{"id":34710,"date":"2015-01-07T01:22:47","date_gmt":"2015-01-06T14:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/problogger.com\/?p=34710"},"modified":"2014-12-22T15:23:46","modified_gmt":"2014-12-22T04:23:46","slug":"finding-readers-strategies-for-building-your-audience-in-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/problogger.com\/finding-readers-strategies-for-building-your-audience-in-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Readers: Strategies for Building Your Audience in 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2014, Dustin Stout outlined how he grew his audience, and how you can find readers too. It’s worth revisiting so you start this year off on the right foot. What would you add?
\n\"growing-readership\"<\/a>In today’s instalment of the Finding Readers<\/a> theme week, we delve right into Dustin Stout’s incredibly eye-pleasing site, dustn.tv<\/a>, and hear how he has built a blog people just can’t help but read and share.<\/em><\/p>\n

When I launched dustn.tv in March 2011, I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was that I had some insight and skills that people needed and I genuinely enjoyed helping people.<\/p>\n

Between then and now, I\u2019ve had successes and complete WTF-just-happened failures. Through all of that I believe I\u2019ve landed on a handful of crucial elements that have allowed me to get to where I am today.<\/p>\n

1. Give the Reader A Beautiful Experience<\/h2>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if you have the most amazing, jaw-dropping, slap-yo-mamma content in the world, if people don\u2019t read it. When someone lands on your webpage you have five seconds or less to prove that your site and its content is worth their precious time. So if your web design is cluttered, hard-to-read and visually unattractive, you\u2019re content may not have the chance it deserves.<\/p>\n

One of the primary reasons people continue to visit and read my blog (rather than just through an RSS reader or email) is because the reading experience is enjoyable.<\/p>\n

With all the templates, themes, and examples of good design permeating the digital space, there\u2019s no excuse for poor design. You don\u2019t have to be a designer in any sense of the word to create a beautifully-designed, content-focused blog. Just find what\u2019s working, what you would enjoy looking at, and imitate it. You can read my tips for creating a stunning reading experience for your readers here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Write For Real People<\/h2>\n

Once your canvas is ready (your design) you can now fill it with glorious content that knocks people’s socks off! But the most important thing to remember is just that\u2014 you want to knock people\u2019s socks off. Not robots: real people.<\/em><\/p>\n

Having a voice that people can relate to is crucial to growing your readership. If people can\u2019t relate to what you\u2019re saying or how you\u2019re saying it, why would they return?<\/p>\n

One thing that has helped me to communicate effectively to my readership is focusing in on exactly who I\u2019m speaking to. No, I\u2019m not talking about my demographic or target audience\u2014 that\u2019s not specific enough. To effectively write from an authentic, relatable voice you need to write as if you\u2019re talking to one person.<\/p>\n

Try this as an exercise<\/strong>— the next time you draft up a blog post, think of one person in your life that could benefit from the information you\u2019re about to write, and write it in such a way as if you\u2019re talking directly to them. This will help you communicate your message more clearly and your voice will be more authentic.<\/p>\n

And people will love you for it.<\/p>\n

3. Engaging Content (Actionable)<\/h2>\n

Another thing I\u2019ve found when crafting content is that the actionable always wins out on engagement. Give people clear, easy-to-do actions and watch your engagement soar.<\/p>\n

People don\u2019t always know right off the bat how to take the action you may be moving them towards, so make it easy for them. Tell them exactly what to do.<\/p>\n

4. Compelling Content (Sharable)<\/h2>\n

Making your content sharable is a crucial peice to the continued organic growth. When people share with other people there is power that no degree of marketing could ever capture.<\/p>\n

In order to compell people to share your content, you have to first understand why people share things. The motivations are many but here\u2019s just a few powerful reasons someone would share your content:<\/p>\n