3 tips on how to build an audience for your craft blog

Posted April 14th, 2009 by kath_red

tipscraftblogging

Starting a craft blog can be a fun but also daunting prospect. If you are a blog lurker and eager to start your own blog but not quite sure what to write or if you already have a craft blog and would like to build your audience and participate more fully in the craft blog community – then tune in over the coming weeks for tips and ideas on how to build a better craft blog.

Reaching out to others and building an audience are integral to the blogging experience – reaching out to a community of like minded people is why many people start blogging in the first place. But it takes time to build a readership, time to develop your unique voice and time to find others who feel the same way as you do. But how do you ‘meet’ other like minded souls in the big blog universe? And how to get them to find you?

1. Read others blogs and comment on stories/posts that you genuinely connect with.

  • Do comment when it adds to the conversation or you have something relevant to say.
  • Don’t comment in the hopes that others will then read your blog.

    • In return, when your readers leave a comment on your blog, email you or link to you, then return the favour. This starts the process of blog networking and you may just meet some new friends in the process.

  • You don’t have to answer every comment, although in the beginning you may want to.
  • If you can’t return every comment then at least contribute to the discussion within the comments section


    • 2. Network and develop relationships with other blogs in your blog circle.
    Developing relationships with other blogs within your chosen niche is very important to developing your blog as part of the community. Being generous with your time and ideas shows that you are a committed and dedicated member of the community.

  • Do email other blogs in your blog circle and introduce yourself in a friendly way.
  • Do participate in guest blog swaps if you can – send in tips or articles to blogs that may publish them.
  • Do promote each other, be generous, participate in building a strong community, share ideas and links.
  • Don’t be upset if your reaching out to fellow bloggers does not get a response the first time – try and try again.

    • 3. Participate and join blog projects
    One important way of Joining the community that you are interested in is to join in on community events.

  • Don’t overdo the memes – the occasional one is fun and interesting – only participate in the ones you connect with.
  • Do participate in, and eventually host, craft-alongs – knit-alongs, virtual quilting bees and swaps.
  • Don’t make promises you can’t keep, don’t start something you can’t finish – as this will only alienate you from the group.
  • Do host blog carnivals – this not only brings a new audience, it adds some variety to your usual posts.
  • Do host competitions and giveaways, this brings readers out of the woodwork and you may have a chance to ‘meet’ your readers.
  • Do occasional polls and quizzes – everyone loves a chance to voice their opinion – and this also brings lurkers out of the shadows.
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    6 Comments on “3 tips on how to build an audience for your craft blog”

    1. nicole Says:
      April 14th, 2009 at 7:51 am

      great series.

    2. The Dabbling Crafter Says:
      April 14th, 2009 at 10:05 pm

      Good tips!

    3. Sandra Says:
      April 16th, 2009 at 3:31 am

      Thank you! This is very helpful. I read with my pencil and post-it note in hand :-)

    4. Lois Says:
      May 8th, 2009 at 6:29 pm

      Thank you for your generosity in sharing this oh, so valuable information. Your pay it forward spirit is greatly appreciated.

      Regards, foxygknits

    5. Spring cleaning: more jewelry business tips : Jewelry and Beading - Jewelry Making and Beading Says:
      May 10th, 2009 at 8:00 am

      [...] Whip Up featured a post of tips for better craft blogging.  Many jewelry artists are trying to increase their “brand recognition” through regular blogging, and here’s what Kath Red has to say about that: 3 tips on how to build an audience for your craft blog [...]

    6. cloud9 design Says:
      May 27th, 2009 at 9:50 pm

      great post. lots of good ideas.

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