The #1 Way To Get Blog Readers
While there are many ways to get people to read your blog, there is one method that distances itself from all others. It’s like Usain Bolt racing a bunch of toddlers. Way, way out ahead of the pack.
Before I tell you what it is, ask yourself a quick question…
Why are you reading this blog post?
Maybe you clicked here from an email you received from me. Or maybe you were visiting this blog and clicked onto this particular post. Maybe you were chasing Usain Bolt, gave up and stopped here to rest. Doesn’t matter. The question is the same…
Why are you reading this blog post?
Or, said another way, “what attracted you to this particular blog post?”
I’ll tell you what did it. Or rather WHO did it. It’s a person we all know very well. His name is…
Mr. Cure E Osity.
Curiosity. That’s what got you to read this blog post. You probably didn’t say it out loud, but I guarantee you some part of your mind (consciously or subconsciously) thought, “what IS the #1 way to get people to read your blog”?
And here you are.
I was at an amusement park recently where there was a hole in a wall. Above the hole was a sign that read, “Do Not Look Here”. People were lined up around the corner to look in the hole. Why?
Curiosity.
Curious has two distinct meanings:
1) Curious means “eager to learn or know”. What is it that your subscribers and site visitors are “eager to learn or know”?
2) Curious means “arousing interest or attention”. What kind of title, headline or description can you use to “arouse interest or attention”?
It’s fairly easy to get people to read things. In face, the formula is almost elementary…
CURIOUS topic + CURIOUS headline = people reading
It begins with a CURIOUS topic. You have to know your audience. Readers of the Wall Street Journal aren’t the same as readers of Mad Magazine. (At least, most aren’t) You have to ask yourself, “what is it that my audience is ‘eager to learn or know’?” What are they CURIOUS about?
I know that a large majority of my subscribers have blogs. And what does every blogger want? Someone to listen to them. So, my “CURIOUS topic” is getting people to listen to you if you’re a blogger. That’s what YOU are “eager to learn or know”. That’s the subject matter of this post.
From there, it’s about developing some kind of CURIOUS headline. Knowing that people will “look” where it says, “do not look here” (in other words, knowing people are curious) it’s easy to use words like “the #1 way to…” It “arouses interest or attention”.
When you have a CURIOUS topic that is coupled with a CURIOUS headline you will have people reading. AND when the CURIOUS topic LIVES UP to the promise made in the CURIOUS headline you will KEEP people reading. And eventually taking action.
But that’s a different post.
Here’s what you need to do in order to make this work right now, today, at YOUR blog.
1) Ask yourself, “What is it that my contacts are ‘eager to learn or know’?” That’s your CURIOUS topic.
2) Ask yourself, “How can I express that topic in a way that ‘arouses interest or attention’?” That’s your CURIOUS headline.
And that’s how you get people to read your blog.
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but I’m guessing with at least a few of those nine lives he came back for more.
———-
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April 7th, 2010 at 10:06 am
So true - an eye catching headline will draw people into blog posts and articles and then it’s just a case of keeping them interesting. I found your PROMO report really useful by the way - it’s always good to have a schedule to work to when it comes to traffic building.
April 7th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Hi Jimmy,
How right you are, you know the part of the AIDA principals in sales page copywriting and thats a timeless formula that will remain…… WELL timeless!
Great post….Ed.
April 7th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Jimmy,
As always you cut right to the chase…it’s all about the readers and how to keep them coming back for more.
I’ve read your materials over the years and still keep coming back to see what else you have to say!
Thanks!
Bunny
April 7th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Absolutely right Jimmy.
It’s like all those ‘lost secrets of…this and that’ that we are so desperate to find out.
Keep them coming!
Regards,
Ella.
April 7th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Great advice. I get “lost” because of my curiosity takes me from one site to another. Sometimes I buy. My task is to realize that people could be curious about my product and blog and that they would indeed buy from me. It is a self esteem thing. Thank you. Mary Pat
April 7th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Hi Jimmy!
