Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
What do I know to increase blog traffic? Enough to help you stop wasting time and get on with the business of promoting your blog! My blog has been up for only ten months but my traffic has increased over 400% by following the rules below.
Part 1
- Focus Keyword – Pick a focus word or phrase that best represents your story. Put the focus word in the title of your article. Copy your focus word into the focus keyword section of the WordPress SEO exactly as you have it in the title. Then use the focus word or phrase in the first sentence, last sentence and several times in the story. For example, my focus keyword for this article is “increase blog traffic.”
- Hash Tags – Use hash tags carefully. According to Linda Lee of http://www.askmepc.com/, “I do not recommend you adding hash tags in your Meta section at all. Besides getting penalized in Google for it, if not now for sure later, hash tags often break code.” Take it from an expert!
http://www.billhartzer.com/pages/why-hashtags-are-spam-hashtags/
3. SEO Check – Run the SEO check before you publish your blog. You will be surprised at how many little things you can do to increase your traffic. WordPress SEO by Yoast plug-in uses a color-coding system to rate how well your blog post is doing. The system is based on a stoplight. You want to turn a red, orange or yellow to green.
4. Meta Description – Here you have a chance to hook the readers. They will see this description when searching for your files. Example:
Charity and the Chump-Life Lessons for Teens-Stacey Gustafson …
http://staceygustafson.com/charity-and-the-chump-life-lessons-for-teens/ – 37k – Cached –Similar pagesAug 7, 2013 … “Are you kidding me?” I blurted out. “NEED MONEY FOR SCOTTISH FESTIVAL!” “Just trying to keep it real lady.” Once inside, I discussed with …
Congratulations, you’re on your way to increase blog traffic. Check out my blog, staceygustafson.com for more writers’ tips.
Do you have any tips you want to share? Feel free to leave a comment!
About staceygustafson
AVAILABLE NOW!
Stacey, thanks for the great tips on increasing blog traffic. I will be with you in spirit November 14 at your East Bay book-signing event. Wish I could be there!
PatNelson, co-creator of Not Your Mother’s Book . . . On Being a Parent.
Thanks Pat. We are really getting excited about the book signing at Bay Books. They have done a bang up job promoting on their website and in store. http://www.baybooks.us/event/not-your-mothers
I’ll be there and looking forward to it.
You can do it! Glad to offer you a few tips for a change.
Stacey, I’ve been using the same SEO plugin by Yoast. It takes some effort to flip it to green and do the stuff it wants me to do. Good to know that the effort pays off in the long run. Thanks.
Repeating the keyword is easiest way to turn your blog green. Don’t forget to put the keyword in photos too.
Thanks, Stacey! I need that kind of info since I’m just getting started. I plan to be at the book
Launch on the 14th.
Stay tuned for more tips in a few weeks. See you Thur.Thanks.