Increasing Traffic to Your Blog: Part Two: Promotion

If you have read Part One of Increasing Traffic to Your Blog you have already taken care of the basics of choosing an topic you are passionate about, selecting an attractive design and adding quality content--and are now ready to start promoting your blog.  Using effective promoting techniques to gain targeted traffic not only increases traffic, it builds repeat readers as well.

Increase Your Blog Traffic: Evaluate Your Audience

Before you can target your audience, you need to know who they are. If you haven't done so already, take the time to create a profile of your audience. Many new bloggers assume that the world is their audience and that a few well-placed links will draw in traffic. They are wrong. Your audience consists of those who want and need the service you provide. You answer their questions and solve their problems. Consider who these people are and where you will find them.

Increase Your Blog Traffic by Joining Online Communities

Join forums or communities where your readers socialize. Get involved, answer questions and offer assistance. Follow the rules of the community and avoid "selling your blog" to members. Add a link to your blog in the signature, if allowed, or add it to your profile.  When members see that you provide valuable information, they are likely to follow the link to your blog.

Increase Your Blog Traffic with Social Networking

Take advantage of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to get the word out about your blog, but don't forget to interact with others as well. When readers see you as involved, they are more likely to follow your links and read your blog.

Add links to bookmarking sites with a thoughtful description of your blog.

Increase Your Blog Traffic by Answering Questions

Visit Yahoo Answers and provide detailed answers to user's questions and add your blog link for further information.

Increasing traffic to your blog takes work and patience. There is not magic bullet--although there are plenty of people out there who are eager to take your money in exchange for promises of unlimited traffic. Use caution and common sense. Choose a topic that others are interested in, provide quality content that solves problems and answers your readers questions, and follow good SEO techniques and your traffic will increase naturally.