When just starting out, it is quite clear that a blogger has no audience, so to speak.
0 followers isn’t inviting one to put his best content, of course.
As a matter of fact, I think that lacking an audience is far worse than earning no income from blogging.
The thing is, people tend to go about building an audience the wrong way.
Notice that?
I said, building an audience.
You have to build it, one reader after another. One great blog post after another.
But how exactly do you do that?
Easy. You network.
When you first arrive online, you are nobody. If you are trying to be read, you have to become somebody.
I remember when I started posting on my main blog back in April 2012. It was like I was talking to myself.
Lack of feedback means there’s no way to figure out what needs to improve.
Was a any good?
Well, the thing is that I managed to get other bloggers to agree to interviews, got a few blog posts Freshly Pressed (it’s now called Discover) and I even had Neil Gaiman and Random House share a couple of posts of mine via Twitter.
Here’s the thing: you might not have an audience, but other folks have one. And that’s where you can find as many readers as you are willing to work for.
How to (properly) network
Most bloggers’ idea of networking consists of them begging other people (via the comments section) to follow them. It’s insane.
As a matter of fact, I rarely even approve comments that include a link to someone else’s blog. It’s just rude.
Instead, what did I do? I interviewed interesting people; they obviously had a lot more readers than I did.
Other ways to network?
Social media
Interacting with others, sharing the content of others, and participating in communities are all great ways to generate attention and build an audience.
Think of it this way: you can engaging in a conversation. You are enjoying it for what it is.
The “social” element of success is so, so underrated. Sorry to break it to you, but without this, you cannot be successful, no matter how good you are.
I know brilliant artists who have 184 followers on their Instagram accounts. Brilliant.
Public Speaking
Not only do you get in front of the people in the audience, you can also start letting people know that you have speaking experience, which is a great credibility builder.
Getting interviewed
Interviewing people is great, but so is getting interviewed.
Comment on other blogs
Find the top ten bloggers in your niche, interact with them. Read their stuff, offer great comments. This is a big, big part of networking.
Write each comment without even mentioning you have a blog. Write really great comments. Ask questions, state your opinion, respectfully disagree if it’s the case.
Just don’t be a jerk, okay?
Guest blogging
After you’ve built rapport with some of the most popular bloggers in your niche, you can ask them if you can guest blog. Some will say no, some yes, some will ignore your message.
Don’t take it personally.
But when someone accepts, then do your very best. I mean it. Write something you are proud of. Don’t save your best stuff for your blog, but rather use that content to get as many readers as possible from someone else’s audience.
Advertising
Promoted posts on Facebook, promoted Tweets, are all great ways to promote content and get in front of others. This can bring you rapid exposure and help shortcut the overall process.
Your blog needs to have a strategy for building your own audience. You need to map out a smart strategy and pursue this in a purposeful manner.
You may need to do some experimentation to find what works for you, but there is no time like the present.
Get out there and make it happen!
What other methods have you used to leverage other people’s audiences in order to build your own?
Interesting read, I have never thought about the etiquette of blogging before
Great advice. Thanks!
💯 keep it up ..very helpful
Thank you.
Your tips are great. I’ve seen plenty of brilliant content creators with next to no followers on all platforms. You’re right – the social element is everything. At the same time, I’ve seen people with nothing to offer with tens of thousands of followers after only a week! One day I’ll figure out what’s going on there.
Great article.
Yes how ?? Do let us know.
Unfortunately I still haven’t figured it out yet. Maybe when you find out the secret, you can tell me 🙂
This is really good advice. I think when you are starting out (as I am) you get so focused on views and likes that you forget that feedback is where the real learning happens. This was a good reminder I don’t visit my neighbors often enough.
Behind every view or like there’s an actual person. This should help keep things in perspective.
That too is a good reminder.
Thanks for sharing these tips and advice, very helpful!
Exactly what I’m terrified of doing, but I know this is a necessary step into making my blog more visible. Especially if writing for a living is the dream! Very useful tips for anyone of any level 👌🏻
Yep, my favorite strategy for building a network are blog commenting. And I 100% agree with the point that you shouldn’t mention your blog links in every comment. I’d say share your blog links only when it you have written a similar article otherwise just leave a great comment. Share your opinions, what useful tips you got after reading it, or your own experience. And all these things should be 100% genuine. Sincerely appreciate the blog post. This will help you guys for sure. By the way, Thanks for this blog, Cristian.
