Why are some blogs more successful than others? Where do they get all their followers, page views and visitors? Why do some wonderful writers have so few followers, while others with less well written blogs have so many?
Most new bloggers will google this endlessly, (probably second only to “how can I make money from my blog?). The number one answer they will read is “write good content”.
Well listen up new bloggers. That’s not strictly true. 
Content is not what makes a successful blog, although it will make you more successful than others. No, in my opinion what makes a successful blog is the many different things a blogger does before pressing publish, and the efforts they make afterwards “off blog” to promote their post.
What do I mean?
Well firstly imagine you have written a post. Does it have a catchy title, feature photos, and begin with a good opening line or paragraph? Successful bloggers often know what will hook you. Their aim is to ensure, once they attract you to their blog that you will read it.
Having written a post, next on the list is to ensure as many as possible read it. A post that is correctly tagged will receive more traffic. Do you know the tags which are the most popular on wordpress? They are the ones in bigger writing under the “explore tags” category. Tags such as News, Photography, Life and Music. Hover over them and you can read how many new posts have been published using that tag.
Having tagged a post and published many of us think “job done” and therein lies the difference between a blogger with a few followers and one with many.
Having written a post many of us do not actively market it. We don’t get our posts “out there”. Most successful bloggers, having posted, get very very busy “off blog”. They schedule tweets throughout the day. They share on facebook, google+, facebook groups and forums and other ways I, who am not hugely successful, have yet to learn. This sharing can be easily achieved using blog settings on wordpress, it’s just a matter of activating it. However sharing alone is not good enough, it is important to also spend time on social media, engaging with readers and publicising your blog.
For some bloggers, cleverly using key search words (such as my wonderful title for this post, if I do say so myself), can mean they draw traffic from search engines to their blog, for others they attract fellow bloggers by commenting on their blogs and following them. A word of warning here for those who may be new to wordpress. There is such a thing as a “serial liker”. A blogger who “likes” every post in the hope the blogger will visit them. Initially I was upset when I discovered such a thing existed. I felt used. Over time I have learned not to take it so personally, they are just marketing their blog. Although a word of warning, many bloggers strongly disapprove of this method of attracting readers.
Another way of getting to know more bloggers and thereby develop a bigger readership, is to comment on other blogs. Not just a “good post”, or “great writing” type of comment, but a thoughtful comment about the post. It is in this way that I have “met” most of my followers, many who I now consider “friends” albeit ones I will never meet. For myself reading other blogs is my preferred method of “getting myself out there”. I love reading blogs.
Finally if you wish to become a successful blogger you must blog regularly. If you begin your post with the line “Sorry I’ve not been blogging recently”, I and many others will not read on. You do not need to post every day, or three times a day but you do need to post with some regularity. If you are looking to increase views the more often you post the more views you will receive.
I am now blogging just over a year. I have seen many blogs come and go, so I no longer consider myself a new blogger, however I am definitely not overly experienced. I share these points with you as I think it would have been helpful to have known them earlier. One of the most successful bloggers I know swears by the 33% rule. 33% gathering followers, 33% writing, and 33% socialising and interacting. He has thousands of followers and is blogging just over a year.
So, knowing what I know, am I a successful blogger? No. But that is largely down to choice. I now know what I should do to be more successful, it is just that I choose not to do it for various reasons. What you do yourself is up to you, but remember, you went to the trouble of writing that post, if you want readers, go find them, if what you wrote is interesting followers will come.
photo credit: Yann Ropars via photopin cc
photo credit: Annie Mole via photopin cc
photo credit: Sally Lee by the Sea via photopin cc
My thoughts on a page. 
Reblogged this on DeAnna Ross and commented:
A GREAT bit of advice on how to build your blog into a bigger success! Definitely work reading and sharing! 😀
Thank you for the reblog. I hope it is helpful to someone.
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve been blogging for two years now and am still learning. Like you, there are parts that I will choose not to do for various reasons. 🙂
Yes. I know what I should do but there are many days when I do not publisise my post properly. Also some of my posts are more personal so I don’t put them on facebook.
I’m near my two year anniversary now too. It’s flown by.
Reblogged this on Success is Not a Destination and commented:
Not only did I need to know this information, but so do YOU. This is important information for serious bloggers. If you are one, don’t miss this valuable post.
Thank you, and I love the name of your blog.