You always hit the nail right on the head! A thought-provoking and valuable post.
Amber-Dawn
April 7th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
You always come through Jimmy. Even though we may already know the concept, you have a way of shining a light into the dark places to make it crystal clear. I am going to put this to use TODAY. Thanks!
April 7th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
What it all comes down to is that we are all a bunch of nosey you-know-whats. We have to see what’s happening no matter what.
April 7th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Ha ha, you got me Jimmy I thought your answer was e-mailing your list but, I’ve been wrong before.
April 7th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Brilliant Jimmy.
It’s like when most people read the comments left on your blog and sometimes click on the posters name to see who they are..!
I mean Nutkicker!
What is that all about..?
April 7th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Brilliant!
April 7th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
I should have known the answer all along but the truth is Jimmy, I’ve been following your advice since way back in the day - And of course, you are right on target as always.
The truth be known, I become curious the minute I see ANYTHING (forum post, email or site) with Jimmy D. Brown in the title or headline.
April 7th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Good one Jimmy! You are so right too. I always click on emails and other things that arouse my curiousity. I tend to get distracted easily that way as well but what can you do? I think its human nature not to be left out of stuff! But hey, as long as it works
April 7th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Hi Jimmy:
You hooked me into reading this post via email.
Some time ago I wrote a related post:
Guaranteed Targeted Blog Traffic In 11 Easy Steps
Robert A. Kearse
April 7th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Nicely done, Jimmy.
I always try to come up with a clever or enticing title for my posts — e.g., “This Ain’t No Waterloo” or “Don’t Tax My Dew, Dude!”. But, sometimes ya just have to go with dull-but-descriptive — e.g., “Obamacare Update”.
Sirrahc
April 7th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Well said Jimmy, that’s what got me to click on it, curiosity and the fact that you always deliver value
Curiosity and good copywriting is key! I always tell others, no matter how good your blog post is, it won’t get read unless you have a POWERFUL title that does just that, educates, enlightens, and entertain, the whole point is to get people to your blog post with your title, that’s the most important factor first, great post 
April 7th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
So true…sometimes it’s a choice between a curiosity-seeking headline and a keyword-rich headline. The provocative headline gets attetntion. Of cousre keywords can be used in text and subheads, but there is still …
Agree with previous poster about good copywriting.
April 7th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Wow Jimmy!
Loved how you presented this and the double meaning
of curiosity - thank you for the reminder!
April 7th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Well done! This is exactly what I teach students of The WordPressWizard. My most recent blog post at http://TheWordPressWizard.com brought me tons of e-mail. People loved it. The title is “‘The Onion’ Agrees With The WordPress Wizard”. Curiosity - oh yes!!
Cathy
The WordPress Wizard
April 7th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Great post, Jimmy!
As always, the key is to know your customers and understand what THEY are eager to learn. However, it is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking about what WE want…
April 7th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Great post Jimmy-
Curiosity will get them there, great posts will keep them coming back.
April 7th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Thanks Jimmy. This is so important. Now i have to do some
brainstorming to apply it to MY blog.
April 7th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Curiosity works every time. Many call it by other names, for example Joe Vitale calls it Hypnotic Copy. No matter what industry or audience, we are curious people.
Great post!
Tracey
April 7th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
I always love reading your blog posts Jimmy, keep bringing on the good stuff.
April 7th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Well Jimmy, you got me for sure!
You really know how to grab peoples attention,
and this post is proof of that.
Thanks,
Mike
April 7th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Jimmy,
There is no cure for Mr. Cure E. Osity! That guy is good
Great post, Jim!
God bless,
James Artre
April 7th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Perfect timing, thanks Jimmy. I’ve been looking for guidance in writing promotional material for my membership blog. Now I have a clear direction, a question to ask as I write each article, “What do my readers want to know? What are they eager to hear about?” Obvious, yet it eluded me.
