In recent months, some bloggers have felt that Google Authorship could change the way that writers are recognized on the Internet. If you’re not yet familiar with what it is, the concept is simple. Basically, it combines the Google+ social networking program with links to content that appears elsewhere online.
What’s The Big Deal?
Whether you have thousands of readers, or just a few dozen, credibility is an absolute must. Google Authorship makes it simple to demonstrate the breadth of your knowledge in a way that’s not annoying or unnatural. People who read your posts can simply click another link to go to other articles that you’ve written. It also offers increased visibility, because you can opt to use a headshot along with your content.
Tools For You
Today’s blog topics run the gamut from the latest bands on the independent music scene, to the best places to buy discounted car parts. No matter what you write about, you’ll want to feel that your efforts are worthwhile. Google Authorship helps you do that by offering access to graphs with statistics about post positions, number of clicks and more. These tools help you gain an overview of how your blog is doing, but more importantly, let you determine whether to make changes to retain readers.
Making Readers Want More
Attracting readers is only half the battle of maintaining a thriving presence in the blogosphere. After initially getting them interested in what you have to offer, encourage them to dig deeper. Posting content regularly is one way to do this, but Google Authorship can offer a helping hand, too. Some bloggers have recently picked up on a little-known feature — if a person clicks one of your links, clicks their browser’s back button and then returns later, Google will provide a few other links to articles you’ve written, just below the original piece.
Free Promotion
Although some people are wary about having a constant presence in social media, it’s an essential component of consistent readership. Unlike many tools touted for boosting the number of people who frequent your blog, Google Authorship is free. It’s worth a try, especially if you’re a cash-strapped writer with a nearly non-existent marketing budget. The sign-up process is simple, and only requires you to fill out a short profile form, then upload your headshot.
Google Authorship is also simple to use, and provides easy ways to see how well it’s working for you. Getting recognized is a must for busy bloggers who are intent on increasing their readership but might not have the time or financial resources to devote to a large-scale effort. Get started with Google Authorship and see if it could be the missing piece in your blog marketing plan.
