I have recently being trying to publicize BlogaPro with considerable effort.  Although the blog has been continuously growing in popularity, it’s been a tedious, ongoing process.

If you have been following BlogaPro’s progress, you probably noticed the recent announcement of a ‘Make-Money-Blogging Wiki‘.  Unfortunately, the wiki hasn’t gone down too well. I have yet to have somebody commit a site to the directory.  My attempt at link-baiting went drastically wrong.  “Why the lack of participation?”, I hear you ask.

I like to think that it’s not down to the fact that the wiki lacks quality.  In fact, I’m of the opinion that the wiki is the most aesthetically pleasing feature of the whole site. Indeed, wikis are still a huge fad, but where have I gone wrong?

The problem lies in my readers.  No, I’m not referring to the ‘reading’ demographic but rather the mere number of readers that BlogaPro attracts.

Consider that the blog is only around 3 months old.  Figure that only around 1-2% of the visitors to a blog contribute either in the form of a comment or reply.  For every 100 visitors that BlogaPro receives maybe only 1 or 2 will share a comment on a post.  Now how many of those visitors will take the time to visit the wiki (never mind editing it)?

My experience should strike a pressing thought in the back of your mind.  If you are starting out blogging with your newest blog, consider how the number of readers to your site potentially impacts the addition of new features.

1. Provided all other variables remain constant, the number of visitors to a blog is directly proportional to those visitors that will contribute to the blog.
2. Those blogs which appear to attract little public attention or lack visitor participation will struggle to encourage new visitors to participate.

If you’re new to the blogging scene, you ought to consider the following recommendations before incorporating any additional features:

1. Start out small - start out simply blogging, and blogging only.
2. Stick to what works until the number of visitors to your site warrants the incorporation of additional features.
3. Establish a large reader-base before venturing into new waters.
4. Encourage reader participation so that new blog features are successful upon release.
5. Ask your readers what features they would like to see included.  Don’t just add new features because it offers the potential to increase earnings.  Remember your readers are the ones that will earn you your money. Give them what they want…