April 7th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Just like in sales;
Provide enough information to get the prospect curious and wanting more, then sell the information or product
April 7th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
You got me , I too was curious on what you had to say, very true.
April 7th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
A good post. You certainly had me going…. I couldn’t wait to read it!
from here on in, I’ll be thinking Mr. Cure E. Osity, whenever I write a blog post!
Blessings,
Laurie
April 7th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Hi Jimmy,
I did indeed click from an email just to get an answer to that question..
Shows you know exactly what your subscribers want; and isn’t that the key to internet marketing?
-Marnie
April 7th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Hi Jimmy,
That’s a great example of using curiosity to attract readers.
I’m glad you mentioned that your blog post must LIVE UP to the promise you made in the headline if you expect people to keep reading and take action. Attracting people with a promise but not fulfilling that promise will result in a Loss of readers.
Thanks again for the great content,
Steve
April 7th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Great post. Now everyone just needs to figure out what exactly their target readers are curious about. A very simple, very easy way to find this information is to go to Yahoo Questions and do a few searches around your keywords. Here you will see real questions and problems that your target market is having trouble with. Once again, thanks for the great post Jimmy.
BruceMcc
April 7th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
I learn a lot from your wisdom. They are unlike most of the ideas I get from other writers.
I understand that at some point in one’s career, one has to reach the time of retirement. I think you have decided that the time has come.
But I would request, Jim, that in your retirement years, you continue to write articles and reports similar to those that you had released in the past. Your wisdom CANNOT stay with you only. It has to be shared to the rest of the world.
Whether you know it or not, that is your mission in life.
April 7th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Well done
April 7th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Thanks for a great post. Bringing traffic to a blog is a challenging task but it’s good way to bring readers to a blog by fulfilling curiosity of the reader.
April 8th, 2010 at 4:24 am
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April 8th, 2010 at 4:38 am
Gracias Jimmy, te saludo desde Madrid, España.
Como siempre un buen articulo.
Aunque leo todo traducido, me encanta todo tu contenido.
April 8th, 2010 at 4:45 am
Jimmy. You’re absolutely right. But there’s a caveat to this. If it hadn’t been your email that alerted me to this, I don’t think I would have clicked because there are just so many people offering this kind of advice. What made sure I came here was that you were the author of it. An I so I would say that more than just curiosity, you need a topic poeple want to know about that has unique appeal [in this case you] as a person].
April 8th, 2010 at 5:59 am
Jimmy, you have been teaching the ‘wild headline’ for a long, long time. We talked many years ago about a free report I was writing and you (politely) told me my title was boring. So I re-titled it, “How To Suck Up Hungry Customers Faster Than A Vacuum Cleaner On Steroids”, and it did very well. The curiosity factor is a big part of the reason. Of course, when I talked to people about that title I blamed it on you!
April 8th, 2010 at 6:31 am
Fantastic Jimmy,
What a principle! Even scientific discoveries have been propelled by it. Another topic of your that applied this very concept was the one of “I’m retiring.” Is he writiring or joking? Curiosity indeed.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:33 am
Very informative. Thanks for the post.. It would be helpful for beginners like me.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Hi Jim, you are indeed a super hero to our generation. I will keep reading your atticles and will always orge others to do the same. Thanks alot..
April 8th, 2010 at 7:44 am
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April 8th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Know what I like about you? You get the job done without that in-your-face hardsell. Respect for your reader.
Curiosity…. : ) Your email did make me curious. But I have been made curious elsewhere before and gone to a site and had such aggressive pop-ups I just clicked off even though I could have been interested…. especially when AFTER clicking off ANOTHER pop-up shouts at me to give my email for some freebie or other! Who wants to learn that junk! Harrasment….
Like your style. When people buy from you they’re glad they did…. don’t feel slam-dunked and caught.
