Whether you want to share thoughts about your favorite foods, new business ideas, or even your family, blogging is a great way to share your thoughts with the world. Millions of Flash websites and blogs exist for every topic under the sun, including personal revelations, poetry, animals, portfolio websites, and anything else imaginable. The real challenge is not coming up with something to share but getting someone to read what you take the time to write and post.
Once you’ve made the commitment to have your own blog and begin writing content, there are many decisions to be made about how you will generate publicity for your blog. You need to decide whom you are writing for, what your stance is on issues, how you present your ideas, and even when you post your musings. The most effective ways to advertise your blog depend largely on how you answer those questions. This does not mean, however, that there are not some very common ways to advertise your blog including campaigning, visitor engagement, directory listings, and social activity.
In the Yellow Pages
Although the yellow pages do not list websites, there are many online directories that serve the same purpose. Listing your blog on a directory website is an easy way for people to find your website due to the categorical nature of these websites. Directories often list blogs by subject matter, interest, or even audience, which allows potential users to find your blog by looking for sites similar to ones they already like. This not only helps you get free advertising, but also keeps your efforts to a minimum and frees you up to write even more often.
Although online communities are not the same as directories, they do provide another place for you to promote and advertise. Online communities exist for everything from design to small business, and provide a place for bloggers to list their website and showcase their talents. Facebook is an extremely popular online community that even offers businesses the opportunity to promote and advertise by utilizing fan pages. If you find an online community, don’t hesitate to join even if you’re not sure if your blog fits, since you will still be gaining publicity and visibility.
Get a Partner
Although it may sound contradictory, setting up a partnership with another business or blogger is a great way to gain additional advertising. Most websites feature guest bloggers who have their own websites but are writing a special article. If you have something to contribute to another blog, find a way to volunteer your services to them and see if that might lead to a more consistent opportunity. Partnerships might also lead to combined revenue by sharing advertising space, sharing funding, or even sharing resources. Various companies encourage partnerships by enrolling users in affiliate programs where users can receive money by getting other users to enroll for the shared product or service. Some companies will even give you money for trying out one of their products for a review if your website has enough visitors to make it worth their while.
Appeal to Your Readers
Finding creative ways to engage your readers via your portfolio website or blog can be challenging, but can often form unbreakable bonds with your blog audience. Building a repertoire with your audience has to start with authenticity and a unique voice above all else. You first need to be able to be an authority to your audience on some level. Provide information and links only when appropriate to your audience. Don’t betray their trust by posting content that isn’t relative to them, or doesn’t serve their needs. Second, you can build a bond with readers by holding to a consistent voice or presentation for the information you share. Changing your tone or approach is a sure fire way to confuse your readers and decrease interest in your blog.
After you’ve solidified your approach to handling readers, you can move on to becoming an authority in your subject matter. This means that you should be active in your world by contributing to other blogs, commenting where appropriate, and sharing resources (citing their source, of course). Lots of bloggers critique books, videos, designs, or any other product or service they have thoughts on because it gives their readers something to think about and chew on. Covering stories and providing critiques can further solidify your position as an authority to your readers. This also provides the opportunity to gain coverage in the press and bring even further attention to yourself.
