You’ve heard the phrase “content is king” before, right? As a matter of fact, you might even have used it a few times in your posts, I’m sure. However, today, I am here to tell you that even valuable content is not enough in order to create huge traffic to your blog. Let’s see why.
Why is Valuable Content Not Enough?
Well, have you ever written a very good piece that you were very proud of, but yet, it didn’t nearly get the kind of attention that you would have hoped for? I know I have. Many, many times, and this has happened to many other bloggers as well. This is the proof that valuable content is not enough in order to bring traffic to your blog. So what more is needed?
Well, a lot of juicy little details would still be missing if you were to drive huge traffic to your content, especially if you want it to be on a regular basis. Here are 7 steps that you need to incorporate along with your valuable content in order to attract what can become huge traffic to your blog. However, even when you have it all in place, don’t forget that it’s a constant work in progress.
First Step: Attract Readers with your Leadership
My experience has taught me that in order to attract people to your blog in large number you need to show leadership. Think of it just for a minute. Who is going to follow your blog if you don’t have the qualities of a leader? Not very many people. The main reason for this is that leaders tend to be successful people and when you are a successful person, people tend to seek your advice and your leadership.
So being a leader when you start blogging is really what is going to define the tone of your blog and the actions that you are going to take with it.
If you are not sure where to start, read books about leadership, and follow blogs of those who have shown leadership in their niche.
Second Step: Attract Readers with Food for Thoughts
As a leader and the writer of your blog, you need to give your readers food for thoughts. People always interact better when you make them think and react.
One way you can do this is by challenging them in some way. Don’t be scared to write about topics that some people are afraid of writing about. Don’t be scared about not agreeing with everyone and don’t be scared about giving your own opinion and being different.
We know that not everyone will agree with our own opinion, but that’s what makes it interesting and that’s what will engage people and make them want to see what you have while participating on your blog. So, while you are not trying to pick a fight with your readers every time you post, do not try to please everyone every time either.
Third: Attract Reader with Catchy Headlines
While this post is not about headlines since I discussed this in another post, a catchy headline will always bring you more traffic than a non-catchy one. So, while you don’t want your headline to be better than the post itself, you still want to make sure that the headline is attractive for your potential reader. If you have a great post with a very bad title, most likely you will lose opportunities of attracting huge traffic to it.
Fourth: Attract Readers with your Blog Platform
When people do you the favor to come to YOUR blog and spend some of THEIR time reading your post, you might want to give them something back. To me and many other bloggers, as I see it, the best way to give them back is by providing them with an easy to use comment platform which is built to give credit to the reader as well as the owner of the blog.
The best comment platform that will do that for you is CommentLuv (yes, an affiliate link). I don’t know about you, but sometimes, I have to spend more time trying to figure out how to post my comment than writing the comment itself. Now, how many people would be willing to fight with your comment platform in order to leave a comment on your blog? My guess is not too many.
If you like comments, please, make it easy and attractive for your readers to leave a comment! It’s a MUST!
Fifth: Attract Readers by Promoting Other People’s Content
One of the best ways that is recognized by social media groups also called “tribes” is an exchange of content share. It’s like I scratch your back if you scratch mine kind of thing. So many online entrepreneurs still underestimate the importance of sharing other people’s content.
When you share other people’s content they will share yours, unless your content is really not good, and in such case you’ll have to work on that. But for the purpose of this post, let say that you are providing valuable content and you are sharing other people’s content. If you do this regularly, they will share your as well.
When you share other people’s content two things happen. A) People start noticing you for sharing good content. B) When others are sharing your content on their own social media platforms, their followers have now access to your content. This can snowball in a very big way. And if done on a constant basis, it will bring you tons new traffic.
Sixth: Attract Readers by Interaction with other Bloggers
I was blogging for years before I started realizing that interactions with other bloggers and marketers was vital for the growth of my own blogs and ultimately my business.
When I stated blogging, I learned how to “niche blog” and build relationships with my potential customers, but I wasn’t told how to build relationships with other bloggers. So, for almost five years I was blogging the wrong way. Because of this, I had very limited successes with my blogs. Yes, I was making some sales, but that was it.
I was not creating any type of connections with anyone, therefore, I wasn’t really building natural backlinks and my blogs looked like dead sites that nobody ever visited. It’s only when I started creating connections with other bloggers that my blogs started to become alive and thrive more than ever before.
