I "met" or rather connected with Tony from Fern Thai through Facebook (I think). (They are a volunteer matching organization working a village in Thailand and if you're looking to volunteer in Thailand, you should check them out!) Tony was kind enough to help promote the America's Giving Challenge to his community on MySpace.
He recently sent me an email query and I thought I'd put it out here for others to give advice. The question is about building a community around your blog.
One quick question I’d like to ask is how long you’ve been blogging? With such a large subscription to your blog list would you simply put it down to the quality of your material, the length of time you’ve been doing it or is there more I still need to do to get our new RSS feeds out into the limelight?
To answer question about how long I've been blogging - I started in 2001 (doing it manually, but not consistently). In 2002, I used blog set up on a colleagues moveable type installation, but not regularly. In 2003, I heard that six apart was going to offer moveable type as a service called typepad so I signed up when they opened in 2003. I started my blog then, but wasn't consistent. It wasn't until 2005 that I decided to make it a regular habit. So, I'd say that consistency is more important the length of time.
There's some really good advice from Skelliewag about growing your audience and I've followed this advice with good results. I also came across this piece from Dosh Dosh about a content strategy for building a niche.
So, let me me put this out to the readers. What are your best tips and advice for building an audience for your blog? What should Tony focus his efforts on?
Been blogging since 1996, now on several platforms, and I preach good content, long-term consistency, and a constant angle/subject matter to obtaina nd grow your audience to its natural size. More general subjects get more readers, but I feel quality is better than quantity - 100 thought leaders are better than 1,000 random people.
Posted by: Wayan | February 17, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Comment thoughtfully on the blogs of those whom you admire within your niche. :)
Posted by: Beth Dunn | February 17, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Good question. I agree that consistency is a big thing--consistent posting and trying to have consistent quality in your posts. Commenting on other blogs has been great, too, although I found that going outside your niche to read and comment can also get you some readers, depending on how narrowly-targeted your blog is.
Specific marketing activities have helped, too--like having my blog URL in an email signature, putting it on business cards and plugging it at live events. I use wikis as my "handouts" for many training sessions, so I'll always include a link to my blog on those, too. Part of it has been tying my blog to my professional identity, so just as I would try to share my contact info in business settings, I also try to include my blog where ever possible and appropriate.
Some other tips I've seen although I haven't used them are to use an e-book to drive RSS sign-ups (give out a free e-book to everyone who signs up for your feed) and taking the time to do some StumbleUpon campaigns.
Posted by: Michele Martin | February 18, 2008 at 05:23 AM
Beth, I think consistency is really important, but you also have to be in it for the long haul. Certainly you need to promote the blog in all the places that you can, including your websites, email signature, etc.
But I think more than anything, being a participant in conversations like this one help. It is a beast you need to keep feeding, but setting aside time to read and join the conversation with others is a way to tell the world -- Hey I am here! And I have something to say!. Of course, you should actually have something to say.
It also helps to make some of your posts in-depth and with new information. Your blog is well-read, I think, because you post real research and provide information and not just commentary.
Posted by: Michael Hoffman | February 18, 2008 at 09:23 AM
@wayne . I just love that quote! "100 thought leaders are better than 1,000 random people."
@michele: Have you done any stumbleupon campaigns? Hmm .. feel a new obsession starting.
@michael - great advice! Thanks
Consistency is a good thing, although foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds - to quote Emerson.
Posted by: Beth Kanter | February 18, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I also found this useful article over at pro blogger
from 0 to 2000 subscribers in 90 days - well worth checking out
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/01/30/from-0-to-2000-subscribers-in-120-days/
Posted by: Beth Kanter | February 18, 2008 at 02:51 PM