What Sadie Hawkins Never Told You About Blogging
7 Tips To Help You Become A Better Blogger
Today is February 29th, a day revered by Sadie Hawkins followers everywhere. Yep, bachelors the world over will soon be on the receiving end of marriage proposals, thanks to a tradition which allows the woman to propose to a man once but every four years (edit. – or once annually on November 15th, which is Sadie Hawkins Day).
What does this have to do with what I’m going to be talking about? Nothing, actually. Though, having a February 29th on the calendar this year allows me to blog on a date that isn’t around for the next three.
To that end, I’m offering seven tips on how to build a better blog, suggestions that have helped me to launch, expand, maintain and/or sell off well over a dozen blogs since December 2005:
Find A Blogging Platform That You Like
I used to recommend WordPress (WP) to everyone, but then I know that not everyone likes WP particularly in light of some recent and very serious security flaws (duh, why didn’t you upgrade when you were supposed to?!) To that end, whatever platform you use, become very familiar with it whether it be Typepad, Blogger, or something else. You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches if you understand what you are working with.
Pick A Niche
Hopefully, you’re blogging about something that you like to talk about. If you are passionate about a particular subject, that will soon come out in your writing. Conversely, so will your lack of enthusiasm. Develop three or four pillar articles which define what your blog is all about.
Find Your Voice
Let’s face it: lots of bloggers copy other blogs, not just their content, but they try to mimic someone’s voice. Be original because your readers are likely fairly intelligent and can spot a copycat or a fake.
Establish A Rhythm
You’ll get plenty of advice — much of it unsolicited telling you how to manage your blog. Sorry, rules don’t apply — although blogging guidelines are fine. Blog when you want and how often you want, but just blog. Once a week is fine, so is three times per day. If you are passionate and consistent, your blog will get noticed.
Show Yourself Friendly
Open up your blog to encourage comments, but use a moderating function to review comments before posting. If you are controversial, expect opposing viewpoints to be aired. Show your courage and post comments “as is” but use your judgment if there is a certain line you don’t feel comfortable allowing people to cross (e.g., using vulgarities).
Visit Other Blogs
Make a point to visit other blogs, particularly those along the lines of your genre. Read their stuff, leave intelligent comments and do this consistently. Are you thinking 2 or 3 visits per day is enough? Try adding a zero behind each of those numbers and you’ll be closer to the mark.
Embrace Change
If your blogging style, subject matter, or your networking methods are always the same, then you may want to consider leaving your comfort zone and considering making some changes. Even a new blog theme, the addition of a poll or some other small changes can help out. Welcome your new members, consider running a contest, pay it forward wherever possible. Do not accept the status quo!
How you ultimately measure blogging success shouldn’t depend on the number of readers, advertising secured or your popularity online. People, advertisers and other bloggers are fickle — do you want to write from the standpoint of being popular or from being secure in what you know?
Further Reading
Guest Bloggers: Bounty or Bane?
Matt | Humor, Personal Marketing, Writing
Very interesting way to tie in the leap year - I actually had no idea about that tradition, or the tradition on November 15th. Cool stuff - those tips about blogging are right on the money. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, Josephine. I figured that since Leap Day happens only once every four years, something unique and interesting should be added.
The November 15th tradition, Sadie Hawkins Day, really took off in the 1930s thanks to the ‘Lil Abner comic strip which made up the holiday.
Finding your voice is very good advice especially for those new to writing. It distinguishes you from every other blogger and will become the reason why people will want to visit your blog often.
I have just found your blog and will be back again.
Stirlyn, I appreciate your comments and welcome your return. BTW, I like the Mimbo theme on your blog, something I have considered for other blogs that I manage.
Thanks Matt, it works well once you get to grips with it, and it’s a nice layout for those who come to the front page first
Thank you for sharing this. I hope you’ll post something about building a niche.
In short, write from your heart
Also, learn to write many post in one short and get them auto posted. This way, you fight less writers’ block and get some writing inertia to write more posts.
As always, good stuff Matt. I think I need to step out. Been contemplating EntreCard for a while, maybe I’ll take a peek at it tonight!
Not sure if i agree on moderating comments though…I personally don’t like it when blogs do that, especially when they don’t review them frequently and it takes hours (and even days) for your comment to show up.
Larry, it is a double-edge sword when it comes to blog comments. I agree that if comments are not being moderated frequently, then it isn’t very fair to the person leaving the comment. That is why I try to moderate the site throughout the day — I get email notifications when they come in — and I’ll pop in on weekends to see how things are going.
Let me know what you think of the Entrecard — I haven’t done it yet.
Thanks for the tips. I have the most trouble with the last tip–I hate change, even though I know it is vital.
Jason, some changes are much more palatable than others == when we embrace that which does us good then the initial pain of change fades away.