreefarmhouse.com
Vee of https://designs-byvee.com
Leslie of https://lesliescarpa.com
Shellie of www.shellielynn.com
Elsie of https://elsielmc.wordpress.com
Ilona of https://easydiet.blog
Heli of https://helixiroflife.com
Thank you for all your support in this blog community! I had no clue what I was getting myself in to. All I knew was I wanted to write and I was hoping to be heard. Mission accomplished:)
Sweetheart, your advice is SO spot on. As a writer, it’s so amazing that one of the best ways to get your own blog seen is by commenting on another blog…so to highlight your passion: writing….you should WRITE!
I just love this and I adore all you’ve done for the Tribe. You’re a wonderful writer and your site is so unique and like nothing I’ve ever seen.
I feel like I’m having an in depth conversation with you every time I read your content. Can’t wait till one day we can schedule a Tribe vacay and all go have drinks on the beach together!<3 I can only imagine that will be T-R-O-U-B-L-E! haha
Keep it up, girl! You're killing it!
Thank you 🙏
Omg could u imagine? We would have a blast!! The beach can’t even handle us:) work hard, play hard;)
You have some awesome advice! I love how well written your blog is and I think it’s awesome that you are in school for Social Media Marketing! I can’t wait to get to know you better.
Steph, I just had a major a-ha moment 🙂 I am guilty of not giving it 100% when supporting other bloggers. Not because I don’t care about them or their success, but because they’re not who I’m trying to serve in my business. I’m busy and trying to be protective of my time. But when you think about it, our only purpose as human beings is to love, support and serve others. I created my health coaching business and blog to support moms so they can raise healthier families. Of course I can’t ignore how important it is to support other bloggers. We’re all in this together.
And THANK YOU for the nomination. 💜
Thanks Shellie! Healthy living is so important and what you do helps so many people live longer, fuller lives! I would nominate you 10 times if I could 💕
What a great, meaty post! As a new blogger your tips are both valuable and timely! I’m finding that the community of bloggers and particularly the Secret Tribe Network is priceless. The amount of support and resources everyone so graciously shares develops a sense of camaraderie among all of us. I can’t wait to incorporate all of your wisdom! Thanks for the nomination- I learn from the best! 😘
Thank you Leslie! I can’t wait to see where your blog takes you:) I’ll be following along, cheering you on!
Love this post! Bloggers can REALLY learn a lot from each other. I can relate to the comment on writing more comments on other bloggers post. I knew that I needed too but like you I was sooo focused on getting mine off the ground.
Great advice! We do need MORE genuine engagement and support and I think being in the right blogging Community helps a lot.
Thank you soooooo much for the nomination! This is my very first nomination as a blogger! Ahhh I’m soooo excited! I can’t wait to write my post. The pressure is on!
Keep up the amazing work that you’re doing! Your voice is definitely being heard! 😘
Right! Reading and commenting has been so key for me and I know it’ll help others gain connections and following from the right niches!
Love your blog Vee and when I read it I can picture you and your voice like we are friends in my head or something hahah!
Yaaaaasssssss girl! You are absolutely right! I really appreciate the love 💕 It feels that way because we are friends!! 😘
These are some great tips! I still need to work on optimizing my blog better and I’m totally with you on writing content that tells a story!
xx
Eileen | http://www.yesmissy.com
Your Blog is stunning Eileen! I remember when I first visited your site I was super impressed with your layout, posts and photos:) you look like a model 💕
These are fabulous tips! I’ve not yet really made the best of utilising Pinterest but I know I find Twitter is the biggest source of blog traffic for me – probably because it is where I most engage with other bloggers. It’s super cool to hear about your studies and how you are using what you learn to optimise your site 🙂
Thank you for this. Definitely will use some of these tips to increase my blog traffic. I will check out the bloggers traffic community. I write about the challenges of raising a child with autism and I hope to increase understanding and awareness of the condition.
I have appreciated the time you’ve taken to read my blog and comment. I am taking this advice specifically and stepping up my game in this area. I feel like you and I have connected just from our exchange of comments! Thank you for being a great teacher!
Thanks so much for your tips on increasing blog traffic, they’re very thoughtful and real.
I’d like to know more how to search for publications that are publishing blogs in spiritual/lifestyle niches.
Notice I’ve just created a niche, I never heard of before, did you?
in Love, your BTC friend TJ
Hmm I’ll see what I can find this week and send u a message on BTC! I’m sure there’s a few but you definitely tapped into a good, unique niche! Spirituality is always something that’s interested me:)