7 decisive ways to increase your blog’s audience and engagement

Honestly, the world is blogged-out. What possible uniqueness can I bring?

I have heard this question presented over and over as a blogger influencer coach. Maybe you are reading this and asking yourself the same question? But, guess what? It is certainly not too late to start a blog in any niche. People will value the fresh perspective that only you can offer (within any niche). Your audience will flock to you for a reason and stick with you.

Let’s talk about how to make your audience know you (appropriately) and stick around.

Here are 7 decisive ways to increase your blog’s audience and engagement

1. Search on Google.

Google provides answers to questions related to any niche — including that of blogger influencers. Google Analytics is always transparent. If you want to know what your audience is searching for — spend time trying out different keywords in your niche to see what pops up first.

Are there ads related to your niche? What type of ads? Where?

If you start to notice lots of ads are being purchased in relation to your blog’s niche, that is a good sign the topic is trending/there is money in it. Google Support walks you through the steps of setting up ads and optimization to filter your target demographic in a way that suits your blog.

You can also use Pinterest to learn what is trending ( how?) because it is curated from consumers just like you! Personally, Pinterest alone has tripled my website traffic. A recent Hootsuite study confirmed that “85% of women users use Pinterest to plan ‘life moments‘.

And only 53 percent of those women said they use Facebook to plan these moments, and 44 percent use Instagram”. Based on these statistics, we know search engines (like Google and even Pinterest) are essential to connecting with your audience and marketing your blog.

Researching your audience’s pain points on search engines can take time — but it is free, necessary, and easy.

2. Be responsive.

Whenever you receive commentary, emails, questions, inquiries, etc. from a member in your audience — respond intentionally! Being actively appreciative of members in your target audience builds trust and comfort.

That individual will not only be more likely to come back and interact again, but she will be more prone to tell other potential consumers/customers about your blog. To take this a step further, cultivate conversations via your emails.

Write your emails talking to one person rather than a collective group. It allows that receiver to feel special and like the content was tailored specifically for her growth and feedback. Showing up consistently, asking your audience questions, and developing intentional conversation is a key marketing tactic for all your platforms.

3. Engage (genuinely) on social.

Take the time to form new, organic connections on social. It is easier now than ever before to build relationships, virtually.

Try sending voice memos on Instagram telling a member in your audience why you enjoy her content. Sending voice memos on Instagram allows you to take connecting a step further than a written message. In fact, the personal/ individual struggle of voice confrontation reveals that voice memos are relational tools to advance our communicational and professional growth. Your audience should feel an intentional, mutual bond that pushes them to follow along your blogging journey. The seeds of trust and gratitude are not easily un-rooted. So, start planting those seeds, now!

4. Ask targeted questions

Too often a female, blogger influencer curates content that is not responsive to the true needs of her target audience.

For example, she creates a video that is marketed via the question “Do you want to lose weight and feel beautiful about yourself this summer?” And then the blogger gives tips, offers her services, etc. Instead of asking what the woman in her market is truly revealing as a pain point — which is, “Do you want to lose 20 pounds this summer to fit into that swimsuit you haven’t been able to wear in years?”

This later example represents a specific need a member of the blogger’s audience is struggling with. The question is detailed and tangible — not broad and vague. Ask your ideal client/audience member what she is struggling with! You can do this both in emails and on social media. Disclose what your audience truly struggles with and then curate content to alleviate that struggle.

5. Get input and apply it

In a recent Instagram post, I told my audience member to ask me any questions related to being a blogger influencer (tips, concerns, struggles, ideas, etc). I assured my followers that I would answer all questions via email the following week. (And yep — this expanded my email list ?). It was a ton of fun to read the struggles, curiosity, and creativity of my ideal audience. Following through with my promise, I sent an email back answering all the questions/inquiries presented. This activity built trust, community, and knowledge around my platform. My application of real input created an opportunity for me to bond with struggling bloggers and provide the inspiration, wisdom, and applicable tips they craved. Relationship building takes time — but when you have built your community on a strong foundation your connections will thrive. 

Did we mention that it’s FREE!

6. Make your audience a part of your story

Consistency also builds trust and money-making connections. If you are going through personal trials (we all do) and need a social detox or a time-out from your blogging endeavors — tell your audience! It is not necessary to go into massive detail on your trials (unless you choose to do so). Simply communicating your basic circumstance will build respect and appreciation. It will make your audience a part of your journey.

Nothing is worse than seeing your favorite (once consistent) blogger influencer going totally ghost with no explanation. This creates a disconnect, alienation, and distrust between you and a target audience member. We do not want that! Communicate real-life struggles/your need for self-care with these real people who are following your blog. The right members will relate and be grateful for your transparency as a blogger.

7. Always stay in tune with your “why”

Before I narrowed my blog’s focus — my blog was aimlessly shouting information to the wind and no one was sticking around. Why? In the wise words of Stephen Herfst, “By being everything to everyone, you’re nothing to anyone”. No one knew what value I was truly offering, and frankly neither did I. Your authentic, unique voice is a superpower. Staying focused and consistent with your mission and purpose builds a sturdy foundation that your audience will feel comfortable listening to and supporting.

Your values are the system by which you filter every choice with your blog. If a brand collaboration, affiliate program, event, etc. is out of alignment with those values — it is a no for your blogging business. No exceptions. Staying powerfully aligned with specifically who you want to help and why you want to help that person is key to connecting with your audience as a blogger. Fine-tuning your niche gives your blog a necessary, targeted voice.

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Since narrowing my focus and actively practicing connection-building as a blogger influencer — my impact has skyrocketed. I have gone from 20 subscribers to 100’s (and growing), a few (often spammy) Instagram post comments to 100’s of engaging responders, lacking in collaborative community to running my own Facebook community group, and zero dollars in sales to more money in one day than I’d make in a couple of weeks my previous 9-5 jobs. Tremendous growth can happen for you, too! Harness these seven money-making steps and skyrocket your blog’s impact.

Let’s Review the Seven Money-Making Ways to Connect With Your Audience as a Blogger.

1. Search on Google.
2. Be responsive.
3. Engage (genuinely) on socials.
4. Ask targeted questions.
5. Get input and apply it.
6. Make your audience a part of your story.
7. Always stay in tune with your “why”.

Are you struggling to keep powerful, genuine connections or the attention of your audience as a blogger? Ever feel like you are shouting into this virtual, but no one hears you or is shouting back? We can work through these roadblocks, together!

Leave a comment — let’s chat! This space too is a community.

Connect with Morgan

Morgan Tyner is your RAW truth provider, direct, genuine + wicked capable creator bestie you’ve always wanted. A vibrant speaker, life coach & business mentor, Morgan’s genius is helping women embrace their capabilities, take messy action & monetize their passions of creating via their authentic voice. ChicaConfident.com was founded in 2017 exists to empower, educate, and enrich the professional skills, lives, & relationships of entrepreneurially-minded bloggers everywhere.