#1 Factor In Growing Blog Traffic
Time.
It is really that simple. You know what the #1 factor which correlates highest with the reputation of a college? How long ago it was founded. Older colleges have more prestige.
Can you ever imagine a 20 year old getting elected president (assuming it was legal)? Of course not. Not enough time.
There are a few exceptions, but most big blogs were around for several years before they became big.
More time = more posts = more long tail Google searches.
More time = more reputation and authority
More time = more likelihood of getting lucky with a big post
Too many people want traffic NOW and it just isn’t going to happen.
My blog is about my travels around the world. Saying “I’ve been to 45 countries” has a lot more clout than saying “I plan on going to 45 countries” which is where I was 18 months ago.
Most bloggers just don’t have the patience to stick it out.
November 1st, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Lot’s of truth to that. A friend of mine started a blog yesterday while we were hanging out and was joking how he was shocked he still had no rss subscribers or comments 3 hours after it’s inception.
That got me thinking… Anyone who makes something big has been at it for a while. There are those who just walk into a casino and pull a slot and win big but that is luck. Most people who make something of value have been at it for a while.
That brings up another issue which is those who do make a name for themselves truly are passionate about what they do or they would of given up long ago for the long long wait to start seeing ANY results.
Good post; it’s true.
Also remember once you make a name for yourself your second project is that much easier…
Enjoy the rest of your travels Gary!
November 4th, 2008 at 6:20 am
A lot of people give up when they’re still trying to crack 100 RSS subs, little do they know the 100′s after come easier for all the reasons you state above.
November 4th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Yeah… that’s a very unfortunate fact but it makes sense. People just have a hard time accepting it because of how they see others getting instant fame on the internet overnight. They hope they will become the next internet phenomenon or success. But very few get that lucky.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
This is good advice. I remember when I started my first blog I submitted to all sorts of search engines and link directories sure that the traffic would just come pouring in.
Then I realized: Wait a minute, there’s only a few posts so far. Why would people visit this site or even reach it by search engine?
As time has passed though, I now have nearly 200 posts, a Google PR of 3 and I get about a thousand visits a week.
Time really is the best way to grow your blog, provided that you’re actually doing something during that time.
NathanKP – Inkweaver Review
November 9th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Different niches rise through the ranks differently too. A technology related blog might network across the net faster than say a blog about power tools that contractors use.
November 9th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Good stuff is placed here and that’s why I recall Scorpion’s Still Loving You which stats
Time, it needs time
To win back your love again
I will be there, I will be there
November 17th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Great post here, Gary. I agree with you totally that it takes time to grow blog traffic. Sometimes, though, you need to take advantage of time. You can’t just wait for everything to come.
December 6th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Of all the posts I’ve read on increasing blog traffic, this one just sticks out. We recently launched a blog and are already finding that long tail searches do indeed drive traffic. Maybe not a whole lot at the moment, by increasing the number of relevant and quality articles, no doubt a function of time, traffic should continue to grow. Thanks for matter of fact post!
July 27th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
If we have enough time we’ll be gaining enough networking ability and fellowship with each other, building up the connections. So apart from quality content, I would enhance your point by:
#1 Factor in Blog Traffic : Time spent on social networking (which includes blogging as well) —- applicable only if both content and attitude are no problem for the particular blogger. ^^
We all need that bit of a luck.
@wchingya
Social/Blogging
July 29th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
As I launch my blog, I think this article is a ‘slap-on-the-back-of-the-head’ I needed to be reminded to be patient. With the right content AND right marketing, the traffic will come, but not with just one of the two. Thanks!
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
The thing is, running a blog is just like anything else in the world. The more effort you put into it, the more in return your likely to get.
The problem is, most people are lazy and want instant success. Most bloggers do not want to spend 2 – 3 years working on their site. They expect to open it, and in 2 or 3 months to have the money rolling in. But that is not the way it works.
The more work you put into something, the greater the reward. And that applies to blogging as well.
November 12th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Indeedy… I’ve been at it for probably 9months. And I know the problem is content. I have to make more. I believe that what I have is valuable, and I get good feedback, but I need more of it. And the number 1 ingredient for more content is…… yup, MORE TIME.
A work in progress, and yes, patience is critical in this journey
Thanks for the reminder!
P.