I'm new here... How long does it normally take to grow readership?

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   sassypieholeposted 10 years ago

   I've only written three articles for HubPages, which have all been featured. I've met all the criteria for a good/interactive post (I think?), and I've promoted on all of my social media platforms, but I'm still having trouble spreading the word. Any advice?

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      QuestionandAnswerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Sassy,
      
      I'm also new here and have spent the last 24 hours just reading through advice articles, guidelines, popular hubbers' posts and so on. From what I can see based on your writing, maybe it is because you are going for a more personal 'blog' feel, as opposed to objective articles? I asked this myself after my first one was written, as I felt it was a bit too opinionated. From the research I've done it seems as though HP is better for articles on particular niches and subjects, as opposed to a diary/journal/blog.
      I think the stories you have written are great, but there will be a limited audience for them. Most of the hubbers here rely on search engines for their traffic (and money), which means searching for relevant keywords, writing about topics that get searched a lot and so on.
      However, I think your hubs are great and you've earned a new follower from me
      Good luck!
      
      Bex

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         QuestionandAnswerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Just wanted to add another thought here; if you're planning on writing blogs like this, especially around personal life and/or parenting then have you considered just setting up your own blog? That way you could use AdSense on it to generate income, as well as perhaps getting sponsorships/product trials/guest blog opportunities from parenting companies and the suchlike. Just a thought!

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            sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Yep! But I redesigned blog back in August and deleted the old one. The new site is a humor blog and I'm just keeping it light. I actually really like writing on this platform. I'm not here as much for the money as I am for the exposure, but I'll certainly take both if they come my way! ;-)

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         sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Just saw your first post... Yeah, that's probably going to be my downfall. I'm a more of a storyteller than anything else (can't help it, it's in my blood). But I also don't give up easily, so I think I'll stick around for a bit! ;-)  Thanks!!

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         Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         You've got it!   Although I'm not sure I agree on "writing about topics that get searched a lot".   If you go for topics which are too popular, you are likely to be fighting a rising tide of other writers, doing exactly the same.  You're all using exactly the same tools to identify keywords, after all.
         
         IMO the best way to approach it is to consider what YOU can write about with knowledge and passion.  Then use the keyword tools to find the important keywords within that subject.  You can get a lot of traffic in a niche subject which isn't heavily covered already.

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            sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Word!
            
            Writing without passion is like getting drunk on cheap liquor... I can DO it, but it won't taste good! ;-)

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      mochirajacksonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Sassy
      I love the way you write - great hubs.
      
      Have you ever thought about writing some ebooks? You could do a compilation of humourous obvservations on parenting etc and give it away for free, for a while to get some exposure from a wider audience. You could put a link to your hubpages inside the book to attract more visitors. I find this works for me with my ebooks.

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         sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks!! I am actually very interested in doing that, but wasn't sure I was ready. Most of my blog entries (on my site) were less than 700 words, so HP is forcing me to expand more, which I like. The article I'm working on now is almost 2700 words–more than I've ever written in one sitting. So I think I'm almost ready for the next step. But not quite.  Thanks so much for your kind words of inspiration! ;-)

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   cygnetbrownposted 10 years ago

   It all takes time and patience. In addition to your social media, add backlinks on your blog and website. Post link in relevant Facebook and LinkedIn groups that you belong to.

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      sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks! I'm already doing all that, but still nothing. :-( Then again, I've only "actively" been on here for a week, so maybe patience really IS a virtue?

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         wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Write 50-100 more, and wait a year.  Never forget that 20% of hubs produce 80% of the traffic.
         
         HP is not a get rich quick scheme; it takes time and effort.

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            jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            +1

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            sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Ha! Guess I'd better get busy! then! ;-)

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   Mark Ewbieposted 10 years ago

   Hey you.  Creative, funny and so on is hard work to get anywhere with.  Most traffic is How to Bake a Cake and so on.  Question and answers - information.
   
   I got 'noticed' by hanging round the forums - played that game for months when I joined - and still my traffic went nowhere.  Not real traffic... Google traffic.
   
   I still don't know where I am at.  A couple of pages get some traffic (thanks by the way!) but what gets traffic and what I want to do are different things.  I think I need to answer the questions but add my style in where I can.  Yet to achieve that.

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      sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I'll tell you what... Your writing is spectacular and the illustrations are equally impressive. I'm not very good at writing playdough stories, just my own. Maybe you and I should coauthor a self help book on "How To Piss Away Your Life On Unimportant Shit That Nobody Cares About!" Oooo... I think I have something there?

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         sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         OMG... How cool is the fact that HP automatically ** out my curse word?  It's like having my mother here!

