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Posted by Raven on June 17th, 2006
What I’ve learned from this blogging experiment.
People use thier blogs to express themselves. Some do this for fun and to get to know others. Some do this to share family and friend stories. Others use their blogs to participate in the national debate, so to speak. The majority of blogs I read are political in nature with a few personal things that add interest. I like sites that offer both.
Blogging requires time and effort.
Different Kinds of Blogging
Political blogging takes its toll. After awhile, people get bored with reading about all the day to day events that become so mundane. Bloggers suddenly develop writers block too. I recommend people stay away from exclusive politics…it gets old. National politics are a hot topic these days BUT so many sites tackle this. Local politics on the other hand are not as popular and not as well covered.
Life Blogging is great. I would catergorize this site under this heading. A little about everything in your life that is important.
Single Subject Blogs are good for gathering information about issues and hobbies. Illegal Immigration, Taxes, MilBlogs, Cooking, Books- you name it, there is a blog or a lot of blogs for it.
Find a niche for yourself. And blog about it.
Some things I’ve learned along the way:
*DON’T be a link whore. Nothing pisses people off more than getting tons of email and comments referring them to YOUR site.
It’s pathetic and selfish and…just plain rude! When I speak of this I am referring to those who leave irrelevent comments, those who do mass emailing to tons of sites. Not those who have a really GOOD post that deserves attention.
*DON’T get involved with blog wars- unless you are prepared to deal with a lot of misery and personal attack. Those who participate in these things are just immature and looking for attention.
*DON’T get involved in Blog Bursts. It’s my personal opinion but I find these to be very boring and ineffective. To go from site to site and see the same post turns me off to the blogs that participate. I would rather see blogs direct readers to one site that hosts the subject. Some bloggers participate in shared topics bursts: This is great because not every site will have the SAME post.
*DON’T be a snob. You’re no better than anyone else, no matter what you think, no matter how many site visits you get in a day. Answer your emails from readers. Speaking of email, make it easy for readers to get in touch with you! Put up your email addy (and enough with this Raven-at-Gmail dot com BS- just put up your email addy!!)…
*DON’T get attached to your site meter. I recommend not even looking really. The numbers mean nothing. Remember that many people read your site via RSS readers and Bloglines, ect. ON the other hand, if you read blogs via these tools, remember to check in at the actual site at least once in awhile to let the blogger know you do READ!! Also, don’t give too much credit to this technorati stuff or to that Ecosystem bullshit. These tools are not a true measure of your site’s “worth and value”. A lot of folks do participate in the BlogExplosion programs- this is fine but remember, a 30 second visit means NOTHING if someone is just clicking through sites looking for points. It’s better to have 20 hits a day by those who actually READ your stuff, than 500 hits a day of 30 second drive thru wonders.
*The best way to get “hits” is to write. Consistently. Don’t expect anyone to come to your site when you have nothing new to offer. Some bloggers only write a couple times a week yet they are extremely succesful. Because readers look forward to the new posts. Others write SO much readers can’t keep up. Find a balance.
*Offer some variety with your posts if possible. Don’t get caught up in the same old, same old stuff. Even if your site is about one thing, you can spice it up now and again. People don’t have a lot of time- remember that.
*Read other blogs. And leave comments. THAT is probably the best and easiest way to get folks to your site. Check back at these sites for feedback- keep in the loop with the conversation via comments.
*Make sure your site is reader friendly. This site was NOT and I didn’t realize that until I got the new design. Keep things simple and easy would be my advice. Right up near the top of your site- have your contact info, RSS stuff, ect THERE in plain site.
Font sizes should be easy to read without the need to increase or decrease…sidebars don’t need every blinking, honking attention getting Blog Ad. Many sites are overwhelming with needless JUNK. While everyone wants to personalize the site, we can do this without a ton of CRAP! IMHO.
*When people come to your site, and leave comments, interact with them! Don’t ignore those who go to the trouble to drop by.
