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6 Steps to Transform Your Blog and Reach Your True Potential

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Reach Your True Potential

Have you been doing everything right but just can’t seem to break through to blog-stardom?  To quote Albert Einstein: “Lunacy is to keep doing what you’ve been doing and expect different results.” If you aren’t seeing the growth you’re expecting relative to the work you’re putting in, it’s worth the time and effort to evaluate your blog strategy. Here are 6 ways you can finally smash through the glass ceiling and reach your true potential.

1. Review your goals

As in other aspects of life, it is beneficial to do at least an annual review of where you stand in relation to where you want to be. The topic of goal setting is too large to cover here but let me say that getting in the habit of setting goals and then spending the necessary time to develop action steps to achieve them is one of the best things you can do to bring about dramatic change. Plot your course and set sail for the blog of your dreams.

2. Let Information Fly

Increase your content while maintaining the quality and value. Start a newsletter. Tweet once more per day. Update your Facebook page. Write and offer a free ebook. Whatever you do, find a way to get in front of your readers and show them why they should trust you.

3. Cut Frivolous Ads

In the new web era, there is no longer room for obnoxious banners or stacks of text links. Now more than ever, users are less willing to tolerate digging through your site for valuable content. And when they do find what they’re looking for, obscene numberss of ads can really detract from their reading experience.

Two well placed affiliate links can often earn more than a group of banners tacked onto your site. With the enormous amount of products and stores out there to promote, finding a product to recommend within your content is easy and just plain smart blogging.

4. Embrace Transparency

Let’s face it, unless your content is phenomenal, there will be plenty of other places where your readers can go to satisfy their needs. The primary thing about your blog that makes it unique is YOU. Try and let your readers into your life by relating your article to past experience or a current event. If your readers feel they have a special connection to your blog, they will be more likely to subscribe and recommend it to others.

5. Talk to Readers

The reason blogs have really taken off all these years is that they are more than a one-sided expose – they offer a chance for readers to participate in the conversation as it’s happening. If you really want more activity in the comments area of your blog, you need to listen and respond to the commentary. There’s nothing that discourages me more when deciding whether to comment than a blogger who doesn’t appear to be listening.

6. Share Insights

It’s been mentioned here plenty of times before but it bears repeating – your blog will only grow at the pace that you grow as an authority in your niche. If you are only responding to the thought leadership of others, readers will simply subscribe to those blogs and form their own opinions. It is crucial to take the time to think critically about your niche and what you can bring to the table. Leading the conversation rather than following it is the best way to build a following, backlinks, and a reputation.

Are you considering whether the blogosphere is the right place for you? Before you give up on your blog, give these six tips a shot first. If you still need more help, it may then be time to consider signing up for blog consulting or a membership site. I’ll touch on that next time 😉

About

Jerry is the managing editor of Stress Free Degree, the premier college advice blog for students.

