How to Build Traffic to Your Craft Blog

So you've set up your craft blog and published your first posts. You wait and wait for someone to read and leave a comment on your artwork but no one does. You become frustrated with the lack of interest, take it personal and give up. This is a very common issue and it doesn't have to be.

The number one thing to remember when you start a craft blog is that just because you have published something on the Internet, doesn't mean people will just automatically find you and start reading. In fact, it could take months before search engines even find you! You can speed up this process by posting frequently and submitting your blog to search engines, however, you will still need to put in some work.

Here are a few tips to help you get traffic to your craft blog in no time!

Before you really begin promoting your blog, it is important that your blog be as attractive and as easy to read as possible or you will lose readers in a heap of chaos. Consider things that make you want to read or follow others' blogs, and without copying anyone, try finding your own niche that will make people come back to your blog and considering following you.

Just because you have a craft blog doesn't mean every post has to be craft-related. Readers will enjoy getting a glimpse into your life and will appreciate photos and stories of your personal life. These stories can even help you get a totally different audience of readers who stumble across your blog for different reasons altogether. These touches also keep readers coming back as they become connected to you personally.

Craft communities are great places for you to meet your fellow craft peers and let them know about your new blog. Sites such as Splitcoast Stampers, Crafters and Get Crafty are just a few examples of sites that offer tutorials, advice, ideas and forums. Participating in these forums is a great way to get viewers to check out your blog. Many of these forums even contain topics on the introduction of new blogs.

An e-signature is the contact information text that appears underneath your e-mails. These signatures are also available for customization in craft communities. Personalizing your e-mail and forum signatures is a great way for people to find out about your blog because every time you send an e-mail or post a message, your blog link will appear.

If you sell your crafts, you are probably very familiar with craft marketplaces such as Etsy and Artfire. These marketplaces offer a solid foundation for getting traffic to your blog because the marketplace community as a whole is very supportive of other artisans, and will most likely go out of their way to help. Considering posting in the message boards of these marketplaces to help start your traffic flow. You will find that many are willing and able to check out your blog and offering critiques and kind words.

A great way to get people to check out your blog is to offer tutorials. Everyone is looking for great ideas, and if you start sharing step-by-step tutorials on your blog, you will increase the changes of having repeat blog readers, and potential followers check you out.

When used correctly, Twitter can get you TONS of traffic. There are millions of Tweets being sent each minute, so why not take advantage and create an account? Each time you publish a post, considering "tweeting" your updates. People with similar interests, or those who search for keywords will find you and ultimately check out your blog.

Last but definitely not least is the offering of blog candy. Blog candy is basically free "stuff" and who doesn't love that? Lure people to your blog with the announcement of this blog candy and watch the visitors fly in. All you will need to do is put together a few items to give away, take good pictures and post your announcement in craft communities and you're sure to get people interested.