Before I began blogging, I had no idea what it takes to make a blog successful. I worked as a freelance content writer, and part of this job entailed writing corporate blog posts.  In my spare time, I enjoyed reading a few decorating blogs for inspiration on home décor and design. If I was searching for a recipe, I may have even read a few food blogs. While I knew a lot about SEO, or search engine optimization, I had no idea what it really took to make these blogs successful.

I started my own blog a little over eight months ago, and while I still have a lot to learn, I’ve come to understand a lot about what it takes to get your blog noticed, gain some regular readers and connect with other bloggers. Here are some tips for getting your blog noticed and taking it to the next level.

Produce Quality Content

Many people start blogging because they love to write and feel that by sharing their experiences they can help others. However, if you can’t write well, your readers won’t stick around, and you won’t gain followers you need to grow your blog. This doesn’t mean that you have to be grammar expert, but your posts shouldn’t be riddled with grammatical or spelling errors, and your readers should be able to easily understand what you are trying to say.

Follow and Comment on Other Blogs

Your writing is important, but your content won’t matter if nobody reads it. One of the easiest ways to get noticed is by commenting on other blogs. Find some blogs that you really like, and leave sincere comments to let the bloggers know what you liked about their posts. Everyone appreciates a nice compliment, and I’ve even had some well-known bloggers return the favor. You can also connect with other bloggers this way.

Join Link Parties

Attending link parties is a fantastic way to meet other bloggers and bring traffic to your blog. If you need help finding some, check out some of your favorite bloggers to see where they party. Many bloggers have a page dedicated to their favorite parties, and they may also list these parties at the end of their posts. After linking up, view other links and comment on those posts. I’ve gotten to know a lot of bloggers this way, and I’ve been invited to other link parties by hosts who saw my posts!

Get Social

Social media is all about getting noticed, and it’s a great way to promote your blog. At the minimum, set up Facebook, Google Plus, Pinterest and Twitter. Oh, and don’t forget about Sverve! If you need help getting followers, there are even link parties just for this.

Get Support

Blogging can be confusing, so it’s crucial to have the right kind of support. If you need help finding a place to connect with other bloggers, look for Facebook groups and Google Plus groups dedicated to supporting bloggers. A lot of bloggers display group badges in their sidebars, so check those out to see if they would be right for you.

Play Nice

You want to get your blog noticed, but you also have to be considerate. If you follow someone, don’t ask for a follow back. Many bloggers automatically reciprocate, but no one likes to feel obligated. Also, never pester anyone for favors. In addition, when people do comment on your posts, be sure to answer. You can do this on your blog, through email or by visiting their blogs in return. Not only do you want to grow your blog, but you also want to keep your followers and make friends!

 

Dee M. blogs at Meatloaf and Melodrama and is also a freelance web content writer and the proud mom of five children. When she’s not writing, Dee enjoys DIY projects, crafts, cooking and a great cup of coffee. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Pinterest.