How to get people to return to my blog.

[Runninground]

I write reviews about blogs, then post them on my blog for everyone to read.

The problem is, when they have had a blog review, then read the review, there is no point in them coming back to my blog.

What can I add to my blog that will make people come back after they have read their review?

[Ben]

How about writing some posts that draw on the reviews, but in a way that isn't specific to just one blog?

For instance:
The most common mistakes people make on their blogs
Things you should do to your blog before asking for a review

You could also keep a list of all the blogs you've reviewed, with the best ones listed in a "Hall of Fame".

[Runninground]

Originally Posted by Ben

How about writing some posts that draw on the reviews, but in a way that isn't specific to just one blog?

For instance:
The most common mistakes people make on their blogs
Things you should do to your blog before asking for a review

You could also keep a list of all the blogs you've reviewed, with the best ones listed in a "Hall of Fame".

Thanks, I have added an article about ways to advertise for free. I will take those ideas into account, thanks

[maccam87]

Competitions are a great way to get people to come back to your blog or suscribe

[QuirkyJessi]

Originally Posted by Ben

How about writing some posts that draw on the reviews, but in a way that isn't specific to just one blog?

For instance:
The most common mistakes people make on their blogs
Things you should do to your blog before asking for a review

You could also keep a list of all the blogs you've reviewed, with the best ones listed in a "Hall of Fame".

Agreed. Most blog review sites I've seen start up before have ended up failing (or the blogger just quit because nothing was really improving). There is one site I continue to follow who does a lot of blog reviews, and as Ben said, they also do informative articles about how to improve, what people see first when they click on a new site, etc.

Also, "top 10" posts are generally popular. You're fresh enough that you don't have a huge backlog of reviews to pull from, but at some point you may want to do compilation posts like "top 5 most popular reviews this year" or "top 10 new food blogs." For the latter style, use a mix of blogs you've reviewed yourself (to bring back those previous viewers) and new blogs you've discovered elsewhere and haven't reviewed yet (to potentially bring them in as new readers).

[Runninground]

Originally Posted by maccam87

Competitions are a great way to get people to come back to your blog or suscribe

I did one, and I only got one entry

[Runninground]

Originally Posted by QuirkyJessi

Agreed. Most blog review sites I've seen start up before have ended up failing (or the blogger just quit because nothing was really improving). There is one site I continue to follow who does a lot of blog reviews, and as Ben said, they also do informative articles about how to improve, what people see first when they click on a new site, etc.

Also, "top 10" posts are generally popular. You're fresh enough that you don't have a huge backlog of reviews to pull from, but at some point you may want to do compilation posts like "top 5 most popular reviews this year" or "top 10 new food blogs." For the latter style, use a mix of blogs you've reviewed yourself (to bring back those previous viewers) and new blogs you've discovered elsewhere and haven't reviewed yet (to potentially bring them in as new readers).

Could you tell me the URL of that blog review site you mentioned? Would love to check out the competition

My blog is on the edge of failing at the moment, because I'm not getting any reviews. Ill do some improvements and see if it starts to pick up again.

[AgentHomes]

What about breaking some blogs posts up into a part 1, part 2 and part 3. If you hook people in with a part 1 then hopefully they will come back and check on the next part of you blog post whenever it's posted up.

This way if somebody comments on part 1 of your blog then you can always email them to let them know part 2 is now available.

[Runninground]

Originally Posted by AgentHomes

What about breaking some blogs posts up into a part 1, part 2 and part 3. If you hook people in with a part 1 then hopefully they will come back and check on the next part of you blog post whenever it's posted up.

This way if somebody comments on part 1 of your blog then you can always email them to let them know part 2 is now available.

If this forum had a 'Thanks' button I would have clicked it. I'll write an article and try that out. Thanks!

[Melody]

Since you're using a wordpress blog, you can easily send trackbacks and pingbacks when you post a new blog review. If used correctly, this can help draw a few people in, and get the original blogger back to your site. It even develops links possibly. (Usually no follow links but still can draw in a few people).

Hypothetically, if you were to review my site, you would write up a review of what you like or dislike about my blog. Then in wordpress, you scroll way down and enter my blog's url into the place where it says "send trackbacks to..."

I have been told that wordpress blogs automatically pingback to each other, but I've never been convinced that is true.

Once you hit 'publish' on the review, the trackback gets sent to me. Since I moderate comments, I see it in the form of a comment. When I see trackbacks sent to me, I do almost always go look at and see what the originating site is to determine whether I want to approve it.

If I approve the trackback, (or pingback, whatever you want to call it) then you've also developed a possible link for yourself, though I wouldn't count on that to be a great source of traffic. But it can be a win - win - You get someone to come check out the review.

You have to be sending your track backs to a page that allows for comments. So (hypothetically), if you reviewed my blog, since you're not reviewing a specific article, you'd probably go to the "about" page to ping me to come look at what you're doing - That's a good back up. You write your reviews, and be sure check out the "about" page for the blog you're reviewing as a place to send a pingback.

Your trackback (if approved) now appears on the original blogger's site - Scroll down to the very bottom of this link and you can see a visible trackback. (Just as an example)

The problem you'll find is that a lot of people try to send out spam pingbacks and trackbacks. But if your review is legitimate, I think a lot of people will come look. I know that I do approve all trackbacks and pingbacks from legitimate looking blogs, and most any blog at PR 1 or higher. Pingbacks are almost a form of a compliment - someone took the time to link to me in a natural organic backlink, I take the time to look to see what it is.

Hope all that makes sense.

***

Speaking of links, did you remove the requirement that someone must link to you to get a review?