Think of your commentors as customers…treat them well (unless they are asses) and they will come back. And they will share your site with others and link to you. If they leave a link, visit their site. Regular commentors will get bored if they never get any feedback from you as well.
*Do the TrackBack thing. Give credit. Have a TB party once in awhile. And I’m not talking about this fad Open Trackback bulloney. I’m talking about going to other sites, reading and linking via a TB.
*Blogging is fun work. It’s also a hobby I think…It requires some time and effort though. Make the time and put in the effort and it will pay you back with interaction and fun (most the time). Don’t expect your site to be a Top 100 blog overnight. Heck, don’t expect to be anything.
Don’t get discouraged and don’t let the negative commentors leave you feeling bad. This is often a thankless hobby too, remember that!
June 17th, 2006 at 9:44 am
Must. check. Sitemeter. arghhhhh!!!!!!!!!
June 17th, 2006 at 9:59 am
You’re right about site meter….it is like crack, but doesn’t paint a full picture with feeds these days! I’m like Jane, though, can’t stop looking some times!
I’d say my blog is pretty all over the place, so “life” blogging would probably be the best title for mine, too! :)
June 17th, 2006 at 10:26 am
I’m sorry but what’s a blog? :)
Hehe, good article Raven!
June 17th, 2006 at 11:19 am
“Read other blogs” – SO many people just don’t do that. It’s maddening, really.
They’ll link the posts in Open Trackback parties three times a week though! :mrgreen:
June 17th, 2006 at 11:21 am
Good points, Raven.
I finally decided that I am blogging for myself. I used to actually worry about what to write – now, if I don’t have anything, I don’t write and I don’t worry.
I have not looked at my site meter for ages, and I’m happier for it!
June 17th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Love your post about this. I do it to rant, cheer and have fun. What gets me though is I finally get to bed by 3 a.m. and then see something on the news that ticks me off so back I go to post about it before bed. hahahaha That is scary!
hahahha
I love your Blog soo much!!!
June 17th, 2006 at 2:39 pm
great advice Raven. you are absolutely right. the best blogs are about building relationships with the visitors!
and your new design is the bomb!
June 17th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
I only check the stats when a pervert shows up. Or I get lots of comments on one post (more than 15)LOL
Otherwise I just don’t care. Why? Cause it’s not important. Having fun and ranting and expressing is important.
June 17th, 2006 at 9:32 pm
I do check Sitemeter, but primarily to find out what people are reading and which blogs or search engines led the visitors to my blog.
Surprisingly I’ve found three Google searches to be the most productive, all of them linking to photos I’ve posted – two of them are of my cat, Bagheera, and the other is one of the Harley Davidson twins at Bike Week.
Go figure….
June 18th, 2006 at 10:43 am
I had no freakin idea what wasw involved with the ins and outs. Life was much simpler when I posted at forums.
The admin. stuff that goes along with it is a bit overwhelming at first. I’mm slowly learning.
Writers Block-*sheesh*
How come I can blather on at will until I sit down at the keyboard?
I must admit to some interesting responses but spamsnag
(um..whatever it’s called) seems to be a wicked good thing.
I know damn well that I’m reinventing the wheel when it comes to blogging, so be it.I read quite a few others that have been around for awhile. Oh my! The pitfalls seem daunting. Not concerning content, but the practical as well. (Like sudden hard drive evaporation)
Maybe When I get the hang of the new (to me) format in editing my own blatherings I can dive in further to,
oh…I don’t know…, CAptDMO@Gmail type stuff. AS always, I’m afraid of cutting the red wire! I’m getting there.
June 18th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
The Oddness Of Blogness
NOTE: This was originally posted on January 10th, 2005, but since it would seem that a certain person that I adore has lost some perspective (or has he?), I’m crossing my fingers and hitting “republish” on one of my favourites:
Oh how…
June 18th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
Sadie, thats an awesome and funny post you just put up at your site! LOL…
July 11th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Advice For Novice Bloggers
UPDATE: My friend Raven also has some excellent advice for Novice Bloggers