Seventh: Attract Readers by Leaving Intelligent Comments that Get Attention
What’s an intelligent comment? An intelligent comment is the opposite of a dumb and dull comment. We all know how those dull comments go, right? “Great post”, “I think that you are making some good points here”. If you are going to waste your time writing comments like these, don’t even bother. As a matter of fact, it might even be better that you’d not leave a comment at all, and just come back when you have something more intelligent to say.
What type of message are you really sending when you leave a dumb comment like this? You are telling the blog owner that there is a good chance that you’ve not read the post, that you don’t have time to interact with them, and that you don’t really care to bother. But most importantly, that you are someone they don’t need to try to get to know better. Now, I am sure that you can see why it would be better for you if you didn’t leave any comment than leaving this type of comments. Don’t you?
So there you have it. The seven steps that will help you generate tons of traffic besides the fact that you are creating valuable content. Because, remember, valuable content is not enough to attract huge traffic to your blog.
Your turn now… What do you do to attract more traffic to your blog? Please, share with us!
Hi Sylviane,
Those are seven fantastic tips for driving traffic to your blog posts! You’re right that content alone is not enough. The first one that I ever found effective was leaving comments on other blogs.
I like your suggestion of giving them food for thought. That’s one area that I still need work on. It’s easy enough to write a good post but it takes extra effort to think of a good question or thought to inspire comments. I know that it’s effective because there have been plenty of times that I’ve read a good post but wasn’t sure exactly what to write about in the comments.
Stacy
Hi Stacy,
I’m right with you on that. I sometimes read posts and don’t know what to comment about as well. I am glad I am not the only one 🙂
I also agree that it’s not always easy to write something that will trigger the kind of interaction that we dream about. I guess it take the extra mile.
Thanks for leaving a comment here, though 😉
You summed it all up Sylviane! The hard truth is that it’s really not enough just to have good content. If you listen to Google, they pound that into your head like its a magic bullet – have good content have good content – right, and then have your good content get ignored!
It takes time to build exposure and it takes effort and the know-how you’ve just laid out here. People won’t magically find content no matter how good it is. The relationships you build are so important.
I’m still learning how to use all the tools available. There are so many options and you have to be careful not to cling to one and forget to keep learning. And as you mentioned, never forget that you have to focus on other people, too – commenting, sharing, building relationships and community. Even if your content is great people have to like you, too, and that’s how you build loyalty.
All great points here from a pro who knows how to do it!
Carol Lynn invites you to read..Sabotaging Success Part 5: How To Stop Thinking Like A Crazy Person And Get Real About Your Business
Hi Carol,
Well, thank you for the compliment, Carol, but I’m not sure to be a a pro who knows how to do it. I’m still learning ya know, like everyone else.
Thank you for the emphasis you made by saying that no matter how good your content is, if it’s not found, well, no one will ever know about it, will they?
I also like your point that people need not only to like your content but you also. This brought to mind a great content creator that I know, she was one of the very first person I tried to connect with when I started connecting with other bloggers, but man, a cold lady, no likable, not to me anyway.
The result? Well, being so busy with other blogs I have stopped visiting hers even though I like the content, she is just not attractive. So, very good point you made here, Carol.
Bravo Sylviane, great tips..
I think that people are finally understanding that it takes more then just good content to make the world go round. Oh sure, like Carol stated Google says quality content is what will get you noticed. Sure, that might be the case but how long do you think those people are going to hang around if you aren’t taking the right measures to connect with those people.
I know in my case the “leadership” word scared me the most. I never saw myself as a leader but early on it was explained to me that anyone who teaches anything to anyone else is a leader. Isn’t that we’re all doing here online? Teaching people how to do things or sharing our experience with our readers? If they are benefiting from what we wrote, you are now officially a leader.
You knew I would agree with this post so you are spot on with everything here and I’ll be sharing your post for everyone else to read.
Thank you for taking the time to put this one together Sylviane. Great job young lady!
Now, enjoy your day and have a fabulous week.
~Adrienne
Adrienne invites you to read..What Facebook Can Teach Us about Rapidly Growing Your Blog
Hi Adrienne,
Thank you so much for the compliments and I am glad you liked this post.
It’s true that as soon as you are teaching others that puts you in a leadership role.
Thanks for coming, Adrienne and have a great week too 🙂
Enjoyed your blog & especially like the use of a list…makes it easy to get the key points that we all need to know or be reminded of. I particularly like your point about not being afraid to challenge readers…give them food for thought and/or putting forth your opinion — even if it goes against the “norm.” We shouldn’t be afraid to be who we are & it can often spark a thoughtful exchange of ideas between us & our audience — adding to the creation of that all-important genuine connection we strive for!
