Yesterday was the 7th day my blog was live. Fact: I’d never heard of WordPress prior to 4 weeks ago. It was only 3 weeks ago that I decided once and for all that I needed to find a way to “write” my free travel tips because I was getting bombarded by people wanting to know how I fly free. As fun as it is, I don’t have time to give everyone a 1-on-1, and hosting free travel classes in my house for friends and neighbors got old quickly.
When I started my blog 3-4 weeks ago, I hadn’t intended to make money writing, not did I expect to have over 3000 readers in 7 days’ time. Of course, I’m not complaining; I’m humbled and grateful! Similar to sharing my free travel tips, I thought it was also right to share how I got over 3000 readers in 7 days.
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Disclosure: There are affiliate links below, which means if you purchase I receive small compensation to keep this blog running.
Here’s, what I believe, was behind my success:
DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL!
In other words, do what other successful bloggers do. They’ve been exactly where we are (new, nervous and overwhelmed) and have spent hours writing tutorials and recording videos so that we can implement their guidance and follow their success. Bloggers who have found success (and are making $$) have already discovered what works. Instantly, I knew I was not going to reinvent that wheel; I read and watched gobs of free information (everything I could get my eyes on, mostly through Pinterest) and studied what they had done and what they were telling us to do. I give mounds of thanks and credit to other bloggers who spread information, shared failures, wrote e-books (a special thanks to Michelle Schroeder-Gardner for Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing, which to date is my favorite blogging investment), are on Pinterest, and create online Facebook groups to network. Which leads me to….
NETWORK & BUILD ONLINE RELATIONSHIPS!
When I created my blog 3 weeks ago, I had “liked” a couple blogging support Facebook groups online. At the time, I had NO idea this would lead to the creation of amazing online relationships. The blogging community is AMAZING. I’ve worked my entire adult life and I’ve never been in a community of people that are so willing to help, give advice, fix mistakes, support, and encourage. The 2 original Facebook groups I joined had such an impact on me that I joined 28 more. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, mingle, help others, and build relationships with successful bloggers. They really are regular people on the other side of the screen! Some of the most well-known bloggers (with the highest income reports) have answered my FB posts, responded to private e-mails and have even invited me to guest post and collaborate (Woo-hoo, I’m still on cloud 9). Don’t be shy. Don’t be afraid of risk. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Put yourself OUT there! People don’t know you or your blog exist unless you’re willing to let them know you and your blog exist. YOU are the only mouth-piece your blog has, be its advertiser!
IS YOUR BLOG PINNABLE?
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Pinterest drove over 25,000 views to my blog in just 4 MONTHS!
OTHER BLOGGERS ARE NOT YOUR COMPETITION!
Of all the advice I received, this has helped me most. Sometime during my 1st week of blogging, even before I had written posts or pages (actually, before I’d even purchased a theme) I read that other bloggers are not our competition. Admittedly, this was tough to swallow, at first. I’m a career gal and Army vet, one that is accustomed to being competitive and take-charge. Having others in my “space” that aren’t “competition” went against everything I knew. Since I’m one to not re-invent the wheel I was on-board with this new way of thinking…and it paid off…two-fold. Other bloggers have been so inspirational and helpful in my success. Honestly, without the knowledge of other bloggers I’d still be stuck in a hamster wheel of blogging confusion. There are over 7.5 billion people in the world; trust me, there’s enough of us kick-butt, rockstar, talented, awesome bloggers and blogs to go around.
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WHAT YOU LEARNED IN KINGARTEN IS TRUE BLOGGING!
There are no stupid questions and be nice. Really, there are NO stupid questions. Gals, this stuff is HARD. Really hard, and let’s face it, most of us bloggers (and future bloggers) do not have technical backgrounds. This stuff is overwhelming, stressful, and has a gigantic learning curve. When you have a question, no matter how “stupid” you think it is, I assure you, many others have the same question. Here’s a true story: I was mingling on a Facebook group this week when another new blogger prefaced her question with “Sorry for asking this stupid question…”, however, before she even received answers her post had 17 “likes” and 6 others “following”. See, there were others who had her exact question; it wasn’t “stupid” at all. Lastly, be NICE. I wish I didn’t have to explain this, but I will. Just simply be a nice person. Have nice things to say. Encourage and support others. And, like we learned in kindergarten…if you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.
Most of all, don’t get discouraged and keep GOING!
