You’re screwed.
Seems like the blogging gods are against you.
Checking your stats is a lesson in futility. A frustrating experience.
You’re struggling like hell because you have no clout. No connections.
Nobody seems to know about you or your blog. An afterthought.
Know this; the tide can and WILL turn. I promise. Because I followed these tips to go from “blogging non grata” to building my dream life through blogging.
You too can turn your blogging pain into pleasure. If you’re as frustrated as can be, you can turn that frustration into financial success. By following these proven, profitable, prospering, traffic-driving tips, for everybody from blogging newbs to veteran, struggling bloggers.
Ya just gotta learn how to get more blog traffic even if you have no connections or no clout.
How to Drive Traffic as a Struggling Blogger
Remember this: we all start from zero. We are all new to blogging at one time. Most of us have zero clout and no connections in the beginning because any prior offline experience you have does not translate into any online influence which you can apply to your blog.
I was a bum, laid off security guard. Not exactly the stuff of Amazon best-selling, 126 eBook-writing, island hopping pro bloggers, is it? But I followed these tips – even though I had no influence or online connections – and here I am.
Sit back, relax, and feel the relief of seeing steadily increasing blogging traffic. Go ahead, do it. It helps you to establish the right mindset before reading this post. Even if you feel like a Blogging Nobody whose audience consists of a chorus of crickets, mocking you each time you hit the “publish” button.
Follow these 10 tips to boost your blog traffic without having any clout or connections.
1: Follow Your Passion
Follow your passion. Blog your fun.
The passion/fun is the reward. Blog traffic and comments are extras. The icing on the cake. The cherry on top. The pandan on your disgusting hot dog bun (Thai sweet treat reference).
Your passion fuels your journey. Your passion gives you clout. Your passion is the gas, the fuel, that enables you to follow tips #2 through #10.
If you picked a niche you do NOT feel passionate about, trash the blog today. Immediately.
Before you sob in your blogging Cheerios read this post to understand how Blogging From Paradise was born.
Do you have 3400 blog posts to trash, a blog and an entire income stream, as a new blogger? Probably not.
Blogging your passion makes you shine as bright as a lighthouse in a wicked storm.
Have you noted how some new bloggers – even if their writing is not super crisp or clean – feel awesome to be around? Like, you’re pulled to them, kinda like moths to a flame?
These gals and guys blog with passion. With zest. You see less of a newbie blogger and more a person who passionately blogs from their heart.
Be passionate! Blog passionate. I don’t care if your posts read like Captain Caveman wrote them after a 2 day drunk; if you blog with passion you will drive traffic and gain influence, even as a green, new blogger.
2: Build Connections 1 to 1
Don’t think thousands.
Think individuals.
At least in terms of how to build lasting, powerful friendships with bloggers from your niche.
Respond to comments. Quickly. Address your commentors by name. Thank them for their time.
Comment on top blogs from your niche (tip #3). Leverage your presence but do so 1 blogger, 1 new friend and 1 connection at a time. Smart leveraging is really the ultimate paradox; you may dream sugar plum fairy dreams of the 300,000 readers in Darren Rowse’s Pro Blogger community when commenting on his blog but the real traffic is in the 1 to 1 bonds you build with readers who stumble over to your blog from your comments, and who comment on your blog.
All traffic grows – especially when you are a new, unknown blogger – through the power of building 1 to 1 friendships with like-minded folks.
Watch the video as I explain:
3: Leverage the Stuffing out of Your Presence
Comment on top blogs from your niche. 5 paragraph or longer masterpiece.
When you mind says, “I am a new blogger. How can I guest post on top blogs from my niche? It feels too tough/unrealistic to me?”, simply follow tip #4 below.
All the traffic you are craving as a non-connected, unknown blogger with zero clout sits on other blogger’s blogs. So, connect with other bloggers, build friendships and expose yourselves (no not that way) to these other blogger’s readers, through blog commenting and guest posting.
