Blogging is a great way to share your ideas, thoughts and advice with the world. It works for businesses, artists, organizations and individuals alike. When you create a blog, you invite people into a discussion about whatever topic you propose or want to talk about. Some people blog for money, and others blog for free, in order to promote themselves or their business. There is no wrong way to blog – you can say pretty much whatever you want and create a blog that serves any purpose. However, there are certain practices that will attract more attention to your blog, and getting attention is what blogging is all about. Make sure you create a blog that utilizes these important elements:
1. Pay attention to content. If you want anyone to read your blog, what you write has to be interesting, informative and relevant. Write about things creatively and contribute what you can to conversations that are happening elsewhere on the Internet. For example, if you are writing an entertainment blog, you probably covered the Kim Kardashian/Kanye West baby news. Instead of writing the same content that a thousand other blogs provided, do something original, such as suggested baby names or ideas for the nursery theme. It will get attention on the subject in a creative way. Remember to keep all content consistent with your brand or the personality you wish to convey through your blog. Readers should be able to recognize a blog as yours no matter where they see it.
2. Proofread, please. I will stop reading a blog when there are too many typos, misspelled words or grammatical nightmares. If blogging is something you plan to do regularly, learn how to proofread and edit your work. As a blogger, you most likely love to read and write so you should only be publishing refined work. Your blog will lose credibility if you have too many errors, and if you blog for money, you’re going to have a hard time getting paid when advertisers and others are too embarrassed by your terrible spelling or grammar.
3. Make your blog a conversation. Leaving a space for comments is not going to automatically invite comments. Work questions into your blog, so people will feel compelled to comment and engage in conversation on your blog. As you are writing about herbs for your food blog, ask readers if they prefer fresh or dried herbs and why. Being a total devotee to fresh parsley, sage and rosemary, I know I’d leave my two cents. Interacting within the blogging community is one of the most important practices in maintaining a blog.
4. Share your blog. Get your blog out into the digital universe. You might have a handful of reliable followers and dedicated readers, but you need to do a little more if you want your blog to get the attention it deserves. Post your updated blogs on Facebook, Twitter and anywhere else that you network socially. Invite your most loyal fans to do the same. If you can find different people to share your blog posts, your readership will increase immediately.
5. Keep a regular schedule. Blogging every day might be a little too time consuming, especially if you blog for free and have other work to do. However, don’t let long periods of time go by without new blog content. To maintain readership and interest in your blog, you must be consistent in posting articles. If your last blog was posted on October 24, 2010, people have probably stopped checking back to see what you have to say. Aim for at least one or two blog posts each week. This will keep people interested and engaged without driving them away by over-posting.
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