I uncovered an older but yet still well written ‘guide to getting blog readers’. It starts off with a very appropriate quote by Dylan Hunt: “Every man is the hero of his own story.”

“How do you get people to read your blog? This guide will tell you how to gain readers, how, in effect, to be heard. It discusses how to approach blog content, design, launch, writing your blog, marketing and revisions.”

Read on for my dissection of this informative, albeit lengthy, article.

Several interesting points to consider in the beginning:

• “Creating a popular blog is, for better or worse, like being popular at a party.”
• “It is possible to launch a blog without a plan. But the probability of success is much lower.”
• “What you will notice is that, in all successful blogs, there’s something in it for the author.”
• “Don’t just pick something and say “I’m going to write about that.” Study yourself, and write about the things you’re already thinking about.”
• “…without some discipline, one day [of not posting] will slide into a week, one week will slide into two, and then you’ll have no readers because you aren’t writing anything.”
• “Design makes your content accessible, and that increases your readership.”
• Use a liquid layout (one that expands or shrinks with the browser window) if possible
• Ping blogging services like Technorati

According to the article there are several design aspects popular blogs have in common:

• Easy to read
• Load quickly
• Have a unique visual identity
• Have light (usually white) backgrounds
• Simple
• Use font sizes well
• Use color well

The article also lists speed as an important factor and warns against too much content on your homepage – especially images and doodads such as gadgets.

Once you’ve considered all of the above it’s time to generate an information flow:

• Compile RSS feeds from sites you already read (and be on the lookout for others) using an RSS aggregator.
• Use Yahoo! Groups or Google Groups for groups that interest you.

It is important that you don’t simply reword other content for many reasons. As pointed out in the article, “What you want to do now is to add value to the item you are writing about.” For example, this writeup of the original article is saving you the pain of reading through the lengthy article by providing quick access to the main points.

Concerning your writing style:

• “As time goes by, and as you consider more items, you will settle into your own style.”
• “…over time develop a critical stance with respect to the material you read, a frame of reference that assists you in understanding, putting into context, and assessing resources. This is a good thing, and you should watch for it as it develops in your writing. Don’t force it; just let it flow as you respond to individual items.”
• “Eventually, you should acquire something like the following habit: if it needs to be written, blog it.”

But even doing and considering what is described above won’t get you a single reader because none of it has much to do with people knowing you exist. How do you get the word out there?

• “If you have business cards, put your blog address on your card.”
• “If you send an email, make sure you have a proper signature that includes… your blog address.”
• Check out this excellent Best Blog Directory and RSS Submission Sites article
• When reading other blogs, leave comments that includes your blog address.
• “After having written a few posts, new bloggers should send an introductory email to those bloggers they perceive to be leaders in the field.”
• “Go to conferences.”

Some of the article’s final advice suggests to highlight certain content:

• From time to time you will produce something of extraordinary importance or value. When this happens (and only when this happens) make a special effort to ensure people are able to find it.
• Send an email to some prominent bloggers in your field advising that you have something of extra value. Keep the email short, offering a clickable link directly to the item and a short paragraph describing the content.

And one final note: “Listen to your readers. Respect your readers.” After all, your readers are what you blog for.

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