Wellbeing
Published on December 20, 2017
Comments 116

My top five tips for getting 500 WordPress blog Followers

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The number one tip for getting 500 followers #WordPress #blogging #bloggingtips #writer

This significant milestone just happened: 500 Followers (it’s actually zoomed up to 525 already 😃). It feels great, of course, as well as humbling, and thrilling. Thank you all!

What delights me the most, by far, are the comments; I can’t believe how engaged, generous, funny, observant, and honest everyone is; thank you again. I love that we all share our experiences and stories here; it feels like a genuine community or tribe. Bless you.

As I wandered round in a happy glow, with the screenshot of my official ‘500 Followers’ notification on my phone, I remembered the old days of having only 50 or so readers, back in 2015, before I decided to take this whole blogging thing more seriously in February 2016.

What tips could I have given myself? What could I have read, and put into immediate practice?

Here they are:

  1. Take the time to be genuine; to really ‘be yourself’. This means articulating your opinion, in both posts, and your replies to comments.
  2. Actually answer comments! I have un-followed nearly a dozen blogs here after commenting at least 4 or 5 times on each, and receiving no answer. Not even a Like (which is a pretty poor effort- it’s OK once in a while, but hey, I’m really trying to ‘talk’ with you on here).
  3. Be consistent with posting, even if it’s once a month. Following blogs for me feels like checking in or catching up with friends- some of you I see every day, others only every fortnight or month- but I do like to know you’re still coming around to visit me in my Reader.
  4. Enjoy exploring. Discover and be curious; comment freely, and follow blogs that excite you; you never know what you’re going to find.
  5. There’s not really any one ‘top tip’. It’s just about putting in the time, and being truly engaged. Of course, you can learn how to tag correctly, and use pretty images, but essentially, it’s about writing as well as you can, with as much heartfelt enthusiasm as you genuinely feel-whether it’s for living minimally, dating to the maximum, decorating your nails every Sunday, or living with PTSD (a sample of the blogs I follow).

Having access to the internet, and the safety and time with which to write, are incredible gifts to be grateful for; don’t worry about your ‘numbers’; just express yourself, be kind to others around you, and try to leave this world a brighter place.

That’s actually my top tip for living, not just blogging.

This is usually how I answer all your comments: just woken up here in Australia, sitting up in bed with a pot of peppermint tea #beyourself #authentic #over50 #gratitude @boneAndsilver

This is usually how I answer all your comments: just woken up here in Australia, perched in bed with a pot of peppermint tea #beyourself #authentic #over50 #gratitude @boneAndsilver

In gratitude for all my Followers, G xO 

116 Comments

    • Unleashing the Cougar says

      Me too. And I love what I do and this world I have discovered, so it’s never a chore, and the goal is always to share, to communicate and to bond with other peeps on similar journeys. I also love the way new blogs bring new people and existing people into your lives – those you didn’t know already found your new blog or have been following them for a while. As a newbie I am surprised at how my own blog has escalated so quickly and I feel such a novice, so I really respect your hard work/communication over such a long period. I think my blog will be 4 months old this month! Well done G 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      • bone&silver says

        Thanks Cougar- I too am so happy at the people I stumble over & start following; I’m glad we’re on the same ride, & appreciate your contributions (& similar sense of dating attitude 👍🏼💪🏼), G 😊

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  5. V.J. Knutson says

    Well done. When I look over old posts, I was thrilled then to get one or two likes, having no idea what I was doing. Then I discovered the purpose of categories, lol, and my readership increased. Lately, I’ve discovered prompts and that helps too. Basically, your advice is best – be genuine. And I agree, there is a great community to be discovered here.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      Thanks V.J.- yes, I’m the same when I look at writing from a year ago- most of it isn’t bad, but there’s no replacement for spending time, and making genuine connections with people; I appreciate your comments : )

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Widdershins says

    I’ve found that if I don’t go ‘out’ there and say hello, then nothing happens. The nice thing is, with enough consistency, the growth becomes self-sustaining. Even a year like this one where my posts have been significantly thinner on the ground than usual, I’ve had followers popping up without me posting for weeks, but I am out there in the comments on a daily basis.