Blog Commenting Resource to Buy: How to Build an Online Empire through Blog Commenting
4: Make Fear Your Ally Not Your Enemy
Make fear your ally. Not your enemy. Because all the traffic you desire sits firmly placed in the middle of your fears.
You may read this post. Look at every other tip and say:
“Nah, this advice doesn’t resonate with me.”
which is code for:
“Holy shit these things are scary to do!”
After reading this post you have 2 choices: feel the fear associated with following each tip and follow the tip anyway (make fear your ally) or turn around and ignore these tips because the fear feels too scary to dive into (make fear your enemy).
I did not know what a blog was 8 years ago. But I have been featured on Fox News. How many fears do you think I needed to face, embrace and release to go from blogging doofus to blogging dynamo?
Make fear your ally. Feel it. Dive into traffic-generating activities. No matter how uncomfortable. Boost your traffic. Quite quickly, if you make fear your ally.
5: Double Down on Personal Development (Or….Start)
Fear swims around in your newbie mind.
Like the Biblical swarms of winged termites I recently saw in Thailand, these newbie-related fears multiply like demon spawn and obliterate your blogging campaign….unless you double down on personal development.
Spend the first 30 minutes of every day:
- meditating
- praying
- reading and studying self help books
- visualizing
- writing out your fears (then burn that paper, over a sink preferably, if you value your home)
- doing anything related to personal development
because as within, so without. This means as you feel and embrace and release your deepest blogging fears, you will move into inspired, freeing actions that boost your blog traffic quickly.
6: Laser Focus Your Niche
New bloggers succeed quickly by specializing.
New bloggers struggle terribly by trying to blog about everything under the sun.
Specialize. Prosper.
Example; check out my cousin Thomas Biddulph’s blog at Good Grievings.
He’s a spanking new blogger. Just bought his domain and hosting a few weeks ago.
See how he sticks to 1 topic with every post? He is positioning himself as the guy who helps you with grieving if you have lost loved ones. He does not try to do anything else, like teaching you how to craft the perfect pepperoni pizza or how to attract birds name Joshua into your experience.
Tom does 1 thing well as a new blogger. Which will help him attract readers who are in pain, who want to be inspired by a young guy who’s learned how to deal with death and grieving.
Do only 1 thing. Cover 1 hyper specific niche. Gain influence. Build connections. Increase your blog traffic. From scratch.
7: Immediately Introduce Multi Media
8 years ago I thought my head looked like Igoo the Rock Ape. Too square of a jaw.
I had the conviction of a cowering milquetoast as I delivered my videos.
I looked like a deer in the headlights while in the cross hairs of a skilled hunter.
8 years later, some daring (bribed) souls call me charismatic. (More Funny Ryan, less Jim Jones. More cool travel stories. Less Kool-Aid.)
Anyway, introducing video and podcasting to your new blogging campaign makes you human. When folks see you as living, breathing, and a feeling human, you go from words on a screen to a sentient being. Sentient beings gain clout fast. Sentient beings make friends fast.
Example; my friend David Boozer at Blog by the Sea does a fabulous job integrating videos and podcasts into his blog. Peep his latest posts to learn from a seasoned internet marketing pro.
The Challenge
As a newbie blogger you are likely terrified to do a Facebook Live Video. Nut the eff up. Hit the record button. Do it.
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
This is how to boost blog traffic as a newbie; feel the fear, and do it anyway.
Create videos on Facebook and YouTube. Or start a podcast. Add multi-media to your blog. Outshine new bloggers who piddle in their blogging pants when they think of doing videos. Be human. Prove you’re human. Gain clout.
Feel the fear. Do it anyway.
8: Can the Crickets
Can the crickets. Meaning, when only crickets appear to be your readers – despite following these tips for a week or two – you simply need to ignore the lack and turn your attention to growth.
Note the fact you actually have a public blog. Accept the gift that you are blogging your passion. See your blog as a vehicle through which you can free yourself and others.
