Wow! That title ended up a bit longer than I had hoped. Anyhow, when I started blogging I was so happy if I had one or two readers a day and I just didn’t know how I was going to build the traffic to my sites. I did plenty of research and started following a few successful blogs. Here are 5 of my favorite ways to gain new readers, meet new bloggers and cure writers block!

1. Go Blogtipping

Blogtipping is a concept inspired by Easton at Business Blogwire. The idea is easy. On the first day of each month, write about three blogs that you like and list three things you like about each blog. For added measure, give each blog a tip as to how they could improve their blog. Bloggers love to be tipped! Chances are they will leave you a nice comment, give you a little link love or become a new regular at your blog.

Added bonus: Easton does a wrap up post after the fact and highlights the blogtippers and tippees!

2. Join the Carnival

Not quite a circus, but fun, none the less!  For a carnival, the host/hostess of the carnival picks a topic for the post and you write a post at your blog about the topic. You link to the host blog/post in your post.  The carnival host will then list everyone who participated. My favorite Blog Carnival is the Red Hot Bloggers at MomGadget.

3. BlogJolt

I recently discovered this activity at eMoms at Home. The eMoms Blog Jolt Group hosts weekly “Jolts” in which the group members feature a chosen member blog to flood with traffic and inbound links.

Added bonus: There is an archive page and if your blog was jolted, you have a nice permanent feature.

4. Open Mic Night

Liz at Successful Blog is the Queen of Conversation in my book! Each Tuesday night she hosts Open Comment night at her blog. She picks the topic and bloggers from around the globe create an ongoing conversation that often lasts well into the night.

Added bonus: She also creates a great post-event wrap up post.

5. Stop lurking!

Leave a comment on a post that makes you think, laugh, or taught you something. Chances are, the blogger will visit you, too. Find a few forums that fit your personality, area of expertise, or area of desired learning and stop lurking. Use the forums to gain new blogging friends and share your knowledge - you won’t be disappointed.

I know there are other creative ideas to generate blog traffic and meet new blogs/bloggers in the process, but these are my favorites right now!