5 Ways To Keep Your Blog Readers Coming Back Again & Again
Are you struggling to make your blog readers return to your blog? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Twitter only had a retention rate of 40% when they experienced massive growth, compared to FaceBook and MySpace who accomplished 70%, according to nielsen blog post. It’s safe to say that even most popular websites like Twitter in this case, experience difficulty in getting repeated traffic.
With all the efforts it takes to attract fresh readers, once you get them to your blog, you need to keep them interested in your blog. Here are some helpful tips for encouraging your visitors to stick around and come back to see what your have to tell:
1. Attract the Right Audience
In order to get people returning, you need to attract the right people in the first place. If you’re using ad-networks to advertise your blog, you should combine this effort with direct advertising on specific niche websites. Ad networks gets you wide reach while niche content sites get you more targeted traffic.
You should look for content sites or blogs that would appeal to your target blog. If you’re stuck on where to advertise, you can buy Ad Space at a Banner Auction website. Unlike automated systems, Banner Auctions enable you to selectively handpick your ad placements and deal directly with site owners.
2. Contests
Everyone loves to win prizes, especially when the entry is free and without any conditions attached to it. Contests are a great way of promoting brand awareness and discovering more about your target market.
When running a Contest, make sure to provide something appropriate and relevant to your blog if you wish to attract the right readers. A free iPod for example for a fat loss blog would be quite unproductive and most probably a waste of your resources and efforts.If you just wish to attract as many people as possible, regardless of targeting potential people, then offer something general like cash prizes or any cool gadget.
Making your Contests regular is also a good idea to get repeated traffic. This keeps users interested and coming back to enter.
Here are some more tips for contests:
- Announce the winner on your blog and send an email to all entrants advising them of a new challenge;
- Become included on contest sites to get more contestants;
- Provide users the opportunity to send contests to a friend or to promote it any way they can;
- Give an extra entry if they perform any bonus steps;
- Limiting the number of entries is strictly not advised;
- Give a time limit for accepting entries.
3. Discounts and Freebies
Everybody loves a great bargain. Many people are searching for good discounts & freebies. You can blog upon latest discounts on various domain registrars or web hosting, if you are running a webmaster related blog.
The Key to success of this method is that you have to do it as many times as possible so that people will keep looking around your blog for latest discounts coupons and freebies.
4. Hints, Trivia, Tips, & Advice Columns
Providing regular tips on your target audience’s areas of interest is a great way of generating repeated traffic.
For example, if you are running a blog related to herbal medicine, offer regular natural healing remedy. You can also provide “thought for the day”. This will keep your viewers returning to find out more remedies or trivia every day.
Providing advice columns establishes your blog as an expert in the field. Remember, people are interested in reading questions submitted by ordinary people and seeing the guidance that has been given to him by you.
5. Start a Discussion Forum
Connecting your blog to a Discussion Forum allows users to discuss their idea and their experiences will make them appreciate your blog and feel like part of a community. Starting an Discussion Forum is very easy but it’s difficult to handle it. Make sure you take full care of both i.e your blog and it’s discussion forum otherwise it will results in bad effect on your blog.
Keep That Traffic Flowing
Implementing interactive and informative aspects to your blog will not only add fresh content, but will also attract return visits.
Sustaining repeat visitors has many benefits to your blog such as it helps to build trust, make more money blogging, build a stronger community, helps to establish yourself as an authority blogger for more success.
Now, let me know your Favourite ways of getting repeated traffic. Are there any more ways which you would like to share on this blog? Let me know all that by Commenting below.
Article Written By Typhoon
Yo! I am Typhoon a.k.a Sushant, a 17 yrs. old blogger from India and the owner of SmartBloggerz. Here I try to share useful Blogging related articles which would help a blogger to succeed. You can connect to me on Twitter.Typhoon has written 333 superb article(s) on this blog
November 29, 2009
8:53 pm
I do not know how to start a contest in my Cytogenetics and Cancer Research blog. I just wonder what is my contest about? I also do not know how to seek sponsor for a contest in my blog to. Do you have any idea of it? Thanks!
