When I think back to just a mere two years ago, I knew NOTHING about blogs. I assumed that people who blogged were smelly, hairy, warty, horn-rimmed spectacles wearing men living in their parents’ basement. In these past two years, I’ve learned a lot about blogging and have come a long way from having no readers and no commenters to having more readers and commenters than I ever would have imagined. (Which, by the way, is WAY less than lots of other “big name” bloggers.)
I plan on writing these blog tips based solely about MY experiences promoting my blog. Some of these things I’ve learned go against things I’ve read on blogging at sites like Problogger and The Blog Herald. Conversely, many of these things are a result of reading those aforementioned sites and getting great ideas.
So let’s start talking tips, shall we?!
My first tip! Subscribe to Problogger and The Blog Herald. Read their tips, many are quite helpful. Of course, lots of the things talked about at those sites go right over my head. Also, read Jenny from Absolutely Bananas blogging tips posts at Seattle Mom Blogs. They are a MUST READ.
Second tip!
Write, write, write, write, write. Without a solid basis of at least decent writing skills, I would still have zero readers. Am I a great writer, probably not, but I am MUCH improved. Click here to read one of my early posts. **shudders at it’s horrendousness** (There are many, many, many more where that came from.)
I hate to sound like the movie Field of Dreams, but if you write well, they will come. And they will come back again. If you’re like me and write so-so, there are a few things to get people to visit your blog and maybe even return more than once. Here’s a list of topics I’ll cover in the coming weeks…
2. Blogging promotion sites (Some have been better traffic generators for me than others.)
3. Social networking sites (Another time suck or worthwhile traffic generator? Details at 10.)
4. Blog Design
Overall Blog Design
Sidebars and Pages
5. Being a member of the blogging community
6. Your brand
7. Feeds
8. Time Management
Last and DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY not least…don’t take all this blogging stuff so seriously. Don’t let the number of comments/hits/subscribers you have make or break your day. Really. Blogging for most of us is a hobby, and will always be a hobby. Just have fun!
If there is something that isn’t on the list that you’d like me to talk about, just ask in the comments, k?
Class dismissed.
