This is my (lucky) seventh post for Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group. From Mr. Cavanaugh's blog: "Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It's a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"
As the title suggests, I can't help but feel that my blog is losing traction. Sure, I'm getting more comments than I was early on, but the trickle of new followers has almost ceased. I've been stuck at 58 for over a month now, possibly a good deal longer.
Part of it is avoiding most blog hops and rarely visiting new blogs, but it still feels like progress is moving sluggishly. I don't want to get to the point where the only time I get new followers is during April (yes, I am doing the A-to-Z Challenge again this year).
I had my second link posted on inkPageant today, but so far it hasn't helped. According to Google Analytics, nobody has followed the link.
I'm strongly considering starting a Google+ account. (Does it help increase readership?)
I won't let this blog fail, in any case, but a new face every once in a while would be very nice to see.
I haven't added many new followers in the last few months but then I have started following many newbies either. I started building my followers when I started posting regularly and I did join more than a few blog hops.
ReplyDeleteThe posting regularly thing hasn't helped me much, but I probably would benefit from more blog hops.
DeleteHey Patrick,
ReplyDeleteI don't know the answer, except to say you gotta put yourself out there to get noticed. Blog followers come in dribs and drabs (at least for me - but I appreciate each and every newbie, trust me.)
Perhaps you should try some hops and some blog fests... it's a near guarantee you will gain more traffic and once they come here, well if you continue to write on a consistent basis, people will come back on their own accord.
Good luck - and keep at it ;)
Yeah, I'll look more into the various blog hops out there. I just don't want this to devolve into a blog with more blog hops than other posts.
DeleteI only really get new followers when I run giveaways and sometimes when I participate in blog hops/events. I do like updating my blog regularly, but I don't think it has any impact on book sales.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any books to sell yet, so that doesn't really apply. Anyways, thanks for stopping by.
DeleteYou're inquiring about the mysteries that we are all trying to unravel. Good suggestions offered in comments so far and you've been doing the right stuff. I think strong content and consistent scheduled posts are important. Keep your focus on topics that will interest a wide ranger of readers who are compelled to leave comments and come back to see what you're going to say next.
ReplyDeleteAnother route is to provide a social news site of the like of Alex Cavanaugh's where you link to others and focus on building community. Study the blogs with a lot of followers and comments to figure out what they're doing and how you can adapt their methods to suit your style and personality. Be authentic to yourself, but create an aura of likeability that attracts an audience.
It''s all easy to say, but to put into action may be a different thing. I think mostly building the following and readership requires a lot of time and work. Google+ might help a little as well as making sure you have a presence on other social media sites. Networked Blogs has helped me some. I'd say it all can help in increments as long as you don't become obnoxious about it. The question remains of how much time you want to spend trying to build your blog. Slow and steady can work or a big aggressive move such as going heavy on an event such as A to Z can quick fix of followers. Whether you keep them is another question that once again boils down to strong blog content that keeps readers engaged and coming back.
If you learn anything else be sure to share it with the rest of us. I'd like to know how to keep the numbers up and not lose traction.
Lee
A Few Words
Thanks for the advice. I most certainly shall.
DeleteDon't stress not getting more followers with Google Friends Connect. So many aren't using it now. A lot follow through Google+ or just coping the blog's address directly into Feedly or another reader.
ReplyDeleteJust keep interacting and following others. It will build.
Sound advice, thanks.
DeleteIt can slow or completely stop for periods of time. I think just staying steady is the best advice, but for sure getting out there to new people is the way to get more followers. It is hard to keep up with, but it is the best way to get them, that and have interesting stuff to say, which you do.
ReplyDeleteWell thanks. I certainly try to have interesting stuff to say.
DeleteMany are no longer using the GFC widget to follow blogs now. After the Google Reader discontinuation last year, many quit using that method altogether and began using Feedly, BlogLovin' and others. I know I've added a few to my Feedly list and forgot to joint via GFC.
ReplyDeleteI haven't even managed to gain followers via BlogLovin' or email feed lately. I don't know of any way to track Feedly followers, if there is a way. Alas, GFC is my mainstay for following. I shall have to adapt.
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