You can be the absolute best blogger the world has ever known, but if you don’t promote your work, you will also be the best blogger that the world has never read. Just publishing posts isn’t enough to guarantee that your work is actually read and shared. You have to go the extra mile and promote your work using simple marketing tools. Luckily, most online marketing strategies are completely free. All you have to do is get out there and start talking about your blog.
Social Media
If you don’t already have accounts with all the major social media outlets, it is time to get plugged in and on board with this marketing tool. Every time you publish a post, be sure to share the link on facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and any other relevant sites. This is by far the easiest way to help your posts gain some exposure.
You also want to be sure to invest some time in connecting with people who write about similar topics. Follow and friend people in the same field. Like-mined people are much more apt to share or comment on your work.
Finally, don’t be afraid to enlist the help of friends and family. There is no shame in posting your work and then asking others to share it on their profiles. People are usually more than happy to help.
Leave Comments on other Blogs
A great way to earn links and build your authority is to post comments on other people’s blog. Most comment sections provide a backlink to your website, which provides you with more exposure. It can also help you start a meaningful conversation with other professionals in your field.
The key to making this marketing method work is providing thoughtful comments. No one wants to feel like you are spamming their comment box just to get links. Read their article carefully, go through other comments and write something that adds something new to the conversation. If you leave a truly good comment, people will start following what you have to say.
Include Links to Other Blogs
If you are having trouble coming up with content ideas, responding to someone else’s blog is always a great strategy. Not only will this give you a relevant topic to discuss, it will also provide an opportunity to include outside links. Most blogs will automatically create what is known as a “trackback” when you link to their site. This means that they will also place on link on their site to your blog. This is provides an easy way to ear quality links.
Guest Posts
Most bloggers are more than happy to have other writers contribute guest posts to their site. This is a mutually beneficial situation where you can gain links and exposure and they get free content to help them promote their site. Research popular blogs and reach out to the owners about writing a guest post. You might be surprised to find out how many people are receptive to this link earning method.
Participate in Online Forums
Almost every topic and industry has dozens of online forums dedicated to discussing pertinent topics. Be sure to join any relevant forums and contribute insightful comments and pose interesting questions. Much like leaving comments, this strategy will provide a link to your site and help establish you as a trusted authority in your field.
Post Frequently
If you only write a new article every month or so, readers are going to turn to resources that are more up-to-date and better maintained. With news and information constantly involving, it is impossible to stay current if you don’t post at least once a week. If readers see that you are leading the conversation and adding new information on a regular basis, they are much more likely to return.
How frequently you post depends on your ability to strike the right balance between quality and quantity. While you want to add new content to your site, you don’t want it to be at the expense of quality. Every writer and website will be different, but a good initial goal is to post once a week.
What’s the Next Step?
Once you have begun to market your blog, you can start thinking about how to use it to make money. Learn ways to monetize your site and earn extra revenue when you move on to step 6.