Building a Successful Blog Through Conversation

On Jan 1, Kent Newsome explained why he thinks "It's Impossible to Build a New Blog in 2006." His reasons are intriguing, so that article is worth a read.

I disagree with him, though. Personally, I believe that if you have a good grasp of the dynamics of conversational media, and if you "success" doesn't simply mean "a huge audience," then you can still succeed with a blog that's only just beginning now. And I think that will remain true for some time.

Here's why...

First of all, it's important to view your blog not as a publishing  effort, but as your home base for your contribution to the public conversation. However, it's definitely not the only place where you should be participating in that conversation.

If you want to attract and build an audience for your blog, I personally find the following steps crucial:

• FOCUS: Define a clear scope or mission for your blog. Consider what you want your blog to achieve.

• IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE: Decide who, exactly, your blog must reach in order to fulfill its mission. Especially if you're just starting out, it helps to define your target audience as specifically as possible. Don't try to be all things to all readers.

• WHO DO THEY ALREADY READ? Which blogs already enjoy considerable readership from the audience you're courting? View them as companions to your efforts, not competitors. Read those blogs regularly, and look for opportunities to make valuable, intriguing, positive, and unique contributions to the conversations happening there.

• PICK UP ON CURRENT THEMES: In your blog, post your thoughts on  opportune current themes of those complementary blogs.

• COMMENT STRATEGICALLY: Go back to the other blogs and leave "teaser" comments that basically say, "Gee, you made some good points, and I have some further thoughts on this. I actually just posted about this in my blog..." and be sure to supply a direct link to your relevant posting.

• COMMENT OFTEN: Lather, rinse, repeat. Even if you don't have time to post much to your blog, it's important to regularly spend time participating in the public conversation by leaving constructive comments on other blogs and pointing back to your blog.

Trust me, this really, really works. I've done it several times. In my consulting and coaching services, I help other bloggers learn the nuances of this approach.

So... Whadya think? Have you tried this strategy? Or another? What hgas your experience been? Comment below.

Comments

[Donna Papacosta]

Amy, you are right on the money. I've made some terrific connections by reading others' blogs and commenting where appropriate. And other bloggers have commented and tracked back to me, as well, making for some interesting conversations and linkages.

I am a fan of Contentious.com and am thrilled to see your latest venture, which I will be blogging about very soon (of course!).

[Kent]

Great post Amy, and thanks for the conversation. I am "trying to try" the sustained approach and it is working a little. My traffic has grown slowly but surely.

I guess my frustration is based on my growing perception that some folks guard the door to the club pretty closely.

More of my continued thoughts here:
http://snipurl.com/lfld

Thanks,
Kent

[Scott Sehlhorst]

Amy,

Thanks so much to you and Kent for starting this meme!

We've started a blogversation at Tyner Blain, with the post "Are people reading your requirements? A blogversation." (http://tynerblain.com/blog/2006/01/11/are-people-reading-your-requirements-a-blogversation/) We're building on an initial post from the folks at Seilevel, "Making sure your spec is reviewed"

And I guess we're extending the blogversation between you and Kent already (since we linked to you too).

Thanks for posting this, I love the blogversation idea, and we'll definitely use it.

[Any Given Tuesday]

Definitely a good post and good advice. Look at potential competitors as collaborators because there is plenty of room on the web for those of you who cover the same subjects to get along.

I blog about local (Baltimore, MD) music and also national popular acts. With a thriving local scene, there is plenty of room for http://www.anygiventuesday.info to get along with neighbors while reaching a broader audience with the national acts!