When I attended online college at Southern New Hampshire University, I built my WordPress blog site through an SNHU workshop. I didn’t have much content to provide to visitors at that time. So, I set about posting many of my high-scoring essays. Since then, Google has recognized me as a legitimate site. For the past several years, traffic to my site has come mainly from search engines such as Google, Bing, Duck Duck Go, and recently, Google Scholar. My essays have been referenced many times through the years. I’ve never gotten used to it, and I am always humbled and awe-struck at the phenomenon.
I do have many fictional pieces posted, along with some photography. I market those as much as I can, and I get traffic to them often. But, my essays still glean the bulk of my traffic.
I’m posting this because I want you to know that persistence and perseverance are essential in your writing career. Also, don’t underestimate the power of your nonfiction pieces. Your passion might be in fiction, but your other work may help bring traffic to your site.
Give your readers variety—let them get a deeper glimpse into who you are. I believe my essays caused Google to see my site as popular and sought after.
A Message to First-time Writers
Jill Yoder 
The encouragement you offer in this post is precious, Jill. Thanks for sayin. I’m sure your essays offer value. Way to go! Yay! Thanks again. Keep going.
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Thank you for stopping by to read my article. It always astounds me how much traffic I get from search engines. I appreciate your support and kind words.
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I wish that would happen to me: 😞 perhaps 🤔 I need to add more value… in all honesty, I’m so happy for you. Keep going. I wish you miracles.
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Hi Jill,
That’s awesome! I think I had that class with you. 😁 I started a blog, but didn’t keep up with it since I started teacher education classes (and teaching!) right after I graduated. You give good advice! After my last teaching class is finished this summer, I’ll get back to my writing, too. Thank you for staying inspiring.
Sonia
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🙂 Yes! If you keep up with it even a couple of times per month, you’ll see a difference in traffic. Although, it is important to remember to share your posts on social media as much as possible.
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