Kok Siong Chen´s last blog ..Be Aware of Environmental Exposure – Lung Cancer Risk Factor
November 30, 2009
11:47 am
I am not having much idea about your niche. But I think there must be some useful products for people in your niche or you can offer cash prize in your contest.
December 2, 2009
8:33 am
You can make commenting contest.
You can make contest which require people to make review about your blog.
You can make contest which require people to tweeting about your blog.
Or you can make contest which require people to do posting about your site on cancer-related place.
There is many contest idea for you.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 2, 2009
1:28 pm
i agree with akira07 that contest can help you…nd if the contest is of commenting then reader will or i should say have to come again and again …so it is the best way according to me…
Lucifer@Blog Contests´s last blog ..The Importance of Your Domain Name
December 3, 2009
4:42 am
Yes, but don’t think commenting contest always drive a hundred of comment. You should thinking about your blog topic. It’s about cancer reasearch, right? People who have knowledge about it is less than topic such “internet marketing” or “dog”.
Also make comment policy just this blog do.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 13, 2009
3:39 pm
Commenting contest makes lot of comments and drive most of the people. This can increase ur traffic Bro.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..How To Use Facebook Effectively
December 31, 2009
7:10 pm
Yes, and it increase readers and traffic too but the downside is, when your contest is done already, more than a half of your visitors when you contest is still ongoing wouldn’t come back again.
December 31, 2009
7:27 pm
yeah.. I agree with senthil.. Commenting contest provides good traffic to our blog and also build good relationship…
Deepika´s last blog ..Importance Of Guest Blogging
December 27, 2009
12:11 am
@Kok Siong Chen Whatever be the niche. It is a blog and has comments open right. Then you can definitely have commenting contest
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Win $180 Cash Prize and more at SmartBloggerz
December 2, 2009
8:31 am
#2 and #3 is my favourite technique of getting traffic. Actually, i’m planning on making e-book special about contest promotion strategy. Since we know contest is big power and the most shortest way to get reader back (and also new reader). Well, the e-book is not done yet due to my activity.
Regarding contest, there is commenting idol 2 on this blog. Great, you’re practice what you write. And in the end of month, you can proof #2 by publish the statistic of your blog, i’m sure there will be a lot of improvement.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 27, 2009
12:18 am
I can certainly say #2 is the best option. It can just increase the site’s traffic in a great way. I am sure, if I win here, I will be holding a contest on Jan month in the same fashion as SmartBloggerz commenting idol.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Win $180 Cash Prize and more at SmartBloggerz
December 3, 2009
6:05 am
Yes, contests helps bring your blog some traffic. Use Facebook and Twitter to broadcast your contest.
Great article. I learned a lot from your tips.
December 4, 2009
8:11 am
Ok now it’s the time to giving tips, how to spreading our contest. Actually, we’re not should do promotion ownself, especially on promoting contest. Why?
Look the way many contest holder require us to get participate : tweeting about contest, make blog post about contest, share on digg,facebook,stumbleupon,reddit, make review, put banner on sidebar, create forum signature, place link, reffering other, etc….
That’s mean : Free promotion for your contest and blog
But just for first annoucement of your contest, you can make posting on contest section in forum. A lot of forum have that section such DP, 4ums, etc..
Also, contact some contest-blog owner such submityourcontest (navjotsingh), abc contest, iluvcontest (sherry), indocontest, and cahkontes.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 7, 2009
5:26 pm
Yup ur right. utilising twitter can be effective. But posting to FB wall is not enough. Instead post to some related groups and fan pages. You can get lot of visitors in no time.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Interview with S.Pradeep Kumar of HellBoundBloggers
December 8, 2009
3:27 pm
Yes FB wall post is not giving too much exposure since it’s limited viewer.
In case you still want to use FB, tell your friend to post in on their wall also.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 9, 2009
8:39 am
Thats a good idea. I ve not thought bout it
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Google Introduces Real Time Search In SERP
December 31, 2009
7:11 pm
Yes, that’s a good idea akira, also having a fan page would also help and increase your readers.
