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Getting People to Read My Articles

by dvduval
12 replies
I am designing a new style for one of my websites, and the main purpose is to develop readership, and increase the chances that a new visitor will arrive and start reading my articles. If you could please take a look and let me know your opinion:
Business Plexus
I'm starting to get some facebook comments going on some articles too (example)
I'm less concerned about monetizing right now, and more concerned about developing readership and participation. Any adice?
#articles #people #read
  • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
    Not sure how the facebook comments tied in. I personally think the the pictures are interesting in the second and 3rd article. I would try a photo for the first one. I would keep the posting of content updated to keep interest in your site. Is there away to let readers know when you put up a new post ? Over all it looks like a nice site
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  • Profile picture of the author bigbabol
    Simple and clean design. Topics you offer too various. I think, It's make your visitors feel reading on your site. My advice, stick with it. keep the quality and quantity of content, and also the structure of your site overlay features.

    Good luck friend
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    • Profile picture of the author dvduval
      Originally Posted by DWolfe View Post

      Not sure how the facebook comments tied in. I personally think the the pictures are interesting in the second and 3rd article. I would try a photo for the first one. I would keep the posting of content updated to keep interest in your site. Is there away to let readers know when you put up a new post ? Over all it looks like a nice site
      Agree about the pictures. I will keep using those for sure. I am testing this now for what will become a multiple author website, and want to get the right dynamic going first. We do have a way that readers will be alerted about new posts. The facebook comments would be part of that.

      Originally Posted by bigbabol View Post

      Simple and clean design. Topics you offer too various. I think, It's make your visitors feel reading on your site. My advice, stick with it. keep the quality and quantity of content, and also the structure of your site overlay features.

      Good luck friend
      Yes, agreed. We must keep posting new topics. Just have to keep my creative juices going until we bring on the new authors who are already waiting and want to start when I give them the access.

      Thanks for you comments!
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      It is okay to contact me! I have been developing software since 1999, creating many popular products like phpLD.
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  • Profile picture of the author dcristo
    It's much easier building a readership when you are targeting a specific audience. When I first land on your homepage, the first thing I ask myself is what the heck is this blog about. If you fail to address this I can't really see how you would develop a larger readership, unless you had exceptional content which couldn't be found anywhere else.
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    Are you wanting to learn all the poker lingo?

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  • Profile picture of the author MaryB
    I think the main thing to remember is to make it EASY for readers to interact with you and receive your content.

    A few ideas as I take a first look:

    • I'd include a tagline to explain what the blog is about, who it's for, etc. I agree with the earlier poster who said he didn't understand what it was about.
    • In the upper right corner, include option(s) for readers to subscribe to your blog posts by RSS feed or email.
    • At the bottom of each post, put an option for subscription. (This is handy for those who are reading by an email that may have been forwarded to them; also when someone is in the "middle" of your blog and they think, "Wow! Great article, I've got to subscribe now!" You make it EASY for them to return.)
    • Also, on the right sidebar and towards the top, put links to your blog Facebook page and your Twitter feed (this provides ways for readers to interact with you).
    • In your email signatures, forum signatures, and when you post comments on other blogs, use the URL for your blog. To create brand identity, comment on other blogs as "JohnDoe @ Business Plexus" and not just "JohnDoe."
    • Include an About page with some personal-type info about you, the intent of the blog, etc.
    • Include a Contact page with ways to get in touch with you.
    Two of my favorite blogs about blogging are SavvyBlogging.net and BloggingWithAmy.com.
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    • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
      Originally Posted by MaryB View Post

      I'd include a tagline to explain what the blog is about,
      I came here just to say this.

      I want to see a tagline, just to get a concise idea of what your blog is about and what your slant is. Also, a photo and a short paragraph about you and what your blog is about might help provide some context to readers.
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      :)

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    • Profile picture of the author dvduval
      Originally Posted by MaryB View Post

      I think the main thing to remember is to make it EASY for readers to interact with you and receive your content.

