When you first start blogging you are amazed that even one person managed to find your blog. Your biggest readers all have the same surname as you or happen to be in your circle of friends. After the excitement of one or two regular readers wears off, you start to wonder how people will find you. Here are a few ways I increased and continue to increase my readers:
Be a big reader and commenter on other blogs. I always try to leave a comment on any blog I visit. I think it is polite and...
The blogger will see your name, your insightful or hysterically witty comments and be interested enough to visit you; and
Their readers will also see your comment. Once again, if your comment is good, they might want to seek you out too.
Guest post for bigger bloggers. Ideally, look for blogs with a similar audience to yours. When I started blogging I approached many bigger bloggers and asked if they accept guest posts. Write a post and send it to them for consideration. Make sure it's original material and hasn't been used anywhere else. Also include a bio, a good photo and all your links.
Post regularly. It doesn't have to be everyday but visitors like to see fresh material. If I visit a blog that hasn't been active for a few months, I don't return.
Create Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts under your blog name and make sure you share new posts on them.
Share other peoples posts. When people know you are a sharer, they are more likely to want to share your posts too.
Participate in linky parties. This is a great way to find new blogs to read, and get people to notice yours.
Join blogger networking sites.
If you can, attend a blogging conference. This is a great way to learn a lot, meet great people and get your name out there.
What have you found to be successful in building up your readers?
You might notice a few bloggers create the occasional vlog. I love watching these because it makes me feel like I know them a little better after hearing them and seeing them in motion. Earlier this year, I decided to bite the bullet and give it a go. I knew NOTHING and I was terrified. I have now made a few and have gotten over the stage fright but I am far from a skilled professional.
Why YOU should vlog
1. It gives your readers a chance to get to know you a little better;
2. It improves your google ranking;
3. It can save time when you are time poor;
4. You can reach a new audience using a new medium; and
5. Sometimes it's easier to say something than it is to write it.
Tools you need to get started
1. I started with just my iPad but many people just use their iPhone; and
2. I would strongly recommend an external microphone, like this Belkin one. It improves the sound dramatically.
Plus
1. A quiet area that you won't get disturbed;
2. A neat background or backdrop. A messy room or grotty toilet might distract from your awesome message;
3. Check the lighting; and
4. An idea of what you are going to say. I prefer not to practice or be scripted but maybe have points or products ready. You will seem too stiff if it's over rehearsed.
Tips
1. Speak clearly and not too fast;
2. Pretend you are talking to your sister or a friend;
3. Keep it short. People are more likely to watch a shorter video;
4. Say hello and goodbye; and
5. I always brush my teeth beforehand. I am not sure why, but it works.
You made your video, now what?
1. Create a YouTube channel. For consistency I would recommend using the same name as your blog. Here's mine: Redcliffe Style;
2. Load your video. I usually load it onto my computer first then onto YouTube;
3. Name your vlog and complete necessary details; and
4. Share it.
I haven't gotten into the editing of videos, this isn't always necessary and is a longer tutorial.
Blogger makes it very easy to load your video from your Youtube channel directly into your post. I am sure Wordpress would have a similar way but I know squat about Wordpress.
Do you vlog? What tips can you share? Vlog examples
This is my very first without an external microphone. You can tell the sound isn't very good and I'm pretty friggin' nervous. The original post is here.
External Microphone and a backdrop and getting use to the camera. The original post is here.
Every Saturday morning we pack up the kids and go grocery shopping at Bluewater in Redcliffe. Here are 10 reasons why I love grocery shopping.
1. The coffee we grab from Zarraffa's to take around with us;
2. The challenge of guiding a trolley with wonky wheels. It's like a butt workout, but it usually works out one cheek more than the other;
3. All the gorgeous seasonal fruit and vegetables. Thanks to Masterchef I am even more inspired by them. It's such a pity they just end up wilted at the bottom of my crisper;
4. Because I see and hear so many screaming children. It reminds me how wonderful my girls are;
5. The warm bread from the bakery. I love fresh bread so much I want to cuddle and breast feed it;
6. Smelling all the cleaning products. I love this aisle. I open and smell all of them until I find my scent of the week;
7. Just the knowing that all my cupboards will be fully stocked;
8. The little treats I can find for my girls in the Stationery aisle;
9. The little treats I can find for my dog in the pet aisle; and
Most importantly....
10. The little treats I can find for myself in the beauty aisle.....
The products mentioned in the above vlog are:
Napoleon Luxe Lip Gloss in Perfect Peach- free with Marie Claire this month
Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in Gothic
Garnier Ultra Lift Eyes
Vaseline Total Moisture Aloe Fresh SPF 15
When we are grocery shopping I always try to sneak a few products into the trolley while my husband's back is turned. I am like a kid trying to sneak lollies into the trolley.
I hope you made it through the 2 minutes & 52 seconds. If you didn't, well what are you going to put on your eyebrows now? You will never know the great bargain I found and use.
If you have any questions you would like to ask, please do, and I will happily answer them in my next vlog.
Edit: The products talked about in the above vlog are
1. L'Oreal UV Perfect Daily Moisturising Lotion
2. Palmer's Foot Magic with Peppermint Oil and Mango Butter
3. Nivea Daily Essentials Facial Cleansing wipes (great for the car)
4. Maybelline Define-a-brow in Dark blonde
Recently I attended an event and I was the star attraction. I was in front of a captured audience. I usually suffer from dreadful stage fright but not this time. The audience was in the palm of my hand. They were listening to every gem that came from my mouth and there were many gems, I was on a roll. The wide eyes and open mouths of an interested audience spurred me on. I was on fire.
Question time followed and there were questions and answers fired around like machine guns. Quick, witty and awesome.
Yes, I attended Career day for my daughters grade one class.
It has since come to my attention that they think it's pronounced bogger. No wonder they were so enthralled.
The Urban dictionary describes a bog as: "The process of refusing to believe any logical thought/reason and create a theory based on no hard facts. The theory is usually based on a forum post or paragraph someone once read which was meaningless and untrue. Even if hard facts are presented to discourage the bog theory or totally falsify it, the individual refuses to accept the truth" or "a toilet" (as in "I needa go ta da bog")
The Urban dictionary describes a bogger as: "A person sexually attractive and sexually aware, mostly remembered with affection"
Funny, when I think about it, I do feel most attractive when I am on the toilet, writing a post that is completely meaningless and untrue.
By Jove, I think they've got it. I really am a bogger.
