Be a Better Blogger
Apr 10th, 07 |I’m no expert on blogging. When I started in fact, I was surprised to learn that blogging is a constant effort, and a journey more than an end. That said, here are some simple ways to become a better blogger, based on my own experience and what I’ve observed about others who run successful blogs.
Provide Quality Content
Arguably the most powerful force of driving traffic to any website is content. Quality content, that is. This is especially true for a blog. Most bloggers are passionate (therefore knowledgeable) about the subject matter of their blog, and it shows in their writing. Readers are in turn engaged by the excitement of the author, and chances are they’ll come back for more. Successful bloggers also consciously choose to keep their blog centered on a niche, and take time to do a bit of research on the articles they write. This is where value comes in… by taking care to publish thorough and accurate information based on what you know about your topic, whether you’re an expert or just an enthusiast. In this way you’ll build a reputation as a credible source.
Write Consistently
Make the commitment to write consistently. Whether or not you follow 9rules, you may still know it’s a large presence within the “blogosphere”. It’s essentially a community of bloggers who have been accepted as members into an exclusive network because of the quality content they provide to others. Here we go with the Q word again, I know, but in this case I’m also talking about frequency of posting. 9rules specifically states in its criteria for joining, that they look for “consistency in writing quantity”, and “great content, updated regularly”. A stale blog will lost readership fast.
Be Honest
A quote comes to mind… “no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” Basically, no one likes a know-it-all. Pretending to know everything will only get you flamed. Admitting your mistakes, or short-comings will garner trust among your readers and the community you’re trying to foster, rather than the opposite.
Prepare For Criticism
Gracefully dealing with criticism requires developing a thick skin. I’m sure this will be a stumbling block for me, but I’m willing to work on it. There are those who seek to ridicule others for their own reasons (perhaps because they suffer from a superiority complex), and will read your posts for the sole purpose of finding fault. Some will submit aggressive comments just to stir the hornet’s nest, or email you with nothing good to say.
For those instances, your best course of action is to use your trusty DELETE key. Yep, those people aren’t worth your time, and responding to their insults will only lend to losing respect with your loyal readers. For those who post comments or send email offering up constructive criticism, it’s critical that you learn to accept it, and when appropriate, comment on it. It will only help you become a better blogger, and more knowledgeable on the subject of your niche.
Have a Goal
This should probably be the first thing in the list rather than the last, but here it will stay for one reason… knowing where you want to go with your blog isn’t always clear at first. In my case, it wasn’t clear at all until recently. Having an idea of what you want to accomplish with your blog, whether it’s to inform, petition, rebuff, sell… whatever. There has to be a reason behind it or you’ll lose site of why you started. Set some goals for where you want your blog to go, and work diligently toward them. It will keep you on track and keep your site moving forward. Good luck!
