In the past couple of weeks, I've been exchanging thoughts about growing a blog's audience with some people who write very lively blogs, including OzLady, Confused Sam, TCOs Garage, Pijush, Bart and Ak-Man. And I guess the common thread has been: how does a blogger ensure constant reader growth?
Let's put this in perspective. Has your readership decreased recently? No? Then you're already a winner. Next up, pay attention to the basics. If you want people to visit your blog every day, you need to post every day. Be lucid, be coherent, be honest to yourself. You don't have to write a 1000-word editorial on world peace. People read blogs to be entertained, to be stimulated.
Many bloggers suffer from ``writers' block''. There is a simple solution, however. If there is a subject you'd discuss in animated fashion with your friends, post it on your blog. Chances are it will engage your readers. And if people comment on your blog, reply to the comments. This is not simply good protocol, it also builds a bond of loyalty.
There are two types of readers. The first category is regular readers who visit your blog irrespective of what you're posting. The second category is casual readers, who might follow a link or a Blogger NavBar update. Check on what they are drawn to - and if there is a pattern, then use it to your advantage. If you find readership increases every time you post about technology or about Paris Hilton or Ron Paul, then that's what will drive your readership higher.
There is one other crucial element if you want to increase readership. Check the stats on your hit counter regularly. This ain't a vanity thing, believe me. Not only are you the editorial director of your blog, you are also the marketing manager. And if you want more readers, you need to know why they're reading you in the first place.
Every blogger needs to be resilient. Don't get discouraged if you get 10 hits a day. As you can see from this Site Meter graph, I only had about 10 hits each day in October. But I persisted ....