The crickets (i.e., no readers, like, 1 reader) may be screaming at your attention. Telling you how much you are failing, that you should stay angry, be frustrated, that you should quit blogging. Screw ’em. Can ’em. Put a lid on the crickets. Even if you appear to have no readers or traffic right now, this is temporary. Things are changing. Because you are following advice that is proven, that big dawg bloggers offer, that helped them live their dreams.
As they have succeeded, so shall you succeed.
9: Spend Money on Resources
Imagine trying to learn Atmospheric Thermodynamics by reading free blog posts?
Ain’t happening. Trust me; I took Atmospheric Thermodynamics as a Meteorology major at university. It is as difficult a subject to study as it looks. Which is why I paid something called “tuition” to learn from skilled teachers in the proper format.
When you’re a new blogger, if you want to cut your learning curve by decades you buy somethings (i.e. pay your blogging tuition) called:
or maybe you spend money investing in coaching services, to cut your learning curve and to hit the ground running.
A new blogger recently invested money in my audio course (saw payment hit my bank account yesterday). That $350 investment will help them make $10,000 or $50,000 down the road. Even better, it will help them avoid all the fear-based mistakes plaguing new bloggers. Even better, $350 will help them live their wildest dreams.
Pay your online tuition. Buy a course or eBook to help you learn blogging from a skilled pro, in a structured environment. Increase your blog traffic from scratch by learning from the seasoned pros, through their premium, properly formatted, robust offerings.
10: Write 500 Words Daily for Practice
Open a Word document. Write 500 words. I care not how long it takes. Just write.
Then trash the document.
This simple habit:
- adds power to your writing
- lets your writing voice shine aka helps you find your writing voice
- boosts your blog traffic
- gives you clout
Write! Hone your #1 blogging skill. Go from green newbie to blogging big dawg through the mysterious concept know as: Practicing When the Lights Are Off……or….Practicing When Nobody Is Watching.
Your Turn
What tips can you add to this list?
Are you a new blogger with no clout or influence?
Have you followed these tips?
Ryan Biddulph
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52 Comments
Connecting and diving into fears helped me do cool things at BFP Cathy especially when I was new to the game. Fear is all stopping up, nothing else, so when you dive in and hug the fear-feelings wonderful things happen. Thanks much 🙂
Thanks Ryan, with a travel blog published in May last year and few subscribers this read gave me many ideas and helped move me from a slump; my two things are connecting with others, one at a time and not letting my fears stop me, great read
Good deal Roberta. Dive right back in and enjoy the blogging ride.
Ryan
I started a blog a few years ago but then I didn’t know how to bring readers to my page but during the years I started to read more and more about how can I do this, but then something stopped me, and as you say you have to write with passion. I find your advice’s very useful so maybe I will start writing again.
Thanks D 😉
Ryan
thanks ryan for lovely article n your r looking cool men
Dhruv I am really happy to help. That niche needs good, persistent bloggers because health is the first wealth. Thanks heaps.
Ryan
hi Ryan,
I was really frustrated and depressed. After reading this post, I am charged again and will continue blogging my passion. I have bookmarked this page so that whenever I feel low, I can quickly and easily come to this page.
By the way I am a blogger in health niche.
keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing this.
fantastic post, i was frustrated because i am a new blogger and was disappointed that i could not get any traffic to my blog. Reading this post had given me ideas and has motivated me, Thanks again!!
Sure thing Kitty.
Ryan
Thanks a lot of Ryan for sharing this tips to boost traffic on a blog.. Great job.
That’s it Venu 😉 1 person at a time. This is how things build to staggering levels. 1 simple, authentic, genuine connection at a time. Thanks!
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph, you are an inspiration. Great read as always. The struggle in blogging is real and the worst part is it can continue for months. You have nicely articulated the steps one can follow. Networking is a huge thing you cannot ignore and don’t aim for the stars at the beginning. Aim for the moon. Build one to one connections in your niche and you are set to roll.