Hi Lynn,
I have to admit that I was someone who used to refrain from being who I was when I started blogging. Usually when one does that it’s mainly because he or she is afraid not to please. However, over time I’ve noticed that the most successful bloggers out there are the one who are being themselves. Being yourself always wins!
Hi Sylviane,
After writing a good blog post at the end of the post, it’s always good to ask to share your post on all social networks and make it easy for your readers to do so just like you have done here on your blog.
Making it easy is key because even if someone really likes your post, it’s a pain to go to each and every social network you are a member of and share your post. Again making it easy is key.
Terry Conti
Terry Conti invites you to read..Opportunity for More Time
Hi Terry,
Yes, you are so right and thank you for making this point. Sometimes I see blogs who really, in fact, are making it so hard for us to share their blog posts. When this is the case most people just simply won’t share. Help yourself by helping others, right? 🙂
Hi Sylviane,
Great tips about driving traffic. Especially I like the wording of 7 tips. They attracted me 🙂 Content is the King, but don’t forget about Queen 😉
It’s true that leadership skills matters dear. If you don’t successful at what you do, people don’t like to believe you. Author himself/herself is a leader if they can guide readers to success. So readers won’t forget to stop by and ask for advice. We need to be what we are.
Comment platform is a vital factor. The best way readers can contribute. So it should be compatible. Earlier I sticked to Blogger comment box where I’ve got so much comments. But most are spammy and low quality. Now all of comments I’m getting are quality enough and I can happy that people actually reading my content.
Promotion… I do share what I enjoy. And I think it should not that someone need us to say. If I enjoyed, I can contribute by sharing with others. Comments are another what defines us online. So qualitative comments matters. Mostly I build my followers by helping ’em and others who made use of my content.
I’ve got your comment notification on mine while I’m writing this one 😉 So I’m running back to it right after finishing this one.
Cheers…
Mayura invites you to read..How to Configure Google Services for Your Domain with Google Apps
Hi Mayura,
I know that you are a great sharer of other people’s content and your own content is very helpful.
I also known that your readers appreciate your knowledge about tools and technical stuff.
Thanks for coming by, Mayura 🙂
I am doing most of these fairly well.. Great list here, that is simple and manageable to follow! I am getting better with comments, and I know that I sure enjoy responding to the comments on my blog. It is fun sometimes to read the ‘dumb’ ones as you put it.. Yes, ‘great post’ can indicate,,,, did you really read it! what did you get out of it? or what do you disagree with! I also find it very interesting that I can ask a question, but the response isn’t necessarily related to the question that I asked in the post.. The other thing I find it very intriguing that what one person picks up in a post is so totally different than another person.
Holly invites you to read..How Vulnerable Are You Willing To Be?
Hi Holly,
I am glad that you are doing these steps because when I started doing them myself, they really made a difference.
Commenting on other blogs is what really started it all for me, I am glad that you are doing more and more of this too.
You’re right, the beauty of comments is that each person has is bringing something different and that’s price less because it adds so much value to the post.
Sylvaine,
Excellent advice! Content is important but we must go above and beyond that. We have to answer each and every comment on our blog. Then go to our commentors and reciprocate.
I have found that I have made more friends and connections just by leaving a comment on a blog. It must be intelligent, it must be engaging with the blogger. I found it to be one of my “secret weapons” in blogging.
Also, there is a great power in tribes, hey my business name is donnamerrilltribe, that is how much I believe in it. It all came from the philosophy of Seth Godin. Great stuff. Weather we call it a “tribe” or a “mastermind” or even a “Facebook Group” here is where we can engage with our readers.
I took a course with Mari Smith and the one thing that resonates in my mind is her quote “Content is king but engagement is queen, and she rules the house.” A very true statement. We must engage with each and every person that comes to our blog or other social media sites.
Thanks again for this great information,
Donna
Donna Merrill invites you to read..Law Of Attraction Part 2
Hi Donna,
Yes, I’ve heard that quote from Mari Smith, isn’t that true or what?
Yes, tribe, facebook groups, mastermind groups, whatever we call them are powerful, and without them I don’t know what I would do. We, all of us really need them.
I am like you I made most of my connections and friendships by leaving comments on other blogs. You are one of them, Donna 😉
Thank you! I appreciate this post. I also like the fact that you was honest enough to share that you were blogging wrong for a few years and I appreciate you’re sharing with all of us the correct way to blog in order to gain tons of traffic jams… Thanks again! Really great info!!!