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{ 33 Responses }

  1. smithcarry says:
    The tips are really very important and effective for the success of a blogsite. The ways that are shown here is not the only ways. These are the basics to make your blogsite successful. I have enriched my blog following these steps and really these are very very effective and practical. Thanks for the post.
  2. smithcarry says:
    I've tried them. And really they are very effective. If anyone use it, he'll cut a good figure in blog world. And he could transform it to a true professional.
  3. Fran Aslam the Onlinewriter says:
    You have a very connecting post here. It relates to me also, I am not where I want to be. I loved reading the strategies you have mentioned, now it is a matter of applying it. Thanks for an outstanding post. Fran A
  4. Sham says:
    Thanks a lot for your insight! :)
  5. karan says:
    Talking to your readers is something that I can't miss out come what may. I try to reply to each and every comment on my blog, even if it's just a thank you or an appreciation note for their commenting.
  6. Petra says:
    Very informative article! Like other forms of social media (Twitter and FB, for example), successful blogging is all about creating a unique personality (or rather, showcasing your own unique personality). Yes, the content has to be good. Yes, you need to successfully market your blog, promoting it on other social media sites, commenting on others' blogs, etc etc. In the end, though, your unique voice is what will keep your readers engaged and coming back again and again.
  7. prashant rohilla says:
    building a community around your blog is also a good Strategy, to increase loyalty and Network
  8. Isabel Rodrigues - Pro Blogger Journey says:
    Good picks. I like the points you pointed out. Point 1,3 and 4 stoods for me
  9. Dennis Edell says:
    Reviewing your goals and plotting your course is all well and good, but just as important is being able to change and adapt as necessary. Things out here move fast, if you aren't flexible you'll never last.
  10. Jitendra Singh says:
    Wonderful tips... i like most the one "talking to your reader". In my view it is the best way to create a own blog society.
    • Nasif says:
      Yea networking is one crucial part of blogging :)
      • Jitendra Singh says:
        yeah talking with your follower, taking or giving suggestions to them really makes a difference. thanks.
  11. Bishwajeet says:
    Help people solve their problems, thats the most important thing for us.
  12. Alex says:
    Hello Jerry, You are right about reviewing your goals. Usually when you can't achieve your goals, it's not a good idea to set even higher goals, but it's best to try and set an other more reachable goal that will eventually lead to your ultimate goal that you first couldn't achieve. Insights, are a source of awesome information and sharing your experiences on what worked great for you, will help you connect with your readers on a more personal level and they will most of the time want to follow your posts just because they know you might publish something never heard or seen again, because some of your techniques might be innovative.
    • Jerry says:
      That's a good point Alex, setting smaller goals that will incrementally get you closer to the big ones you've set. Thanks for the comment!
  13. Mani Viswanathan says:
    I always like to write about something which my readers want from me. That's the main point. Write for your readers & write what you know best.
  14. Diana Eftaiha says:
    great article thanks. i can say i almost apply all of these points, yet sometimes im frustrated at the results. some of my readers appreciate what i do, they drop by, comment and just engage. but the vast majority seem not interested in getting involved. i mean i spend like 10 hours a day working on my blog on average and sometimes i feel like i cant get them engaged. i dig the hotest topics and i provide detailed, high quality content but i dont feel im growing at the pace i would like . my blog is exactly one year old now, isnt it time i see better results? or should i give it more time?
    • Jerry says:
      Hi Diana, Thanks for the comment! I checked out your website and it looks like you're doing a fine job =) There's really 3 things for growing as an authority: a unique voice, expertise, and visibility. You're commenting on blogs so you're doing it already, how bout taking it a step further and running a contest to connect with readers and fellow bloggers? It's working for Hesham lately =) Good luck!
  15. Aekansh vats says:
    I have been cutting out on any kind of ads till my blog reaches a threshold traffic, that way my design clean and clutter free Moreover, I prefer direct advertisements over adsense as they are totally under my control.
  16. Alexander says:
    Blogging is not as simple as it used to be anymore. Since there are literally millions of blogs you really have to stand out and that can be really hard if you only have a limited time blogging (like me). However, if you set goals as you said and stay focused and determined to succeed you will at least have a chance. Some may profit from blogging within a week, for others it might take well over a year.
  17. Extreme John says:
    I see sooo many more bloggers that need to talk to their readers it isn't even funny.
  18. Kavya Hari says:
    At the time, face book is one of the basic platforms to get more readers into your blog. Thanks a lot for written your post on here :)
  19. William says:
    You make an interesting point on your post than many people do. I entierly agree with you specially the idea to talk with your readers regularly is the most important matter.
  20. John says:
    Hi Jerry, Nice post, You had mention very important points in this post. Specially "Let Information Fly" and "Embrace Transparency", I think this is the main motive of creating or maintaining blog. Just be yourself, share information about what you know and what you are learning, latest updates you find and what is your opinion. When anyone tries to writes about all these things it will bring the authentic content for blog. Thanks for sharing this post John
  21. semmy says:
    Hi Jerry it's great lists! Especially number 6. I agree with you, we must build an authority and become a leader on our market. Thanks for share!! Looking forward another article!
  22. Delena Silverfox says:
    These are some good, solid points you discuss here. And I think, as I read them, there is one underlying thing they all have in common. That is Time; bloggers have to devote some serious time to their blogs if they expect them to ever grow as an influence, or themselves as an authority in blogging. Time, right now, is the one thing I struggle with. Aside from waiting five years for my daughter to grow up enough to where I can actually sit down and work, I don't know what I can do, especially since babysitters dont work! Delena
    • Jerry says:
      That's one reason I love blogs like this one - every little trick and productivity tool helps when you're short on time. Good luck!
  23. Zezebel says:
    For a new blog like mine, ads will be something annoying to put in my themes. I will not put them unless I get a sufficent readers. Talking to your readers in comments is one way to get more comments for me. Some blogger just let their comment unanswered. Thats not right.
  24. Kyle says:
    I think #5 bears repeating. In fact, Sire over at WassupBlog actually devoted an entire article to the point just last week. If you want readers to interact with your blog you have to interact with them and offer the expertise and knowledge that makes you and authority in your niche.I also love number 4. You need to let your personality shine through. I think often times the off topic posts relating to a blogger's personal interests are often some of the most interesting!
    • Jerry says:
      Definitely - I usually find a blog by seeking out the information they share, but what keeps me coming back (and buying their stuff!) is who the person is behind the posts. Thanks for the comment!
  25. Wasim Ismail says:
    I like the point about "let information fly" this is what blogging is about, building a source of good useful information that would be relevant and helpful to your readers.
    • Jerry says:
      And while we all should be writing for readers, it always helps to throw as many nets (posts) out there into the search engines to catch as many as we can =) Thanks for the comment!
  26. smithcarry says:
    Yes obviously a very effective portion of the 6 things. It's the most necessary steps to transform a blog to true potential. This actually works, Thanks for the post. And by using it practically will really be very positive effect.