Adding some multi media Rich does wonders for your traffic-building campaign. A little time and some energy but those videos are the difference maker. Thanks for reading!
Ryan
Thanks for these traffic tips. I’m about to create a series of videos to add to some of my blog posts and enable me to create some new ones. It will take some time, but I think it’s worth it and will create credibility with my potential clients. Interesting idea to try and mix in podcasts.
Thanks Anuradha! Happy to add some fresh methods in there 😉
Ryan
Hello Ryan,
Thank you! For actually presenting us with a creative and different list of where to get traffic, instead of the same tired, worn out recommendations. This was a great read and I’ll be sharing and utilizing some of these ideas for sure. Awesome work 🙂
Thanks Agness 🙂
Ryan
Bingo Ahmad. 1 powerful, genuine connection beats 1000 poorly thought out, hurried attempts at connecting. Thanks much 🙂
Ryan
Godwin fab comment! That comparison point is the ultimate killer. We all take a different journey, with twists and turns and the like. Fall in love with your blogging journey and you will succeed. Thanks brother 🙂
Ryan
Excellent article, Ryan! I enjoyed reading it!
Right on point Ryan!
I like the concept of “feel the fear but do it anyway!” I remember my first attempt at guestposting. I wrote an article that i’d love to publish on the blog of a popular blogger…but a voice inside my head kept telling me to trash the post that it wasn’t good enough.
And I nearly did…
But on second thought, I realized it was my fear that was doing the talking. So I asked myself one important question: “what could possibly go wrong if I pitch this post to the blogger?” At worst, I understood that what could happen is that the post will be rejected. And that wasn’t life threatening in anyway.
So I silenced the voice and went ahead to pitch the post to the blogger.
Actually, I was expecting a rejection, but when the blogger replied, he was very interested in the post and told me it was on a topic his audience have been asking him about but he didn’t have the time to write a post on it. Instantly, my post was accepted.
I sent him the first draft and after exchanging a few emails, the post was ready for publishing. Needless to say, the performance of that post when it went live exceeded my expectations.
Yet this was a post I nearly trashed for not being “good enough”.
And this brings me to my contribution to this awesome post you’ve put up for new bloggers. And that is: “Never compare yourself with anyone—especially someone who’s not at your current level!”
You see, after analyzing what happened to me, I discovered that the reason why I entertained those fears was because I was comparing my post to those of well established bloggers that have been guestposting for several months or years. And by comparison, my post looked awful—in my own mind at least.
But when it was finally published, the performance protested to the contrary.
And that’s why, my advice in addition to the ones you’ve already laid out for beginners is for them to never compare themselves (site design, writing, traffic, comments, etc) to those of well established players in their space.
So, Thanks Ryan for the post. Really Insightful.
Ryan, loved your reminder about make 1 to 1 connections. You don’t need thousands, you only need one, deep and genuine connection. And then another one next time. and another… It needs a genuine love for your passion to keep it a sustainable habit throughout. Thanks again.
Bingo Donna! The secret; it’s all 1 to 1 stuff. We bond on a 1 to 1 basis. Even if we guest post and comment to leverage our presence, exposing our blogs to large numbers of targeted individuals, all success is had on building intimate 1 to 1 bonds. Thanks a bunch 🙂
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Good info as usual, here.
Traffic is essential to the successful blogger.
No traffic, no readers no business no nada… blogging sucks when there’s no traffic.
Buy it?
No way.
You’re on target here.
Nobody needs a thousand people to read their blog post.
You only need ONE. Focus on that ONE. Build a relationship with that ONE, meaning comment back on their blog, reply to their comment on yours with a meaningful bit of chat… etc.
Be somebody to your readers, not a nobody who’s busy checking their traffic stats and paypal balance.
Nobody cares about that stuff but you.
Connect with people with what they care about most… themselves and their own journey.
Hey, isn’t it wonderful to be meaningful in someone’s life?
