Let me start by saying this phrase really annoys me.
Our readers and followers are not fish.
Just like strategies that claim to “drive people” to our websites, etc. or establishing our “brand”, which are both cowboy metaphors, this usage sounds like you are only interested in “snagging an audience”.
Your first reason to write a blog is to have a voice in the world. You have something to say, you have something to share, you have interests and opinions based on your experience and world view, and you want to get them out into the world.
Instead, some people want to have an audience. A big audience. A HUGE audience.
Which is understandable. Heck, I wish I had a huge audience!
But not at the expense of adapting MY VOICE IN THE WORLD to appease others.
There are plenty of experts out there who can advise you about SEO, ads, sites to promote yourself, etc. etc. etc. Know that most of these people may be sharing their own experience and knowledge, but they also hope to make money off YOU. After all, if there were a sure-fire way to grow a huge audience in a short amount of time, we would ALL be jillionaires.
There will be a fortunate few who can gain fame, likes, a huge audience, sponsors/sponsorship, etc. My favorites are the people who have gained great insights in how to live our best life, and how to be the best person we can be. The influencer crowd? Meh.
So follow your own path, but please consider what is really important to you in life.
Wealth? Influence? Adoration?
Or becoming your best, authentic, heart-driven self?
Your choice.