How to Build a Blogging Community

Once you’ve created a blog, the next natural step besides driving traffic to your blog is to build a reader community. A blogging community is essential to being a successful blogger. Not only are you showing off yourself, your product or services to the world but you are also creating a name and reputation for who you are and what you have to say. Having a community of your peers who enjoy what your blog has to say and respect you as part of the blogosphere goes a long way.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Blog
• Time
• Passion for writing

1. Read other blogs. When you read other blogs you can get feel for what you like. You will also discover blogs that you share common interests with. Reading blogs can also give you starting points for when you feel you've run out of things to discuss with your readers.

2. Leave comments on other blogs. Whenever you visit another blog it pays more to just read the blog. By leaving a comment, you are leaving a calling card for others to find you. As long as you leave your blog URL somewhere in your comment, it gives people a way to find you.

3. Reply to your comments. When people comment on your blog or your posts, they want to know they've been heard. Your replies to their comments don't have to be lengthy and drawn out. Sometimes a simple, "Thank you for visiting my blog" is enough to show people you are engaging with them.

4. List your blog in directories. There are many blog directories on the Internet to chose from. A simple Google search for "blog directories" will bring thousands of results.

5. Write often. In fact, most professional bloggers will advise that you post more than once a day. By having a couple of posts per day you are providing your readers with variety and a chance to keep them at your blog longer.

6. Make your posts entertaining. Entertaining could mean anything, but you want to ask yourself if your readers are going to be bored by what they read. Is your content fresh with a different view than other bloggers out there have? It's a developed skill that any blogger will agree takes time.

7. Start Marketing your blog. Besides visiting and commenting on other blogs, there are other ways to market your blog. One way is to have a signature link to your blog on message boards and forums. You can also place a signature link in your email signature as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Blog even when you have nothing to say.
• Link back to other blogs you have found interesting.
• Be original.
• Make your comments on other blogs more engaging than "nice blog"
• Don't offer the same content over and over.

[slphilbrick]

on 12/30/2008 These are some of the best tips I've read on blogging effectively ! Good work ! 5*

[lydiabily]

on 12/21/2008 This is a great list of straightforward suggestions on how to build a successful blog community. Thanks!

[JennyHenny]

on 9/2/2008 Content is key, I think - hard to keep entertaining, but I'm trying. It is fun!

[leavingbydawn]

on 8/20/2008 Good advice! I was a hard-core blogger up until a few years ago, and I've recently returned to it. I think I got burned out. I do need to remember to post EVERY day, though. It's too easy to forget, and then the blog becomes stale.

[cindylangwho]

on 8/14/2008 Good info. Thanks!