That’s how to get blogging traffic, or as you say it better… that’s how to make blogging fun 🙂
-Donna
Umer thanks a bunch 🙂
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph I am a brand new blogger and this is really giving me some direction.Thanks
Totally Mandy. And these are virtually always free meeting places. Costs nothing but some time and energy.
Ryan
Hi Ryan, I find blogging groups a great place to be. Not only is there a plethora of help and advice but people motivate you when you don’t feel the energy and enthusiasm. Doesn’t happen very often but it’s a great way to connect with other bloggers and be around people in the know!
Enjoy the journey!
Exciting stuff Caitlin! So fun to be at this point in your journey. Thanks for reading 🙂
Ryan
I am a brand new (six weeks or so) blogger and this is really giving me some direction. Even though I know I need to get the content there first before expecting readers, it just helps motivate to feel like someone is seeing my work!
Awwww shucks, thanks Cori 😉 I was beyond terrified to get in front the camera 8 years ago. That first time was a breakthrough for me. Even though my videos were rough I still stuck it out and eventually, became more natural. Go for it! You’ll be great!
Ryan
Zaira, much love back to you!
Ryan
Love these tips Ryan! I wish I would have come across something like this when I first started.
Guest posting and commeting on other blogs is what helped me make connections. If I could add anything it would be to make connections on social media, too.
Ugh, video…my biggest fear of all. I need to get over it and just do it already. I see you and Ms. Ileane Smith and I just get so wowed by you two and how easy you make it look. I copied the last paragragh from the Make Fear Your Ally Not Your Enemy section – I’m going to read that until it makes me get in front of the camera. 🙂
Thanks for these great tips! No doubt I’ll be sharing this one!
Hope you’re having a great week!
Cori
500 words is a fab goal to aim for Ravi. But hey; you reach that goal through blog comments like 1 hour into the day 😉 You are everywhere. Well done brother. Thanks for commenting!
Ryan
I just read your awesome guest post – or 1 of them – yesterday. Loved it. Really, the voice kinda sticks around. Especially when you reach out to different blogs perceived to be higher and higher, beyond what you reached out to in the past. I pitched Entrepreneur an idea a few minutes ago. Mind wheels were turning LOL! And I am thinking of pitching Positively Positive too. And the mind races a bit LOL. Part of the game. Thanks for the comment!
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Great tips for anyone who is just starting a blog and wanting it to grow. I totally agree with you fear can definitely hold so many people back from taking action.
I actually just started guest posting about 2 months ago, while I haven’t written nearly as many as you have. I’m still new and getting my feet wet. The first time I reached out to offer to guest post, I almost didn’t do it.
The little voice inside of my head kept telling me “No don’t do it.” I could’ve listened to it and just came up with some type of excuse on why I wasn’t ready to start guest posting. Instead, I closed my eyes and hit the send button to send the email.
To my surprise, the blogger said yes. So I sent her the blog post and all was well. It’s definitely nerve racking to get out of our comfort zone and much easier to stay in it. I still get a little nervous whenever I reach out to bloggers for guest posting, I am not sure if that will ever go away. Does it?
It doesn’t matter, I’m going to keep doing it. Eventually, I am sure that I won’t be so nervous.
Most of us start blogging because we want to create a life of freedom. This means that we have to do those uncomfortable things that are going to help us grow and change.
Totally agree with you about working on improving ourselves. It’s one of the best ways to actually get the courage and the mindset that we need as bloggers.
All great tips and love the one about spending money to learn things. I am a huge advocate of spending money on learning and educating myself to improve. Nothing wrong with learning from people who have already done it. Saves me time from having to spend hours trying to find free information.
Thanks for sharing these tips with us, have a great day 🙂
Susan
Hey Ryan,
If a person like you starts motivating, then there is no need worry how to earn from blogging. Because you are the best one who explain very well blogging and motivate people how struggle in different situation.
Sometimes blogging pains but you have provided the awesome ways to convert it into pleasure. Driving traffic to blog was very interesting to read, you just made it easy to learn enjoying this.