UPDATE: Since writing this post I’ve received a lot of comments like “but, you didn’t actually tell me HOW”. I wish there was a strategy or “exact” steps I took, but there isn’t. I was simply involved, mingled, helped, asked questions, dropped links in scheduled threads and met and networked with new “blogging buddies” in these groups. There really is no “magic” to blogging…it’s all about online relationship building. Ya’ll I’m BRAND NEW, tomorrow will be 3 weeks that I’ve been a blogger. I can’t make magic happen, it’s hard work!
I hope this list of ways my new blog “Serena on the GO” received over 3000 readers in it’s first week live was helpful to your blogging journey!
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Happy Blogging!
Have you had a look at some of my most recent FREE flight & hotel deals and blogging posts?
- 3 Roundtrip Tickets to Maui, Hawaii Total Cost: $33.60
- 3 Roundtrip Tickets to Chicago, Illinois from Boise, Idaho Total Cost: $33.60
- 2 One Way Tickets from Cancun, Mexico to Seattle, Washington Total Cost: $90
- One Way Ticket from Seattle, Washington Total Cost: $5.60
- 4 Nights at the 5 Star, Adults Only, All-Inclusive Hyatt Zilara in Cancun, Mexico Total Cost: FREE
- Want to LEARN HOW TO FLY FREE? Start Here!
- I’m still on board to retire by 40 by blogging!
Thanks – I’ve read so many of these type traffic posts and I get so overwhelmed when I’m done- feeling like there is so much to do to get there. Any advice with that?
I understand the feeling of being overwhelmed! My best advice is to set a schedule of what you’ll get accomplished and when. If I don’t set a schedule I find myself online for HOURS on end.
Don’t give up!
-Serena
Had the same feeling! I got 42k viewers in a month, which was really mind boggling. I learned that i was being true to myself and content, which made my traffic flood. 😃😊
I love this Nicole! It’s so true, and surely something I look for when I’m blog reading!
-Serena
Thank you so much for this post! Truly an inspiration! I actually found out about your awesome blog through one of those Facebook groups! Haha
Thank you Sarah! The blogging community is so incredible!
-Serena
Well done Serena! I’m in some of the groups myself and they are genuinely fantastic! The best part in your post was to accept that other bloggers are not our competitors. In my few years blogging I think the one thing I did good was to let go of that fear that I’m not good enough because I finally realised I was going to do what my heart desires and others success won’t stop be by achieving that. Since I’ve seen many bloggers friends who would copy my work and turn their eyes away and all I’m thinking is I’m flattered that I inspired you ( wouldn’t it be easier for the other bloggers to say (hey Mira you know I was looking at your work and I liked it so I’m going to do so and so…) anyway I’m off rambling again 😉 Good to see your achievement in just a week and keep the fire burning 👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you Mira! Other bloggers are such an inspiration! I’m a blog addict!
-Serena
So, where is the how part??
Just by joining FB group you got thousands of traffic?
Hi
Thanks for your question. I didn’t do anything strategic. All of my traffic is from general mingling in Facebook groups. My posts are pinned but I’m way to small still to see any traffic from Pinterest (it’s too little to even give a number). My general involvement in 30 different FB groups drove 99% of the traffic. I posted on their scheduled times (Example: Wednesday share a blog, Tuesday share a link, etc).
I hope this helps,
-Serena
So, where are the tips how you actually got all these 3000 views?
Hi Lindsay,
The tips in the post are all I did. I didn’t do anything strategic. All of my traffic is from general mingling in Facebook groups. My posts are pinned but I’m way to small still to see any traffic from Pinterest (it’s too little to even give a number). My general involvement in 30 different FB groups drove 99% of the traffic. I posted on their scheduled times (Example: Wednesday share a blog, Tuesday share a link, etc).
I hope this helps,
-Serena
I’m still confused on how you got the page views though. You didn’t state where your traffic came from. Did you post your blog on the FB groups, pinned your posts, asked other bloggers to share links on Twitter, etc. Sorry I’m still a little lost after reading your post.
Hi Holly,
Thanks for your honesty! I didn’t do anything strategic. All of my traffic is from general mingling in Facebook groups. My posts are pinned but I’m way to small still to see any traffic from Pinterest (it’s too little to even give a number). My general involvement in 30 different FB groups drove 99% of the traffic. I posted on their scheduled times (Example: Wednesday share a blog, Tuesday share a link, etc).
I hope this helps,
-Serena
Congrats! I can see how you got so many views the first week, I’ve been signed up up since the beginning. Your content is great and I love the professional look of your blog. You also have a wonderful writing style. I look forward to reading more of your posts and networking with you. Congrats on an incredible first week. We’ve been up 4 months and I don’t think we’ve had that many views combined lol.
