The number one question of almost all bloggers (and a big one I get asked a lot lately) is, how do I get more followers? Nobody really knows how many blogs are in the world, but I’ve read “current” numbers starting at 50,000,000 and even as high as 150,000,000. Whatever the number, that’s a lot of zeros to compete with.
Picture a bookshelf, twenty miles wide and twelve feet tall, crammed with people’s personal journals and memoirs. You just added yours to the very middle of it, and now you’re standing on the sidelines with 150,000,000 other people, watching lookie-loos choosing one here, choosing one there, just hoping that they’ll stop and choose yours.
Kind of interesting to think of it that way, isn’t it? Here’s the thing. You can stand out from the crowd. It is possible.
When I started Single Dad Laughing, I looked up lots of websites which all claimed to know the tricks of building a blog quickly. Aside from the fact that many of them contradicted each other, I tried to implement as many of their common suggestions as possible here at SDL. Some of them were effective, some weren’t. They did, however, seem to all pitch the same three common rules to blogging (if your goal is to attract a following).
Rule #1: Stay on topic. Pick a topic that you love, and stick to it. If you wander off that topic, people will stop following.
Rule #2: Optimize your blog. Learn how to use keywords to get more traffic from search engines.
Rule #3: Keep your posts short. There are very few people that will read anything longer than a few paragraphs.
And… I officially declare those three rules to be 100% horse manure, not to mention BORING.
I present to you Single Dad Laughing’s revised list:
Rule #1. Write about whatever the heck you want to write about. You can keep some general topics, but if you haven’t noticed, SDL is all over the place and most survive the experience intact.
Rule #2. What is optimization? Why worry about search? Somebody clicking in because a friend told them to come visit is 10,000 times more powerful than somebody clicking in from a search engine. Focus on what will make that happen, instead.
Rule #3. Keep it short? Are you serious? Yes, most of the time, but use however many words you need to use if you’re putting an important message out there. The bullying post was somewhere in the area of 4,000 words. That’s around 19 pages double-spaced, and in its first three days it had more than a quarter million views. Had I tried to sum it up in 500 words it would have died out the gates because the message would have been left behind.
Rule #4. In addition to the message, pictures of really cute children in cowboy hats seem to work well, too. Attempts at whistling are a big plus.
What it really all boils down to is that message. What is it? If you believe in your message, you’ll attract the people that believe in it with you. Do you speak what you really want to share or do you only say the things that you think people will want to hear?
If you want more followers, believe in something and then write about it. It doesn’t matter what that something is, just be bold no matter what consequences come your way. I’m guessing you’re a very intelligent person with a lot of profound things to say. Don’t be a freakin’ chicken. Get out there and share them. You’ll be a rock star in no time.
And don’t forget. You will always do better and grow faster when you cheer for those around you to have success. The moment you get bitter that somebody else is getting more or faster attention, the quicker your followers ditch you and head to the next blog.
Tell me, what are you each passionate about? I’m honestly curious.
Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing
PS, don’t forget massive amounts of shameless self-promoting! PLEASE share this post on Facebook and twitter. PLEASE follow us. PLEASE give us your first-born child.
Haha, but seriously. Do follow us, and do share this on Facebook and twitter. We have a ton of fun around here.
Hi Dan, I have my own technical blog in software development field and it is really a big deal to get followers :) I have a pretty good number of visits but not followers. I spent many hours searching how to get more followers but still working on it. Your post gave me some ideas i am excited to try on my blog so wish me luck :)
http://developmentsimplyput.blogspot.com/
These are great tips, thank you.
www.cephalopodsyndrome.blogspot.com
I recommend my buddies blog all the time on FB. Here is another recommendation. lol http://www.movieoven.com/
http://www.erickvecon.blogspot.com/
just started!
Thanks for this amazing post. I am following your advice, I write on whatever fancies me. Lately though, I mostly get fascinated by internet, gaming and tech. My blog http://www.fliqolet.com publish posts on these areas.
Thanks so much for all the tips! :-) I'd love to get my Mom experience out there and feel like I'm doing something for someone other than just myself!
http://thisfineday.com
These tips are great! I just moved to a self-hosted blog... and I'm trying to do the best I can to figure everything out. I really like that you twisted the "original rules." I've heard of your blog several times, but this is my first time stopping by and I'm hooked. You're a great writer with great information. I'm looking forward to reading more from you.
Thanks for the tips! I'm big time into controversial photography. I love being able to make people think with my photos. To pause, look away, look back, and wonder just what sort of beliefs I have all over again. I've quite literally, been working my butt off to be at the top of the game in my age group since 11. The internet's big and scary - I needed this! Thanks! :) I feel kind of horrible about posting my blog here, as self advertising always struck me as pompous, but please - care to check it out?
http://trynorth.blogspot.com/
I love what I do, and I want to best at it. When I'm old enough to meander out on my own, you'll be able to find me in Jerusalem, interviewing prostitutes. Thanks again! Good luck!
thank you so much for the tips. http://schadengirl.blogspot.com/
This is extremely informational and will definitely help me with my new College life blog! I'm passionate about (surprise surprise) writing =)! http://lifeascolette.blogspot.com
I'm just getting started, but you can expect many more outfits and articles to come!
http://shewearsherlifestyle.blogspot.com/
http://carnatious.blogspot.com/
http://earnlikesfast.blogspot.in/
Haha nice post. I am new to blogging and I do not want to stick to one topic because I am complex like that....anyways, here's to self promoting! achus-views.blogspot.ca
http://achus-views.blogspot.ca
Thank you for the tips! Love your sense of humor! For all of you reading, feel free to check out my blog at http://lovelylivinglakeisha.blogspot.com. You'll be glad you did! :)
Thank you for the advice. They were very helpful. I just made my blog (http://awdanielle.blogspot.com) which will focus on DIYs, makeup reviews and hauls, book reviews, lifestyle posts and vegetarianism.