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         Mark Ewbieposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, lol and that title might just work.  As Wilderness said "50-100 and wait".  It is good advice.  One or two might get some traffic (maybe more!) and you can start to learn from that.  It is a slow curve BUT I am still here after three years, and still enjoying it.

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            sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I definately plan on staying for the long haul... Thanks for your inspirational words oh great one, I'm glad I stumbled onto your page!

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               Mark Ewbieposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               "Great one" - read it and weep fellow Hubbers.  I'm glad too about the stumble.

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                  sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Don't let it go to your head.

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                     Jean Bakulaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                     Welcome! Once your hubs do get noticed, you will probably be surprised at the ones that get the most attention. I've worked so hard on some that barely get read, and some I just spent an hour on became the most favorite and visited. You'll never figure it all out! But keep with it, it's fun and creative!

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   sassypieholeposted 10 years ago

   Thanks, Jean. I feel like I'm on a game show with all the score changes. But I like how this platform makes me think more. My brain actually hurts a little. ;-)

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      Jean Bakulaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The hubber score doesn't really matter. We've talked it to death, and nobody really knows the formula. Just try to aim for an 85 or over so your titles show on Google. Hubs get attention, but it can be slow. It took me a year to get noticed, but once I did, it was so rewarding. You'll be fine!

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         sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Oh SURE it doesn't matter, little miss perfect 100!  Everyone else in my life is bipolar, why not my hubber score?! ;-)

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            Jean Bakulaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Brat, lol! I'm far from perfect, and it took me about 3 years to get that score. It doesn't mean I get a lot of traffic . Really, we don't know who has the "magic formula." I'm not that computer savvy, it was a huge learning curve for me when I came here. I only knew I loved to write, and finally had time to do it. When you follow your heart and your passion, it leads to good things! My score will probably drop to 70 tomorrow because I didn't read about an update or something like that.

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               sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               HAHAHA (just saw this). I've only been on here for a week and already I love it. I have a 6-year-old and a laughable social life. The community here has been awesome. I'm just mad it took me so long to find it! ;-)

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   Sue Adamsposted 10 years ago

   With only 62 hubs I make monthly payments. Quality, not quantity counts.
   To achieve good quality in subject matter, authoring, lay-out, design for HubPages read the comments on this thread:
   http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/120883etc

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      sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That's awesome! I think I'm getting the hang of it (somewhat). Thanks for the link - there's so much information, it's hard to know where to start. ;-)

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   Kathleen Odenthalposted 10 years ago

   keep posting great hubs, but also get involved with the community if you are looking for readership and engagement. there are tons of wonderful people here who really enjoy reading others' hubs and helping share their advice and tips from being experienced on the site. the more followers you get, the more engagement your hubs will get. also, follow other hubbers and you may attract them to your hubs

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      sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      For sure! I'm already finding that, and I love it! Everyone has been super helpful and engaging. So much better than others I've been on. Thanks for your advice!

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   LisaKeatingposted 10 years ago

   This is my first day here and I published one hub. I learned about the site from a 5 minute conversation with another writer. I have a lot of questions, but do not know where to post them. My biggest one is this: I know you have to have 10 published hubs to add AdSense, but is there anything about publishing here that will actually COST me money? An answer to this question and directions to a newbie forum site would be greatly appreciated.

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      Mark Ewbieposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The only things that might cost you money are offers to make an internet fortune.  Best ignored.
      
      This platform is entirely free.

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         sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Wait... Those aren't real?

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      sassypieholeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Lisa! This is a legitimate and cool place to be if you enjoy writing. I've only been on for a short time and love it. Though I desperately need the money, that's not why I'm here. I was looking for honest feedback from real writers, not a bunch of bloggers who can't write, which is what I found elsewhere. The community is awesome, enjoy it! I'm sure the money will follow if you stick to it and follow the rules. For me, it's just nice to have support from other people who understand my struggles.
      
      But hey... if a gift horse comes-a-knockin'... ;-)

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   LisaKeatingposted 10 years ago

   Thank you. I'm a retired teacher. There is a lot of technology and media jargon "you young people use" that goes completely over my head.
   
   Can anyone direct me to "HubPages for Dummies"?

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      Mark Ewbieposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Top right corner is Help button.  On it is link to the Learning Centre.  Here is link http://hubpages.com/learningcenter/contents
      
      As for young people - you might find some but there is a range of ages on here.
      
      You don't need technology or jargon.  Just genuine, reasonable written content that people might look for, might get something out of, and ideally has not already been written a million times over.
      
      Looking at other pages (not mine) also offers a rough guide as to what people do.  But it is more difficult to work out what is genuinely successful.  There is a lot of bull around.
      
      For the vast majority of the time HP is a nice helpful place.

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