When running your own blog, one of key things you focus on is getting traffic to your blog, right? So, now you might be wondering: “This is easy! But, how can people actually come back to my blog?”
Well, I have gladly created this post to help you get your readers to return to your blog, so that you can get them to take action.
I mean, simply getting traffic isn’t enough. You need to get people to come back to your blog, so that they eventually buy what you have to offer/sign up to your email list/whatever you want them to do to increase your conversions.
And whether you’re selling products, offering services or including affiliate links in your blog posts, you obviously want your traffic to convert so that you can make an income from your blog.
I mentioned in this post how a few things need to be in place in order for people to buy from you. One of the main things is trust. And the more they see your content, the more likely they will purchase something from you.
So, without waiting any longer, let’s have a look at a few things you can offer to make people come back to your blog, and how you can implement it into your blogging strategies…
13 Things you can offer to make people come back to your blog
Table of Contents
Before diving in, I just want to mention why you want people to return to your blog, again and again. It’s not just for selling, but you also want to build trust with them and create brand awareness. A loyal following will lead to more loyal followers, because your readers will begin to share your content with others…
You need to create a blog for readers, who will come back every time, so that they can get to know, like and trust you even more…
1. Write new blog posts on a regular basis
The first way to make people come back to your blog is by providing the main content of your blog: blog posts, of course!
You have to make an effort to post blog posts on a frequent basis. If people return to your blog, hoping to find something new and you don’t write as often, they will stop coming back.
Also, make sure that your content are high quality, helpful posts so that they will definitely bookmark your pages, save your pins on Pinterest, or even sign up to your email list. Make sure your blog posts contain valuable content, are easily readable and provide actionable content.
Make sure your blog posts stand out from the rest! Also, your posts shouldn’t be just more quick 500 word post with self-explaining content everyone has already seen somewhere else.
What is actionable content?
There are many types of actionable content that you can provide on your blog. As long is there is something in it for them, too, you can really build up a loyal audience this way.
One way is whenever a reader comes to your blog, you want them to take action – either by signing up to your email list, buy your digital product, purchase something through your affiliate link, leave a comment below your post, or what have you. This is also known as a “call to action” and you can encourage them to do this by offering something in return, i.e. a free PDF guide, a discount code, entry into a giveaway, and so on. Sooo many ideas!
You can also provide blog posts that contain actionable steps or tutorials that your readers can follow, so that they can get the result they wanted to receive when clicking on your post in the first place – this will build trust, because you have provided them with a solution to their problem, i.e. How to create a crochet pattern from scratch, or how to lay hardwood floors in your newly renovated kitchen..
Example: Actionable content in your blog posts can make it easier for your readers to apply the tips and advice you give. If they get used to your blog as a source of actionable steps and tutorials, they will return to your blog for more…
Pro Tip: Encourage your readers to sign up to your email list so that you can let them know about new content on your blog. You can also make use of social media to let your followers know!
How frequently should I post on my blog?
How frequently you post will depend on the quality of your blog posts. If you tend to write massive, 4000+ word blog posts that contain all the info around a certain topic, you can write less often. These are commonly known among bloggers as “pillar posts”, and Google loves these! You have to keep in mind though, that an inactive blog will decrease your rankings in Google, so make sure to update your blog posts regularly.
Why is it important to post to my blog regularly?
If you post a few blog posts and leave your blog for months without any new content, you’ll not only lose loyal readers, but Google will think that your site is inactive. This will affect your ranking in search engines.
If you cannot find the time to write as often, at least update your blog posts with new paragraphs, links and images to tell Google that your blog is still active.
How long should my blog posts be?
If you’re not a full-time blogger, I cannot simply expect you to write 3000 word posts on a regular basis. However, when you can, you should really focus on larger blog posts as Google will potentially rank your posts higher.
Not to mention, your readers will stay on your blog for longer, which will decrease your bounce rate (i.e. how long someone stays on your site before navigating away) and Google will rank you higher for this as well.
To make sure your readers don’t leave your blog post without taking any action, make sure you answer all the potential questions they might have on the certain topic you’re writing about, or that you provide a solution to their problem.
Remember: Besides high quality blog posts, you also need to keep your readers on your blog by making sure that your site is user friendly, mobile friendly and fast.
