5 Tips for Christian Bloggers on WordPress

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The sequels to this post can be found here, here, here, and here.

Trying to draw more traffic to your WordPress blog, Christian? For those trying to build a larger audience (say, to snag a potential publisher), here are five things I’ve found helpful.

1. Go to them

So you start a blog. What then? Drop it in front of Facebook friends and sit back, counting on them to bring you newcomers? That might not work. Your friends are loyal, but not necessarily doctrinally compatible, voracious readers, or oozing spare time. To widen your base, you’ll need to find new “regulars” who are. And you won’t find them by waiting for them to stumble upon a blog they don’t know exists. You’ll have to go to them.

You know that colorful square a fellow blogger leaves when they like your post? That’s not just an attaboy; it’s their calling card, a link back to their blog (assuming they’ve set up their Gravatar profile correctly). It’s their way of saying “come check out ma ‘wares, too!”

This is what you should be doing. Find some post that matches your values or spirit, note who else liked it, and start clicking on squares. Follow other blogs you appreciate; leave likes and meaningful comments. If a post really knocks it out of the park, reblog it. My hit count more than doubled once I started doing this stuff.

If you think about it, this is quite Biblical. “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). Isn’t it just like God to make your success dependent on what you give away?

2. Actually read

Now I must hasten to add: don’t jump into your Reader and start spamming likes without reading. Your fellow bloggers know when you do that; their “likes” increase, but their hit count doesn’t. That’s poor taste, unless their post is just an image.

Another reason to finish an article before reacting to it: to ensure you don’t end up endorsing a piece of theology you disagree with. That happened to me a few weeks ago; I had to undo the reblog. Your likes reflect on you and on them. If you aren’t reading, how will they know their work was quality?

Leave edifying, non-perfunctory comments. Compliment a metaphor or turn of phrase you found apt. Specify why the post resonated with you. And while we’re on this track…

3. Be willing to criticize and be criticized

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov 27:17). But it won’t happen if we have thin skin. Be willing to state why you disagree with someone’s theology, and be willing to graciously entertain those who disagree. Doctrine and truth matter. The world is watching. Like, literally – it’s the internet.

That said…don’t be a jerk.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

We must be honest, but our long-simmering annoyance with all things Joel Osteen is not license to emotionally lambast every slightly misled blogger you just learned existed. If you can’t correct without being abrasive or petty…well, I’m not sure how much credibility a teacher of the Word has when violating one part of Scripture to uphold another, but I can’t imagine much. Win people over with your graciousness.

4. Write concise

Bloggers are “readers on the go”. Your blog is one of many they’re exploring. Their time is precious, and it should be to you. If you want to retain and serve your readers, pursue the art of writing concisely.

Studies have shown that most posts over 500 words do not get read. “List articles” (e.g., “5 ways to ___”) are somewhat of an exception because readers can get some sense of length, but still…be concise.

Once you’ve finished a post, put it down, run around with a frisbee, have a mineral water, then come back and trim the fat. Insert more efficient words. Erase sentences that could be folded into a careful word choice elsewhere. Avoid huge paragraphs; those tell the reader at first sight, “this will take more time than you have”.

Minimize unnecessary clicks between reader and content. Surveys, subscription requests, home pages that make readers dig for your actual posts – no bueno. Many visitors will take the route of least resistance and move on.

Insert the “Read More” tag a few paragraphs into each post. That way, readers see more post titles with less scrolling, get a quick taste of each, and give you more hits if they do click. Everyone wins.

If you’re the type to post or reblog numerous times in one day, consider how much space you’re occupying in others’ Readers. Quieter blogs are easily drowned out. Try “daily roundup” type posts instead.

5. Guard your heart

WordPress is a maelstrom of opinion and ideas. One moment you read a fluff piece about chasing your heart’s desires, and your heart swells; the next you read an aching lament over disappointment and toil, and your heart goes “My worst fears will come true.” That’s saying nothing of the barbs thrown around by other bloggers or just plain old, random, undisguised doubt. It’s a roller coaster.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23).

This verse isn’t just for dodging bad dates. Satan will try to spin what you read. Ask God to guard your heart and mind (and writing!). Other bloggers’ stories are not yours. You are loved; you are God’s; you are headed directly and inescapably for his country beyond this life.

185 thoughts on “5 Tips for Christian Bloggers on WordPress”

    • WHO IS YOUR SPIRITUAL GUIDE  BY STEVE FINNELL

      Why would anyone read Books written by men who deny what the Apostle Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost? Most Denominational Preachers Claim that Immersion in Water is not Essential for salvation.Acts 2:38
      King James Version
      Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

      International Standard Version
      Peter answered them, “Every one of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.

