Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Rick's Rules of Successful Blogging

Blog Often
There is a great deal of information "out there" on blogging. Obviously there are millions of people writing blogs for fun and profit. A lot of bloggers update infrequently which to me is one of the fastest ways to lose readers.
If I go to a blog that hasn't been updated in several weeks, chances are slim that I will return even if I think what they have to say is valuable.
If a blogger updates regularly (not necessarily every day), I will stick around and read through several posts to get a feel for what the blog is about. 


Blog About The Things You Love
My favorite blogs are ones where people write about the things they love - fly fishing, photography, gardening, writing, and music.
My least favorite blogs are political blogs at both ends of the spectrum. There are professional pundits out there making a killing writing about politics, but if you are an unknown blogger trying to build a following, you might want to steer clear of politics. If you're conservative, you'll hear a swoshing sound as the liberals blow on by your blog - and visa versa. 
I personally think that Americans have forgotten how to compromise. Each side feels the people on the other side are idiots and are driving the country down the toilet. I think there are smart people on both ends and if they ever found common ground, we could get our country back on track. Will this ever happen - the jury is still out.
I'm sure there are a lot of who would disagree....so take a moment, and re-read the title of this post.


Lose The Automatic Music
I also think it's unwise to have music that automatically plays when you go to a blog. This may be just a personal thang with me, but I rarely even read the first paragraph if music is playing. I simply click NEXT and move on. 
If someone has a player on their blog that contains their favorite songs, or songs they have written, that's another story. If I like what the blogger has to say, I'll often listen to music they create or music they love.


Entertain, Teach, or Make Them Laugh
Other good ways to build a readership is to entertain them with funny stories, jokes (I always keep my "G" rated), or killer photographs.
I routinely return to sites that teach me something or give me hints on how to get better, be more healthy, smarter, taller, be a better father, person, fisherman, or have more hair (just kidding, I'm at peace with not having hair).
And, if you can do the above and make people smile, I can assure you readers will return.


This is just to get the conversation started. If you have things that make you want to return, or run away from a blog, please share.


More to follow.

8 comments:

  1. I am one of those infrequent bloggers. I also agree with the "automatic" music. I don't sign up for those kind anymore and when I have, I immediately turn it off before I read what was posted.

    I post when I have something to say. I suppose I could force it, but I won't. Stubborn huh?

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  2. Thanks for the suggestion Rick. Some of them were really good!

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  3. I agree with the automatic music. Our tastes are too different. I run a mile when it starts.

    I think you cover a successful blog pretty well. You have to work hard, be creative, and respect your fellow bloggers..:)

    Oh, I also think word verification is a bugbear and never use it.

    Thx for visiting my blog. I hope you will be back. I'm inviting some published authors to tell us all about their journey to publication in the next couple of weeks...

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  4. Oooh short and sweet posts always gets a thumbs up from me!! :-) I say blog all you want - but please keep them bitesize! Edit, people, edit! :-)

    Take care
    x

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  5. good post. I am so with you on the automatic music. I either glance to see if the off switch is close to the top, or I hit the mute on my speakers.

    I also agree on the politics. Ugh.

    I don't have any good advice on what makes them good. I started writing a blog as a personal journey/diary. A few times I lose sight of that and try to make it "something for everyone" but in reality, I always keep coming back to the idea that they are my thoughts and my blog posts. If others like them, that's great, but I do it for ME whether anyone else reads it or not. :)
    tm

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  6. Interesting post. I agree with your commenter-- Orney's Wife. Do it for yourself and you will be happier.
    I do postings about trees once a week. Not many comments, but when I look at the traffic many of past tree posts are what folks are reading.
    Be true to yourself and it will be an enjoyable activity.

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  7. Yep, I agree with all of that. Plus I love what old kitty says. Short and sweet. If I see a post that goes on and on, I just skip it. And I like consistency too.

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  8. Great hints on blogging! I am stopping by through Kathie's Blog Tour.

    Blessings & Aloha!

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