This is the best tip I have so far since I started reading about the blogging anatomy. Thank you.
Yes, people who comment are like the gold dust of blog-land! (and people who REPLY to a comment are like diamonds!!) Wish I could have read this post when I was starting my blog, but thanks Christian, it’s still very relevant and good to know! 🙂
It’s never too late though.
Oh, I’m always open to learning new stuff around the subject of blogging! Sometimes I think a beginner has so much to learn that they have a hard time focusing on what’s important in the long term, at the point of beginning (don’t we all though, with learning ANYTHING?!)
As you always say through your post and it’s true. There is no firm rules, just go out and make it happen. Thanks for the post
Good tips! Learning more and more from other bloggers, networking is key!
This is really helpful. Thank you for making it plain and simple! I definitely plan to put these strategies into practice.
Great tips. I agree about those comments with links. It’s kind of rude, unless the blogger has specifically invited you to leave a link. I get fed-up with that on Instagram. I wonder why people think I will want to follow them, when mostly they don’t even follow me, but just leave a generic: “Nice post. Check out my awesome content and follow me.” Really??? Genuine interactions are what build relationships online. If you wouldn’t go up to a stranger in the street and ask them to buy your ebook, with no introduction, don’t do the equivalent online. 😀💝
I agree, Paula. No one in their right mind would ever attempt stuff like that in real life. I mean, if I don’t know you, even a little bit, why are you asking me to follow your blog? It is obvious I do not care, the same way I wouldn’t if you asked me that on the street.
Precisely.
This is great staff and exactly what i have been looking for!
These are great tips. Thank you for sharing
This is really great Cristian, must say, the most informative for each blogger. Thanks a lot and keep helping us like this.
This is great thank for the advice 🤩🙏🏼
My pleasure.
Very good post. I’ve already started to do my networking and this really helped me focus.
Today is day 1 of blogging for me. Eeek! This is fantastic advice as I’m just getting started. Thank you for the advice!
Really helpful. Thanks! 😉
Thank you. This is truly helpful.
I’m a newbie 😁 Thanks to your blog! It’s very informative and I learned a lot. ❤👍
This was very insightful! I’m a newbie to blogging, and still unclear on how to get out there as far as being noticed. Now, my content is lacking and unsure of where I should direct my blog. So many questions I have, but this was good what you wrote. Thank you for sharing.
This offered some great insights for those who have 0 followers or connections. Thank you.
Thank you for reading, Michael. I am glad you found value in this post of mine.
The secret lies in how well one can market their own blog.
Great advice for an up and coming blogger, and is also a great way to encourage those who’ve been around for the longest of times but hardly get recognised.
Nonetheless, happy blogging to those who don’t really rely on traffic to spark their work. 😊
Thank you for the tip. I need this. 🙂
Wow that’s quite interesting. Definitely need to up my game and draw a plan ASAP !!!!
Great post! A lot of what I just read means jumping out of one’s comfort zone. Thank you…
Some great tips for a newbie like me. Thanks. Will put it into practice. All the best.
Thank you! My pleasure!
Reblogged this on The NEC Champions and commented:
Words of wisdom from a very reliable source, superb.
Thanks .
Even getting those attentions is not easy for all of us. Privilege having someone like you
Thank you!
great post, Cristian, thanks.
Adding to that, Offline networking also helps. Usually, I attend a wide verity of events/workshops(pottery, horseriding, writing, etc.) in my city as a participant. That way, I get a chance to meet a diverse set of people, it also gives me new ideas, and I tell them about the ideas as well. “This gives me an idea….” is a powerful sentence. They also feel great that they helped somebody today. win-win.
and ya, “Comment on other blogs” checked.
Yes, offline networking is so underrated. Telling people in real life that you’re a blogger, what your blog is about, can not only get you more readers, but maybe sponsors, investors, or even folks who can guest blog or help you in some other way. It’s something that would take longer in this online environment of ours.