There is a whole group of people blogging on the internet who feel insecure. I understand that because once upon a time, I was like that too. They feel that no one will read what they write, are you one of them? If so then this post is for you.
There are a few circumstances that mean no one will read what you write:
People will read what you write, maybe not as many as you’d like, but they will read.
It may be your mum or your old high school teacher, your sister or a blogging buddy. And that’s more than no one. Very few blogs have zero readers. The amount of spam you get is an indicator that you are being found and being read by the spammers at the very least.
It may be just one reader returning week in, week out encouraging you to write on. You are being read.
You might think you are are entitled to more readers because you are the world’s most brilliant writer or because you simply love what you do. Whatever reason you have for wanting more readers, you have to work to get them. This means promoting your posts. To start with it can just be adding them to your Facebook stream and inviting people to comment. You might decide to share with some relevant groups on LinkedIn, and you don’t have to go at it full tilt whilst you are finding your feet. You can choose to promote as little or as much as you like.
You can use tools like BufferApp to promote your content
BufferApp was one of the first social media tools I reviewed back in 2009/2010. It's hard to believe that was 11 years ago! Every year this tool gets better and you can use it to ensure your content gets seen.
You can also pay a small amount to promote your post on Facebook, and you can use Hootsuite to schedule your posts on a regular basis. At first it might feel strange to promote your posts like this, but as time goes on you'll start to make connections through your blog. You'll reach out to other bloggers to help promote their content and yours, but it all t
Find your tribe
When you find like-minded people, more people will read what you write. Join and participate in Facebook and LinkedIn groups. Don't spam the group with “look at my post” but get to know people, make comments and then share your content. You'll find when you do that people are receptive to seeing your posts. You have to give a little in order to get a little.
Until then, be happy with the readers you have. They may be silent lurkers but they are there and they are reading.
Great blog Sarah. I am finding that the more consistently I am blogging, the more readers I’m getting.
I used to worry that people WOULD read my blog, because I didn’t have confidence that it’d be any good! I used to send my posts to my friend to read first and then pop them up. Now I’m not worried about that – or about people not reading them. I know people read them and I know that blogging gets me business, and I quite enjoy it too! I also use buffer and absolutely love it 🙂
Thank you Sarah! That was a nice and very encouraging post. It takes a little time to build up but posting consistently and regularly seems to be part of the key. And keeping an eye on your blog analytics is often a good indicator on whether you are being read – I’ve been surprised so many times at the number of viewers and as importantly, the amount of time they spend on the blog. Onwards and upwards!
Sarah, I’m at a stage where I just want to create good content and if people read it it’s incidental. Having said that, I had the pleasure of belonging to a wonderfully supportive tribe a few years back. Sadly, it disintegrated and I’d love to find a similar one soon.
Like Nicole said, this is a very motivating post, thank you!
I like your comment to find your tribe. I think this is an under- utilised avenue.
Thank you Sarah this is just the kind of inspiration that push me forward on the difficult days. I am really enjoying the ‘blogging fears’ series 🙂
Our inner critic is a freak. I know some people get a complex from visiting others and worrying that they may not be “good enough”. I remember, when I moved my blog to self-hosting a few years ago, someone suggested I delete some of my old posts. I didn’t. I am happy to see where I came from.
You are right. I love the list you put up about situations when people may not read the blog 😀 That draft post is the cuss!
Inspiring post, Sarah!
It is like anything it takes time for people to find you and you have to tell people about it more than you think.
Such an important blog post! This is what stops people blogging and what stops them starting too. As Gary V said 1>0 (one is greater than zero) only takes 1 person to make it worthwhile.