Archive for 'Blogging'

Blogging Success Tips

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at 4:23 pm  
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Blogging takes determination, effort, and consistency. It requires a lot of thought and consideration for what the target audience is looking for and how to present that information. Depending on the subject matter and the audience, there are a variety of tools and strategies that can be used to engage the readers. What works for one blog may not work for another. For example, if your blog is about particular products or tangible items, then monetization with affiliate ads may be useful. But if your blog is about the importance of participating in political elections and knowing the candidates, then affiliate marketing may not be as successful.

We have included our top eight (8) tips for blogging success:

1. Blogs should be newsworthy and contain valuable content. Blogs that go on and on and on and on……well, you get the picture. Don’t just write words for the sake of filling white space. Make sure your words have meaning and add value.

2. Graphics and pictures can add to visual appeal and clarify messages. Just be sure to use them appropriately. Don’t over-use them and don’t fill pages with pictures. People visit blogs to find out what you have to SAY.

3. Write simply. If you use elaborate words and flowery text, people will not become as engaged and loyal. Even if you are writing about a ‘sophisticated topic’, use simple language and remember that people are skimming rather than reading anyway. This is not ‘talking down’ to your audience but simply respecting the fact that they are looking for information quickly.

4. Assert your expertise and knowledge without becoming overbearing, arrogant, and obnoxious. Allow readers to make their own decision about your level of expertise based on the value of the content you provide to them.

5. Nurture your audience. Gain their respect, admiration, and loyalty through well-written, carefully thought-out content that provides valuable information and news.

6. Respect your audience and let them know how much you value them too. Tell them in your blog posts and solicit their feedback and input. Listen to what they have to say and use their feedback to improve your blog.

7. Blog consistently. Fresh, new information is what keeps visitors returning for more. If they know you have valuable information posted, they will visit your site more often. Think about when your audience is most likely to read your posts. A website about crafting will be read at different times than one focused on financial planning. Evaluate statistics and see when visitors are coming to your site – then create a schedule of blogging that supports the patterns you discover.

8. Go after them! Don’t wait for them to come to you. Make sure there is a way for them to know when you have updated your blog posts. Email alerts and RSS feeds are examples of how you can go after them and bring them to your site rather than waiting for search engines to drive them. Use Twitter, LinkedIn, and FaceBook to notify people of new information and invite them to your site. Use other available tools to grab their attention. You take control of your blog and the traffic that finds its way to you.

For your blog to be successful, you must have traffic. And traffic comes from planning and considering what the target audience wants to know. Focus on your audience and give them what they want. That’s the real secret to increasing blog traffic!

Reasons People Blog

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at 1:55 pm  
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You’ve heard a lot about blogging and you may even keep up with a few online blogs yourself. There are millions of blogs on the Internet and they include a range of topics on virtually every topic imaginable. But just why do people engage in blogging anyway and what is the allure of an online diary?

First of all, it’s important to understand that blogs have become much more than glorified diaries or journals. They have become a major driver for online marketers who are using the blog as an innovative approach to increasing traffic to their website. Blogging has become much more popular today than ever before.

The following is a list of the top eight (8) reasons people blog. Take a look at these popular reasons and you may find that this is something worth pursuing for your own personal or business needs:

1. A person has something to say and they want hundred, thousands, and even millions of people to hear what they have to say. They want to get a message across or promote a ‘cause’ and blogs are the perfect way to do that across a huge audience.

2. Online marketers use blogs to promote a product or service. It is an easy and affordable component of an online marketing plan and it is a great way to promote a business, products, or services.

3. People create blogs to connect with other people who share a common idea, thought, or cause. They want to find people who feel as they do about a particular topic and they seek to engage others in conversation about their topic. People who are passionate about their blogging topic will find a huge following throughout the blogosphere.

4. Everyone likes to be valued for their experience and expertise. Bloggers have a great opportunity to promote themselves and their knowledge. They can gain recognition and notoriety through their blog which can also help them promote their business or other endeavors.

5. Many people seek to make a difference in the world and blogs give them the platform and the tools to make it happen. They may want to express concerns, ideas, and recommendations to help people suffering from a particular illness. Others want to improve the way people educate and teach their children. Some people have a desire to influence political elections. Blogs offer a way to reach out to a huge crowd of people to make a difference in the world.

6. Some people simply enjoy writing and a blog is the perfect answer for them. They are creative and have a flair for creating interesting, engaging content. The blog is the perfect forum to share a particular passion.

7. Families find that blogs are a great way to keep up with what’s happing. No longer are centralized families able to get together and talk as they did in the past. Families are often dispersed geographically and a blog is a great way to stay in touch with each other.

8. And finally, blogs can be used as outreach or support groups for people who are experiencing similar issues in life. For example, people going through issues related to eldercare and caring for aging parents may find that blogging is therapeutic for them. It can provide them with an outlet for what is happening in their lives and they will gain tremendous support from people who empathize and also need support.

Blogging is used for many different reasons and by millions of people every day. One thing is for sure – bloggers are passionate about their topic and they are likely to be around for many years to come.