1) Go Public
Submit your blog URL to all major search engines, starting with Google and Yahoo. Sign up to Technorati and submit your blog URL to Alexa to ensure that you've be added to their directory. Get a FeedBurner account and take advantage of all they have to offer.
2) Get Over Yourself
The fastest way to increase traffic to your blog is to focus on your readers and other bloggers. The more you focus on others the better!
2) Become An Active Community Member
If you haven't joined MyBlogLog and BlogCatalog, it's a blogger must! Set up your profile, make sure you have an inviting avatar, and get out there and start reading blogs.
3) Comment, Comment, Comment!
Join the communities of the blogs you like, add people to your contact list, and leave polite comments to let others know what you like about their blogs. Don't leave a comment asking them to visit your blog. Someone will be more interested in visiting your blog when they see that you are enjoying their blog.
4) Pound The Pavement
Make it a point to visit at least ten blogs a day and leave a comment, let the other bloggers know what you like about them, their blog, or what they've written.
5) Be Friendly
Focus on the positive. The idea is to make friends and get to know the other bloggers, leaving negative comments or being negative in general won't get you very far, but thoughtful comments and a friendly attitude will.
6) Write Well
Create blog posts that others will find interesting. You may be interested in what you just ate for breakfast, but how many blog visitors will be? If you want others to visit your blog then write something helpful to others, or talk about the current hot topics. Be funny, be creative, be different, and whatever you do, don't forget to use spell check.
7) A Little Help Goes A Long Way
Think of ways to help other bloggers, maybe you could offer technical help or show your support in blog projects. You can help by stumbling and digging someone's posts, and mentioning (and linking to) their blogs or blog posts on your site. Even leaving friendly and encouraging messages to bloggers just starting out is a big help!
8) Never Give Up!
Don't get discouraged! Too many bloggers give up because they run into people who are rude, condescending, or who ignore them altogether. If you happen to get your feelings hurt, just move on. The blogoshpere is huge and if you keep searching, chances are you will meet some very nice bloggers to connect with!
All written material by Christy Zutautas is licensed.
