Building a Bigger Blog

A few of my friends have started blogs lately, and have asked advice on how to build an audience, what software to use, what hosting to buy, etc. Since I'm pretty much worthless for technical advice, I'll do what I can, and give a few suggestions on building an audience.

Be Interesting and On Point: All bloggers fail this test sometimes, but think about why anyone else in the world would want to read what you're writing - think about your audience. If you're trying to build a political audience, then don't write about gardening too often. If you're trying to build an audience of knitting enthusiasts, you shouldn't spend too much time writing about Roe v. Wade. This doesn't mean that you need to be unidimensional, and it doesn't mean that every post you put up needs to be aimed at building your audience. But, if you want more traffic, decide on your niche and work it.

Update often: If you want to attract regular readers, you have to give them something regularly. Once a week won't cut it. Most of the giants do multiple posts a day. Personally, I try to fit a post a day into my schedule, and I fail to meet even that goal. If people click over and see the same old stuff, they'll stop visiting.

Comment Elsewhere: List your website in your profile, and comment elsewhere. If you say something interesting and relevant in a comment on someone else's blog, that blogger and some of his/her readers will look at your profile to see who you are. If your site interests them, you'll end up in their bookmarks.

Include Others on Your Blogroll: One of the keys to getting traffic is to wind up on a bunch of blogrolls. The best way to do that is to add others to your blogroll - you'll often get added to their's in an informal reciprocity. Don't expect instantaneous recognition, but I know that blogs that link to me are more likely to get added to my own blogroll than those that don't.

Don't Shy Away From Controversy: A long time ago, I posted something on gun control, and I still get hits from people who have stumbled upon it - it even wound up mentioned in Wikipedia. If it's attention you want, stick your nose into a controversial topic and watch the partisans flock to your site.

Promote Yourself: Earlier this week, a bunch of local bloggers got an email from the proprietess of Kansas City Daily Photo with a kind compliment and a request to be added to the blogroll. Clicking over, I see that she's been posting some cool photos, so she goes onto the blogroll. Why not?

Have Some Patience: In 2004, this blog drew maybe 10 or 20 unique visitors a day. And that was fine with me - I was doing it mostly as an experiment and an outlet for my impulse to write. Now I average a thousand or so unique visits a day, and I appreciate the attention, but I'd happily trade half those visitors for 20 more thoughtful, regular commenters.

Does anyone else have any advice? Any thoughts about joining all those circles and groups that I see posted on other sites?