The Dos and Don’ts When Promoting Your Blog Posts

Publishing a blog post is only half the job — the real challenge lies in getting people to actually read it.

Many bloggers pour hours into writing but see little traffic because they overlook the importance of promotion. Knowing the dos and don’ts of blog promotion can make the difference between a post that gets ignored and one that reaches the right audience, builds trust, and drives consistent growth.

In this article, you will discover:

• The most effective ways to promote your blog posts online

• The common mistakes that kill your blog promotion efforts

• How to create a repeatable system that drives consistent traffic

By the end, you’ll feel confident about promoting your blog posts without second-guessing your strategy.

Why Promotion Matters More Than Publishing Alone

Far too many bloggers believe that ‘if you write it, they will come’. Sadly, that just isn’t the case. Hitting publish is only the beginning — without proactive promotion, even your best writing risks getting lost in the endless noise of the internet.

Promotion bridges the gap between creation and discovery. Writing demonstrates your expertise, but promotion ensures your work is seen by the people who need it. A well-promoted blog post can attract new readers, nurture loyalty, and create ripple effects through shares, backlinks, and collaborations.

Data shows that 56% of bloggers say social media is their biggest traffic source, while only 22% rely on organic search. Yet, bloggers still spend nearly half as much time promoting posts as they do writing them. Those who get the balance right enjoy significantly better results — businesses with active blogs see 55% more web traffic and are up to 13 times more likely to generate positive ROI.

The Top Dos of Blog Promotion

Here are the essential ‘dos’ to follow when promoting your blog:

• Do leverage social media strategically — With 5.4 billion global users, social platforms are an enormous opportunity. Posts that include visuals generate 10 times more engagement, while authentic user-generated content converts 85% better than polished adverts.

• Do use email marketing — With an average ROI of £36–£40 per £1 spent, email consistently outperforms social for customer acquisition. Tailored subject lines and storytelling boost open rates and click-throughs.

• Do repurpose content — A blog post can become a video, infographic, LinkedIn post, or even a podcast episode. This extends its reach across multiple platforms.

• Do collaborate with influencers — Influencer and affiliate marketing drove 20% of U.S. Cyber Monday revenue in 2024. Collaboration offers credibility, reach, and trust.

• Do track results — Measuring performance with KPIs ensures your promotion is working and highlights where to double down.

The Top Don’ts of Blog Promotion

Avoid these common pitfalls when promoting your blog:

• Don’t skip strategy — 46% of bloggers lack a documented content strategy, leading to inconsistent promotion and poor outcomes.

• Don’t share only once — A quarter of bloggers share their post only once, severely limiting its reach. Share multiple times with fresh angles.

• Don’t ignore SEO — Blogs that fail to optimise for keywords and search intent lose out on long-term visibility.

• Don’t post inconsistently — Over 70% of blogs are abandoned within the first year. Consistency builds trust with readers and search engines.

• Don’t publish without an audience in mind — Generic, unfocused posts rarely resonate. Define who you’re writing for and why.

• Don’t neglect analytics — Without measuring traffic, engagement, and conversions, you’ll never know what’s working.

Examples of Smart Blog Promotion in Action

Let’s compare ineffective promotion with smarter strategies:

• Social Media: Simply dropping a link across groups without context is spammy and ignored. Instead, craft platform-specific captions, threads, or carousels to spark discussion and shares.

• Email Marketing: A bland subject line like ‘New Blog Post’ gets skipped. But a story-driven email with a hook, such as ‘The 5-minute breakfast my kids actually eat’, grabs attention and drives higher clicks.

• Repurposing: Publishing a travel guide and leaving it on your blog limits its impact. Repurpose it into a YouTube video, Instagram carousel, and podcast episode, and partner with other creators to amplify reach.

Creating a Promotion Checklist

Here’s a practical checklist you can adapt for your blog promotion strategy:

Before Publishing: Optimise your headline, include visuals, and add links.

Immediately After Publishing: Share on social, email subscribers, and repurpose into micro-content.

Ongoing: Reshare with fresh angles, engage communities, build backlinks, and update older posts with links.

Final Thoughts

Promoting your blog posts isn’t about being louder — it’s about being smarter and more intentional. You’ve now seen why promotion is as critical as publishing, the dos and don’ts that matter, and how to create a repeatable checklist to stay consistent.

By applying these principles, each post can become a traffic magnet that delivers results long after it’s published.

Sarah