      A few ideas as I take a first look:

      • I'd include a tagline to explain what the blog is about, who it's for, etc. I agree with the earlier poster who said he didn't understand what it was about.
      • In the upper right corner, include option(s) for readers to subscribe to your blog posts by RSS feed or email.
      • At the bottom of each post, put an option for subscription. (This is handy for those who are reading by an email that may have been forwarded to them; also when someone is in the "middle" of your blog and they think, "Wow! Great article, I've got to subscribe now!" You make it EASY for them to return.)
      • Also, on the right sidebar and towards the top, put links to your blog Facebook page and your Twitter feed (this provides ways for readers to interact with you).
      • In your email signatures, forum signatures, and when you post comments on other blogs, use the URL for your blog. To create brand identity, comment on other blogs as "JohnDoe @ Business Plexus" and not just "JohnDoe."
      • Include an About page with some personal-type info about you, the intent of the blog, etc.
      • Include a Contact page with ways to get in touch with you.
      Two of my favorite blogs about blogging are SavvyBlogging.net and BloggingWithAmy.com.
      Wow, thank you for the great tips! The subscription sounds like a must. I am not currently subscribed to any blogs so not sure how this works, but assume they get an email when a new post is made?

      While I like my current design, I love the clean layout of bloggingwithamy.com.
      Signature
      It is okay to contact me! I have been developing software since 1999, creating many popular products like phpLD.
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      • Profile picture of the author MaryB
        Originally Posted by dvduval View Post

        Wow, thank you for the great tips! The subscription sounds like a must. I am not currently subscribed to any blogs so not sure how this works, but assume they get an email when a new post is made?

        While I like my current design, I love the clean layout of bloggingwithamy.com.
        You are welcome.

        Yes ... for example, in Feedburner (it's free and widely used), you can create both a box/form on your page where readers can put in their email address and receive your blog posts via email. You can also put in a link where readers can go and subscribe via a reader (like Google reader or whatever their preference). If you post that day, your post is either delivered to their inbox or into their reader. In Feedburner, you can choose what the email subject line is, when the emails are delivered, and so on. Several customization options there. Feedburner is self-explanatory and fairly easy to navigate.

        If you want to pay, you can get more bells and whistles and more info about your subscribers.

        Agreed about BloggingWithAmy. Great, clean design.
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        • Profile picture of the author dvduval
          Originally Posted by MaryB View Post

          You are welcome.

          Yes ... for example, in Feedburner (it's free and widely used), you can create both a box/form on your page where readers can put in their email address and receive your blog posts via email. You can also put in a link where readers can go and subscribe via a reader (like Google reader or whatever their preference). If you post that day, your post is either delivered to their inbox or into their reader. In Feedburner, you can choose what the email subject line is, when the emails are delivered, and so on. Several customization options there. Feedburner is self-explanatory and fairly easy to navigate.

          If you want to pay, you can get more bells and whistles and more info about your subscribers.

          Agreed about BloggingWithAmy. Great, clean design.

          Thanks for the tip. I'm going to look into adding this to the software. Can it make the blog look less read if you start out with ZERO subscribers? Any proven methods to increase the subscription rate?
          Signature
          It is okay to contact me! I have been developing software since 1999, creating many popular products like phpLD.
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  • Profile picture of the author Claire Sharp
    I agree with MOJOJUJU, you top make short paragraph telling about yourself and your blog. People usually want to check the authors profile. As well as tag line.
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  • Profile picture of the author Evil Sniper XV
    Focus your topics, so that you can have a steady set of the same readers, and then they'll eventually help you grow. Let them do the work while you focus on the small details.
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    • Profile picture of the author dvduval
      Originally Posted by Evil Sniper XV View Post

      Focus your topics, so that you can have a steady set of the same readers, and then they'll eventually help you grow. Let them do the work while you focus on the small details.
      Since I began, the hardest part has been getting people to come back. I have a few friends from facebook that are reading pretty regularly and commenting (often on facebook rather than on my site) but it is still working. I keep publishing a new one almost every day, but only show links to the ones I feel will be most exciting to my friends. I am also seemingly coming out of a google penalty due to the increasing volume of original content. It isn't making money, but I am very much enjoying the experiment, and have my programming team adding some new features each week.
      Signature
      It is okay to contact me! I have been developing software since 1999, creating many popular products like phpLD.
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