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog….. An Author Promotions Enterprise! and commented:
The 33% rule for blogging is a good one, ie., 33% gathering followers, 33% writing, and 33% socialising and interacting. 😀
Thank you for the reblog Chris. It’s strange to see my post on your site as I always read what you reblog. The credit for the 33% is all OMs. I agree with it wholeheartedly. I can’t say I always do it though!
It’s impossible to do on my blog Tric, but it IS a good target to aim for 😀
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Very useful for all bloggers new and more established. Like driving it is easy to get into bad habits and also to forget the important steps needed to drive your blog forward… Like most things in life, Giving, rather than taking is very helpful. Share others on Social media through the links on their page, comment, reblog and build a community. Read the post and do a check list of the things you might not be focused on. For me it is tagging – Must do better.
I think your point about sharing via their links on social media is an excellent point and something I often overlook even when I have really enjoyed a post. Thank you
well I think we all read and enjoy and then go away to think about without remembering to pass on.. also some people do not enable their blogs to be reblogged or shared which is a personal choice but does help others to spread the word…
Well said Tric 🙂
Thanks glad you enjoyed it.
Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
New to blogging? Here are a few tips you need to take note of. 🙂
Thanks for the reblog. Really appreciate it.
I followed a link from Chris the Story Reading Ape to get here. I’ve never looked under the “explore tags” category. I’ll have to do that. Thanks for the tip. Congratulations on your big following.
You have a whole new world ahead of you. You will now be able to connect with bloggers writing the same content as you or what you are interested in. Enjoy.
Excellent reminder… thank you for sharing!!
Sometimes a reminder is all we need. Good luck
Thanks for this interesting post. I always feel that a blog is missing something when no comments are allowed on it. To me a site lacking the facility to make comments is a dead thing and is less likely to attract followers than one which allows and actively promotes debate. Let me let you into a secret – you have more followers than me. Regards, Kevin
I would burst if I couldn’t comment on a post I wished to. As for my followers I’d pay no heed, lots of them probably never read what I write. Far better to count your comments and those who return regularly. I’ll keep your secret though. 🙂
Uhh, thank you for your post! I blog since 1 year and see, that there are many things, I could make better.
I will do my very best 🙂
That is all you can do. Keep learning and enjoy.
Reblogged this on Life, Love, and Laughter and commented:
I have a greater understanding of tagging blogs now. Just need to check out those popular tags.
Funnily enough a lot of the comments are from bloggers who were unaware of this feature. Enjoy and thank you for the reblog.
Great advice. Thank you VERY MUCH!
You’re very welcome and thanks for reading.
This was 5000% helpful! Thanks a ton!
Wow glad it helped you.
Reblogged this on Jennifer B. Graham and commented:
There’s so much to learn about blogging and marketing. It’s quite overwhelming really. It took me a year to really begin to understand the workings of blogging and social networking. The penny is just beginning to drop for me! Thanks for this helpful post.
Thank you for the reblog. I’m glad it was some help to you. We all continue to learn I know even after almost two years I am.
Thanks for taking the time to put all these tips in to one piece. Although some of it is common sense, the little ins and outs of how to tag for example are quite helpful.
Yes it’s more a reminder really, although many don’t seem to know about tagging. Thank you
Im just getting the hang of it!
This is really helpful to me. Thank you!
I’m glad to be of help.
I learn something new every day. Thank you for sharing. So much to learn. 🙂
Yes we do. I’m still learning. Glad this post helped you
~(~_*)~~
Such great advice here. I’ve never actively sought new followers. Over time, I’ve built up a steady base of followers. I have my usual blogs that I follow, and am constantly finding new ones. My biggest mistake has been blogging sporadically. I’ve never gone months without blogging, but I don’t make an effort to blog on a regular basis. After reading your post, I’m definitely going to make more of an effort to be consistent. Thank you for sharing this with us!
How often do you blog? I try to post at least 3 times a week.
I blog about 3/4 times per week.
About the same for me.
Yes consistency is key, but it can’t become a chore, and interacting is even more important. Best of luck.
Reblogged this on hashtagmama.
Thanks for the reblog
Helpful information. Thank you
Thanks for reading and commenting. Glad it was of some use to you.
This is a timely blog for me. I write a review blog mostly, so I am not able to be as regular of a blogger as I’d like to be. The intro, “Sorry I haven’t blogged in a while”, I must admit I am guilty of these exact words. I need to stop that. 🙂 I found your blog through another blogger and I am following. I love finding new blogs too. Thanks again!