    My comments ‘scale’ goes like this;
    I use the ‘like’ button to show the blogger I’ve read their post, (which is a lot nicer than just looking at the ‘hits’ for each one as a means of determining how many visitors it gets) but don’t really have anything to add to the conversation.
    I leave a one or two sentence comment if something pops into my head as I’m reading or to express a sentiment that the ‘like’ doesn’t cover.
    If I have thinky-things to say then I’ve been known to carry on like a chook with my head cut off. 🙂

    The tricky bit in all this is where I don’t agree with something in the post, then I might not ‘like’ it, but I’ll comment appropriately and respectfully …but if I’m following someone I’ll seldom pass by without doing something.
    … unless I completely miss the email notification then it’s an ‘oopsie’ of Widder-ly proportions whichever way you look at it. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Matt Berger says

    Mazel tov!

    I am a firm believer that if you write well, and from the heart, and with passion, eventually folks will find you.

    And if they do not, at least you have gotten whatever you needed to say out of your system (of course, that makes my blog sound like a diary I am letting everyone read–scratch that). 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      Thanks Matt; you made me giggle with that comment! And yes, we just faithfully send our words out there don’t we, hoping that they find a home? I appreciate your engagement with my blog very much, G xO

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Cloe Jouin says

    Like & love!! I’m always a reader but rarely a commenter. Every time I see the incredible comment/converstion section of your blog (the best bonus!!) I get a cyber kick up the bum to up my engagement game. I’m working on it! Thank you! X

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      Thank you darlin!! What a lovely comment, from the French countryside 😃😃😃
      Aren’t the comments the best? It’s my fav part too! You’ll get as good as your old Auntie GG one day, no doubt about that! 😘❤♥️❤♥️❤♥️

      Like

      Reply
  18. Encore Voyage says

    These are excellent tips, and I hope I’m doing them all. My problem is in keeping up with it all. If I step away for even a day, my email inbox simply explodes and I get overwhelmed. That said, I try to make my comments thoughtful and meaningful. And I’ll bite…What the heck is a chook???!!! Your Idaho follower ~ Lynn

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      Hi Lynn- yes, I agree, my Inbox can get a bit daunting! It’s definitely a daily discipline to stay on top of it all… imagine how people with 15,000 followers go!?

      And thanks for biting: a ‘chook’ in Australian is a chicken ; ) xO

      Like

      Reply
  19. cathytea says

    Congrats! That’s so awesome! I’m thrilled that you reached 500+, and thrilled to be one of your 500+! I just reached 400 the other day and smiled super big, remembering your 400-followers post! 🙂 (Thank you for being one of mine! 🙂 )

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. aggie.coutinho says

    Oh, how lovely warm post! 🙂 Thank you for that and congratulations! 🙂 How long have you been writing your blog for? I’ve started mine a year or two ago but stopped after a few posts, came back now and cleared all what was there to start fresh.
    Aggie

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      Hi Aggie- I started in 2015 when I went overseas for a couple of months, mainly to keep in touch with friends and family; I started taking it more “seriously” & posting regularly in Feb 2016. Now I’m a bit obsessed I think 😃
      Best of luck 👍🏼😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • aggie.coutinho says

        great idea to write a blog to keep in touch with friends, family. I really enjoy reading it even if feel a bit obsessed with it I dont see anything wrong in it haha 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
      • Coyote from Orion says

        Just got 4 items at Coles. 2 bags. I put it all in.one and said I would prefer not to kill any extra dolphins tonight or be responsible for choking any sharks

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
          • Coyote from Orion says

            Good idea. There are probably cops around here who could link that to premeditating something only their sick minds could come up with if given the opportunity. Pretty rough neighborhood here. In fact the local footy club has only ever been so disgusted with the behavior of one bloke in the last 10 years that they chased him out. It was a cop. Cheating on wives and family and dealing drugs to kids is not acceptable to any community where a majority of the men have some sort of conviction.
            As a matter of fact the women around here don’t accept garbage behavior especially when kids are affected.

