You are probably very familiar with blogging. Blogs are akin to web-based diaries containing personal thoughts or insights on specific topics. Blogs are more personal to people than a webpage and are one of the most popular forms of social media. If you have a blog you need to improve, or are wanting to start up a new one, keep reading for some great ideas.
If you are an internet marketer, use your blog to build your email list. While posting direct advertising posts in the blog will probably turn off readers who come to your blog for information, putting an email sign-up box on your blog’s sidebar, gives readers an unobtrusive way to receive marketing information from you should they like your blog.
Try finding your size yourself. Figure out a post size that will fit with your skills and habits. Don’t copy other bloggers, try finding what works for you by experimenting. Some 600-700 words per entry, and some write 2000-3000 words per entry. Try testing what works for your own writing style and needs.
Harness the power of web 3.0. The web isn’t just text anymore, so neither should your blog. Use many different types of content to enhance your blog posts. For instance, if you are posting about a trade show in your niche, add a Youtube video of the event so that people can experience it more directly. If you are posting about a new product, include a Flash product demonstration.
Write about what you know. When blogging, in particular, it is important to write about what you actually know and understand. You could, of course, put a spin on a blog by talking about how you really don’t understand something. For the most part, however, your readers are going to be interested in your expertise and knowledge.
Ask a blog that is popular in your niche to post a link on their blog. It may take a few days for them to get back to you, but you should not get discouraged. It’s important the blog you want your link posted on is relevant to your niche.
When blogging, you should make sure that you make your RSS feed as obvious as possible. You can not expect other readers to find it if it blends in with all the text in your blog. This is why you should put it in a prominent position on your blog, and try to make use of the orange RSS icon if possible.
Having active commentary on your blog is an effective way to maintain traffic. This is because comments are content just like blog articles. Readers will revisit your blog not only to read new articles, but also to see if anyone has left new comments. You can encourage commenting by asking questions and inquiring about your readers’ perspectives in your blog articles. Responding to comments also encourages commenting.
Consider adding pictures or music to your blog. Stimulating their senses will create a fuller experience, and increase the pleasure of your visitors. Choose pictures and sounds that are relevant to the content of your blog. Before you chose anything, be certain that you are not in violation of any copyright laws.
Don’t make your blog look too crowded or your readers will go elsewhere. If you jumble everything together, trying to get the most material you can get on one page, readers will become overwhelmed. Carefully determine what is important to include on a page, and what is better reserved for the next page.
There are many places on the Internet where you can post your articles, and you should take advantage of all of them. This will ensure that you get the widest viewership possible. Be sure you don’t limit your avenues to success. You will have the greatest success if you use one fell swoop to gain as many viewers as possible. Try every idea you have to build your readership.
The most successful blogs are those that capture a reader’s attention. Take the advice you’ve just been given to heart, and become a more effective blogger. Some people find great pleasure in their blogging activities, while others can actually pull in a decent income. With dedication and passion, your blog has a much greater chance of success.