Welcome aboard Rebecca. I’m glad you got something out of the post. As some have said it’s bad habits we get into without realising it. I’m guilty of that too btw. 🙂
I have no doubts as to the truth of what you are saying. One of my favourite poets has very low numbers. People are missing out on what he has to say! Like myself, he does not utilise social media. I’ve know several people that were once on FB but had a number of issues with it.
I’ve seen terrible blogs and posts with high numbers, and all of them on some form of social media.
No, numbers are not a sufficient reason for me to go onto a social media platform. C’est la vie!
I like your thinking. Numbers don’t always tell the real story. Thanks for commenting and popping by. Appreciate you taking the time.
good work…. Just kidding, this actually helped me immensely. I used to think it was just about writing good content. I’m definitely going to give your recommendations a try.
That’s great news. I’ve no doubt they will make a difference. Good luck.
Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
Wonderful advice on how to make your blog successful.
Thank you so much for the reblog and kind words. It is really appreciated.
My pleasure.
Fantastic bit of work putting this post together. I really like the 33% rule. Tagging is the one area I struggle with.
Reblogged on BookChat.
Tagging I think, is just habbit, and it is so useful to do. It only takes a few minutes but I do believe it makes a difference.
The 33% rule is courtesy of Harsh Reality’s blog. I think it’s spot on if you want to make a go of your blog.
Good advice, and I’ll remember the 33% rule. Thank you for the time you took to write this post.
Blessings,
Marianne
Thanks Marianne for taking the time to comment. Best of luck with your blogging, hope this has helped.
Great post! Leaving meaningful comments, for me, helps me meet new bloggers or see who else is interested in WP discussions. The 33% rule is new to me, so thanks for sharing it.
I love comments although I have found as I get more comments that I can fall behind, hence replying to you two days after you comment. Forgive me!
I have found some of my greatest online buddies via comments. I think blogging would be a lot more dull without them.
Good luck with the 33%
Advise headed, hence commenting here. Real good info for a newbie like myself…….. Thanks.
Glad to see you call by. I devoured posts like this when I began two years ago, and to be honest I sometimes forget to heed my own advice!
Best of luck in your blogging adventure. I still love my blog after two years.
Starting a new blog can be extremely frustrating. I started because I love writing and I want to help people. After a while, you wonder why more people are not reading your blog. I am going to try these methods of publicizing that you discussed. I appreciate you taking the time to write this blog. Sometimes it can be difficult to ask for help.
Yes it does take time to build a following. I think the tags work well and go to the topics and enter the title which has most in common with what your blog is about, or your last post, and read others and comment. These are your future readers and possibly online companions.
I’m no expert but if you ever want to ask me something do, if I know the answer or can be any help I will.
This is very helpful thank you. Thus far, I’ve spent too much time simply crafting my posts (about being a scandalous lesbian young widow). I’ve had positive feedback about my writing and content but I’ve totally neglected the other 66%. Thanks for the reminder!
Good you got something out of it, now get to work. That sounds like a very interesting blog indeed.
Great post. I’ve been doing some research on ways to increase my blog “attendance.” In my early days, I fell habit to doing some of the “no’s” on your list but soon realized that I wanted to gain real followers and not just make my number go up. Your post is one of the most helpful I’ve read in some time. Time to kick my butt into gear with the 33% Rule. Thanks again!
Delighted it was helpful. Blogging can be so rewarding, but for myself after 2 years I know my limits. I enjoy how I promote and interact, but I’ll never be a ‘power blogger’.I’m too lazy.
I do however have very loyal readers who ‘know’ me quite well and vice verse. That has been the most rewarding part of my blogging experience.
Best of luck with your blogging and blog
I want to boost my blog
I forgot about this post. lol 🙂
Haha and you the star of it!
I think you got it right!… of course you did… yopu have highlighted the main points concerning blogging and marketing—- I am not so against liking many posts and following many bloggers… I might like 3 or 4 posts and read 1 at times… I won´t say liking too much means being a serial killer blog then! 😀
My main goal by the end of the year is to have 500 followers. I am trying to find ways to promote the number of followers. Due to being out of school, trying to increase traffic to my blog.
Good luck with that. If you don’t mind I’d like to suggest that you put a ‘follow my blog’ at the very top of your page, ahead of the archives. I just clicked over and didn’t see anywhere to follow you or if you’re on facebook or twitter.
Hmmm, I think that follow button is at the bottom. How do you make that follow button at the top?
Go to your settings and then widgets and you’ll find it. Or ask google or WordPress it’s well worth the effort. You want to make it easy for readers.