There is a delicious Chinese restaurant on the outskirts of my city. It’s one of those restaurants that you would miss if you were just zipping along the street. It’s one of those restaurants that is truly one of a kind, the kind that is managed and operated by a single person.
Janet, who is from China, has introduced thousands of people to authentic Chinese dishes, and these people keep coming back for more. As I was thinking about my favorite stop, I realized some of Janet’s tactics can be applied to blogging.
Claim Your Niche
Finding a niche for your blog is essential. Once you decide what need in the market you are going to fill, hold onto that vision and claim your space. Janet proudly displays a banner outside her restaurant that proclaims it has “The Best Chinese in Town.”
Blogs that announce their mission are more likely to be perceived as a professional resource, which can help your blog grow. Announcing your mission is more than just stating your cause; each of your posts needs to help you claim your niche.
Listen to Your Readers
Every time I sit down at the Chinese restaurant and Janet takes my order, she knows what my favorite item on the menu is and asks if that’s what I’ll have. Sure, this is partly because I’m a regular, but I’m not the only one. I’ve seen Janet do the same for her other customers. Listening to your readers is one of the best ways to get to know them and learn what kinds of posts are most likely to get more clicks and more social media shares.
Help Each Reader Feel Valued
The walls of Janet’s restaurant are covered in pictures of her customers enjoying her food. It has become a sort of claim to fame to be included on these walls and if you’re lucky, Janet will put multiple pictures of you on the wall. Customers love to come in and find a picture of their table of friends from their last visit.
But, to Janet, these aren’t just faces without names. She remembers each customer, what is going on in their lives and is able to strike up a conversation with them. As a blogger, fostering individual relationships with new and returning readers is an excellent way to build a dedicated public.
As you build and maintain your blog, claiming your niche, listening to your readers and helping each of your visitors feel valued will help your blog grow. If you don’t have the time or resources to take these steps, a freelance writer can help you create content and build a readership.