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Blog: Tips on How to Blog
I was catching up on my Google reader and subscribed blogs and came across Jeff Bullas, a blogger in Sydney. His blog, JeffBullas.com, discusses ideas and tips for better Internet marketing, including using the social networks as part of your overall strategy.
The blog post that caught my eye, however, is one that has 30 tips for making your blog rock. As I started to comment, I realized I had 10 additional ideas, which I share with you here (but make sure you also read his blog post…then you’ll have 40 ideas).
1. Ask your readers what they want you to write about
2. Let your readers pimp their own blogs in your comments section
3. Ask questions
4. Create contests (which goes along with the poll/survey idea)
5. Install the SEO All In One pack on your WordPress blog
6. Use StumbleUpon and AllTop to increase your readership
7. Create content for Associated Content by republishing your blog posts there (it helps with readership and news outlets will republish your content on their sites)
8. Comment on other blogs and news articles to show your thinking/expertise, but also link people back to your blog
9. Make sure, when you use Twitter to promote your blog post, that you’re tweeting about it more than once a day
10. Subscribe to SmartBrief newsletters, RSS feeds, and Google alerts in order to find ideas for new content
What do you do to make your blogs rock?
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March 3rd, 2010 at 8:45 am
I like 9 out of 10, but I have to be honest and say I hate #1.
Write what you love to write about and get people to read that like that. If you write for other people you’ll burn yourself out in no time and not have much fun in the process.
Just my 2 cents
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:50 am
I see your point, Tim. I actually tried this a few months ago when I had writer’s block. I admitted I had writer’s block, gave my readers some parameters (has to be about PR or social media, for instance) and asked them what they wanted to see. Most of the ideas were really good! I didn’t use the ideas that weren’t of interest to me…but I also got some ideas (books I recommend people read) I hadn’t considered. And, as a reader of my blog, how flattered would you be if I asked you what you would like to see here and then I wrote what you suggested?
With that in mind…any ideas for me??
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:14 am
You rascal tempting me back with a question.
I do get your point and it’s valid once you have established yourself. I had a client one time who started off his blog my polling a load of people to see what they wanted to read about. He lasted about 3 months.
You may well have done this before, but I’d like to know more about using YouTube. My incoming traffic from YouTube is the highest quality I get with an average stay on site of almost 8 minutes.
I have a basic channel page but I’m not sure whether I could be utilizing it more effectively. Feel free to mock me if you have covered this off recently.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:01 am
Lots of great tips. A few I think would be more effective for an already established blog, but others you can start right away. One thing I’m doing to set up my blog for success is finding other blogs on the topic and seeing what they have to say. I plan on reaching out to a few of them to ask what tips they would give a new blogger in their field. People love to know that others admire them and consider them experts – most will be more than willing to help. You can never go wrong with good old fashioned networking.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 am
[...] SpinSucks.com: Tips on How to Blog [...]
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:34 am
Great tips Gini! Thanks for the link to Jeff’s blog as well. I look forward to hearing about more of those contests you refer to!
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:42 am
Tim – THAT is an excellent point and one I agree with. You definitely should not poll your readers on topics until you have an established base.
B – I love that idea! And you’re right…people like to have their egos stroked and most will reciprocate when your blog is up and running.
Jeremy – Thanks to you all I can think about right now is riding my bike in the mountains.
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:53 am
As a brand new blogger, your comments and advice are very helpful!! Now if I can get past the writer’s block …
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:33 pm
[...] Gini Dietrich: Blogs about Jeff and Adds her Tips On How to Blog [...]
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Ha. You DID steal #2 from Danny Brown, as you promised. Love that idea, way to share the love with your readers. Brill.
Reading and commenting on other blogs (#8), linking those posts is still my favorite part about social media. It’s the real networking we do, how we connect and contribute.
I will have to check out Associated Content. Thanks for the tips.
March 4th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Ces – Google alerts!
Davina – I TOTALLY stole it from Danny! Also check out seed.com. I haven’t played with it yet, but hear it’s pretty darn good.
March 4th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Great Tips on How to Blog – and increase your readership + find unique content http://bit.ly/d9FRvH
March 4th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
RT @RetailAGoGo: Great Tips on How to Blog – and increase your readership + find unique content http://bit.ly/d9FRvH
July 7th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
[...] make your blog rock. I had 10 additional tips, which I shared on his blog in the comments, and then blogged about it here, as [...]