Sure, the ‘tried and true’ methods work but don’t dismiss some ‘outside the box’ ways of to get more blog traffic.
A couple of days ago I wrote a post about why you’re not getting blog traffic and the feedback was great. I decided to write a follow-up and include some not-so-common methods of building blog traffic.
1. Use another form of media
Using written words to publish a blog post may be the most common way, but it’s not the only way! Mixing it up can sometimes introduce you to a whole segment of your target audience who may not have found you otherwise. For example, if you have a birdwatching blog and you normally use written words and photos for your blog posts, try using video for your next one. Record your next nature walk and promote it on YouTube.
2. Syndicate some of your blog posts
An often overlooked method of gaining a wider audience is syndicating some of your posts on another site. Usually, this involves sharing some of your post (such as the first paragraph) on their site with a link back to your blog to read more. Over the years, I’ve used several syndication sites with varying degrees of success. I just started using BizSugar and shared my previous post about blog traffic. Notice how only a small section of the post shows. When their readers click the title, it takes them directly to my blog post.
On some syndication sites, users can vote for their favorites and also use the social buttons to share it with their followers.
3. Target your audience better and ask them what they want to know about
Clarifying and targeting your ideal audience is the first thing I teach in my blogging course because it can make or break your blog or business. Spend some time re-evaluating who you’re trying to reach and why. Remind yourself why you started your blog and ask yourself how far you’ve strayed from that. Ask your current audience what they want to know. Their answers may surprise you.
4. Create something and give it away for free
Create a mobile app, a custom blog theme or an ebook if you don’t know how, hire someone to create it for you. Then, give it away for free and include a bio and link back to your blog. Make it so good that users will want to visit your blog to find out more about you.
5. Get business cards
You might be thinking, what’s so ‘outside the box’ about business cards? The thing is, most bloggers don’t have them, so for us this is outside the box! You can order them online and have them delivered right to your front door in a few days. Then pass them out! Keep some on your car, your wallet, your gym bag, your diaper bag and your back pocket.
6. Stay on top of your niche’s trends
Staying current on the latest trends and news in your field can bring you more traffic by giving you ideas for blog posts. If you have a cooking blog and a new, highly anticipated food show is getting ready to premiere – write about it! If you have a book blog and a best selling author wrote a controversial tweet, write a post sharing your opinion. You may get a surge of traffic that dwindles away the next day, but you have a great chance of picking up some new readers. Use google trending topics to see if there are any trending searches you can write about on your blog.
With some creative thinking and a willingness to try methods you never have, you can open your blog up to potential readers and followers who may not have found you via traditional ways. If you have an outside-the-box way of getting traffic, tell us in a comment below.
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Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
June 25, 2015 at 4:51 pmGreat tips! I didn’t even know about the syndication sites until now!
Visiting from Mom Blogs Party
xoxo
Lisa
JcCee says
June 25, 2015 at 4:48 pmI found you on #ShineBlogHop. Very helpful tips! I need to make some more business cards for my blog. I was not aware of syndicating blog posts. I am going to check that out. Thanks for sharing!
Jessica says
June 25, 2015 at 4:09 pmI pinned this for future reference. Great tips!
Carol Cameleon says
June 17, 2015 at 10:11 amGreat ideas that I’d never thought about… Consider it bookmarked! Thanks 🙂
Robin Follette says
May 17, 2015 at 10:45 pmI hadn’t heard of BizSugar. I’ll check it out now. I’ve found three helpful tips in the five or six minutes I’ve been reading your blog. Thank you!
Jann Olson says
May 6, 2015 at 3:09 amLots of great information! Thanks for sharing it with Share Your Cup.
hugs,
Jann
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
May 5, 2015 at 8:43 pmThese are fabulous suggestions!
I have business cards and I love them. I leave them in random places and in parenting books in the library and bookstores (I’m kind of sneaky like that).
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Debi @ Surroundings by Debi says
May 4, 2015 at 3:17 amGreat ideas! I am going to incorporate a few of these! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!
Marina @ Parental Journey says
May 3, 2015 at 11:52 amGreat tips!! I love the idea of business cards, didn’t think about them before.
Janice Wald says
May 2, 2015 at 6:31 pmHi,
Found you on SITS. Does BizSugar charge to post there or is it free? BlogEngage charges I think, so I am asking. Thanks
Bonnie says
April 30, 2015 at 6:47 pmThis is a great article. I had never heard of syndication before. I’ll have to look into that. I also really need to get my business cards made. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Heather@ My Overflowing Cup says
April 30, 2015 at 6:10 pmThanks so much for sharing these tips. I’ve never heard of BizSugar, but now I’m going to check it out.
I am going to print business cards soon, too.
