Building Your Blog Readership Through the #AtoZChallenge

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      Some of the best blog topic ideas come from you the readers.  Today's post comes from an inquiry I received from a participant on the LinkedIn thread Show Me Your Website.

        Daron Henson, who blogs at Daron Henson--Freelance Writer, asked:

Do you know the linkedin.com groups that are specifically tailored to showcase our writing and our websites?
I am looking to expand the readership of my blog.

       
         Here is the answer I gave him:

          I'm really not that familiar with the LinkedIn groups.

         My best suggestion is time-consuming but it does work if you work it right.

         Establish yourself in blogging circles and focus on those that deal with writing.   You must visit other blogs and build up relationships (blog friendships) with the bloggers.  Eventually, if you've done your job right, you will have loyal followers who will visit you and be willing to comment and help you with your work.  The other blogs will have great information to share as well.

         Once you have started exploring the blog communities, start looking for blogfests and contests.  Many sites offer opportunities for you to share your writing with others,  Just remember, it is a give and take thing where you need to read a few stories and comment on them in order for others to be willing to reciprocate with yours.

        Until you have become a huge success where readers are flocking to your works, you will have to do some networking which involves a lot of interaction.

        Also, consistent quality posting is a must.  You should develop and adhere to a blogging schedule so readers come to expect something at specific times just like they would anticipate the arrival of a favorite magazine or turn on the TV at a designated time to watch a favorite show.  Presence on the web requires regular visibility.   Not every day in my opinion (except during April of course!), but at least once or twice a week.  Regular posting will be good for you as a writer as well.

        These are a few of my tips.  For another angle you may want to consider the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.   You can really build up a big following and readership if you play this the right way.  Website at:   www.a-to-zchallenge.com.

Good luck!
Lee

         The April A to Z Challenge is not only an ideal way to extend the reach of your blog and expand readership, it's a challenge designed to make you a better blogger and writer, instilling greater discipline in writing.  You will improve your habit of posting with regularity and coming up with unique and solid content.  The networking opportunities are valuable.   And in addition to these reasons, the A to Z Challenge is great fun.   Sign-ups begin on Wednesday January 30th.  Be sure to be a part of this year's A to Z!

       See Shannon's post on this site tomorrow for some more great blog building tips.

Related articles

• How to increase your blog's readership? [Ways to make your blog Successful in 3 months]
• 7 Working Ways to Get New Readers to Your Blog
• How to Build a Readership For Your Blog

2013 What Discoveries May Lie Ahead

Science and technology have utterly transformed human life in the past few generations, and forecasts of the future used to be measured in decades. But big changes arrive faster and faster these days. So here we’ve shifted our forecast to the near-term, because we’re right on the verge of some extraordinary stuff. These are the trends and events to watch out for in 2013.

Medical Innovations Poised to Transform the way we Treat Diseases

• Targeting tumors with specialized drugs

• Performing your own EKG at home

• Making DNA analysis quick and inexpensive

• Turning gene therapy into reality

• Setting antibiotics loose on cancer

• DNA sequencing for routine checkups

• Letting your body fight cancer

WSJ Reference (You've got to read this article)

First Alien Earth: Many astronomers believe we will find the first Earth-like alien planet will be discovered, an epic discovery that would cause humanity to reassess its place in the universe. Reference

We Are Not Alone in the Universe: No, I’m not talking about aliens. China and India have major space launches scheduled and will join us in space. China will be sending a landing craft to the moon and India will send an orbiter toward Mars.

Dark Matter: dark matter could be found by looking up into space. Scientists analyzing observations of cosmic gamma rays in 2012 discovered an unusual excess at a particular energy emanating from the center of our galaxy. One explanation for the signal is that dark matter particles are colliding and converting into high-energy radiation. This coming year will no doubt bring new data, better analysis, and maybe, just maybe, evidence that pins down dark matter once and for all. Reference

Other possible breakthroughs for 2013: Quantum computing. Robotic limbs powered by the human mind. Exoskeletons. Space probes. Space telescopes. New propulsion technologies for rockets that will allow us to go to Mars in 40 days. All bigger, badder, and faster.

But what’s truly amazing will be the shift from government and corporate research and development to the private sector. Then there are the amateur scientists who practice their craft in their garage or basements. Look for amazing advancements from all three arenas in 2013! 

And I'll be covering as many as I can. Stay tuned!

Blogging Basics: Making Bloggy Friends

As we near the 2013 A-to-Z Challenge, we'll be speaking increasingly on all topics A-to-Z.  In the meantime, though, let's focus on blogging overall.  Today, I thought I'd talk about how to make connections in the blogging world.

Blogging is a social medium, but people's reasons for engaging in the blog world differ.  Some are here to sell books or other products by creating a platform, some want to meet others and hang out, some are more interested in reading than sharing, and some just want someone to hear them.

For each reason to blog, there are dozens of types of blogs.  Parenting blogs, reading blogs, writing blogs, photography blogs, exercise blogs, history blogs, dream blogs, political blogs.  You name it, there is likely a blog for it.  This gives us the ability to visit all manner of blogs, and to invariably find something out there we want to read.

How do you reach out to all of these bloggers and get to know them, though?  How do you meet and forge relationships online?

This is easier than you may think, and really depends upon how much time you have.  Here's a quick rundown of how one might connect with other bloggers:

1. Visit blogs.  Pretty simple, right?  Hunt down blogs you're interested in.  Do a search on the topic you're looking for + "blog."  Head on over and check them out to see if you're interested in what they have to say.

2. Leave comments.  Once you've found a blog you're interested in, read their posts and leave a comment for them.  Make it a real comment, not just a passing "nice blog" type comment.  Address the topic they're discussing and/or ask a question about the topic.

3. Follow blogs.  If you like what they have to say, follow in the way you prefer.  Options include Google Friend Connect, RSS feed, follow by email, etc.  Choose the option you like best and follow it.

4. Have something to say.  It won't matter what you're doing on other people's blogs if you're not talking on your own.  Know what you want to blog about, then do so.  Be yourself, use your own voice, and talk about something that interests you...and that you feel will interest other people.

5. Respond to comments on your own blog and visit back.  When someone happens along and likes what you have to say enough to leave a comment on your blog, be sure to reply in some way.  You can comment back in the comments, reply back to each individual comment (on blogs that allow that), email a response to those who have allowed that possibility, or respond to them on their own blog.  No matter which response you choose, you should also try to visit them back at their blog to return the favor and see what they have to say.

There are many other ways to get to know other bloggers, but these are the basics that will get you started.  After that, you can explore other ways to make connections, such as blog hops/fests, memes, guest posting, guest hosting, interviews, etc.  Most important is that you find out what works best for you and go from there.

May you find your Muse.

Shannon
The Warrior Muse