Blogging Insights #15–Traffic and Growth

Blog traffic: visitors, readers, followers,lik-ers(I know that’s not a word), is what makes your blog go. You may be posting pearls of wisdom and gems of literature on your blog but if nobody’s reading them what’s the point? On the other hand you see blogs with hardly stellar content that seem to be doing so well that they are the bloggers’ primary source of income. The difference between these two scenarios is their difference in reader engagement.

Questions

1. How often, if at all, do you check your blog statistics?

2. What methods do you use to increase reader engagement,(provided you care about this)?

3. Do you actively promote your blog on social media?  

My Answers

1. How often, if at all, do you check your blog statistics?

When I first launched my blog, I used to check my stats several times a day, much like a first time mother checks the baby’s diaper again and again (excuse the gross analogy). At first, I couldn’t believe that there were people actually reading, liking and commenting on what I wrote. After the novelty wore off, I became less statistics obsessed. My blog has grown slowly but steadily over the past two years but I don’t check my blog statistics very often, probably once a week or even less. If I were to monetize my blog, I would probably be more concerned with my figures and would check them more frequently.  

2.What methods do you use to increase reader engagement,(provided you care about this)?

I usually use techniques that hold my interest  on other blogs. For instance, I like to read posts where the text is divided into “bite sized” pieces by headings, points and images since these are easier to read on devices. When I posted once or twice a week, I used to take great pains to find attractive images. Even now, when I post more often, I make sure to use one or two engaging images. Another way of increasing engagement is running a series. This too is something that I learned from other bloggers. I have been running this Blogging Insights series for more than three months now and I think that it has brought me more readers and followers.  

 

3.Do you actively promote your blog on social media?

I ought to and I would love to, if only I had the time and energy, but I can do either WordPress or social media at present. I have, however, linked my blog to a Facebook page and to my Twitter account. Featured images and links to my posts get displayed there .  

Okay! That was my bit. Now I am really looking forward to reading YOUR answers.

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# blogginginsights,

and leave a link in my comments section too.