11 months into Blogging world but wandering if I'm doing something wrong?

[AliPike]

Hi all, I've only just joined here but thought I'd introduce myself and maybe ask for some hints and tips. My blog www.alisonpike.com/blog/ will be 1 year old in January and I love writing it. I write mainly about gardening and all aspects of horticulture with the odd cocktail thrown in on a Friday (nothing to do with gardening whatsoever just fancied creating some wonderful cocktails!). Anyway no one ever seems to talk about visitor numbers or followers, I'm not sure what I should be expecting or how to increase them. I would love to here what you guys think. Thanks.
PS. pop links to your blogs I'd love to take a look.

Just had a look - it's very good! All very neat and nicely laid out, and your posts are really interesting.

To increase readers, do you tweet about your new posts? I get a big percentage of my traffic from Twitter, it's definitely worthwhile. Also, it's a oldie, but commenting on other blogs in a similar niche can bring in new readers.

Thank You! I am on twitter @alisonpikeGD but again don't have many followers. I probably don't comment on other blogs as much as I should.
Would probably help if I didn't spell things wrong just read my message title 'wandering' should be 'wondering' opps!!
Thanks for the feedback. 2013 will be about growing followers now I've got used to the blogging side of things.

It's a simple thing, but what about changing the name of the blog so people have an idea what it's about? You may get more casual visitors that way, and then they might subscribe too.
It is a lovely blog, perhaps you could turn it into a book, like has been discussed elsewhere on here. I always thing proper gardening books are a rare find.
Twitter is still a mystery to me, I haven't worked out how to reach people that way. I do have a facebook page, which may also work for you. MIne is separate from my personal FB page, but I'm open about the connection so my friends are on both and some people have become friends after joining the blog page.
www.facebook.com/pages/Crazy-Girl-in-an-Aspie-World/377759358967028?ref=hl
Also, I do comment on other blogs, but tend to comment on the ones I like, rather than ones linked to my own blog subject, so I don't know what effect, if any, this has on my own blog numbers.

Amanda

www.aspie-girl.blogspot.co.uk/

It's a lovely blog. I have just moved to a house with a garden for the first time in my adult life, so I'd be on the look out for this type of thing.

I'd second changing the name so people know what your blog is about. Also, chat about stuff on here. Although you aren't allowed to advertise, you can link to your blog on your profile as far as I know. I've heard from a friend that, when she comments on threads related to her area, quite a few people seem to go through to her blog that way. I guess a lot of people browse the personal profiles.

Just followed you on Twitter ... that account is 'real me' taps nose, looks furtive.

I've got Facebook pages for a couple of my blogs; people do visit them, but they don't seem to bring many visitors to the actual blogs. They're still worthwhile though for getting your writing in front of people who want to read it.

I've also just followed you on twitter

I love your blog and will now follow. I agree with the name change will make it easier for people to know what it's about.

I think I get quite a few of my followers from commenting on their blogs so might be worth that.

Keep writing

forgot to say I'm [www.pressiesbypebbles.com Pressies by Pebbles]]

Ok, I just tried to subscribe but an error message came up so that might well be why people don't come back as they're not able to subscribe??

OK, i take that back i was able to enter my email address and subscribe but just above the subscribe to a feeder is the word subscribe and you're able to click through on that and that's when it has an error message so maybe make sure you're not able to read through on it

Thank you all! I'm so glad I've found this network!
I had actually thought about renaming, as it's something I've never been happy with as originally it was done as part of my garden design business website. Will have to figure out how easy it will be (I'm not the best at techie stuff and I have learnt so much this year!)
I think I've sorted subscribe thing out but again will have another go at this as it seems a little cluttered with 2 options.
I'm on facebook as alisonpikeGD but with only a measly 15 likes it seems like a token gesture, it's linked to my twitter though so it kills 2 birds with 1 stone.
Thank you again. Speak soon.

Join as many forums and follow other bloggers, thats my advice. It took me ages to build up a following, so don't worry!

I'm at The Lazy Girl blog

It's a beautiful blog, loving the cocktail! I'm not following you on twitter yet as my iPad is stuck to my work account (meh) but will do later. Have you tried following many other bloggers on twitter as a way to build up your readership? If you searched something like blogger gardening or allotment or mum or gin or such likes and followed them, chances are they'll follow you back so its a good way to get your blog out there to people who might not otherwise know you exist.

How many views do you get a day, on average? And how many would you like?

What about comments? You don't say how many you get. I definately agree with others, go to as many other blogs as you can and leave comments. It is almost guaranteed to bring people to your blog who then comment in turn. Just leave genuine comments about their posts though, not links to your blog.

It's a fun game, increasing traffic t your blog, but it does take a bit of time. Now that my blog is nearly two years old it ticks along nicely with a steady amount of traffic each day regardless of whether I have posted anything new or not. It is old blog posts that bring in the most traffic!

So Resourceful

You should rename it Alison's Garden maybe?

I like your blog.

I have just joined mumsnet bloggers - (this is my first ever post on the forum) - I am not sure how many is 'many', but I find most of my followers seem to come from checking out and commenting on other peoples blogs. I am not sure how much use Twitter is - I am just getting in to posting on it myself. I do have a facebook page too, but so far I don't think I have had any followers, apart from friends.
Anyone know how to get noticed on Twitter? Tips would be great.

This is my blog - talkaboutcheesecake.wordpress.com
I know the name doesnt direct anyone to me but then, my blog is general mutterings and doesnt have a topic.

Thank you all again for your advice, what a great welcome to MN! Definitely going to sort out name change but in the meantime twitter followers on the increase and visitor numbers up.... just got to keep that momentum up!