Your Blog as Platform

Next Thursday, January 13, I'll be welcoming Becca Puglisi from The Bookshelf Muse blog as a guest poster. I've mentioned the Bookshelf Muse before--Becca and Angela provide a wonderful assortment of resources for the writer. As you build your own writing platform, it may seem as if no one will ever read your blog besides the dog and your mom.
Writing Tip for Today: Here are some ways to help you grow a following for your blog:

• Visit popular blogs and leave comments regularly.
• If you do comment, try to be among the first commenters.
• Make sure your comments are thoughtful and add to the conversation.
• Try not to repeat the same comment as the 20 folks ahead of you.
• Invite well-known bloggers to guest post on your blog.
• Stage contests and/or giveaways to draw readers.
• Do book reviews for the type of book you're writing.
• Change your wallpaper or layout now and then.
• Get a unique background for your blog. There are many designers beyond the template provided by the blog service. Many of these designs are free or low-cost.
• Ask pertinent questions of your readers.