It’s not enough to simply have a blog, your blog needs to have some sort of impact – you want to stand out – so you attract readers, subscribers and ultimately reach your goal.
Here are a few tips to make sure your blog is the best it can be:
Tip #1 – Be personable.
Each blog post is a unique opportunity to connect with your audience. Make them laugh, make them cry, inspire them and motivate your readers. In addition to your blog content, your blog design also impacts the connection you make. Include photos of yourself, audio and video blog posts and even the colors, layout and images you choose will help create a personality.
Tip #2 Make your blog easy to read.
Adopt user friendly formatting, fonts and type size. Images, short paragraphs and subheadings also make your content much easier to read.
Tip #3 Provide superior content.
While your blog posts can be entertaining they must also provide value, educate, and inform.
Tip #4 Mix it up.
Use audio, video and print content to keep your blog active and interesting.
Tip #5 Take advantage of useful widgets and plug-ins.
For example, if you participate on Twitter or Facebook you can include a widget that prompts blog readers to follow you or one that posts your Twitter conversations on the side bar of your blog.
Tip #6 Market your blog.
Use blog directories, social networking, search engine optimization and other marketing tactics to drive traffic to your blog and build readership.
Tip #7 Encourage comments.
Active blogs are well read blogs. To encourage participation and comments, ask questions, acknowledge comments and encourage discussion.
Tip #8 Blog consistently.
This is paramount to a successful blog. Utilize guest bloggers and your own content to keep the posts consistent and up to date. Get some favorite videos on YouTube and comment them for a post. Talk about your life, but don’t be too whiny. There is always content if you’re willing to work. Make a schedule and keep with it. I schedule my various topics and space them out in the week. Often I’ll have the main posts scheduled 3 – 4 months in advance. I leave room for random ones during the week. I want 10 – 16 posts a week. I suggest you start with 1.
You can have a successful blog!
Hey bloggers, do you have other tips you can include? Leave them in the comments. 
10 – 16 posts a week seems a bit much. Are these all different posts? Do they all involve the same subject matter with a different twist or perspective? With so many people posting blogs, it seems like someone would end up with an email box full of just your stuff…not to mention everyone else’s. What are your thoughts on these questions?
Thanks for the insight!
Brad,
There is every kind of advice out there…I can show you successful people blogging 3x a day and others that post 1x a month. It’s really up to you.
My experience shows two things are important – First, never forget about the quality of content. It’s not just about posting, it’s giving people something to think about, talk about, share and comment on. If producing that kind of content is something you can only do once a week, GREAT – blog once a week.
The second thing I’ve learned is that the more I post, the more people come, the more comments I get, the more active community I develop.
I’ve scheduled 18 video posts this month and have another 9 sitting on my desktop ready to upload and schedule. Am I worried about overwhelming people?
No.
Who really uses RSS readers anymore? I’m not writing to the real geeks in the world. I know my readers, so I know I’d have to explain RSS to them. I send out a weekly newsletter with posts I want to highlight.
I just reminded myself to check my rss reader. I have a lot of blogger friends I should really catch up with…right after I post those 9 videos…and get my newsletter out.
Good advice, Thanks!
You’re so welcome.