You said to write 500 words daily for practice so that the quality of writing will be great and gives you clout and traffic to your blog.
So nice of you for sharing it 🙂
– Ravi
Ryan,
The very fact that you base your work on feelings and energy is amazing (I first found you over on kelli’s blog also amazing http://www.livelifemadetoorder.com). Your point about one to one connections and making friends struck a massive cord with me. Why? Because you did this with me, you left comments on my blog gave me love and time & now I’m one of your avid followers/supporters.
This sort of growth is contagious it makes you want to come back. You gave time, keep doing what your doing and thank you for sharing timeless wisdom. I hope that your blog and brand grow endlessly the universe is with you.
Love to you & kelli (a lot of it)
Zaira
LOL T yes I do recall the incident. Thank goodness I avoided getting tetanus 😉 Exactly; with you staying on topic folks will tune in. You develop a rep in your niche and only good things happen from there. Thanks cuz!
Ryan
Tina Pro Blogger is awesome, right? The blog, the FB group, all associated communities with the brand are about helping people. Darren is so good at compassionately setting up these learning portals. Pure gold. Thanks for the fab comment!
Ryan
Arvind thank you!
Ryan
Super add Lisa. Love it, because any new blogger can get the ball rolling on social. Looking forward to seeing your first video!
Ryan
Amazing post Ryan….visiting your blog feels like i am travelling as well as blogging together…which makes me feel great….your images are also very cool….really awesome post for struggling bloggers like me…thanks for sharing..!!
Arvind
Can I just second your recommendation of Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger, Ryan? I joined the Facebook group a few days ago and it has already been incredibly helpful. What I love most is that this group is NOT about promoting your site from within the group, but giving you tools to make your blog successful on your own.
I love that there is someone to answer your SEO question, the techie questions, or whatever else you can throw out. There’s even a fantastic thread right now about the kind of music you listen to as you write. It’s great stuff and I’m so glad I found it.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to join a blogging Facebook group, but I got over it. It so nice to be able to interact with bloggers who run the gamut from newer than me to very experienced. I’ve made sure to actively participate since I joined to help me get over the nervousness of posting comments on other blogs.
Thanks for these great tips. I’m going to consider it a checklist and start working through them one at a time.
Hi Ryan,
I would add to engage on the social networks, pick one, two or 3 (no more) and engage with others there. Get to know others and they will get to know you. Share their content, leave comments on their posts, talk with them on social and email works well too.
I love your point about treating them like individuals, as gold. Great video Ryan.(I’ve got to get rolling on that soon!)
Thank you for sharing your experiences on this with us.
Ryan,
You hit the nail on the head. (Or should I say foot) haha
Sticking to one topic is key to keep a blog interesting. It keeps people coming back looking to see what will be written next.
I really appreciate you mentioning me in this blog post
Sky’s the limit brother, keep up the good work!
Tom
Goodgrievings.com
Hi Ana,
As for the online courses I have created 2 courses if you want to be a student:
https://www.bloggingfromparadise.com/11-fundamentals-blogging-course/
https://www.bloggingfromparadise.com/get-featured-world-famous-blogs-course/
Feel free to sign up. Both are fun, entertaining and informative courses.
I love seeing you comment. Keep up the good work!
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph,
It even seems to guess what’s going on in my soul, but I’m losing the fear of commenting, it’s almost like learning to ride a car.
Thank you so much for the almost “imposition” of making us comment, of being in love, that everyone starts from scratch.
I will not forget Amazon, but I have to wait a little longer. Why not create an online course? I would be your student.
Thanks for sharing these tips Ryan Biddulph and have a great day!
Super tip Suze! I need to do that more myself. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ryan
A really thorough article as always, Ryan and so many actionable tips. I know that I should try Facebook Live as many bloggers swear by it but I haven’t quite psyched myself up to it yet ;-). My tip would be to befriend PRs, I need to spend more time on this myself but even for bloggers just starting out it works well.
I left a thought.