I'm really enjoying this blogging thing, and I want to get better at it. So I did the logical thing and checked out a blogging group. Culture shock. They were all talking about stuff like marketing you blog, whether or not to pay to advertise your blog (do people really do this?), commenting on as many blogs as you can so that people will follow you back to your blog and comment.
Basically, it was all about increasing your stats and comments. Now don't get me wrong. I love comments. It always makes me smile when someone takes the time to comment on something that I've written.
But what I'm really looking for is suggestions on how to write a better blog. Maybe I'm naive, but I happen to believe that a good product, more interesting posts, will eventually build a larger readership. I want people to find my blog, through whatever means, and find it interesting enough to want to come back again. I don't want to spend my time trying to come up with something interesting to say about some random blog in the hope that the blogger will come back and comment here. Those comments are like the Twinkies of the blogosphere-- a brief rush but ultimately unfulfilling.
So what should I do to improve my blogging skills? Write better posts! Duh. But what is it that I'm lacking? Focus? Consistency? Is the tone too negative? Should I interact more in the comments?
Lay it on me, y'all. I can take it.
Tawna wrote about this recently, with some suggestions. Sadly she also talked about what kind of blogs are out there, and I fell into a very unflattering category. It made me feel bad, but then I got over myself, and in the end changed nothing. (Although we are planning an update/remodel when the Out Of Town kid comes home in a few weeks.) Maybe some of the stuff she said would be helpful for you. She included links and quotes, she's very organized like that.
ReplyDeleteJulie
I have nothing for you. I've been blogging since January and still only have 30 followers. I'm okay with that, though. I never expected to have anyone follow me but my husband, so any others are gravy. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the marketing. Who wants to do that?
ReplyDeleteI comment on blogs that interest me. I write about whatever the heck I want to. Hmm...perhaps I could use some tips as well!
Julie, I can't imagine what you're doing wrong with your blog. You share interesting bits of your life, often make me laugh, and always seem to have lively conversations going in the comments. Like all advice, I think not all suggestions are appropriate for all blogs. (See above re: advertising.)
ReplyDeleteI remember Tawna's post, although I've slept since then so the details are fuzzy. I think she was talking specifically about blogs for authors. Some of that advice might be worthwhile for all bloggers, but some of it is probably only applicable to those who are blogging for business purposes. Those of use who do it for our own entertainment don't have to worry about the same things.
I also have no interest in marketing, or advertising (they call it "monetizing" on blogger and the whole idea makes me queasy). I have no followers, but a few people that check in regularly-- more now that I'm on the Betty bloglist, it used to be just my husband, my cousin, and two of my friends. :-) I do it because it helps me work things out in my head, so even if nobody else reads it, it still works for me. Based on the "pagecounts" that I get from blogger, there is no way to predict which pages will be the most popular. The most-viewed post on my blog is one that I wrote almost three years ago-- it still gets 2-3 hits a week, and I have no idea who they are or how they're getting the link. Weird, huh?
ReplyDeletewhich ends up being absolutely no advice at all. You're a good writer! It will draw people in.
I think it depends on your reasons for blogging. My blog has a theme - overcoming writer's block - but most of the posts are just random stuff from my head. Nothing sexy or super exciting, but I like it. Tawna's post did have a lot of good ideas if you want to promote your blog, but mostly you can just share whatever might be fun or interesting or entertaining or uplifting for other people, or whatever's on your mind.
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