I have been doing this blog for a few years now but with only mediocre success. I get on average 100 or so hits a day with most of them coming from people searching for P90x. Once in a while I will get some feedback or comments but not very often. Then I see blogs pop up and within days their traffic seems to soar, even with only a few posts. Their content doesn't seem to be any better but their reader feedback on the posts they do have is amazing.
So this is the part where I ask my readers for help on making my blog better. What type of content is missing from this site that would really draw you as a reader in? Do I need to add more pictures to make this blog more personal, etc? My goal is to really be able to interact with people on here. I want this site to be a place that people want to visit. What do you think it would take to make it that destination?
I am looking for constructive feedback here: good or bad. I really do want to know. I want to make this site better.
One Life to Live
Well, I'm no one to be giving advice here since my own blog is way behind yours in traffic LOL But I do know what I like to see in a blog. I do like a face behind the writing. All I can see now is your back from that video on the right. Yes, you have a page with pics but not everybody clicks on that. So you should put a face pic, a big one, in the main page (if you ask me). And some more pics on the everyday posts too. It's not surprising that the good looking folks have more visits, specially the ex-fatties who know look good because they're fitter now. You got the looks, so use them!
ReplyDeleteI think that a good advice is to re-read your own last 10-15 blog post and think "If I was reading this, not writing it, what would I like to read about next? What's the trend?" I read some blogs where people struggle with weight loss, so in a way, I go there to read (really long posts) about how good or bad they're doing with their struggle in an emotional level. Other blogs I read about weekly progress pics on bodybuilding, so I like to see pics there. Or blogs about chicks being fit while they bitch about their lousy dates, so I expect that "bad date" humour on those. Or some powerlifting blogs where all you see is numbers of weights and the occasional video of a powerlifting meeting. I even follow a blog about this WW leader-runner girl who drinks beer every night and maintance her weight. I expect to read about running, WW and lots of pics of her cheering her drink to the webcam LOL
But you aren't those bloggers. Your blog isn't about crying a long post about how you're trying to lose weight, you're not a professional bodybuilder, you're not a fit chick dating, you're not a powerlifter, etc... So, what do you exactly blog about? I know the answer, I know why *I* read your blog, but really you should re-read it and find your "trend", your niche, and take it from there! Oh, did I mentioned that pics wouldn't hurt?
BTW, 100 clicks a day is NOT bad at all!!!
Now that was some great feedback! I have thought about the pictures thing before and now that you mentioned it, I need to look into putting something up that will flow nice with the theme.
ReplyDeleteI also like your idea of reading through my posts and trying to determine what my niche is. You are right in saying that I am kind of random. Sometimes I have something useful to say and other times its just completely random.
You gave me some great advice. Thanks!
Glad you liked it! I just went over 4 pages of your blog (to have a fresh image of it) and your'e NOT random! I see a paleo/primal trend, a leangains trend, and your life with all the hospital thing (wich sucks, I'm sorry you had to go throught that, but you got a happy ending at least).
ReplyDeleteLike I said, I'm noone to give advice because I don't own a super popular blog. But since you're doing paleo/primal, what are your eats? Any recipes to share?
I saw the pic of the bed where you were sleeping at the hospital. I would have loved to see a morning pic of you with the bad hair and sleepy eyes there. It just makes it more real, ya know?
And I think you nailed it in the "FAIL" post. I don't want to read about this "gringo" with big biceps and blonde hair and (yes, I'll say it again because I must) better looks than me posting how he's being perfect and I'm not. We all struggle. We all feel like skipping the gym sometimes. We all eat crap now and then. That makes us human. We feel "that guy looks better than me", no matters if you are actually Brad Pitt. There's always someone else doing better. I would love to read about your struggles as well. That will probably summon a plethora of comments on the side of "Dude, I feel the same way!"
Also, be more more active on Twitter, dude! Find a pic that's special as the avatar (so you are easily remembered), and interact more! Soon enough, people starts to read your blog because they wanna know more about this guy that interacts a lot with them.
I was actually thinking on the way into work this morning that I may start blogging more about my struggles and successes with weight, fitness, and eating and less about trying to come across as perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your suggestions and for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated!
I recently found your blog by searching for lean gains, so that might be another key word that shall get you some hits. Once I read some of your other posts I've become intrigued about your progress and what has worked for you and what has not. I have subscribed and and will be keeping an eye on what's coming up. I agree with Reinaldo's advice, I like seeing pictures in every post. They should be representative of the post, so if you're talking about changes in your body composition, a picture showing that would make it more shareable.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of the blogs that get traffic get them thanks to people wanting to share the links with others. Pictures definitely make them more interesting.
It also seems like you are very willing to interact with your readers, so another thing you could do would be maybe post some of the more interesting questions/comments in a weekly, or monthly or something like that post where you answer the questions that others might also have.
Good luck and looking forward to reading more.
Welcome to my blog. Always happy to have new visitors. I noticed you following me on twitter as well. When I looked at your profile, I noticed San Diego. I actually lived in San Diego for a number of years. Great city (as you are well aware I am sure!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your advice. I am definitely going to be posting more pics (and maybe some video as well). I am eager to start growing this blog and really getting to know more people. I am hoping through that, I can help others that have struggled just as I have.
Thanks again for your comments!
Thanks for the follow back on Twitter. And yes I am in San Diego, have been here for 7 years and like it a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to share links on Twitter that hopefully will get you more traffic.
San Diego definitely is a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI would appreciate any traffic you could forward. :)