New Blogger Mentorship Program + How to's & Why not's

[Parajunkee]

Have questions that need to be answered? Stop by and post a questions.

As I have been scouring the blogosphere and finding more and more new bloggers out there I have noticed there are a few things that new bloggers tend to forget - like to put a following button on their site. Also the comment section is messing up so they aren't getting any comments. Links aren't working etc. I have been trying to email people if I see problems like this. If you are a new blogger and have questions...or if you just want someone to come and check out your blog and give you a critique...I thought this could be the place to do it.

Why haven't I gotten a comment on my blog?
How do I host a blog tour?
Any question you have, I'm sure if I can't help you find the answer, someone might stop by with the right info.

I'm also going to start posting tips and tricks that I've learned along the way.

XOX - Parajunkee

[Amy Jacobs]

Ho w neat! Well you can feel free to stop by my blog and see what I am doing wrong anytime! LOL..I need all the help I can get!
Amy
http://myoverstuffedbookshelf.blogspot.com/

[Parajunkee]

Amy your blog is great! Looks like you are doing just fine, LOL. The only thing I saw was that there was a drop down in the comments section instead of the usual radio box - which through me off at first (just cause I was so used to the other way) but I figured it out. But I'm reaching just to say something. You are definitely doing a good job and your great following shows that.

[M. J. Macie]

I'm a new blogger and don't know what to add or not add. If you are willing to check out my site and let me know if I'm doing all right, I'd appreciate it.
Thank you so much. This is truly a great idea

[Parajunkee]

Hi MJ can you leave your link???

[M. J. Macie]

I'm sorry. I guess that proves how much of a novice I am at this. What link do you want?

[M. J. Macie]

Okay. I get it now. Here's my link. http://m-j-macie.blogspot.com/
I think my writing may be boring and that's why I'm not getting any responses. That, or people don't know how to find me. In that case, how do I help people to find me? More importantly, how do I get people to want to respond to my writing?
Thank you so much for helping me.

[Parajunkee]

Hi MJ, just visited your site. And no your content is not boring. The only thing boring on that site - to be honest is the look. You might want to spice things up with a few widgets. At the end of this I'm putting a few more tips on things to increase followers. But I wanted to reply to your direct comment.

[M. J. Macie]

Thank you SO much. I'll get to spicing it up ASAP! Can you tell me how to add widgets or change the page design?

[Simcha Lazarus]

What a great idea! Although I started my blog five months ago I've only been blogging in earnest for about a month and I could certainly use some feedback and suggestions.
So how do I get more comments on my blog?
And what exactly is a blog tour ( I see everyone talking about them but I don't quite get how they work)
And how do I get people to follow me? I've been visiting other blogs and leaving comments but although people will leave comments on my blogs in return they don't usually follow me as well.

Any suggestions you have would be great
Here's my blog: http://blog.42scifi-fantasy.com/

Thanks for your help!

[Parajunkee]

Hi MJ and Simcha – this post might help you both out when it comes to promoting your blog. I have visited both of your sites and everything is functioning quite properly. You have easy follow links and your comments are working perfectly, so bravo there.

Now, you just want those follower numbers up. They key right there is networking. You are also already doing that, because now because of posting in this forum you have gained one more follower – me!

Target audience. Your blogs are trying to convey a certain message. And there will be a certain readership that wants to read what you have to write. Find those readers.

Search out blog similar to your own. Look at their followers, click through to their blogs and comment. Leave a link. Don’t be ashamed of a little promotion. I always end my comments with my link:
Parajunkee

Find forums that are based on your topic. Post in those forums. Make friends. ALWAYS include a link.
Host blog tours, contests, anything to draw in visitors. A blog tour can be a guest post, Q&A or a review/giveaway. It is a set date that you will feature a book or other item for the author / publisher. Giveaways can also be arranged by author and publisher, but you can also host one on your own. Have a new book, or slightly used book that you think people would be interested in winning. Have a giveaway and post the link to your giveaway everywhere.

Get involved in a meme. I’m sure you’ve seen the Mailbox Mondays, Teaser Tuesdays, etc. A lot of them are hosted on a specific blog, you sign and comment on that blog. Then you visit and comment on everyone else’s post…hopefully everyone else involved in the meme will also visit and comment on yours.

This is all I could think of off hand, stay tuned, I just might add even more ideas.

If anyone else has things to add...please post. Everyone wants to increase their following whether they have 1 follower - or 1000

[M. J. Macie]

You are AMAZING!!!!

I've already changed the format of my blog and added a Q & A and pics of my three novels. I can't wait for you to check it out again. What a difference. Now, it has life. Had I only known this sooner.

May God bless you for your help. People pay a lot of money to have someone do what you are doing out of the goodness of your heart. Thanks again.

http://m-j-macie.blogspot.com
www.mj-macie-mysterybooks.com

[Parajunkee]

It crazy what a little change will do right???