December 31, 2009
7:29 pm
@akira07
Its a good idea.. there are many way to use fb more effectively.. We can use fan pages and also networked blogs this will be helpful in promoting our blog
Deepika´s last blog ..Importance Of Guest Blogging
December 3, 2009
6:14 am
Cool post. I’ve thought of starting a contest, but I don’t have much money for prizes. Do you think offering something, like a custom WordPress theme would be a good prize?
Eric B.´s last blog ..Designing an Effective Admin Back-End
December 4, 2009
8:07 am
The question is already asked for many times, but let me answer it again, using the case of your wordpress theme prize plan.
First, not all people use wordpress
Second, theme is not a thing we’re routinly change for 1-2month
Third, cash prize still better
Fourth, you can asking for sponsorship prize
So, do you what i mean already?
Ask me if there is question, i’m bit experienced on contest system (even when i’m ever fail on making contest LOL)
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 7, 2009
5:21 pm
Basically cash prizes attracts more people and the next one is free advertising. Only these two can give u successful contest and all others rarely can make it.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Interview with S.Pradeep Kumar of HellBoundBloggers
December 8, 2009
3:24 pm
Anyway, OK if it’s not cash but cash equaivalent. What i mean by cash equivalent prize is just like amazon voucher. It’s still interesting.
Last time participating on amazon voucher contest, i’m lose (it’s running by Lucifer).
And for the proof, just ask lucifer, the contest is succesfull.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 9, 2009
8:16 am
I am thinking to give ad spaces for now. Im not sure whether I can give cash or its equilant
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Google Introduces Real Time Search In SERP
December 31, 2009
8:05 pm
@senthil i think cash prize is the most ideal to prize on a contest but an equivalent to it would be also good.
December 31, 2009
7:33 pm
Cash prize will be more effective.. If not we can also provide anything equivalent to that… May be you can provide sponsorship in your friends blog and you can give well designed themes.. Many will like to implement fresh themes so we can try like that also
December 31, 2009
7:13 pm
Wordpress theme is a good idea but i would not suggest it either. Cash prize is really ideal. If you have none, then you can look for sponsors who will support you contest.
December 3, 2009
6:19 pm
Good Points to follow Typhoon , I have my forum but till now i don’t have blog as i am not so experienced in this blogging field .
For me i will take all these tips and apply on Forum , this will really help much as i have just started it last days .
Hope it works and all get use of it .
December 3, 2009
7:52 pm
Yup sure..Do let me know the results after applying these steps to your forum.
December 5, 2009
5:06 pm
I already started this on forum , i know it takes some time but sure it will be good …
December 8, 2009
3:22 pm
Do you mean the contest/freebies or which point? If it’s about contest and freebies, make sure you invite me up. Don’t worry, i’m not type of one time viewership reader.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 9, 2009
8:17 am
Invite me too. Its always good to compete with Akira
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Google Introduces Real Time Search In SERP
December 10, 2009
8:23 pm
Lol, if it’s me, i will not advice him to invite you since i know there will be tiring competition
.
Senthil, do you plan to make contest also?
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 27, 2009
12:27 am
Yes Akira. Definitely. For now, I need some money by paypal. And if this contest helps me to get that, I am gonna give it to others thru contests.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Win $180 Cash Prize and more at SmartBloggerz
December 31, 2009
7:32 pm
Good, I’m really in need of cash too so I’m working hard from this contest. Hopefull it will pay my hard work.
December 31, 2009
7:14 pm
Invite me as well, it’s nice to compete with both of you..
December 3, 2009
8:01 pm
A come back viewership is more important than the one time viewrship. And if you able to bring your reader visit your blog again. Then it is surely an achievement.
