ConverStations: Building Readership by Building Relationships

It's probably the second most often asked question I get, right behind "What's a blog?"

"Where will I get readers?" or "How will new people find my blog?"

I had one business owner tell me he 'blasted' his 500-member email list, but only three people opened the email (which tells us more about email blasts than blogging)

Want to know how to build a solid readership? One at a time. Just like personal relationships

"Wait a minute," says you. "Who will I write to while I'm building this readership?"

Future readers who find your posts via search. Remember, a blog is a living document and search engines index web pages. Each post you write is indexed individually (a permalink)

Still haven't answered the question though. How do we build readership?

Before we get to the steps, just want to make sure we're understanding the same thing here...there is not so much difference between the online world and the offline world as folks think. Introduce yourself.

Make comments on other blogs: Find search terms that are important to your business (your perspective or your customers, either is fine). Then do a search on that phrase in Google Blog Search or Technorati. Really, this is a combination of our 2007 Habit # 3 and Habit # 4. Key thought: In your comment, add to the current conversation. Don't be an advertisement.
Generous Outbound Links: Blog Posting Mantra # 4 not only proves you as a valuable resource, but it's another way to introduce yourself. Be relevant and generous - you'll attract those who do likewise.
Use Community Tools. MyBlogLog and TheGoodBlogs have become two tools I won't do without. Both have built relationships and readership in different ways - and there is a lot of crossover traffic. Both generate curiosity. Both track traffic data. Both build readership and relationships.
Post Often. A lot of folks know my love affair with Panera Bread. Some Iowans now me as "Brother Bread." When I walk in, I stroll the dining room greeting old friends and new customers - and no, I don't work there. I'm tellin' you, it's like Norm walking into Cheers. Know why? Because I go there a lot (what's more than 'a lot'?). Posting often will build your readership - and your findability.