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Big.
Seems people these days think bigger is better. Supersized meals, SUVs and whatnot.
With this kind of mentality, it’s no wonder some of us who blog to smaller numbers are ever so slightly intimidated by some of The Big Guys in the blogosphere.
We can’t all be huge. But then, some of us like small things. We like babies and teacup chihuahuas. Elves. Those teeny-tiny olive forks you see at fancy parties.
Small can be good.
Here are 5 ways to make the most of your fledgling audience:
1. Interact With Your Audience
One of the things I love about having a modest number of subscribers is that I can still usually afford to respond to comments individually.
Responding to readers shows them you’re there, you’re listening, and you appreciate their time.
Of course, once your readership begins to grow and you start getting a hundred comments instead of ten, it’s something you won’t be able to do.
Take the opportunity while you can to show readers how much you value their time and opinions.
2. Invite Readers to Follow Your Journey
The personal journey I write about is the quest to improve my writing craft, and the path to publication. What’s yours?
Your small-but-devoted following will be on the sidelines cheering you on as you pursue your goals. If they’re regular readers, chances are they share similar goals to you, and therefore are emotionally invested in seeing you realize those goals.
If your blog hits the big time, readers may begin to see you as less approachable. So, enjoy the closeness of your blogging community while it’s still small.
3. Take a Hand Up from The Big Guys
In some cases, larger blogs are happy to help those just starting out, provided your writing is good and suits their needs.
I had only written a few articles on my own blog when Mary Jaksch, Chief Editor at Write to Done, said she would be pleased to accept a guest post I’d sent her. Soon after, James Chartrand of Men with Pens offered me another guest spot. Those posts gave me a good boost in subscribers, along with a huge boost in confidence.
How about asking a bigger blogger to answer some interview questions?
The key is to be polite, unassuming, and professional (never ask a much more experienced blogger to exchange guest posts or links with you). If your guest post or interview request is rejected, thank them for their time and try somewhere else.
4. Collaborate with Other Small Blogs
One really is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do (thank you Three Dog Night for those words of wisdom).
You might have only a small subscriber count at the moment, but connect with other small blogs and see what you can do for one another.
Try sharing links to one another’s sites, exchange guest posts, tweet each other’s articles, or whatever else you can think of to show your support.
You’ll make a lot of great contacts and increase your readership.
(For example, Jennifer Blanchard of Procrastinating Writers and I teamed up last year to create The Better Writing Habits Challenge.)
5. Become a Regular Contributor to a Bigger Blog
As blogs grow and demand for content increases, they usually need to invite regular contributors to join their team.
Even though your own blog is still in its infancy, you might be able to score a regular spot on a larger blog with some polished writing and professionalism,.
Over the past 18 months, I have acted as a regular contributor to Writer Unboxed, Zen Family Habits, and Fuel Your Writing. Writing for different sites has helped me make contacts, increase my own blog’s presence, and build my credibility as a writer.
Big Isn’t the Only Beautiful
Sure, we probably all dream of having 100,000 subscribers and being able to quit our dayjobs to make money online.
But until that day arrives, we can stop to remember there are ways to maximize a blog’s impact and enjoy its current state, no matter how small.
Do you have a very small subscriber count at the moment? What are you doing to make the most of your blog in its infancy?
For those whose blogs have enjoyed definite growth, what extra challenges or responsibilities have come with it?
If you love your subscribers so much that you’d like to have more of them join your community, click on the A-List Blogger Club banner below. I’m a long-time member of the club, and a student in the A-List Blogging Bootcamps, which have both helped me grow Write It Sideways to what it is today.