Thank you Cheryl! That means a lot!
-Serena
Serena,
Fabtasric post!!! My question for you is this …If you started interacting on Facebook BEFORE you began publishing blog posts, were you simply interacting with people and conversations in those Facebook groups or were you also doing something more “strategic”? Also, how much time were you spending interacting on Facebook?
Hi Kimberly,
Thank you! I was really just mingling, asking questions, sharing advice, and following the blog post share schedules. Nothing strategic (I wish I had secrets..insert evil laugh here…lol)
I do spend a lot of time on Facebook, BUT, I have a full time job and a family so not THAT much time.
-Serena
Great article. Love all the tips. I found your blog through one of the blogging facebook groups. Feel free to checkout my travel blog http://www.dawnlioutas.com I think we have a lot in common. Best of luck 🙂
Hi Dawn! Thank you! I’ll surely check out your blog today!
-Serena
Great Job!
Those FB groups can really help bring the traffic.
Thanks Bob! They sure can!
-Serena
Hi Serena,
I am in a few of the Facebook groups with you. They are a huge help, especially for us who are just getting started. I am so impressed by your views. You have a beautiful blog and I love your writing style, so it’s no surprise! Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed and seem to be making no progress but then I read about things like this and it motivates me to keep going! I look forward to networking with you and reading future posts. Thanks for the inspiring post!
Thank you Elizabeth! I’m SO happy my post was motivation! I’m going to check out your blog now (which, BTW, has an awesome name!)
-Serena
This is awesome. I had gotten serious views compared to when I first started but due to a group and was so happy but then got block and haven’t gotten a response. Now I’m on ge search for a new group to share again. Thanks for the post.
Oh no 🙁 Make sure you sign up to get my list of 30 groups I’m active in! There are LOTS out there!
-Serena
Nice Post Definitely it had worked when done effectively
Thank you!
-Serena
Congrats and thanks for the post, it’s very good to see that it’s possible to get many views! I think I need to spend more time on Facebook 😂 But it’s all so time consuming, that I won’t have time to actually write anything on my blog.. 😉
Good luck in the future and have a look at my blog if you have a minute: http://worlderingaround.com
Cheers,
Aga
Hi Aga! I love your blog! Your USA road trip was some of my favorite places (Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, etc)
Thanks for stopping by!
-Serena
Congrats! Loved your tips too, tea helpful!
Thank you!
-Serena
Hello, thank you for your good information. It really encouraged me! I’ll subscribe your blog!
Thank you! I’m glad you stopped by!
-Serena
Hi.I just signed up to several FB groups to see if that will help me. Been at this almost a year with seriously low traffic so I’m thinking I need some help on getting traffic to my blog. You can check it out here if you like. Congrats on 3000 page views. That s amazing:))
https://kpardell.com
Thank you! I’ll check it out!
-Serena
This is an excellent post! how do you manage your time? I struggle being involved in so many facebook groups and staying on top of it all!
Hi Claire! Thankfully, I work from home so I don’t waste time commuting and my kids are school age. I make sure to prioritize blog time late into the night to stay on top of things.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
-Serena
Excellent content! Thanks so much for sharing with us 🙂
Thank you!
Serena
Excellent content! Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
Thank you!
Serena
As a new blogger, it’s definitely overwhelming in the beginning. There is so much to learn and so many bloggers out there. How do you find those similar bloggers to you to follow and make connections with?
Hi Jessica!
It certainly can be overwhelming! My best advice is to join blogging FB groups and get involved in the chats, ask questions, give answers, be helpful, and build relationships with other bloggers! Have you joined by FB blogging hangout group? Feel free to join us here!
-Serena
Nice article – Thank you. I am looking forward to reading the 30 Facebook groups article that I opted in for. I’ve noticed Pinterest and Facebook work very well for certain niches (e.g. Financial blogs) but twitter is not so great. I have found twitter is amazing for my Stock Trading websites though. Just a thought that different social media can be dramatically different for different niches.
Thank you Russell! I hope you find it helpful!
Yay! I’m a new blogger and I just started using FB to grow my Pinterest following via group boards. I am totally going to use it for relationship building and traffic growth now though too by joining the groups in your freebie!
Congrats on your new blog!
Serena
Hey! 3000 views in a month is mind-blowing. wow. Me personally I’m social media shy but to reach more people I realize I definitely have to step out of my shell.