5 Free Ways to Increase Blog Traffic

Blogging can be a lonely business, especially when there aren't any readers.  Actually, we here at daveclarkart would like to take this opportunity to thank our completely unique and unrelated readers for leaving unprompted, encouraging blog post comments.  We firmly believe that without dedicated readers like you, we wouldn't make any money on our cost-per-click Google Adsense advertisements.

Legal Warning:  daveclarkart in no way condones click fraud and would never suggest that anybody ever participate in such a fraudulent means of clicking.  Google, if you're reading this, we'd like to say that, um, gosh, we've never felt this way before and it's all happening so fast...ok, we're just going to come right out and say it, you're probably only the best web browsing internet-type company ever.  And we want to have your baby.  Thank you.

News Flash:  Successful blogs have readers.  So where do these readers come from?  How do professional bloggers attract and keep a dedicated fan base?  Many profitable bloggers will tell you that achieving their filthy-rich, techno-weenie, super-blogger status didn't come overnight.   For some, it took years of sacrificing time, money and the very real possibility of talking to actual girls in person, before their work gained a following.

[Above: "Palm Tree" by Dave Clark. Buy abstract expressionist paintings and watercolors at www.daveclark.etsy.com]
 
Tips to Increase Blog Traffic

• Provide compelling, current content.  This could include news, humor, celebrity gossip, how-to advice, pornography, etc.  People are always looking for information and entertainment.  Provide timely, unexpected and unique content to keep them coming back.

• Give readers more to explore. In addition to text, upload pictures and, if applicable, interactive extras like polls or games.  The internet has retarded readers' attention spans.  Get them involved.

• Use keyword-rich wording.  Search engines use keywords or tags, among others, to rank websites.  Search Google's Keyword Tool for popular, applicable keywords to increase site traffic.  But don't over-do it.  Remember that you're still writing for people.

• Get in-bound links.  Your blog's popularity increases with each site that links to it.  Go to social media sites like StumbleUpon or Digg to share your blog with the world, or, better yet, provide links to them so readers can do it for you.  Additionally, post your blog link in industry-related forums, advertise it in your email signature and pitch it to real, live people.  (Yes, they still exist.)

• K.I.S.S.  Keep your blog organized and user friendly.  Black text on a white background is the easiest to read.  Provide white space between posts, menus and sidebars for a clean, professional look.  Go easy on the fancy graphics and animations.  Again, people are impatient. If your site takes an eternity to load (more than 2 seconds), your bounce rate will skyrocket.  

• Use Shameless Self Promotion.  Use your blog to advertise other streams of revenue.  For example, as my loyal reader knows, this blog is dedicated to selling my abstract expressionist paintings through my Etsy Storefront (Free Shipping! Restrictions Apply!*).  Traffic increases through cross-promotion.

Blogging is a demanding, ever-changing business and maintaining consistent website traffic is tougher than ever.  Provide timely, compelling content to keep readers coming back to your blog.

*Of course there are restrictions.  Don't be an idiot.