            Liked by 1 person

    • bone&silver says

      Thanks for commenting Cat, & I hope you enjoy the break too & come back refreshed. I’m very glad I found your blog, & I’m honoured to have you following along on mine 🙏🏼❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • bone&silver says

      Thanks Ann, and yes, I do agree that’s the most important; for some folk, finding that true voice is the journey of the blog I believe. I appreciate your comments, thank you 😊 G

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. The Lockwood Echo says

    I’m guilty of hitting like on comments, to confirm I’ve read it and give the comment a friendly nod. I’m always worried that if I reply or comment more, I’ll just become annoying and people will be sick of seeing my name! My blog is less a blog, more a platform, I want to offer some giggles, hopefully with a bit of heart, so I don’t expect comments really, just hope for likes 😉 I struggle to keep up with the people I follow even though I’m at the bottom end of the numbers scale so have no idea how those with a bigger ‘community’ cope. But I’m at 99% on the introvert scale and struggle to engage, so maybe it’s just me 😉 But then I do this; and can’t just keep a comment short and sweet. Congratulations on your milestone 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      I so appreciate your lengthy comment Lockwood, thank you so much 😊
      I reckon what’s most important is that we run our blogs as suits us best; I do love comments, but I still value a ‘like’. I’m an extroverted Introvert, so I totally get what you mean! 😘
      Thanks for the congrats too 👍🏼😃

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. Jad says

    Great post, I am still learning so much about the blogging world.
    I do know that I feel a little lost when I get behind on reading all the blogs I follow, it is like not seeing some friends for a while and finding that you miss them

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  31. After The Party says

    I love this! I’ve been doing this for a good while, but I haven’t made the time to be consistent, to engage with others, or to really enjoy this whole experience to the maximum. I decided to change that at the end of December, and traded in Facebook (which was getting a little compulsive for me) for some extra time reading, writing, following, and engaging here. Wow! This is so much more gratifying and worthwhile for me. Glad to have found your blog! Happy New Year!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      Great- I’m so glad this post was helpful for you, & that you feel more engaged with your reading & writing, that’s awesome. Thank you for commenting, & yes, Happy New Year from here in Australia too, G 😃

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. WaltPage says

    Excellent tips! Thank you for your insights. I’m currently at 359 followers and I know your tips will help. It’s a struggle sometimes keeping up with all the comments and new posts from those I follow. It’s a labor of love 💘

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      Thanks Walt- I agree completely- a labour of love indeed. But such a wonderful exchange of love, especially when we need it 🙏🏼❤ Welcome to the bone&silver Gang! 😃🌈❤ G

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  33. Mandi Em says

    Great tips! I just hit 100 after 9 months I am the worst struggle blogger ever. I wasn’t paying much attention to WordPress though and I ha e met so many lovely people and seen so much talent here!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  34. defatblog says

    I’m a blog baby, having only started a week or so ago, but what’s already striking me is something you reference – the extraordinary variety of blogs there are to read. So much more interesting than my Facebook feed!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      Welcome! You are going to have an amazing time wandering around and finding folks to follow 😃
      Another tip is to read the comments on posts and if one appeals to you, go check out their blog & follow them- that’s how I found a few of my favs. Best of luck, G 😊👍🏼

      Like

      Reply
  39. mystere212m says

    Hi what do you think about using SEO keywords? I didn’t do it initially but read an article and rewrote 2 of my posts but I feel like I’ve reduced my content somewhat.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  42. World Traveler says

    Thank you for your insightful article. I have been writing a blog for less than a year and have not yet built up lots of followers yet. But, I agree that it is a good thing to engage and be genuine. I have been having fun writing my blog and it has been quite nice to read the blogs of others!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • bone&silver says

      You gotta find & read others’ blogs- that’s almost the best bit- do Searches for topics you’re interested in, not even necessarily what you actually blog about. Have fun!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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