Thanks again for this post!
Thanks for the advice! I am working on getting more followers to our blog- www.Green-Mom.com and I really appreciate your pep-talk!!!
I came across your blog a while back and lurked here and there- very entertaining. I figured if I was starting one - which I feebly attempting - yours was a good place to start. Again, good advice.
Also, I just want to say I really, really enjoyed your bully series as I was on the receiving end of bullies through junior and high school. I still don't feel too keen about those guys and it's been almost 30 years.
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm passionate about empowering girls to use their brains, whether it's in science and technology, or any direction they choose. My blog's message (shameless self promotion here - www.brainygirls.blogspot.com) is that girls should be proud of who they are no matter what other people think!
Great Tips! I've been wondering the same thing =) www.WavesofLoveandLife.com
Thanks for this posting its nice change from the usual bull I read on this subject. http://thebeautytenderfoot.blogspot.com/
Me and three of the most interesting individuals you will ever meet created a blog. It tells the tale of our college life and how to make it through the bullshit college puts you through. Please check it out. You won't regret it. I swear. www.campusallies.com
www.youngnasahousewife.com
I just started a blog with quick and simple TIPS (food, household, beauty, DIY, saving $, etc) that I've been collecting for years. I'm a California mom who is still trying to figure out how to get the most blog for my buck. I'm starting out with twitter, pinterest, a blog and a facebook page(all under onetipsychick). Though you're suggesting to begin promoting your site through friends, I am choosing not to go that route. I choose to be incognito until I figure it all out. I'm know I'm not totally up & ready but if quick & simple tips interest anyone out there, its never too soon to ask for some followers, right? We learn through trial and error. And if anyone has a site with good tips or quick meals, I'd love to blog about it and give the credit to where I got it.
My blog address is: http://onetipsychick.blogspot.com/
http://sugarbeebeauty.blogspot.com - Hello! I'm a new blogger (but seasoned Etsian), who posts about DIY/handmade, natural beauty products, green(er) living (it's a work in progress), natural remedies, healthy recipes, and occasionally, I shamelessly plug my own etsy shops (www.sugarbeebeauty.etsy.com and www.sugarbeeartistry.etsy.com). I'm a Seattle mom & artist,hoping to share my finds, recipes, and experiences with others who share the same interests.
http://cogitationalcounterpoints.blogspot.com/ Hi there! I mostly criticize things, with an emotional post here and there. Putting it out there for you guys to check out!
I am a college student writing about the events in our college life. Please check it out!
http://www.campusallies.blogspot.com/
I am passionate about my children and nutrition. Here is my blog http://attachedandnourished.wordpress.com/ Please come visit!
Thanks for your great advice. I have a similar blog http://www.asinglesupermom.blogspot.com/ and I have posted about various things in the past. Basically, just about whatever I am inspired to write. I find that I need to stay on top of it though. I have gone for weeks, and sometimes months, of not writing, which is a killer! Anyway, I love what you said that contradicted other "blog advice". Thanks so much and best of luck single dad, from single mom!!
I wish to quote a part of this in my blog, it's grrrrrreat info!I'll be sure to reference you! http://ttahaa.wordpress.com/
Very informative! Thank you for the tips! http://iloveeverythingaboutit.blogspot.com/
excellent tips!! i just started my blog and am totally new at this all!
if any one is interested my blog is about fun, family, fashion, baby, and love! i would LOVE LOVE LOVE followers!!!
myamazinglysweetlife.blogspot.com
Why did you ask us a question then never respond? I did like this post and I'm passionate about my kids and animals. Nothing too outrageous.
Thank you for this post! It was refreshing to see someone not caring about the "rules" of blogging.
Rach xx
http://teardropsarefalling.blogspot.com/
Excellent tips for those of us who are looking to build our follower base.Thanks for the tipshttp://mmommymusings.blogspot.com/
Great tips and nice to hear a different perspective!
http://cupcakesandowls.blogspot.com/
If you're interested in beauty & lifestyle blogs, check out mine at crystalsbeautycorner.blogspot.com :)
Thanks for this!! I will be surely be using these tips for my new blog! Go on and check it out ;) pearlsncombatboots.blogspot.com
Great Post I have been following you for about a year now, you and all your readers are welcome to follow my blog, send me a message that you are following ans I will follow you all back have a great Blogging 2013!
http://millionairedad.blogspot.fi/
Thank you for this post! I have just started a book review blog and these tips will be useful. I was worried about the whole...pick one topic and stick to it idea. I was hoping that in between reviews I would post a few personal entries as well. I will be bookmarking this and referring back to it a lot I think!
Follow me on Twitter.. i follow back @Say__Wallahi
Follow @say__wallahi
haha these are some great tips! i agree with not shortening the length-- if its interesting im going to read it no matter the length!
Thanks for the tips. I just started a blog - um, yesterday ;) so I have a far way to go! http://myrandomobsession.com
I will be following and sharing you!
Thanks and wishing you more success! I've just started this blog stuff :)goncakaya.blogspot.com
Haha I'm glad that you didn't agree with those first rules, otherwise I'll never get any followers.
My blog is teresamaria0417.blogspot.com
I've been blogging for almost 2 years now ([email protected]) and while I have been happy to see my page views grow daily, it is followers and comments that I believe measure a successful blog. I was inspired by this article to keep focused on self promotion and to increase my blog posts from weekly to daily. Thanks Dan for sharing your wisdom and I'll give the "really cute kid in a cowboy hat" a try! LOL!
Perhaps a good blogging tip is: look at what everyone else is doing and do the opposite. Haha. On a more serious note, great post. http://alienambassador.wordpress.com