April 8th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Although I’ve heard the ‘Hole in the Wall’ story before, it illustrates very well how ‘intrigue’ and ‘curiousity’ can work in getting people’s attention - in Headlines, teaser Intros and question Paragraphs. Another great reminder of what works - thanks Jimmy. I’ve been following you for a long time, and always keen to read about your inspirational thoughts and experiences!
Don’t ‘retire’ properly - ever! Thanks. Andy.
April 8th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Have to agree with Chelle,
I was curious.
I admire your copywriting.
And I’ve always found something of value in the articles you write.
I give you my time; you repay me with good advice.
Thanks again.
April 8th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by brightwings: Currently Browsing: http://is.gd/bj4b2 Not sure how to get people to read your blog posts? Check this out….
April 8th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
I guess it is time for me to get cracken and come up with some good curiosity headlines!
April 8th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Thanks Jim. All your work cuts right to the bone! Keep it up! We all appreciate you.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Your history (always delivering value, value, value) causes me to read everything you write.
Thanks for giving ups the focus on “curiosity”.
I’m really looking forward to what you’ve got coming next.
April 9th, 2010 at 6:17 am
Great post! Now I can tell people “DON’T VISIT My Blog”
April 10th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Damn right! Thanks for the “CURIOUS topic”
April 10th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Thank you for the terrific post! You are spot on as usual.
Best regards,
George Nieves
April 10th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I have always had fun creating headlines for my blog - one of my best ones that drew lots of interest from Twitter was “Today my best friend slapped me in the face” - http://www.positive-parents.com/blog-item.aspx?id=771
So creating curiosity is essential but also if you get in a fun filled, relaxed state of mind quite easy and great fun too.
I enjoy receiving and learning from your Membernaire site too - great content and down to earth practical ideas
All the best
Sue Atkins
Author of “Raising Happy Children for Dummies”
April 11th, 2010 at 1:19 am
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April 12th, 2010 at 3:17 am
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April 17th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Curiosity. So simple, but so true. Gets you every time. Thanks for the post!
April 19th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Great info. If we dont get our reader’s attention, they wont show up. Interesting, compelling headlines, backed up by solid content makes a lot of sense.
April 24th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Curiosity works on all of us. How many times does the local news ensure that you watch the commercials by taunting us with headlines like “when we come back, the one skill that might save the life of someone you love!” It would surely keep me watching to find out.
May 16th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Mr. Cure E. Osity definitely got me. Half way through the article I was still looking forward to what you were saying. I think you hit the nail on the head with a Curious Headline and a Curious Topic that lives up to the promise of the headline. A lot of times I am drawn by the headline but the article or post doesn’t live up to the Headline and I click away. Great Post.
-Buddy
June 7th, 2010 at 7:19 am
Nice one Jimmy,
You pulled me in with that headline, I always knew weird headlines pulled in the readers but haven’t given it a go yet, so maybe my next post will have that eyecatching title
Cheers
Matt
June 13th, 2010 at 6:26 am
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August 4th, 2010 at 7:11 am
What a great way to present a blog post, Jimmy — definitely piques the curiosity! I totally agree with you about asking ourselves these two very important questions: “what is it that my audience is ‘eager to learn or know’?” What are they CURIOUS about?
Indeed, before writing every blog post, it would be great to ask these questions so as not to get carried away and lose focus on our purpose: to give to our readers, to share something of value.
And yes, the curious headline is very important as well. Great headlines are really what draws people in, and in my own posts, I take time in formulating a good, catchy headline. It always pays off! Great post !
August 6th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
HA! You got me, Jimmy.
And not just a Curious Topic + a Curious Headline either…
The way you wrote the post in short bursts left me lusting to linger just a liiiiiiiiiiiiiitle bit longer to complete the thoughts.
On the opposite extreme, the text could have been written in chunky blogs with few questions and little titillation. Thank ya much for not doing that.
You’re pretty good at this stuff. Have you had some practice?