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I agree with you think 4 and 7 are the most important it seems many of the most read bloggers invest lots of time in face-to-face networking. Good list thanks for sharing.
One other one mistake to consider: Being impatient. It may take a while to reach whatever goals you have established, so don't expect to be an overnight sensation or must-read.
Craig
www.budgetpulse.com
#10 might be to have original ideas and thoughts. Don't just riff on other people's ideas and material. (#11 - NO MORE 22 STEPS TO . . .)
TO'B
Giving up too soon (note: this is not contrary to the top 9!)
As most of us know from experience, it takes time to establish yourself as a valuable resource. It can takes weeks, months, even years of work to get on the radar scope for many people. There are a lot of good blogs and good people out there: it takes time for the word to spread about you.
Marketing (let's be honest here) is work and sometimes it's very hard work with little short-term payback. If you understand that it's a time consuming, hard thing to do at times, then you might be less tempted to quit.
The ratio of abandoned to active blogs (100:1?) shows that there are a lot of people who don't stick to it for the long term. Granted, perhaps a lot of those blogs and bloggers didn't have the same ambition, talent, and perseverance to keep working away. Maybe some had intentionally short lifespans. But a lot of people probably gave up when they discovered that the cost/benefit ratio wasn't working for them, especially if they weren't building much of an audience.
However, I'll be that some of those blogs could have achieved a greater level of success if they just kept trying and got smarter about their work.
I've been working hard at this for about a year and I'm starting to see signs of building momentum for my own blog. After awhile it seems like less effort is required to keep things going and not as much effort required to move even faster or farther.
But you've got to make friends, support other people, and show commitment.
Food for thought.
Always appreciate your advice, Jason
But the spikes do happen when you're thanking tribe members for inspiration. Seems like social media folks are like folks everywhere - they like to be flattered.
But I will say that social media people can smell the BS better than most - so be sure you are sincere!
@chrismingryan
That means before you start promoting: Make sure your blog design doesn't stink of amateurism (e.g., default theme, broken graphics, etc). Have more than a few quality posts up so your visitors know you're serious. Don't allow spam and pingbacks to dominate the "discussion" in your comments section under the mistaken belief that it makes you look more popular than you are. Etc.
First impressions matter. If you promote too soon, the traffic you do drum up won't return and you'll have taken steps backwards not forwards.
Great input.
Thanks!
I've been advising folks to NOT promote their blog outside of "real" friends and family for the first 90 days. It takes a while to find your voice, and if you start telling people what your blog is about from day one, you're going to have to go back and change it because your community will eventually influence what you niche is.
Plus, writing 10 posts about a topic is one thing. Writing 200 is something totally different.
Work on your content and your voice for a while, and then worry about promotion. If you write some killer stuff at the beginning that didn't get an exposure because you were in quiet mode, you can always re-publish it later (provided it's not time-sensitive material).
Great post here.
Also just simple words of wisdom more people should follow in their daily lives...
I think one of the most important things is leaving thoughtful comments on other blogs. It helps to provide a minimal increase in traffic and it helps others, including the author, become acquainted with your blog and your views. This increases the chances that the blogger will link to them in the future, request an interview, or ask for a guest post.
I also think that writing guest posts are critical because it allows you to get your voice out there to a new audience and also, in most cases, to a larger audience. If you're producing quality content, it also helps you to stay top-of-mind if other bloggers in the space continue to see you leaving comments, guest posting, and then also having a presence on social media sites, etc.
I'd also second commenting on other blogs. I find many bloggers simply don't do this enough. Not only does it provide valuable backlinks to help page rank (and encourage organic ranking with Google) it is an opportunity to get into more conversation. Also, when someone takes time and comments on your blog share the comment love by going to their blog and commenting on a post of theirs. Not enough bloggers do this either. Obviously have something to say, not just "thanks for commenting on my blog....blah, blah" resolve check out their posts and say something thoughtful. They will appreciate it.
In terms of other promotion there are also more subtle ways to go about it. Including your blog url in your email and in any offline promotions you might do.
On point #7 Jason, I believe argument can be good as long as it's respectful and on topic. On my personal blog I write about a rather controversial topic... and the lively argument we have sometimes is good. If readers go, they go. I always get new ones. I certainly don't expect everyone to agree with what I say... and I say so. i found people promoted my posts because they said something different from "the norm."
But above all, focus on writing quality content that you enjoy writing and sharing and your blog will almost promote itself. Many many people blurk for quite a while before they ever post a comment... I've had people reading my blog for over a year before they de-blurk and post a comment!
#10 - I've no idea what on earth that means and think you should have stuck with 9. :)
Great points on the forums, etc. I appreciate the perspective and you're right. Forums are often overlooked and valuable places to engage folks on your topic
Thanks for chiming in.
The great thing is that without realizing it, I have been doing most of the things you suggest.
Thanks for your help
One point I think I think new bloggers over-think is their subscriber numbers. Granted, it's nice to see the numbers grow but don't stress out about it too much. Some people make the mistake of developing the self-promotional mindset in the search of new subscribers to the extent that they ruin their relationship with their existing subscriber base (readers who are ready and willing to talk about you to their other friends on the net). Darren, Liz, Chris (and Jason too I think) would all agree...value your readers. Be present with them, get to know them, and slowly but surely, that community will grow.
No amount of promotion will make me read it if this is the case. You might get one partial read out of me, and I might use your site as graphic stimuli, but that's it.
I think the sharing other peoples content is much more developed with stumble upon which has a stuble button. Means you can actually view the site before giving it your vote
I say promote more than you normally would just make sure the flashing neon sign points to a cool destination for your readers.
Nice work.
As we've discussed I've struggled with the personal promotion aspect of blogging. I've always been someone, outside of the web, who went about my business and let my actions speak louder than words. You bring up an excellent that without some promotion you will be unable to get any exposure.
I've found that asking the opinions of blogging/twitter icons has helped me personally. Not only does it get your material in front of them you get comments or suggestions on other points you can later blog about. It creates a relationship that is traded with my own commenting on their blogs.
Seriously, thanks for the jolt I needed to rethink my approach as my blog nears its first birthday on January 9.
And happy blog birthday, even if I'm belated in getting it to you.
I recently created my blog but I did not know how I could take it forward. Reading your post here has removed many of my misconcepts about blogging and networking. Good Tips.
money oriented blog
http://chriswasbrown.blogspot.com
It's bothering me really, cuz I have friended, commented, subscribed, followed a ton of them but when it comes to reciprocation from them, I get a maybe, 1% in return :S. My tumblr, twitter, friendfeed, plurk and other networks show lots of people that I follow and comment, but I got very few comments in return. Should I give up the social media? LOL.
Thanks Jason!
I am a new blogger, so ur article such a good advice for me. thanks Jason!