2. Offer freebies that will make them come back
Another way to get readers to come back to your blog is by offering freebies. There are two types of freebies you can offer on your blog: Opt-in freebies (also known as a “lead magnet”) and zero opt-in freebies.
An opt-in freebie is something you can offer to your readers, in exchange for them signing up to your e-mail list. For example you can offer them a 2 page PDF checklist in exchange for their e-mail address.
A zero opt-in freebie is something you give to your readers without any strings attached. They don’t have to give you something in return, such as their email address.
There are potentially a lot of readers who will come back once they realize that you offer other free stuff on your blog.
There are so many things you can offer as a freebie on your blog – just make sure they are all related to your blog niche.
Pro Tip: Don’t just give your freebies away without your blog’s branding and clickable links that can bring them back to your blog. Otherwise they will download it and disappear forever. I design all of my digital products (both free and paid) by using Canva (get a taste of Canva Pro for 30 days for free + cancel anytime)…
9 Freebies to offer on your blog
These are not all there is to offer, but it will give you some ideas as a starting point. Think about what you can offer that will actually help your readers solve a potential problem + make sure it is relevant to the blog post/content:
- Checklists
- Printable Planner Pages
- E-books
- Videos
- Podcasts
- Images
- Editable Templates
- Courses and Workbooks
- Free fonts and images (that you have created)
3. Infographics
People are visual beings, and creating infographics is one brilliant way to make people come back to your blog – simply because they know your blog posts come with a very informative image that they can scan (or even save for later).
Scanning an infographic versus reading an entire blog post is way easier. And once people notice that each of your blog posts have a summarized version in the form of an infographic, they will come back for more!
Pro Tip: Make your infographics into longer images, so that it can also be pinned on Pinterest!
Here is an example of an infographic I’ve made in Canva, for this blog post:
4. Reader Engagement
If your readers realize that you actually read their comments and make the effort to reply, they will trust your blog even more, and come back. Make sure your blog has a functioning comment box at the end of each blog post.
And don’t just read the comments on your blog – do so on your social media as well. And if no one is commenting, seek them out! Ask a compelling question at the end of your post, or on your social media and try to get a response from your readers.
Example: People love to answer somewhat personal questions about themselves, so ask them something simple on social media such as their favorite chocolate flavor. Or, ask questions throughout your blog posts to encourage them to comment – you can also ask a question at the end of a blog post.
5. Videos
Like I’ve already mentioned at number 3: people are visual beings. Everyone appreciates a good quality, helpful or encouraging video. So make these and embed them in your blog posts!
The fun thing about videos are that you can create them and post them on your YouTube channel, then you can embed them into your blog posts! So you don’t take your readers away from your blog. Also, this is a great way to direct traffic to your blog – use your YouTube video’s descriptions to add links.
However, I also recommend that you share your videos everywhere so that people can get to know who you are and what you blog about. Luckily, most social media platforms have video features enabled, so you can literally share your videos everywhere.
Warning: Video equipment are expensive! Don’t invest in anything just yet, because it will put you back a few hundred. Make sure you budget for equipment, and when you are positive that it will be a valuable investment, go ahead and purchase. For now, most smartphones are more than good enough for recording videos!
6. Live Stream
People will also become more engaged and confident in your content, if they see who is behind that gorgeous blog of yours!
Most social media platforms have live video features, so post a quick 2 min video just to show people what happens behind the scenes! Or do a live talk on something related to your blog niche – don’t make it too long, though, as people can quickly become bored with someone just talking on a live video!
Make sure you share your live video afterwards, so that people can find it and watch it later, too!
Example: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, among others, all have live video features. However, keep in mind where your audience frequently hangs out so that you can do a live stream on one platform, and simply share that same video to the other platforms.
7. Email
There is a debate amongst bloggers about having an e-mail list, and not having one. Some find that an e-mail list is helpful when you frequently have to send out e-mails about updates, such as courses and products you are offering.
Others, again, feel that an e-mail list is a waste of time, no one ever reads your e-mails, and eventually everyone will unsubscribe. Besides, social media is there for giving updates!
I am the type of blogger who believes that having an email list is crucial. The reason why it is so important to build one right from the start of your brand new blog, is not only to send out updates, but because your email list belongs to you.
