The Article Writer

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

Death to the Meme Movement!

Guest Bloggers: Bounty or Bane?

The Writing Habits Of Effective Freelancers

Your Blog Has Died And I Really Miss It!

Beginning this Saturday and running through the following Tuesday, I will be blogging exclusively about autos, but you won’t be able to read about that topic here. Instead, I am flying off to Detroit to cover the 2008 North American International Auto Show and will be reporting on my The Auto Writer blog about the various new models, concepts and industry news as it happens.

Invited To Detroit By General Motors

I learned about the trip in December when a representative of General Motors invited me to attend the show at GM’s expense. Apparently, GM is very much in touch with the blogosphere and something I wrote on The Auto Writer must have caught someone’s eye. Naturally, when I learned that I would be given the same press preview privileges as other journalists, I decided that this was an opportunity I just could not pass up.

Automotive Columnist For 435 South Magazine

The timing of this opportunity is terrific as I just recently started an automotive column with 435 South Magazine (Overland Park, KS) and have been pitching myself to various quality magazines and trade publications of late. I mentioned earlier this week what could cause me to quit blogging, so now you have a better idea what that might be.

As far as blogging on The Auto Writer goes while in Detroit, I’m still ironing out how I will handle that. I will probably post several articles each day or maybe one general article covering the show highlights for that day.

The NAIAS will open up to the general public starting on Saturday, January 19th and run through the following Saturday. Ticket information and other show information is available online.

Chevy Camaro Photo Copyright — General Motors

I recently touched on the topic of personal marketing, knowing that for many freelancers we live or die by how well (or poorly) we market ourselves. It isn’t enough to write — we must get the word out about what we can do for potential clients again and again and again.

Blogging can certainly be a very good way to showcase your talents. However, if you blog solely on your own site then the renumeration you get through advertising income can be quite small. Even some of the blog networks offer what amounts to be a stipend for the privilege of offering them 20 to 30 posts per month. Regular readers of this blog probably recall my Close Encounter With A Network Blogging Opportunity and the reasons why I turned down the chance to blog somewhere else.

One area of personal exposure besides blogging are those information guides housed on the About.Com (About) website. Now owned by The New York Times, About’s guides contain a wealth of information covering specific world cities, health issues, sports topics, you name it. Each guide is written by one author whose name and photograph are prominently featured on the guide. This fact alone makes About worth checking out, but it gets even better than that.

Compensation for managing an About guide starts at $725 per month. You are expected to submit two full length articles within a 14-day period and update your guide blog between 1 and 3 times per week. In addition, you can earn well above the minimum figure based on traffic you draw to the site. Yes, About claims that some of their guide authors are bringing in more than 100K annually!

I am not an About guide author nor is About compensating me for sharing these details with you. If interested in learning about the available topics, then head over to their site to see what subjects may be of interest to you. Yes, I am keeping my eyes open to see what is of interest to me — you just never know what “find” could be the right personal marketing fit for you!