The Pet Bloggers ‘Rule’ of Ten

Guest post by Blog Manager Robbi Hess

I know, I know, there are rules and then there are rules that are meant to be broken and then there's pet blogging! But for every blogger out there, chances are you don't want to be writing in a void and these rules might just help up the amount of eyes that see your posts.

While there are truly no hard and fast rules you need to follow with your blogging other than to be engaging, enlightening and to use proper grammar (!) here are ten "rules" I do try to keep in mind when formulating my posts: 

1. Publish
   frequently and consistently. Posting at least three days a week is ideal
   but if that’s not in your budget, time-wise, then at least choose a day of
   the week and post regularly to that day. If your readers know that they
   will see a new post every Tuesday they will become regulars.
2. Guest post.
   It’s a great way to get your name known to a new audience and to gain a
   following with said new audience. Approach individuals you know as a way
   to break the ice on your guest blogging then move up to the big dogs!
3. Be social.
   Update your social media pages frequently, especially when your blog post
   goes live. If people don’t know it’s there, they won’t read it.
4. Be friendly
   and comment on other blogs. If you have blogs you visit regularly, leave a
   comment. Know how good it feels to know someone is not only reading, but
   commenting on your posts? Offer that feeling to a blogger you follow!
5. Thank your
   regular readers. If they comment on your post, respond and then check and
   see if they have their own blogs and return the favor!
6. Make certain
   your blog content is consistent. If you’re a cat blogger, then your
   readers are looking for posts about cats. Blog about iguanas? That’s what
   your readers will anticipate. There’s no reason you can’t shake things up
   occasionally, but if your readers come to you for a particular topic,
   chances are if you’re not meeting those needs, they will look elsewhere.
7. It’s not all
   about you. Yes, you wrote the post and you pushed publish, but when all is
   said and done, it’s about your readers. Treat them like the gems they are!
   Also, remember, if they’re following you on social media… be social… don’t
   be constantly salesy.
8. If possible
   host a contest. Do you have  a few
   bucks in your bank account this week that will allow you to pick up a few
   fun toys at the pet store? If so, offer them up as prizes to your readers.
   Do a random drawing based on comments left on a post you write. Select a
   winner, ask him or her to send you a photo of her pet enjoying the gift.
   Post that photo on your blog!
9. Have your
   readers read everything you’ve written? While you may not know how long
   your readers have been with you, chances are they won’t mind a reminder of
   the great material you have in your blog archives. Highlight popular
   posts, use an archived post as social media fodder, etc.
10. Don’t slack
    off. Yippee! You’ve got readers and they’re commenting! Your work here is
    done, right? Um, not so fast! Just because you’ve got them doesn’t mean
    you will keep them if you slack off. Continue to provide the content they
    know and have come to love!

What are your ideas for getting readers to your blog?