Janelle M
Hi Janelle,
Thanks you for your visit and welcome here 🙂
I always make a point to be truthful in my posts, because that’s what people resonate with, truth and honesty.
I am glad that you enjoyed the post and hope to see you again soon 🙂
Hi Sylviane
These are excellent steps. Great content without these or at least some of these is probably almost a waste of time, or wasted great content at least.
I totally agree with your point on a platform for comments. I hate it when I cannot figure out now or where to comment. I personally also hate those captcha things that are there to stop spammers but can make it impossible for anyone to comment. I gave up on one recently.
Great advcie Sylviane
Sue
Sue Price invites you to read..Work from Home – Internet Marketing
Hi Sue,
Tell me about it. Just this morning I found a nice new personal development blog and tried to leave a comment, and guess what? The comment didn’t go through. Since I was not at home I didn’t bother to try to figure it all out. To me commentluv is THE best hands down.
I am like you about captcha and all that stuff. I think that as long as you have to tick that box to confirm that you are a real person that should be plenty for a comment section. It’s only blog comments, after all 🙂
Thanks for coming, Sue 🙂
I especially like #5 Sylviane… promoting other people’s content.
I remember I used to be reluctant to promote other’s content on my blog for fear that I would lose readers to that person. But I was coming from a position of fear, not abundance. Truth is, there are more than enough readers to go around and they appreciate it when you turn them on to a really good piece of content.
Thanks for reminding us that there’s more to great content than just writing it!
Bob Clarke invites you to read..Do You Have Trouble Receiving Money?
Hi Bob,
I totally understand where you coming from here. When I first started I felt the same way, I was also scared to link other people content on my posts for fear that people will like their blog more than mind 🙂 but now I really don’t mind it at all.
You are so right when you are saying that this type of fear comes from a lack mentality, not abundance. I am glad you figure all that out, and not surprise one bit that you did too 🙂
Woah, we wrote about the same subject, didn’t we?
Cool 😀 I like the different thinking and your points add to it.
Valuable content isn’t enough to attract huge amounts of traffic in a consistent basis. As you might remember from my post, I believe that content delivery is the important step. Of course, there is marketing and there is networking (but in a way, those come under content delivery too). Think about it: You tweet content. How you write, what words you use all matter (and they come under delivery) – those factors determine whether someone is going to follow you because of that tweet 🙂
Attracting readers through these different ways is indeed important 😉 I especially liked your point on leadership (one thing we need to keep in mind is to being a fake leader or posing as a leader for one’s own benefits – lot of people do it, right?).
Anyways, thank you for your “food for thought” Sylviane 🙂 Appreciate your post!
Jeevan Jacob John
Jeevanjacobjohn invites you to read..Do You Need Tools in Business Blogging?
Thanks for your feedbacks, Jeevan, always a pleasure to read you smart comments, so you don’t fall into the category of dumb comments 🙂 at all.
Of course, I remember you post and yes, content delivery is very important, indeed.
Hi Sylviane,
thanks for sharing your insights. Blogging success consists of mastering several disciplines successfully. Of course, content creating is critical, but most people forget the promotion and the networking part – such as interacting with other bloggers as you note. And they under-estimate the power of promoting other people’s stuff, first if necessary.
Well, as you know, I started creating a controversial series about myths of personal development, beyond the LOA mainstream. And I can tell, that it increased both traffic and interaction on my blog. That’s why I second you on providing thought-provoking posts.
Take care
Oliver
Hi Oliver,
I am glad that you can see first hand how thought-provoking/controversy post do work. I think it’s because it wakes people up and give them energy because it pushes some buttons.
Sharing people’s content is a very powerful stuff that so many people have not even began to understand yet.
Thanks for your great comment, Oliver.
Wonderful job you did man..Keep it up…
kurt Penberg invites you to read..Kurt Penberg – What you should know about Kids Juke Box?
Hi Sylviane,
Another great post that I need to bookmark for future reference. Awesome post..Here is some great information for bloggers and small business owners alike
.it’s interesting and new.I found your post informative and thought provoking. I appreciate your tutorial!It sounds quite interesting what you wrote about feeds, very helpful.I Totally agree with you.
I love your blog. Great insights, content and inspiration.
hope you provide much more information about other stuffs too.
Hi Bhushan,
Great to see you here as well 🙂 I know you’ve visited another blog of mine as well.
I am very happy when people feel that my content has helped them in any way. The only”problem” is that it puts the bar higher and higher every week for me 🙂 because I don’t want to disappoint 🙂
Thanks for you compliments and feedbacks, Bhushan.
