7 Tips for Successful Blogging
A Blog Isn't Just For Christmas.I was watching the news on TV last night and there was a warning about buying puppies as Christmas presents. There's nothing worse than visiting the kennels in the new year ..... ...... you add a new post. Think of this as a means to get their attention. The ping says 'Hey, we just added a new post'. An alternative to automatically pinging from your blog is to use pingomatic.com. This is a one-stop place to automatically ping everyone you should notify of your new post and only takes a couple of minutes to accomplish.
Tip #3: Mention your blog wherever you can
Mention your blog's address in your email signature line, in forums where you post, on your business cards, on address labels and in conversations with anyone you meet. Use a tag line under your blog address to further entice them to visit. Mine reads:
Michele Schermerhorn
http://www.imarketblog.com
A sassy little marketing blog
Beyond just mentioning your blog in writing and conversation, you must actively participate in the blogging community too.
Tip #4: Participate in the blogosphere
Get involved in other people's blogs. Visit blogs that interest you and are in line with the general topic of your blog. Then, leave thoughtful comments. Almost every comment option on someone else's blog will allow you to post your blog URL and your email address. Help other bloggers out with traffic and they will help you.
If a blogger really likes your site, they will add you to their blogroll. A blogroll is generally found on every blog which understands linking to the rest of the blogosphere helps drive traffic. A blogroll is a listing of other blogs. Think of it as a 'recommended reading list'. Don't be stingy with your blog roll either. Add those blogs that you read and enjoy to your blogroll too.
Seo BlogCopyright 2005 John Jantsch Everyone is talking about blogs these days as the magic money-making marketing tool. Some of the hype may actually be true, but I .....
Tip #5: Think keywords when you post
Think about keywords with your use of titles, links and blog posts. Search engines, like Google and Yahoo, like keywords. The more targeted your keywords, the better the chances of your blog appearing in search results. Search results can drive that extra traffic you want.
To increase the value of the key words in your content, make certain keywords are part of the hot link in your posts. Don't use 'click here' as the hot link. You will be wasting valuable real estate in your post. Instead use the relevant keywords for the hot link, like 'a great marketing idea. This gives the keywords added emphasis with the search engines.
One last thought on keywords for driving traffic; if you want a real leg up in the traffic game, in your linking code add rel='tag'. This helps Technorati, a major blog resource, index your blog for their directory. But don't stop there! It's time to submit your blog to blog directories.
Tip #6: Submit your blog to blog directories
In addition to submitting your blog to the major search engines, make certain you submit the blog to exclusively blog directories like blogwise, blogcatalog, or bloghub. Many people find blogs through these online directories.
When you do submit your blog to these directories, remember to add a description that will entice your targeted audience to check your blog out. For instance, when I post my blog in blog directories, under description I put 'General musings, rants, advice and strategies from a battle-worn veteran of the Marketing Wars, online and off'. Your description should help the potential reader understand your blogging topic and the flavor of how you write.
In addition to submitting your blog to blog directories, join a few of the free or inexpensive traffic exchange sites like blogexplosion or blogclicker.
Tip #7: Use free and inexpensive blog traffic exchange communities
There are many sites which can be termed 'traffic exchange' sites for the blogging community. It won't cost you anything to sign up. At the very least, join blogexplosion, blogclicker, and blogazoo. Once you sign up, you have two options to help drive traffic to your blog. Use both of them!
The first method is to earn credits (guaranteed visitors to your site) by using the 'surf member sites' function. As you surf through those sites, you will be earning credits (visitors to your blog). When you find an interesting post, leave a comment as discussed above. When you find a blogger you like, add them to your blogroll and let them know you did.
The second method to drive traffic is to purchase credits. The cost is very cheap for the traffic you will drive to your blog. The more traffic to your blog, the more customers you'll have. The more happy customers you have, the more they will tell others. The more they tell others, the more customers you get. Don't you love this dance!
In summary, blogging may not be for everyone. However, it can be a great method for bringing your unique perspective to the Internet. You will surely find others who think the same way you do. Some bloggers will entertain you, some will inform you, and some will drive you to tear your hair out. Decide what type of blogger you want to be and be the best you can. See you in the blogosphere!
About the Author Michele Schermerhorn calls herself a 'Corporate Freedom Fighter' dedicated to freeing cubicle prisoners. She has over 30 years experience in the business world. She is President of Online Business Institute Inc. (www.obinstitute.com), authors a sassy marketing blog (www.imarketblog.com), and regularly conducts free online seminars. Online Business Institute Inc. exists to 'Create Successful Online Business Owners One Person At A Time'.
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