The Care, Feeding, and Nurturing of Your Blog

Guest post by Blog Manager Robbi Hess

The day you brought your beloved pet home you cared for and fed and loved her to bits, right? Every day you took time to nurture her and make certain she was happy and content. You told all of your friends and family about her and basically drove everyone crazy with your nonstop "proud mother/father" conversations. Are you doing the same for your blog? Or more, specifically for your blog followers? If not, here are some steps you can take to care for, feed and nurture your blog the same way you care for your pet. 

• Post frequently. Yes, I know I've said this before but it's true. The more often you post, the higher your blog/website will rank (if you use the correct keywords) and the more likely it is that people will like and follow and comment on your blog. 
• Speaking of comments. If you have someone who takes the time to comment on your blog, thank them! Comment back. Let them know you care! Nurture those followers. 
• Share the love. If the individuals who comment on your blog have blogs of their own, hop over there and comment on their posts. Commenting is a two way street. 
• Track the posts that garner the most comments and then steer your other posts in that direction. For example, if you write a humorous post and it seems to resonate with the readers, then be funny. If you interview a vet or review a book that garners you comments, then maybe that's your area of expertise. 
• Write what you love. If you're blogging just because you "feel you have to because everyone else is" your lack of enthusiasm will show through. You don't have to be a blogger to be a blog follower. 

How are you caring for and nurturing your blog? 

Comments

[Bonnie]

This is good advice. I've been working on posting more often. For me, more posts usually means more lunches in restaurants I'm going to write about, more quiet observation of my hilarious kittens or more visits to quirky businesses with chickens. Can't beat that! :-)

Any other thoughts on how to encourage comments? People post their comments on Facebook, not the blog.

[Carol Bryant]

Bonnie, ah the age-old question. I don't know of a true work around to that, as I experience it all the time. I recently had 52 comments to a post --- all on Facebook!!! I am thinking at least the views are there, people are reading, and in this day and age of social media I can't really say "hey, please comment only on my blog." So I just sort of smile and grin and think of it as engaging in general. I feel your pain.

Good tips, Robbi.

[caren gittleman]

I believe the mutual commenting is super important.

Another thing that is important is many of us share posts of others but there seem to be some who NEVER do it for those that they KNOW share their posts. Sometimes I feel as if people think I am their personal PR person...it works 2-ways....if they aren't going to reciprocate then maybe they should start paying me for promoting them :)

[Colby]

Great advice. I'm trying to do all of these things particularly point #1 - Post frequently, but I just can't seem to find the time. I need an extra 8 hours in my day.

@Bonnie and @Carol -- you might try integrating your Facebook comments into your blog. One blog that I noticed does a pretty good job integrating Facebook comments, Blog comments, and Twitter conversations is BecomeABlogger.com.

@Caren -- very good point. I used to have a weekly post dedicated to other bloggers best work from the week. I need to get back to that and sharing more posts on social media.

[Glogirly and Katie]

Great advise, Robbi! I really like the idea of sharing others posts too. I need to do more of that. Caren is great about helping other bloggers.

I've been trying to post daily too, but sometimes that means I can't comment back every day. Sure wish there was an app for more time! ...I could use that!

; ) Glogirly

[Deena]

Thanks for the great advice. If you can't post as often as you'd like, write up a few posts when you can and schedule the publication for later days. It's so important to give as well as get - commenting on other blogs and responding to comments on yours keeps the love (and the links)flowing!

[Alle@techdealsmag]

I agree with the points you made in your post. This is the kind of blog care advice that I grew up on, in a manner of speaking. I started blogging a few years back and this is what I was told. Respond to comments and let people know you appreciate their visits.

I must say it has worked for me. I have a consistent group of readers now and they are always willing to give feedback. I see a trend nowadays where several bloggers don't even acknowledge the comments that are given. I think it's an extension of the way that they treat people when they are face to face.

[Loy Cerf]

Hi Everybody! As a newbie blogger, I have found your comments and column to be incredibly helpful. Thanks so much. I viewed my first Wordless Wednesday last week and had lots of fun and met some really nice people via comments. I would like to attempt to blog hop. However, my blog is only sporadically pet related. Would it be okay to run a pet picture some Wednesday? Thanks again!