Over a year ago I started blogging. I'll be honest, it took me around 10 months to get into the swing of things. And I'm still learning. It hasn't been easy for sure but it's worth it especially because when you are getting into the writing scene, no one knows who you are. A blog is a fantastic way to make yourself known.
There are some intimidating factors I feel play a roll in blogging.
- Writing content
- Getting people to actually follow your bloggy friend
- Figuring out what it should look like
I will go through some things I've done to help the process become a little less daunting.
One: Your blogs content: Pick an audience. Once you've done that, write posts that apply to them. Mine is writers. Now you ask how to figure out what to write. Well, I'm constantly thinking of blog topics. Sometimes they come to me in the middle of the day and I stash them for later use. Other times, like right now, they come to me right as I sit down at the computer. It never ceases to amaze me how many posts I can come up with. If you need to just start writing and it'll come.
Two: Followers: Scary, huh? You are putting yourself out there in intergalactic world for anyone to see. Well, this is good. Love it. Embrace it. This is how you get followers. This also goes back to (one). Write content that they will want to return to.
I've also done contests to gain a following. Book giveaways, Amazon.com gift cards, etc...
It may take some time, but they'll come. But don't feel bad if no one comments on your posts or there isn't a high number of followers listed on your sidebar. It took me forever to get into the 200's. Even here its hit and miss.
Plus, you have to market it. I send out a Twitter message and put it on my Facebook page as well as the FB writing group I'm in. How else are people supposed to find out about what you've posted. I also have the URL listed with my email signature.
Another thing is, you've got to be consistent. Pick days of the week that you will always post on. I post on Tuesdays and Fridays. Hopefully people know those are my post days and they'll come visit it to see what's up in my writing world.
Three: The Look: Make sure your blog is easy on the eyes. Its hard to read blogs where there are funky florescent colors and weird fonts. Make it as non-obtrusive as possible. Play around with how you want it to look. I've gone through 4 different styles so far. I think I've finally found one that sings to me.
Anyway, I hope that my little bit of blogging wisdom has been helpful.
Now, what are your ideas that will help others with blogging, myself included?
I just started a blog about a month ago so this was of interest to me. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI also heard commenting on others blogs will also get you traffic :)
Natalie - I'm glad my post was interesting to you. Now, you're going to be sucked into the blogoshpere obsession! So fun!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely commenting on others blogs is HUGE! I try to do that as much as I can. I appreciate you stopping by!
Loved this post! I'm totally in the new blog mode... awkward stage where I'm trying to get followers, come up with somewhat entertaining posts, checking my stats to see if there's any change... it's been tricky, but a fun addition to this crazy writing life! :D
ReplyDeleteMorgan - I am thrilled that you've plunged feet first into the bloggin world. It is fun and very addictive.
ReplyDeleteBeware...
Boo!
Having won NaNoWriMo 2011, I finally have the chance to respond to this, Julia!
ReplyDeleteBlogging is an interesting animal. When I first started, I really didn't know what I was going to write about. I knew I had to write about writing, but hey, what did I know about writing, right? Sure enough, the topics came. Reading through many of my online friends' blogs helped. And every week now, I've been able to contribute something to the writing community...even if it's a small dose of reality!
Nonetheless, most of my inspiration comes from what I've learned throughout the week. Writing daily helps, and carrying those lessons forward help the most when they're immortalized in a blog post!
I agree with you about marketing. I've let that fall by the wayside lately. No more! I'm determined to let everyone know when I post a new post, even if it's overload. If I've learned something helpful to me, I would like everyone else on this planet to learn too!
Well, this response should have been a blog post in itself! Sorry!!!! :)
Keep up the good work and keep writing AWESOME stories!!!!
Thanks, Jack for the super awesome comment. You keep up the great stories and blog posts, too! Ciao!
ReplyDeleteWriting, who to write for/to and keeping them around for the long-haul.
ReplyDeleteWord.
Many moons ago, I started blogging on *ahem Myspace. Yeah. THAT Myspace. This was back in '05, 06. You know, way back then. The people started to read.
The more interesting things I wrote, the more followers I had, and the larger the audience grew, of course.
Fast forward a few years, Myspace was in the midst of going kaput and I began writing more in my journals than anywhere else. Then, after coming back to The Twitter-long story-I told myself, "Dude, you know how to blog. Start a blog." So I did, called it the first thing I thought of when thinking of my "audience"(writers)- Aspire No More, and the rest will be history.
Your blog is very nice and inviting, Jule-sie, for sho.
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