Blogging: Finding Readers

As a blogger, you probably want people to read what you have to say.  If you don't care if ANYONE reads your blog, that is absolutely fine, but most bloggers do care... at least a little.  To gain followers, you'll want each of your entries to focus on a specific audience you already have in mind.  For example, my audience for this particular entry is new bloggers.

Decide before you start writing: who is my audience?  While you write--if you're writing something for others to read--imagine your audience reading what you have to say.  When you're reading over what you wrote as your own personal editor, imagine yourself as one of your readers.  Does what you have to say seem interesting?  If not, it may be time for a re-write.

Know ahead of time that it's very difficult to write something that EVERYBODY will want to read.  There are so many different kinds of people, making it nearly impossible to please everyone.  It's better to focus your blog entry on a certain group of people than on the entire world.

You'll also need to decide if your blog will be a way to share your faith as a Christian or if you are going to write from a secular perspective.  Are you going to share the gospel, encouraging new believers, or talk about things that ANY religion can relate to, like secular music or movies?

Remember if you decide to write about your faith, you may turn off some potential readers.  I've decided ahead of time I'm fine with that.  Getting more readers isn't worth suppressing what I believe.  Now, not everything I write is filled to the brim with Bible verses and references to the Lord, but I very openly discuss my faith when the opporunity arises.  I will not curb what I'd like to say just because I want to get more readers.  When it comes to what YOU write about, you'll have to decide for yourself.
Another example of the same idea: if the majority of what you write is about book reviews and writing tips, then most of your readers will be fellow writers.  Your audience will probably be limited somehow, no matter what you write.  Even very well-known blogs focus on certain groups of people.  A well-known blog I've heard a lot about called LOL Cats is limited, just like any other blog, because not everybody likes to look at cutsey pictures of cats.  Decide on an audience and focus what you write towards that group of people.

The best way to gain regular followers on your blog is to be yourself.  Focus towards an audience, but write about what YOU want to write about.  If you keep posting regularly and write about what someone out there wants to read, then you'll establish a regular group of followers after a while.
And finally, be patient.  If you're just starting out, then not many people will have found your blog yet.  Give it time and you will gain some readers.  No worries.

I'd like to give all of you a chance to advertise your own blogs and gain some potential followers.  I've gotten to know a few of you through comments and emails and I've enjoyed reading several of your blogs as well.  Whether or not you regularly read my blog, feel welcome to leave a comment and share the address to your blog with everyone, so long as it contains no inappropriate content.
Have a great day.