When I first started blogging in 2009, I wasn’t prepared for the amount of work that would go into running a successful blog. Perhaps part of my naiveté had to do with the fallacy that “If you build it, they will come.” In my mind, as long as I poured myself into my writing and posted regularly, it would guarantee that my readers would keep coming back for more and more. Boy, this couldn’t have been further from the truth!
This August will make 5 years since I started blogging for the first time and I have learned a lot about how to keep readers coming back to Tough Cookie Mommy. Although great content still trumps when it comes to making people want to return and read, there are other things that bloggers do to keep the spice in the relationship with their readers. I’m hoping that some of my experiences will prove to be useful and valuable to other up and coming bloggers so that they too may have a successful blogging career.
The following are the top 5 ways that I keep readers coming back to Tough Cookie Mommy:
- Be Authentic-Your readers want to be able to connect with you and want you to be accessible to them. Writing about your real-life experiences and taking the time out to respond to your readers, either on the blog or on social media, makes you seem like a real person instead of a random person in the blogosphere.
- Reward Your Readers-Even if your blog’s niche is not giveaways or couponing, readers love to be rewarded with perks and promotions. After all, we all love to win things and get things for free. Including a giveaway on social media or on your blog from time to time will let readers know that you value their time and loyalty and keep them coming back for more.
- Keep An Open Mind-The world does not revolve around you and your opinions. Believe me, not all of your readers are going to agree with every single thing that you say. It’s important to keep an open mind and to be able to receive their point of view when it comes to the topics that you are writing about. Knowing you respect their opinion will keep readers engaged in your content day after day.
- Maintain Your Integrity-As soon as your blog starts taking off, you are going to be bombarded with offers from many brands. Choose the brands that you align yourself with wisely. Your readers will know when you have sold your soul to a brand just for profit and it will make them go elsewhere to follow bloggers with some integrity. As a rule of thumb, if the brand or product doesn’t fit your niche or your lifestyle, it’s not for you.
- Keep Writing-There is nothing that readers love more than fresh, daily content to read. The worst thing that could happen is for a reader to visit your blog and see that you haven’t written a new post in weeks. I generally try to blog a minimum of at least three times per week on those weeks when I am very busy and can’t blog every day. Readers will keep returning if they know you will have something new for them to check out.
In the end you will realize, just as I have, that blogging is a lot of work. If your blog is a labor of love for you just as mine is for me, you will have no problem putting in the time and dedication that it takes to run a successful blog. This love for blogging will resonate with your readers and that is exactly what will keep them coming back for more!
Let’s Discuss: What keeps you going back to read the blogs that you read on a regular basis?
© 2014, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
Blogging definitley is more work than I realized it was, but it was my readers, who became my friends along the way the keep it fun and keep me going!
Blogging is a lot of work, but I have to tell you… I have met so many great bloggers and other people that I would never have met without my blog.
For me; the constant publishing of topics that I find of interest and great writing and being authentic bring me back over and over again to blogs. Blogging really is a lot of hard work, but can be very rewarding if done right. -Amber e.
For me it’s just the art of reading I enjoy reading so knowing that blogs I visit daily continue to write bring me back.
I like to solve a problem for my readers so they will come back. visiting their blogs too.
I think I keep going back quite often because I’m nosey and I want to see what’s been happening and check in to make sure people are ok as well 🙂 x
Although most of us are mom, we all have a different lifestyle and then some we can learn from. It is a lot of hard work that many do not realize or accept. But it is enjoyable and I get to meet some really lovely people on the way!!
These are really good tips. I’ve turned down quite a few guest posts and sponsor deals because I just couldn’t stand behind them. I learned that when I did sales as a career. If you don’t believe in a product, you’re not going to do well selling it.
I think it’s just plain human interest for me. I like to know what other bloggers are up to and I appreciate it when bloggers write honestly and don’t take themselves too seriously.
What keeps me coming back is fresh articles not the cookie cutter rehashed stuff (example is the 50 million posting the same coupons repeatedly) I also like a blog who takes the time to respond to their readers. There is nothing worse than taking time to comment and feel like youre commenting with no responses. I try and also make a point to visit blogs who have integrity and are transparent -you mentioned contests , I prefer blogs who post the results. And another thing you mentioned above is blogs who have an open mind… there is nothing worse than seeing a bunch of ‘yes men/women’ agreeing with everything when you know darn sure some wouldnt agree. I like to feel comfortable enough to have a different opinion and not have the blogger dismiss or even worse make fun of your beliefs (yes that has happened and in fact I have been banned from a blog for disagreeing with their opinion) I respect honesty and transparency.
I agree, fresh articles are a must. I find that when I publish daily, I get a lot more returning visitors and page views.
For any blog that I regularly read by choice it is for personality far more than anything else. People will never all agree on things. I don’t mind reading opinions I don’t necessarily agree with as long as they are well presented, not condescending and don’t make the person sound like an ignorant know-it-all.
I felt the same exact way when I started blogging. I realize it’s more work than I expected it would be. I thought about giving up so many times, but I enjoy it so much! Thank you for sharing and giving us new bloggers hope.
Being authentic is so important. People don’t want to read what they can read about on any other blog!
Great tips! Authenticity is key! I am new to blogging and still trying to learn the best way to do things.
The blogs I read the most are ones where I have gotten to know the blogger. Sometimes when we are busy it is the only way to keep up with each other and make sure we are okay.
These are all great tips. I have been blogging for a while too but only started to try to take it to the next level of monetizing it about a year now.
All great tips which I also teach in my Blogging 101 / 201 classes.
Writing is important. When someone leaves w/o saying goodbye and doesn’t post for a long time, you wonder what happened to them too.
That articles are what keep people coming back and photos!
Great advice! There are times when I think I should not blog anymore because no one is reading and then I remember why I started blogging. I love writing and sharing info.I need to remember that it blogging stays fun.
I agree that it’s hard to pick and choose between the offers. I’ve had to turn down money when I really needed it because I would never really use the product.
It’s the connection with the blog author that keeps me coming back more than anything else, I think. I love supporting my friends!
I do believe one of the best advice is just to keep writing -thanks for all these heads up my dear!
Being authentic is definely important. You also need to make it easy for them to find you again!
I agree that blogging is alot of work, way more than I ever imagined!
Fantastic tips! Thank you for sharing about your journey!
Great tips! Blogging is always about the readers, whether the blogger knows it or not.
These are good tips, I started blogging only a year before you did and yes there have been many lessons to learn. I also learned there is a balance between the audience and the blogger. There is more than one way this balance can be obtained. For example, a blogger can make a living off small sales IF they have a ton of traffic. I didn’t go that route. I learned to cultivate a smaller group of long-term high-investment customers. And I alienated some readers who didn’t want to contribute, with my tough love. That is okay. I have managed to keep my sanity and have a sustainable business. Authenticity and integrity are non-negotiable though, without those there is no point to blogging. Thanks for a thought-provoking article 🙂
These are all fabulous tips! Everyday I am learning something new to improve on my blogging. 🙂