What I mean by this is that social media accounts get banned/closed down on a daily basis. Imagine gaining 20,000 followers on Instagram, only to get banned for some obscure reason, and losing your audience completely!
However, your list isn’t going anywhere (unless they unsubscribe, of course). So make sure you build one as soon as possible. If you need some guidance on email lists, here is a post on the basics of planning out your email content and campaigns.
Email do's and don'ts
- Don’t be spammy
- Don’t make every e-mail a salesy one
- Do give people updates about new blog posts
- Do give away free goodies
- Don’t harvest e-mails and spam everyone (it is unlawful!)
- Don’t send an e-mail every 2 seconds
- Do send out e-mails once a week or month
- Make your e-mails interesting to read
- Have an e-mail header and signature
- Use e-mail etiquette and be professional
- Reply to e-mails from readers
- Have an autoresponder for when you are out
- Do use a clean, readable font in a large font size
8. Social Media Updates
If you have a blog, you should probably have follow buttons, too! Let people know that you are on social media and which platforms they can find you on.
This way, you can keep your readers updated about your blog and new content. You get the chance to go viral, gain likes and followers, and they don’t have to give out their e-mail address if they don’t want to – everyone is happy!
Also be sure to check out social media posting times and how frequently you should post, to get the most out of your social media engagement.
By the way, are you following me? 😉
9. Webinars
A webinar is like a seminar, but on the web!
Webinars are great for your followers and readers, because you give more info on a certain topic, for a longer period of time. Some bloggers who have webinars, do it in a series of episodes or with other bloggers (collaborations, or collabs).
The beauty of webinars is that it can be live, contain links and have workshops. You can actively participate with your readers and followers and provide helpful content and information. People love this!
Having a webinar can be so exhilarating, because you can work with other professionals in your niche and provide insight to your followers.
10. Free Courses
If you offer free courses to your readers, they will likely trust your advice and articles even more. You can offer a short 20 min video course or PDF, or, what many bloggers do: Create a 5-day e-mail course!
There are so many niche related courses you can offer! How-to videos and content, information sessions, tutorials and guides, etc.
Always make sure your content is valuable, helpful, unique and inspiring, otherwise your efforts will be in vain.
11. Podcasts
Podcasts are a great way for your audience to get to know you and your content, without having to read your blog posts. If you feel like creating podcasts, you can focus on certain aspects of your blog niche, or do an entire podcast series on a topic!
Podcasts can also be purchased by your audience, and if you give people a preview of what you offer, they are more likely to buy your podcasts. Make sure your podcasts as professional, clear and of high quality as possible.
To get your podcast audience to head over to your blog, you can remind them in the beginning of each episode who you are, for example: “I’m Tanya from curiousfem.com, and this episode is all about…”. Now they know where to find your other content.
Also make sure to mention your other social channels, so that they can follow you there and stay informed of new updates and content.
12. Giveaways and Competitions
People love to win stuff, so giveaways and competitions are a good way to get your readers more involved through your blog. You can promote your competitions on social media and on your blog (use that sidebar!).
Be ethical about it: Make sure you are offering something valuable (and related to your niche) to your readers, and actually make the effort to announce the winner and send the item to them! (I know about some instances where giveaways are run by bloggers, and they didn’t follow through… Don’t be that person.)
13. Push Notifications
Finally, have you ever visited a website where a little notification at the top pops up asking you to “allow” notifications for this website? Most of us normally don’t subscribe to these, but some people do – especially if they LOVE the content and find it super useful. (For instance, I am subscribed to two: Neil Patel and Elementor, because I genuinely benefit from their content in my blogging journey).
Whenever there is new content, you’ll get a notification in your browser and can click through to go directly to that.
If you content is valuable, high quality, actionable and resonates with your ideal audience, you’ll find that many readers will actually allow these notifications and most will click through to your content.
Tanya Viljoen
Hi there! I'm Tanya, the owner of this blog, and I love teaching people how to start and run a creative business online. Whether you’re interested in starting a blog, selling digital products, or anything in between, stick around!
Tanya Viljoen
Hi there! I'm Tanya, the owner of this blog, and I love teaching people how to start and run a creative business online. Whether you’re interested in starting a blog, selling digital products, or anything in between, stick around!
