When I first started this blog, I entertained a misconception that I believe is shared by most new bloggers, and some experienced ones too. I believed that all traffic is created equal. How wrong I was – and perhaps for more reasons than you think.
I have spoken on previous occasions about how targeted traffic is by far the most valuable to a blogger. That 10 highly targeted visitors are far more valuable to you than 100 “random” browsers. But it goes beyond that. The most highly-targeted of your visitors, what I like to call your “groupies“, are a rare asset when you first start blogging.
These guys and girls are the first to comment, the first to share, and the first to make contact with you. And if you want to build your blog upon solid foundations, you should treat them like rockstars.
Consider Your Own Blogging Habits
How many brand new blogs do you visit and get involved with? Probably not that many. By blogging’s very nature, you are far more likely to become attached to big blogs – ones that carry weighty social proof.
That is why it is so hard to gain momentum as a new blogger – the odds are stacked against you. Even if you produce stunning content, you’re still in for a struggle, as the social proof isn’t there.
So every single person that casts contemporary means of judgment aside and chooses to engage with you should become your new best friend. As I say, not all traffic is created equal, and one rabid fan in the making can potentially be worth 1,000s of visitors in the future.
How So?
A few reasons. Each new “groupie” is likely to:
- Tweet out your new posts on a regular basis
- Heartily recommend your blog to others
- Comment on your posts
All three of these vital ingredients combine to make a delicious blog growth cake. They form the explanation as to why all traffic is not created equal.
Some visitors just bring themselves to the party. Others can bring visitors in their tens, hundreds, or even thousands.
So please – recognize each and every one of the “early adopters” to your blog for the valuable asset that they are. Help them as much as possible. If you can cultivate a group of highly-loyal fans, not only will you have a wonderful foundation upon which to build your blog’s exposure, your following should grow exponentially over time.
Creative commons images courtesy of Simon Davison, John Seb Barber and HMCNews
Yeah, this article is about me.
xoxo
Narcissism in Houston
…did you learn from it? 😉
It enforces some of my thoughts and definitely makes me want to connect with the MathFourTicians more.
Tom,
You made a good point here and I hadn’t thought of it until recently. I had been following the mindset that other bloggers are not my audience and will never buy from me when I start selling something.
I still loved seeing them comment, but I knew I wasn’t writing for them. And while this may be true, there have been critical to the growth and popularity of my blog.
For anyone starting a blog with the intention of creating a business, your dedicated readers are worth much more than someone who will buy your $15 eBook and never return.
You hit it on the head when you say that there are your groupies and are an integral part of your blog’s growth.
I’ve come to appreciate my regular readers/commenters MUCH more. My blog might be dead in the water right now if it weren’t for awesome people like you, Benny Hsu, and Adrienne Smith to name a few.
I’ve gotten connected with some big names in the online world because of my readers and now that my blog has taken a much more personal turn, I am so, so ,so grateful to have these people as my support system…
Thanks for bringing this up..
No problem Steve. It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if someone won’t buy your product, they’re no good to you. Whilst one person might not buy your product, they might recommend it to 5 others who will. Things aren’t as black and white as they seem…
Thanks for dropping by! 🙂
Tom,
No doubt about it, the target traffic is for more valuable than just any old traffic. of course any traffic I get I consider a great thing, but like you said someone who’ll visit you again and again continue to promote, comment and be an evangelist for your material is worth hundreds of casual visitors because of the long-term value they are to your site.
Steve
Couldn’t have put it better myself. That perspective on traffic is something a lot of bloggers do not have.
Thanks for your continued support Steve – I really appreciate it.
Spot on bro-sef!
– tork
I have no clue what you are talking about but I’m just gonna nod and smile 😉
I think that was “street” for, “you’re right, my brother!” 🙂
Thank you for the translation 😉
Nice article, Tom 😉
Thanks for posting this! All of your posts are really down to earth, useful, and based in truth. I can definitely relate to not reading enough blogs. If I’m not reading other blogs, why should someone read mine?!
That’s one way of looking at it!