Where am I going wrong?

[Monty425]

I know I'm not a Mum, I'm a Dad.....But, I've been doing this blog thing for a while. I enjoy doing it. People who read it tell me they love it. But the number of visitors I get isn't great.
Are my posts too short?
How do I encourage comments?
What else can I do?
www.daddym.co.uk

Comments gratefully received

I've just had a quick read and really like your site
Do you do much tweeting or Facebook as that's definitely where I get most of my traffic
Good luck, I'm now following you

I tweet a little bit. Just started that really.

Facebook - I have links from my own facebook, and I have a DaddyM page. But I don't use it at all. I link my new posts to both my facebook and the daddym page. I get lots of links from there (mainly friends)

Just trying to work out how to promote my blog? Ideas?

thank you

Are you reading other blogs and commenting on them regularly?

But to be honest I get most of mine from twitter and fb so maybe chat more on them - not just about your blog though otherwise people will get bored quickly!!!!

Good luck

I'e only just started my blog, but I'm already 'feeling the power of twitter'!
There's a Twitter Guide Book here that looks fab (although I haven't got around to reading it yet...)

Monty, just looked at your blog and it's charming and fun - I don't see any reason why you shouldn't have loads of readers/followers.
BUT you post very irregularly... there seems to be a 3 month gap over the summer! Certainly with the blogs that I follow, I like there to be some kind of schedule (whether once a week, or once a day...). Otherwise I tend to forget/lose interest. Just a thought!
Otherwise, get going on the Twitter, and follow other blogs and comment on their posts...

PS - when I click on 'To read that post go here' on the Tooth Fairies and Childhood post, the link takes me to 'Sleepovers'...

Thea
Thank you for your comments.

I did have a big gap over the summer, where life got in the way.

The link is supposed to go to Sleepovers, where there is a list of what MiniM took with her, including her tooth bag. But I see where you are coming from. The link looks like it is supposed to expand the tooth fairies post. It's too close to the 'break'.

M

Hi all.

Do you think my posts are long enough? I have read some other blogs, and they are really long posts. I'm worried I may not be writing enough.

Your thoughts?

Hi monty,
It's a good looking blog with nice content. I think the parenting blog market is saturated and it might be that the best you, or any of us, can expect is a few more followers from twitter and a loyal but small readership.
One thing that came out strongly from the blog fest is the need to have something more than mum/dad anecdotes however witty. You need a USP - unique selling point. Thing is, i think you have one but you're not using it - you're a copper! I know about dads, I don't know a thing about police dads. How does it affect your parenting, your attitudes etc- you did the whistle training post which was good - it could be v. Amusing. it might be a bit commando dad but he has a massive audience - would this be a route for you?

Thisisaeuphemism

that's a good point, and the solution/option you give is a valid one, and one for thought. I am already thinking about the different posts that I could write, and the various areas I could visit.

Thanks for the tip

I've just read this and though it might be useful

www.tots100.co.uk/2012/11/14/50-ways-to-increase-blog-traffic/

Hi Monty,

It's all personal tastes re the length of the posts. I don't really like reading long ones, and sometimes feel my own posts are a bit long - but then I see other blogs where I'd need the biscuit tin next to me to make it through the post. Some people (my son included) LOVE a long post!
It's always better to stick with what works for you, as the blog writer. If you do that, then your blog posts will come out more natural and accomplished, simply because you're following your instincts and talents.
I guess it's a bit like writing fiction - write what you like first and worry about the reader second!

Amanda
aspie-girl.blogspot.co.uk/

PS I've also had gaps, of a few days at a time when I was blogging twice a day. I posted a little message on FB and Twitter to say that I had things going on and would be back asap. If you already connect with readers in these places then it can be a great way to keep them informed too.

I don't blog, so this is just as a reader

I like it, I have seen much worse. I like the humour, and I think the posts are fine length-wise.

But - when you go to the home page, I need to click on links to see the whole post for all except the first one. That is annoying and puts me off, where I would read the whole lot if the entire posts were available on one page.

And typos. Random capitals in places, morale instead of moral. Very minor and petty, sorry. But I am a bit petty and it irks me a bit.

Magi, that's a really interesting comment as I also have one post per page with links to the others. I thought it made them easier to read. Mine have links to all but links plus summary for the most popular ones.
Do you think a lot of people prefer too have the whole lot on one page??

I don't know really, I only read/follow a few blogs TBH.

But I like to keep scrolling down a big long page to read lots of entire posts with plenty of pictures generally. Links to previous related posts are fine, but it annoys me to have to click to get the rest of a post I have already started reading, IYKWIM.

One post per page, then a menu down the side of other posts to click is fine - for Daddym's it was showing a few lines of other posts, so you started to read it then had to click to read the rest of the entry.

I can see that very long pages with lots of entries might be a PITA if you are using a phone maybe? I only use my phone for MN and traintimes

Glad to help, Monty. Yes, and re. post lengths, I'd just go for what suits you. Mine are too long and too infrequent but that suits me.

Pebbles, those tips are brilliant, aren't they.

Dear All

Thank you all for your helps, tips and comments.