I received a query about improving blog ‘stickiness’, specifically how to increase it.

You’d know your blog is sticky when visitors come back to check for updates regularly.

A sticky blog means that you have a good following and presents better opportunities to engage with your readers and build a sense of community.

Here’re 7 ways to enhance your blog’s stickiness:

Publish on a Regular Schedule: If you’re planning to update your blog on a daily basis, do so. If a weekly post suits your schedule better, then do it. I’d suggest aiming for at least a post a week though, else you’ll lose blogger mindshare and your readers will stop visiting you, and even worst, forget who you are.

Controversy: Stirring a sense of controversy, adopting a contrary viewpoint always helps. Most people would like to see what detractors, especially of major products are saying. Check out: TheDeathOfCrap.com. It’s an interesting read.

Color: Choose to use a variety of phrases. Why use the verb “win”, when you can use “dominated”, “land grab”, “colonized”, “conquered”? Variety is the spice of life and your readers will thank you for not using the same old phrases over and over again. (Unless you’re repeating it to build your keyword density).

Anecdotes/Stories: Everyone loves a good story, especially a personal one. Relating events from your childhood or past experience helps your readers connect better with you. You’ll appear more human too.

Engaging: Engage in dialogue and interact with your readers. If they post a comment and you respond to it, a conversation begins. How far it will go depends on the type of discussion. This extended discussion might metamorphosize into a new blog post.

Depth: Provide details. Look at what everyone else is saying and more important, not saying and report that. By filling in the gaps, you legitimize yourself as a complete news source.

Personality: Beyond just a series of words on a page, your readers want to get a better understanding of who you are, where you come from and your thoughts, ideas and beliefs. By sharing a piece of yourself, you bring your community closer to you.