I started a blog at the end of October 2008. At this moment, I've received 2,968 hits...Taking into account it's been in operation around 5 to 5-1/2 months, I'm getting about 600 hits a month on my blog. I know that is peanuts for many blogs, but it's not too bad for a personal blog that's less than 6 months in operation.
Without claiming any expertise, I'll share the things that I think have helped my blog.
1. Subject material both I and the audience are interested in. Once in a while, I include personal information--I've been doing that more often lately due to certain things happening in my life, and it's a good way of keeping friends and family informed. But the posts that have gotten the most hits were not about me, but about subjects that had a broad range of followers. For instance, I have an interest in both sports and films, so I've posted about those subjects, and those are areas that a lot of other people are interested in. I've also posted some political posts, and have drawn some responses and views when doing that. And usually, when I visit other blogs, I go to places that have this same kind of information, because it's what I'm interested in.
Obviously not everyone has an interest in films and sports. But there are a lot of subjects that can attract people's interest...politics, literature, business, etc. But it's just my experience that the key to drawing people to your blog is to post something that they care about. And of course, it goes without saying that it ought to interest you too....
2. Keep it interactive. While I like writing, people also like something to look at, so I occassionally post videos that I find interesting, or pictures that I've taken. I enjoy looking at photos on other blogs, too. So I've gotten in the habit of taking my camera with me when I go to certain events--I was at the St. Louis Cardinals home opener Monday, took a bunch of pictures, and posted them on my blog. People are visual, and it's my belief that they like to have something to see probably even more than wanting to read your opinion. So don't be afraid to mix it up a little.
3. Don't be afraid to shamelessly self promote. I send out a mass email every month to family and friends begging them to check out my blog. Some of them have shared it with others. I also make use of a website called pingomatic.com (which wordpress uses also) to send out "pings" updating search engines and the like that my blog has been updated.
4. Post often. I've got some relatives and friends who have great stuff, but they post so rarely I forget after a while to check their blogs. My advice is to post at least three times a week....otherwise, people will get bored with the blog and stop visiting.
Anyway...that's my non-professional input. I think blogging is a blast, and it can be, as Barney Fife would say, "therapetic."
Hope you have great success!
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