So you have a blog, and you've been blogging away. Yes! Great! Whoo-hoo! Now what?
If the sound of silence is proving to be more than you can bear, it's time to start thinking about driving traffic to your website, and to you. Here are my favorite 5 ways to increase your website traffic.
- Host a free event. This can be a live event or a virtual event such as a webinar. In this free event, ask for people to register on your website. When it is time to present, focus on a hot problem topic for your clients/customers and give them the tools or information to solve the problem. Yes, I'm asking you to give it away, for free. Why? Because if what you give your customers is truly valuable, and helps them make a change, they may think “Well, heck, I've got to hire this gal. She knows what she's talking about!” Or, in the very least, they'll remember you and pass you onto a friend who needs your help. You are an authority on the subject. Own it!
- Start writing guest articles. Blogs, especially large info-blogs, are always looking for content. If you come across an article and you have an opinion about it (such as the opposing view), fire off an email to the editorial staff. Be short and to the point–“I saw your recent article on above-water basket weaving, and I'm an expert in under-water basket weaving. Your readers may be interested in an alternative view.” Give a brief outline and make sure you include that it would be exclusively for their online publication. Send readers back to your site for a free offer in your bio or in the copy of your article (get more information).
- Pair up for power! Do you have a colleague or friend who's in similar line of business, but not quite the same? Why not try to buddy up and host a joint webinar or training class? You can each speak to your strength and you can market to each other's lists simultaneously. Share the web form information to build up both audiences.
- Target local groups for speaking opportunities. There are networking, small business, and local organizations who are always in need of a speaker for their luncheons/dinners. Make sure that you offer something of value for free, that can only be accessed by completing a form on your website.
- Join an online blog post sharing group. Yes, these exist. Usually you can post an article once a week, and then you're committed to commenting on all other articles posted. It's a blog roll or sometimes called a blog train. It's a great way to see how and what other people are writing about, drive website traffic to your site, and learn more about the people in the group.
Do you have a favorite traffic driver tip? Comment below!