I’m a blogger. At least, I think I am. Blogger is typically defined as a person who maintains or publishes an online diary (web blog). But I’m not writing my private thoughts into the public media. Blogging, to me, is more than just spilling your emotions over a keyboard for all to see.
There are good blogs and bad blogs. Blogs that have one theme (Food or travel blogs, for example), and blogs that are all over the place (blogs written typically by high school girls, perhaps…) The majority of blogs are somewhere in between.
Take mine, for example. I started well over a year ago to document my forays into the social/dating world. But I found that to be too limiting for what I wanted to say. So I spread my wings. And I realized, thanks to my subscribers’ comments, that I have more to say on more subjects than just Who’s Who on Match.com. Thank goodness… have you checked some of those profiles lately? Seriously….
I’m a good writer. But I’m not always a good blogger. I threw myself in the deep end and am teaching myself how to swim. Sometimes I float, sometimes I sink. But I am always able to come up for air and reach the surface.
I don’t know logistics. I don’t know coding and formatting. I know writing. I know creativity and characters and descriptions and recipes. And typing. And a little bit of photography, but not much.
I’m still learning.
This is where you come in. I need help. I have so many questions. I just know that somewhere out there in the great Blogosphere are the answers. So far I’ve been self-sufficient enough to research and google and obtain basic information. But I know there’s a whole world of ways to make my blog better, and I’m just not sure where all that information is.
So here is my Plea: Tell me how to write a better blog.
- Do you have tips on photography?
- What topics do you like to read about?
- How do you attract (and maintain) a large following?
- What types of giveaways get your attention?
- How do you get your Blog to pay for itself (advertising, sponsors, etc.)?
- How do you get contributions for your giveaways?
- What can make Frankly, My Dear… a daily must-read email?
- How do you get people to comment on your blog, without using spam?
- Do you reply to every comment?
- How do you get your readers to interact with each other (reply to other comments)?
- What layouts appeal to you? What makes a blog too “visually busy”?
- When I add my blog hop links every “What’s the Word?” Wednesday, the code box is adjustable instead of formatted to fit under the photo link. How can I change this?
- Is there a way to make a Blog Hop start, without a stop date?
I truly welcome want need any advice or suggestions you may have. Feel free to comment or even link up posts if you have them.
Come by and visit. Get some tips. Share some tips. Don’t forget to place the link on your own posts! I know I’m not the only one on this teeter-totter. Together, we can write Better Blogs, dontcha think?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Great idea for a discussion topic! I think we all know different bits and pieces of the puzzle!
Ann recently posted..Something as Beautiful
My link should say I heart blogging! No advice in this post but maybe it fits because it is about blogging.
Ann recently posted..Something as Beautiful
Ann, if you have a link about blogging, add it to the Blog Hop! That would be a great start! Thank you for all your wonderful comments! You’re a treasure.
Just wanted to add a few things…
Joining a commenting group where you agree to comment on each other’s posts and promote through social media everyday is a great way to increase traffic.
This post has great info on setting up a blog with WordPress and making money…
http://lifelearningtoday.com/2009/03/21/complete-guide-to-set-up-a-wordpress-blog-and-make-money/
Another blog that had many great SEO and blog resources is http://afterbedtimeblog.com/
Ann recently posted..Market Math
Here’s something I’ve discovered just this week that really helps: when you cross-promote (Pin, tweet, like or link), don’t just add the URL link. SAY SOMETHING. Advertise! It’s okay to write “Hey, check out this post on how to write better posts!” or, “Ever wonder how to draw on the computer? Here’s a good link!” PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE!
Molly Jo recently posted..“What’s the Word?” Wednesday [Blog Hop]: July 11, 2012
Your goal of making “Frankly, My Dear…” a daily must read might be unrealistic. You have your blog set up to cover a variety of topics–daily musings, recipes, gardening, books, etc. It’s unlikely that any one person will be interested in all of those topics.
I love reading your blog. I tune in whenever I notice you’re talking about books. Often I’ll read if you’re just talking about your life and goings-on. Once in a while I might look at your garden stuff or look at the photos if I’m bored, but I almost never read your recipes or food discussions. I’m probably a pretty faithful reader, but reading every day isn’t likely to happen :)
Anyhow, as to your question of how to make it better. From my slanted viewpoint I enjoy reading about your takes on life. You’re good at putting into words emotions and struggles we might all face, though the details from you to us will vary. I also love reading book reviews–not the summary/review per se, because I could just click on Amazon to read a review–but I love reading reviews where you tell why the book impacted you. I guess making it personal makes it enjoyable to read your writings. I often will get the same book based on what you’ve written–that’s fun.
Good luck with your blogging. I like that you have included the variety of topics even if I don’t personally want to read each one :)
Thank you, Claudia. I appreciate your lengthy reply as it gives me much to consider. And thank you for being such a faithful supporter!
Molly Jo recently posted..This Week’s Theme: August 20, 2012