Thanks
Dwarkanath Rao´s last blog ..Sager NP8760 Notebook |Review and Specifications|
December 4, 2009
8:04 am
And that’s why commenting or giving freebies is not perfect technique. Should we make routin contest in way to make them still active? Then, the “budget” is a problem.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 7, 2009
5:19 pm
Nicely said. i often ponder over my analytics to see if there is any increase in returning visitors. That takes a lotta time to achieve. If I get 50 visits a day only 2 or 3 of them is returning
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Interview with S.Pradeep Kumar of HellBoundBloggers
December 8, 2009
3:20 pm
That’s maybe you depend on contest strategy. Giving freebies also not too effective in keep reader back again after their get the freebies.
Contest and freebies is most effective on catch one time viewership. But for keeping it in a long term, it’s not effective.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 9, 2009
8:18 am
Of course I agree, But it helps in the increase of our traffic rank but nothing else.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Google Introduces Real Time Search In SERP
December 10, 2009
8:21 pm
Not just traffic but also a link. Do you know what is the purpose of SB best promoter contest? I’m sure it’s to get more and more link/exposure. Am i right, typhoon?
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 11, 2009
11:15 am
yeah, you are right on that
December 27, 2009
12:25 am
Yes Akira, it gets a back link and do you know why Typhoon says to apply for the best promoter, since he would like to make sure the link is not from some bad neighbourhood. Hope I read ur mind. Am I right, Typhoon?
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Win $180 Cash Prize and more at SmartBloggerz
December 31, 2009
7:42 pm
It surely is to get more back links. It is wise to have that category too.
December 4, 2009
6:43 am
I think attracting the ‘right’ audience is definetly the big one, though in saying that anyone who passes by and is interested enough in reading becomes the ‘right’ audience. I don’t think there is a set criteria to attracting just the ‘type’ of people you want to your blog, as you’ll get a variety of people from different paths, and background passing by, gaining new information and being inspired.
They key is not to have any limitations on this, and just be open and count yourself lucky that you are touching everyone in the big wide web.
I think Discounts and freebies do help in a way, as it shows that the blogger is wanting to share their gifts with the readers and becomes fun, as they are almost like rewarding the reader! It is the same with contests!
Tips, hints and trivia are what I would call part of life, and when one blogger shares any insight they are immediatetly helping the world and each individual in it, as they are willing to share something that may heal another.
Starting a discussion forum is not something I’m likely to return to, but if one is inclined to spread their blog’s message further, than the discussion forum would be the next stage to gather everyone together and a very good way too!
One last thing to add is to keep engaging and communicating with other bloggers, as that will surely keep the momentum of the exchange alive and give the blogger more credibility to return.
Nice article!
Ana´s last blog ..Peace from within
December 6, 2009
11:59 pm
Though I am nt aware of all those mentioned or making returning readers, I will say that contests are the best one. It drives the user crazy and makes u to stick with ur blog. When I had some small contests I can find this. My traffic had rised suddenly and also the visitors returned often. Thats a cool trick and freebies are the next. i have not experienced anything with others so no comment abou those
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..What Does Google Say About These Websites
December 8, 2009
3:18 pm
Senthil, why not tell me when there is a contest on your blog. LOL
Agree that contest is effective, but even it’s the most effective, it’s just supportive way since reader will leave again when the contest is ended.
So another point on list above should be done also.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 13, 2009
3:40 pm
Good, I will surely inform u when there is a contest and warn my readers that Akira ll come
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..How To Use Facebook Effectively
December 31, 2009
7:41 pm
Then, be wise, maybe you can longer the contest deadline so that the exposure of your site will be longer too, but not too long, you must consider the prizes you’ll give.
December 31, 2009
7:50 pm
Deadline should not be much longer… May be one month will be effective.. But two to three months make readers and participants boring.. So we have to choose proper deadline
Deepika´s last blog ..Importance Of Guest Blogging
December 7, 2009
4:42 pm
Yeah forum discussion is a good way to increase visitors. This aslo helped me to get more visitors..I am trying to conduct contest in my blog…. I am planning for it.. Apart from cash what can we give as prize to the winners.? Can you share some ideas regarding that?