Blessings to you and yours.
Gail Akeman says
April 30, 2015 at 4:54 pmgood ideas, I want to get business cards done especially for conferences
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
April 30, 2015 at 4:47 pmRead both of these articles, thanks for sharing your ideas, love when we share what we learn and I am always open to hearing of new ways to better myself. Thanks so much!
Brandi | WithBrandi says
April 29, 2015 at 5:38 pmI’ve been thinking about incorporating video and obtaining business cards – so I loved reading this article as it made me feel like I’m on the right track. I was unaware of the syndication option so I’m adding that into things to look into. Glad I found this article through Type A Parent.
Crystal says
April 29, 2015 at 4:57 pmGreat tips! I’ve been trying to implement a few of these and have definitely been seeing some rewards.
Shell Feis says
April 28, 2015 at 8:41 pmThanks for this list! I’ve seen a drop in traffic since the holidays & these are some great thought starters to help with that!
Teri@The Freshman Cook says
April 28, 2015 at 5:27 pmHi Joanne,
This is my first visit to your blog. I have not heard of syndication, and I am off to check it out. Great tips. I am stopping over from the Anything Goes blog party!
Valerie Remy-Milora says
April 28, 2015 at 1:04 pmThese are great tips thank you! I’d love to syndicate some of my content and add video. I need to make the time for those.
Raijean says
April 28, 2015 at 3:56 amThis are some great tips, I plan on instituting a few of these tips myself.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
April 28, 2015 at 3:06 amSO much great advice! I am trying to be better about using multiple social media platforms – but I need to put more effort into it.
Patty says
April 28, 2015 at 2:42 amThanks for the great tips. I had not heard of the syndication. I’ll have to check that out.
marybeth hamilton says
April 28, 2015 at 1:52 amThese are great tips. I think knowing your audience is key, but I’ve completely forgotten about syndication. I haven’t done that in some time, but it could be worth looking into.
Liz Mays says
April 27, 2015 at 11:39 pmThese are great ideas. I need to build up my blog’s traffic quite a bit.
Allison says
April 27, 2015 at 11:08 pmGreat tips! I always love learning new ways to expand my reach and while I do most of these already, I would love to syndicate to a larger audience!
Jennifer H says
April 27, 2015 at 10:58 pmGreat information. I’ll have to look into some of those syndication sites. That might be helpful.
Shannon Schmid says
April 27, 2015 at 10:45 pmSounds like some great advice! I agree – having a business card is super helpful!
Jeannette says
April 27, 2015 at 10:41 pmThese are all great tips! I’m really working on branching out in social media since FB has changed so much but change can be hard. Thanks for the reminder to keep trying.
Trisha Haas says
April 27, 2015 at 9:27 pmThese are very good pieces of blogging advice. These methods actually work for many businesses not just blogs. You’re right the blog syndication is often overlooked a lot.
Crystal says
April 27, 2015 at 9:25 pmWhat great advice. I try to give my readers what they are most interested in, but I need to mix it up to keep people coming back for more. I need to add more video to my posts.
LyndaS says
April 27, 2015 at 9:06 pmThanks for the tips. I have heard from successful bloggers that #4 is a good way of getting subscribers. If only I had the time to sit and write a good ebook.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
April 27, 2015 at 8:28 pmThose are all such great ideas. I need to update my business cards now that you mention it 🙂
Marilyn says
April 27, 2015 at 5:01 pmThis is such a great article Joanne. Thanks for sharing it on Anything Goes!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
April 27, 2015 at 4:30 pmThis is really awesome- I still haven’t fully hit my stride yet, so being able to find traffic building options outside of the usual is huge. Thank you for sharing!
I stopped by from Inspiration Monday.
Laura Funk says
April 27, 2015 at 3:16 pmI am interested to get into the aspect of syndication. Are there other sites that do this? Which ones are better?
Rosey says
April 27, 2015 at 12:52 amI love the idea of giving something away free. I have giveaways, but I haven’t actually created or offered something useful on a continuous basis. I also like the idea of getting business cards. I have been asked before for my own, but have never had any made. I think it’s a great idea to get a batch made up and will be doing that soon.
Anne says
April 26, 2015 at 10:46 pmGreat tips! Making a freebie e-book to giveaway has been on my to do list for months. I really need to prioritize that!
Martin Ricky says
April 26, 2015 at 4:08 amI have had moderate success on the syndicate sites as well. I like the idea of using a different form of a post like a video or picture story. I will actually try to incorporate one of these into my next post! Thank you so much for the ideas!
Tiaras & Tantrums says
April 25, 2015 at 3:49 pmI already do quite a bit of your suggestions . . . and still lack the engagement I would really like! I’m off to ready your first post!