Starting a blog, or decided to get back to a neglected blog? Here is a thumbnail view of the Ten Key Elements to developing a blog.
Think of your blog as a magazine.
- Consistency: In content theme, and in your posting frequency. Think of your blog as a magazine. Readers subscribe because they know what type of articles to expect, and when it will arrive. Blogs about everything and nothing, with issues coming out hourly, daily, weekly and then monthly, do not rank high with Alexa.
- Passion: Writing about what you know is not as important as writing about what you are passionate about. Only your passion will get you to sit down on those days when you may otherwise not feel like writing. Your passion will also shine through your words, giving readers a reason to come back!
- Content: Good copy. Eye-catching graphics. Clean layout.
- Traffic: If your blog is going to be successful, regardless of how you measure success, you need readers. Pay attention to what gets the most traffic and with future updates, go with the traffic flow.
- Lead by example: For a blog to be successful, it is not good enough just to write about what everyone else is writing about. The web is cluttered enough already with mediocre websites parroting the same watered-down, dull, tasteless stories.
- Be a friend: Engage your audience. If someone takes the time to comment on your post, take the time to thank them and to respond. Help them when you can. Engage other writers and use your blogroll, and social media venues to help promote their best work. They will remember you. Being known is worth a lot.
- Ask for help: The second part of being a friend, is asking for friendship. You do this by asking. If you want comments – ask! If you need help with an idea – ask!
- Track everything: Google Analytics and other similar services are invaluable. Reguarly check on your stats to see what people are reading, what they’re not reading, where they click on your site and where they do not.
- Be You at your Best. If you’re in a bad mood, get out of it before writing, responding to comments, or engaging your audience. Yes we are all human, and have our ups and downs. But remember that everything you write will be appearing in people’s offices and homes. When people invite you to their home, and you begin swearing, farting, cutting your toenails and insulting their family, do you think you’ll be welcome again? Remember that when someone opens your webpage, they are inviting you into their home. Well, a piece of you anyway.
- Fail Fast Forward This is the slogan of Darren Monroe. It is great philosophy, and something I have subscribed to for years (although I didn’t have a nifty catchphrase for it like Darren does). Try what you believe will work best and just jump into it. If it doesn’t work, get up and try something else. And then something else, until it works.
Did I miss something? Please let me know? What are your best tips for blogging? I’ll be posting more advanced issues in coming days and weeks.
