It’s not enough to get someone to read one of your blog posts once. If you really want your blog to succeed in the long term you want them to keep coming back! Aside from creating great content on a consistent basis (which is a must of any business blog) here are 4 tips for building a stronger rapport with your blog readers.
1. Share the comment love.
Even if they were just doing it for the link (although we all hope it’s really just because they love our blog), everyone who leaves a comment on your blog posts took a few minutes of their day to do so. Repay the favor and leave a comment or two on some of their blog posts. I can’t say I know many bloggers who don’t like seeing new comments! That kind of back-and-forth commenting is a great way to build a real relationship with your readers.
2. Invite top commenters to become guest writers.
If someone has been a regular reader and commenter on your blog for years, why not invite them to become a guest writer for your blog? Everyone is always on the lookout for new places they can post their content and fuel their own content marketing campaign. Plus, you get to benefit from their experience in your industry, provide a new point of view to your readers and maybe even attract new readers who are loyal fans of your guest author’s blog. 
3. Feature their blogs.
Here on the Search Engine Optimization Journal, I publish SEO News posts a few times a week highlighting some of my favorite Internet marketing related blogs I’ve recently come across. I found the information in them valuable, so I know my target audience will to. This kind of content curation is a good way to build a stronger rapport with your blog readers and give them a quick shout out. Try writing a similar recap post and link to some of your readers’ blogs that you enjoy.
4. Connect with them on social networks
I do my best to thank and follow everyone who retweets my blog posts (and I’m sorry if I accidentally missed someone!). I want readers to know that I appreciate them taking the time to read and share my content. Your readers don’t have to share/tweet/Like/post your content so take the time to thank those that do!
