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20 Things We Have Learned from Blogging
Ben Barden over at the Top Ten Blog Tips has a genius post about the 10 Things I've Learned About Blogging.First off, Ben has a great blog where he posts the top ten reasons for anything pretaining to social media. I wanted to take the 10 things he has learned from actually blogging and add another 10 from my personal list. I have also given my thoughts to some of his top ten. So let's get this partayyyyy started.
Ben's Top 10 Things He Has Learned from Blogging
1. You Need to Choose a Topic You Know and Like. (This is number one)
2. You need to enjoy Writing. (You need to enjoy thought promotion and learning. I hated writing before I started blogging. Just believe in what you are writing about)
3. You don't have to reply to every comment individually. (You should try and comment as much as you can but I agree with not having to do it ALWAYS)
4. You shouldn't rely too heavily on one traffic source.
5. You shouldn't worry about a high bounce rate.
6. You don't usually get links by asking for them.
7. You don't launch a forum when you have very few readers.(I don't know why you would even think about a forum haha. )
8. Your posts need to be different
9. You can waste a lot of time on social networking sites.
10. You'll meet some great people. (Amen)
Great tips and I suggest you go and read, subscribe, and learn from Ben.
My Top 10 Things I Have Learned from Blogging
1. Always Try and email the people who comment on your posts.
2. Do more than the other guy. Hustle. Hustle Hustle
If you need to wake up 30 mins earlier so that you can finish a blog post. Do it. If you need to stay 30 mins after work to finish up a project because you wrote a blog during the day. Do it. If you can't handle the concept of spending some time on social media. Don't do it.
3. You should always retweet and share posts you loved!
4. Use Google Alerts for content ideas. It has worked for me numerous times.
5. Use Niche-Geographic based social networks. I use Smaller Indiana. This helps with local. community support.
6. Get out into the community and network offline. It will help build further support
7. You should always put your blog URL on your business card and email signature.
8. Always measure the time you are spending online. If the return is not there... switch up your strategy.
I keep a paper where I measure the time I have spent online. I take that and relate it to sales growth.
9. Do not focus too intently on content. Get the thing written and change it later.
10. Video Blogs spice up a traditional blog. Try one ever so often.
Ben's Top 10 Things He Has Learned from Blogging
1. You Need to Choose a Topic You Know and Like. (This is number one)
2. You need to enjoy Writing. (You need to enjoy thought promotion and learning. I hated writing before I started blogging. Just believe in what you are writing about)
3. You don't have to reply to every comment individually. (You should try and comment as much as you can but I agree with not having to do it ALWAYS)
4. You shouldn't rely too heavily on one traffic source.
5. You shouldn't worry about a high bounce rate.
6. You don't usually get links by asking for them.
7. You don't launch a forum when you have very few readers.(I don't know why you would even think about a forum haha. )
8. Your posts need to be different
9. You can waste a lot of time on social networking sites.
10. You'll meet some great people. (Amen)
Great tips and I suggest you go and read, subscribe, and learn from Ben.
My Top 10 Things I Have Learned from Blogging
1. Always Try and email the people who comment on your posts.
2. Do more than the other guy. Hustle. Hustle Hustle
If you need to wake up 30 mins earlier so that you can finish a blog post. Do it. If you need to stay 30 mins after work to finish up a project because you wrote a blog during the day. Do it. If you can't handle the concept of spending some time on social media. Don't do it.
3. You should always retweet and share posts you loved!
4. Use Google Alerts for content ideas. It has worked for me numerous times.
5. Use Niche-Geographic based social networks. I use Smaller Indiana. This helps with local. community support.
6. Get out into the community and network offline. It will help build further support
7. You should always put your blog URL on your business card and email signature.
8. Always measure the time you are spending online. If the return is not there... switch up your strategy.
I keep a paper where I measure the time I have spent online. I take that and relate it to sales growth.
9. Do not focus too intently on content. Get the thing written and change it later.
10. Video Blogs spice up a traditional blog. Try one ever so often.
Add a Comment
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Comment by Hazel "The Queen" Walker on December 18, 2008 at 6:56pm - Blogs don't have to be 1000 words, short blogs are great. Good list Kyle, you too Lorraine, I especially like number 1
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Comment by Lorraine Ball on December 18, 2008 at 5:10pm -
Kyle saw your 20 and raised you 10 more:
Things I have learned from blogging:
* 1. Spell check helps
* 2. Share content freely - put thoughtful comments on other blogs and the writers will come see you as well
* 3. While you can focus on a niche, add variety to your blog with other voices, and occasional odd topics.
* 4. Let your personality come through - even if it is a business blog
* 5. Short is better then long
* 6. Write when you are inspired, and then schedule posts out a few days.
* 7. Check your stats but don’t obsess over them.
* 8. Read, Read, and Read
* 9. Share your favorite resources often
* 10. Stop when you run out of things to say
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Comment by Linda S Fitzgerald on December 18, 2008 at 2:54pm - I find the blog content I struggle with most (feel 'dry' and non-creative, etc.) is what gets the most comments! Strange.
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Comment by Rodger D. Johnson on December 18, 2008 at 2:33pm - Add a podcast to your blog.
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Comment by Jason Lee on December 18, 2008 at 1:49pm - sweet
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Comment by Kyle Lacy on December 18, 2008 at 10:38am - Yah. cool thoughts everyone! #9 is def. a hang up.
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Comment by John Uhri on December 18, 2008 at 10:24am - It's interesting that everyone has agreed with #9. I thought that was just me
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Comment by Bob Burchfield on December 18, 2008 at 10:12am - And I would add: Blogging by committee doesn't work. Pick someone in your company or organization. Put her or him in charge of the blog and let 'em go. Or Kyle's #9 will always get in the way.
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Comment by John Uhri on December 18, 2008 at 9:08am
- I also pour over each and every post ad nauseum. Good advice with #9, Kyle.
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Comment by Raquel Richardson on December 18, 2008 at 9:07am - There are some good points here. I see two key points in sharing and not getting too worked up on your content. People tend to think they need to write the world's best post and it's just not going to happen each day. Sometimes done is better than perfect.
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1. Please use your real name (first and last) when you sign up, or we cannot open your account
2. Please do not use logos or commercial images for your profile photo
3. Events should be posted in the events calendar
4. You can post pretty much anything you want on your own personal page (self promotion, etc), and you can change the style of your personal profile page to reflect your corporate identification if you so choose.
5. Please keep all comments civil and polite. It's OK to feel strongly about a subject, and it's OK to be critical of ideas, but please refrain from personal attacks of any kind.
If you witness or experience any issues, please contact admin@smallerindiana.com and we will look into the matter.
6. Smaller Indiana is supported by its members, and by corporate sponsors. If you're interested in learning more about sponsorship, please call Pat Coyle at 317 332 7878.
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