      A Conservative Version
      And Peter said to them, Repent ye, and be immersed each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

      American Standard Version
      And Peter’said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

      Amplified
      And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

      An Understandable Version
      And Peter replied, “Every one of you must repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives] and be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ [i.e., by His authority] so that your sins will be forgiven [by God] and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [to live in your hearts].

      Anderson New Testament
      And Peter said to them: Repent, and be immersed, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, in order to the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

      READ MORE AT: steve-finnell.blogspot.com

      READ MORE AT: Parler.com [Join and search>>>. A Christian View]

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  3. Pingback: Another 5 Tips for Christian WordPress Bloggers | Brandon J. Adams

  6. Love it. We all agreed on aiming for 1000 words as well, great to know that’s sort of “standard” – a length long enough to cover the topic but not wordy so as to take a ton of readers’ time!

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  7. All fantastic advice! Especially when you’re putting your faith out there in a public forum, it can be really difficult to work with potential criticisms and debates by those who don’t share your views. Bless!

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  8. I commented on the other blog linked to this one. I am definitely not a Millennial. Good advice, and I will now check to see if my Gravatar is up, and try and figure out what else I need to post like the RSS, less than 1000 words is good. Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂 Are smiley faces allowed?

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  16. Thanks for the insight! I just started my blog in October and your advice is great–looking forward to reading your other tips.

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  19. Reblogged this on Brandon J. Adams and commented:

    I realized recently that the blogging community is an ever-shifting thing. Boredom and busyness shoot many of us down from this beloved hobby, leaving only the grim, scraggly survivors. The landscape is different than what it was when I first started spewing my thoughts back in…2015, was it? Goodness. How time (climbs into an SR-71 Blackbird and) flies.

    In light of the fact that I have so many new followers, I thought I’d offer some humble thoughts on how to blog best as a Christian. This 5-part series is a fusion of conventional blogging wisdom I’ve picked up (e.g. pick a good title, visit other blogs, don’t like your own posts because it’s really tacky, etc.) plus some kingdom thoughts on how to do this as a Christian. Because naturally, once you bring Jesus into something, everything changes.

    I hope you get something out of this today.

    In the meantime, would you mind saying a quick prayer for me this weekend? A friend of mine are going on a three-day hike in a nearby wilderness; safety and strength would be nice.

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  21. Thanks for reminding us of Ephesians 4:2, it really is sad to see Christian’s eat each other with their words.

    Also, big AMEN on the guard your hearts.
    Thank you
    Brandon

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  27. I love the guard your heart part at the end. I just started blogging, and I think I needed to hear that to help me build up thick skin. I keep reminding myself, “it’s not about me, it’s about you, God.” Thank you for the great post.

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    • Indeed. Sometimes the criticism is real, sometimes it’s just a matter of theological disagreement, but you’ll need to be getting your energy from God rather than people. Good to have you following!

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  28. I’m a Baby Boomer, not a millennial, but still seeking after the abundant life of Jesus. Thank you for these helpful tips. I’m headed over to my squares right now and introduce myself to some potential blogger friends!

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  31. Great advise! I have only been blogging for almost a year and I can really say that it really takes time to write a blog that’s worth your reader’s time. I sometimes make my mom read my post yet if it’s proper and doesn’t attack or condemn anybody.

    Thanks! And God bless you. God has used you to bless a lot of people in this platform.

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  32. Interesting article and very motivational to keep writing. Christianity is based on serving the Lord, and God will provide what it is best as long as we do it from the heart. So if we are with the He will inspire us.

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  34. Pingback: 5 Tips for Christian Bloggers on WordPress | Brandon J. Adams

  37. Loved this

    Thanks

    I would perhaps add
    Dont share unidentified personal opinions

    Gods truth can only be singular per defined issue; God has little interest in our personal opinion unless it consider with His Truths. AMEN

    PATRICK

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  38. Loved this

    Thanks

    I would perhaps add
    Dont share unidentified personal opinions

    Gods truth can only be singular per defined issue; God has little interest in our personal opinion unless it consider with His Truths.

    Perhaps it’s because of my age (74) that I leave it up to the Holy Spirit to give who reads and responds to my post.

    I allow Him to be in charge so I don’t have to be. It seems to have merit so long as I share and evidence His Truths
    AMEN

    PATRICK

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    • Guilty as charged. The last one but not really on WordPress. In real life. I am learning to remove my self from peoples situation. Rejoice or sympathise with them but no more after that. Thank you for the points.

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