Hi Sylviane, great post on how to increase and maintain blog traffic. This is a very necessary skill and I learned some cool stuff.. thanks!
Hi Ken, and welcome to my blog 🙂
I’m glad that you resonated with the post and hope to see you again soon.
Sylviane, gladly I have a handle on the entire list so I’m happy! I have realized a lot lately how those alliances and connections with other bloggers are so very important!
I can’t stress enough how I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of other bloggers and I’m lovin’ it! 🙂
Sharing so that more bloggers can start adding these items to their list as well.
~Kesha
Kesha Brown invites you to read..Life Lesson: Nothing Ever Goes Away Until…
Hi Kesha, and welcome to my blog.
I am glad that you have all those steps down and have seen for yourself the power of building relationships with other bloggers. I will definitely check you out!
Have a great week!
I love these tips Sylivane – Especially the one about interacting with other bloggers as without our wonderful blog commenting group I may never have met some of the wonderful poeple in there whose blogs I enjoy coming to because the content is so awesome.
Thanks for your insights – great tips,
Nicky
Nicky invites you to read..Futuristic Marketing? | Oh No, Not Another Marketing Frenzy!
Hi Nicky,
Yes, it’s because of such group that you and I met, and as I have mentioned your blog in my interview from Sonia Winland, as one of my top blogs 🙂
Hi Sylviane ,
These 7 tips are like 7 Wonders for every new or old blogger. 🙂 We see “Content as a king” previously but we forget the fact that king alone cannot do anything he needs a kingdom where everybody will help him for peace and their living a better life.Without the help of soldiers he cannot win the battle.Same in the case of blogging,content alone cannot increase ranking of a page.A content needs a catchy title which attracts more and more readers in just one view if the title is not attractive enough then no one will bother to read your blog.
Also providing other peoples blog link in your blog will help you a lot as people will find something new to read everytime they visit your blog.
Appreciable post Sylviane……Throwing lite on this issue is a must.One has to look on all measures if they want to get high ranking.
Aditya invites you to read..ERP CRM Softwares Solutions Providers
Hi Aditya,
Well, you said it all in your comment here. Again, content alone while very important is not enough. Thanks for leaving your feedbacks.
“Don’t be scared about not agreeing with everyone and don’t be scared about giving your own opinion and being different.”
I love this comment and couldn’t agree more. I always say you shouldn’t be afraid to be a little controversial. Providing it is done respectfully, it is a great way to promote interaction and develop a relationship with your readers through debate.
Matt Alhaarth invites you to read..Early Or Late – How Can I Tell?
Hi Matt,
Yes, while we may want to be controversial it’s important to be respectful with our readers, always.
Thanks for your comment and welcome here 🙂
I find that I’m having to read tips like this repeatedly. I grew up learning to be very modest and have a distaste for self-promotion or anything even closely resembling marketing. It is really why my photography business never took off even though I had the skill and talent to make it work. I am new to blogging and don’t want to make that mistake again. I’d like to really get a good grasp on the blogging world and then I can apply these lessons to a photography business when I stop traveling and settle in to a city.
I must keep repeating: It’s ok to network and promote. It’s ok to network and promote.
Thanks!
Monica invites you to read..How to Food Shop Faster, Cheaper and Healthier
Hello There. I found your blog using google. This is a very well written article. Keep this work and Thanks!
kurt Penberg invites you to read..Kurt Penberg – What you should know about Kids Juke Box?
Hey Sylviane, yes these are all great tips for attracting more people to our websites and I’m happy I’m utilizing them all (at least doing the best I can 😉 ). What’s surprising is that not a lot of people are doing these yet so we can really make a mark in the webosphere by doing it all!
Kesha Brown invites you to read..A Week of New York City Awesomeness including BlogHer12!
Hi Sylviane,
I posted on your article not so long ago on my own blog. I particularly like your observation on comments. However, I would also say, as I did in my post, what makes a comment intelligent is that it ads something to the conversation, perhaps by posing a question others can answer. Any other thoughts? What makes a comment intelligent?
Shawn Hessinger invites you to read..Communicating Effectively with Your Blog Audience
Thanks for sharing this Sylviane!!! A friend recommended me this article, it’s really helped me attract more visitors to my site and get my skills improved overall. I still tacke some challenges but I’ll eventually get more better at it as I grow through time.
Hi Randy and welcome here.
I’m glad a friend recommended this article to you. Yes, valuable content, even though is not ALL is way important in attracting traffic to our blogs.
Thank you for coming by.