Anyone who has been in the blogging business for a certain period of time knows the importance of generating organic traffic. Getting visitors to come to your blog through other avenues is all well and good, but you really want to be able to depend on getting a lot of organic traffic coming directly from Google searches or other search engine queries.
Even though Google is constantly tweaking its algorithm and changing the parameters that determine rankings in search results, there are some basic rules to quality online marketing that always garner positive results. As an example of these pillars of promotion, here are five essential tips that you should follow if you want to increase the amount of organic traffic coming to your blog.
Optimize your keywords
All internet marketers will tell you that keywords are probably the most important aspect of generating organic traffic. These keywords that you use on your blog essentially inform the search engines about your site and what its contents include. Because of this, it can definitely be said that keywords are the cornerstone of every SEO strategy. When optimizing your keywords, you need to make sure to include all of the topics that someone looking for content similar to what your site offers would search for in Google. The best way to go about it is to put yourself in the position of someone who is looking for blogs that are similar to yours and then decide what the most important keywords would be in the effort to find your site and your blog posts through Google.
Keep your content constant
Another thing that Google rates above just about anything else is good, original content that is updated very regularly. It is important to have a constant influx of new content on your blog. Of course, the quality of your content is equally important as the quantity. Posting up random blog posts that have little to do with your blog’s main focus just to keep your content fresh is not going to help you out much. By constantly updating your site with quality content, you are also doing exactly what it takes to not only grow a readership, but to maintain it as well. Modifying old content and updating it with new information regularly while time stamping the changes that you have made will also improve the chances of your old content being re-indexed at a higher position by Google.
Spend time on other blogs
Developing a personal blog roll is also something that can really help you out. By keeping track of other blogs that are similar to yours, you are able to find inspiration for new content, follow the latest trends in your niche, and also see what the more successful blogs are doing and what is working for them. Another excellent thing to do is participate in these other blogs and comment on blog posts posted on other blogs that are relevant to your area of expertise. By communicating with the readers and owners of these sites, you are showing that you are an expert in these areas as well, which will often result in people reading your comments later checking out your blog.
Guest post on other blogs
Guest posting is yet another excellent way to increase organic traffic to your site and build a very solid reputation within the blogging community. When you get one of your guest posts published on another blog that is similar to yours and is well respected in this field, not only are you getting high quality links going to your blog from these other blogs, but you are also showing that you are someone who is respected as a blogger in your field. Likewise, getting other bloggers to submit high quality guest blogs for your site can also help stimulate organic traffic – it’s all about building a rapport with other bloggers and increasing your visibility.
Socialize
Once you have your keywords in place, excellent content flowing into your blog regularly and have established a reputation in the blogosphere, now it’s time to get the word out. Attacking the social networks is a great way to gain new readers and get your blog’s name out. The more people visit your blog, the bigger the chances are that they will enjoy it and start talking about it – which means that the chances of having your blog discussed and shared will increase along with your presence in search engines. One mistake people often make is using all social media outlets in the same way. Take the time to get to know what works best on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other sites, because the audiences are all different and they all respond to content and promotion differently. Using social media responsibility and wisely without spamming can help you increase organic traffic, further establish your blogging reputation and increase contacts within your corner of the blog world.
By following these five most basic tips, you will be sure to naturally and positively promote your blog and get that organic traffic that every blogger covets and desires to have.