Deepika´s last blog ..Tips To Become A Unique Blogger
December 7, 2009
4:49 pm
Simple tip I would like to give you that it should be related to your niche/topic.
December 7, 2009
5:13 pm
Agreed with you Typhoon!! I have given some beta invites once that gave me enough traffic.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Interview with S.Pradeep Kumar of HellBoundBloggers
December 7, 2009
5:33 pm
Which Beta invites you talking abt???
Lucifer@Blog Contests´s last blog ..Prizes Worth Over $1200 @FamousBloggers
December 7, 2009
6:01 pm
I was giving away Google wave invites but not now cos people stopped caring about it.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Interview with S.Pradeep Kumar of HellBoundBloggers
December 8, 2009
3:13 pm
Google wave invites is too usual, i can get 10-20 invites per day. Give the reader the unique one. Good luck on attracting reader to come back…!!!
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 9, 2009
8:37 am
Oh oh I was able to give google wave invites as it was trending few days before. I wanted to capitalise it
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Google Introduces Real Time Search In SERP
December 31, 2009
7:37 pm
Google Wave invites is a little common so I won’t suggest to make it as prize in a contest.
December 31, 2009
7:38 pm
@lucifer the beta he is talking about is the google wave, you cannot have a google waves unless you are invited by someone who has it.
December 31, 2009
7:53 pm
Senthil conducted google wave contest when there was a demand for that..It was the time when all are in search of google wave. This improved a good traffic to that blog…
So we have to choose giveaway similar to that when there is a need for that in the blogosphere
Deepika´s last blog ..Importance Of Guest Blogging
December 8, 2009
3:16 pm
- Ads
- E-book
- T-shirt –> This is interesting. Make a tshirt where you site name is printed. It can be offline promotion if the winner wear it.
Yes, make it related to your blog topic.
Wait to see your contest
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 9, 2009
8:19 am
Agreed with you. These three are really cool and easy things to give and third one increases our exposure.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Google Introduces Real Time Search In SERP
December 10, 2009
8:20 pm
Is the t-shirt is 10, and given to 10 people from 10 different country, it would be great
. Even we know, offline promotion is not effective if we compare it to online promotion.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 13, 2009
3:41 pm
Online promotion is always good as it reaches a large audience but u do it from sitting in a single place.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..How To Use Facebook Effectively
December 31, 2009
7:35 pm
Of course, online promotion is always good since what you is promoting is something online.
December 31, 2009
7:37 pm
Yes, those are cool, but may I say that cash is the ideal prize for contests?
December 8, 2009
3:15 pm
I’m going to launch lifeislikekiwi site on January. Already registering domain and hosting. Now i’m planning to make launchment contest.
Anyway, in way to keep reader comes, my blog concept is “routin contest”. Because it’s routiin, i will make the contest is small and the price range is about $5-$10. Will it effective?
December 8, 2009
9:09 pm
It depends on how many other prizes it gets as sponsorship..
December 10, 2009
8:17 pm
So, do you mean small prize is not effective? Ok, i will looking for sponsorship especially for cash prize.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 31, 2009
7:35 pm
Not really not effective but it’s not as catchy on your visitors eyes.
December 9, 2009
8:29 am
Well do inform me when you launch. May be it ll be effective if you can increase the prize money
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..Google Introduces Real Time Search In SERP
December 10, 2009
8:25 pm
Would you like to be a sponsor if i’m holding a contest?
But to notice, it’s launching contest, so there is no traffic and pagerank yet…Which mean, hard to find sponsorship. But i believe with all technique which i get from SB, i can do it.
akira07´s last blog ..Make or Break – Website Review
December 13, 2009
3:44 pm
Lets see Bro, If I can sponsor, I will surely do and especially for emerging people like u.
Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..How To Use Facebook Effectively
December 31, 2009
7:33 pm
Good. If I will have a contest, will you also sponsor it? I would love to hear your answer.
Jenn´s last blog ..Lalalalove Contest
December 31, 2009
7:34 pm
Do invite me as well akira. I would love to join. Is it okay? I wonder what prizes will be, huh?