Here’s the math:

Question… how many absolute number of readers of yours checked your site last month and didn’t bother coming back? Open Google Analytics and do the math I said above to get the number. We have to work on bringing that number down!

How to Address Churn — Build Databases
You need to create platforms or channels which will enable you to notify your previous readers that you have new articles. There are a lot of ways to do this including creating Facebook Pages, E-mail Subscriptions, RSS, and Twitter follows. Personally the most effective for me has been RSS and E-mail Subscriptions. I’m not saying you dump everything else. In fact you should do your best to create a lot of platforms to remind your readers to check back with you. However for me the one that gave the most results are the e-mail and RSS subscriptions.

You need to give readers as much incentive as possible to connect with you. Try holding contests like raffles to those who subscribe to your e-mail newsletter. You can also offer free content like eBooks, songs, and other downloadable media content. Like what Seth Godin said — get their permission for you to market to them freely.

Build channels and platforms to connect with your readers. Once they give you that connection don’t abuse it though. Send notices weekly or maybe twice a week at most. Anything more than that might be too much for their inboxes and they’ll just end-up unsubscribing.

Follow me on Twitter

Photo credit: Super Normal Girl
Video credit: taken by Ms. Janette Toral and streamed via Justin TV

Social networking sites pave the way for brands and companies to expand their reach online. Suddenly every visitor now represents 300-400 (or thousands) of potential eyeballs if only he or she will click “share”. It’s literally like word-of-mouth on steroids! Integrating social media to websites is now no longer a want but a basic need in Web 2.0.

Let me offer a caveat though. It doesn’t necessarily follow that by adding buttons your traffic will automatically spike. It also boils down to your content being “shareable”. Does it offer enough value? Is it informative, funny, or emotional? Your content has to be exciting enough to generate interest for users to share it in their networks.

A solid content strategy coupled with social web integration will easily and effectively increase web traffic.

Here’s an example:

Noooooooo! Im singing along to "classic" songs on 89.9 friday madness. Does that mean I'm old? Lol

November 5, 2010 4:35 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@carloople

Carlo Ople

Cool right?

For more information on Twitter BlackBird Pie, click here.

The New Gatekeepers – Bloggers
The rise of blogging can’t be ignored or played down anymore here in the Philippines. For example, reporters and news anchors always tweet about the Professional Heckler blog. His witty and deceptively insightful writing style has brought him a regular stream of thousands of readers. In the realm of tech, we have Abe Olandres of Yugatech. He’s literally considered one of the top tech opinon leaders in the country by industry professionals. Hundreds and thousands of people usually read his reviews before they consider buying gadgets. For food there’s the venerable Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet. I’ve met a lot of restaurant owners and executives who tell me that they felt that their business would boom drastically if only Anton would write a positive review about them. An upcoming food and events blog that you guys should also watch out for is When In Manila which is run by DJ and blogger Vince Golangco.

There are more bloggers out there who offer really good content across various niches. I’m subscribed to Noemi Dado’s blog where she regularly writes about parenting, family, health, wellness, and current events. Noemi’s personal and emotional writing style never fails to always touch my heart. For finance I follow the blog of my good friend, Randell Tiongson. He always gives sound advice on how to handle money which I think is one of the biggest problem faced by Filipinos today.

One blog that I followed closely during the recent bus hostage fiasco is They Way It Is by Ruffy Biazon. Ruffy ran for the Senate in the recent elections and sadly didn’t make it to the top 12. However I believe that he’s still doing service to the country by constantly coming up with thought-provoking blog articles. I strongly suggest you read his work because you’ll be blown away with his analysis and commentary.

Benefits of being Gatekeepers
Building communities and offering products or services that they want from you can make you quit your 9-5 and become a professional blogger. Money in blogging isn’t limited only to advertising or affiliate marketing. It can come in the form of you selling valuable products and services. If you’re not interested in being an entrepreneur, you can become a thought leader in your industry and I’m sure it will only take a few months before you get recognized among your peers especially if you write great content and promote your blog properly.

Content is no longer monopolized by major media outfits and those who see this as an opportunity stand to gain a lot in their career or business!

Postscript: This article was inspired by Gary Vaynerchuk’s Web 2.0 Expo Talk