So my friend Amanda wants us to do a duel post on promoting one's blog. After all, what is the point of keeping a blog if no one reads it and comments? Why should I, a person of great importance (in my head), spend precious time writing my thoughts, which are ever so important and everyone agrees with them (in my head), if nobody is going to read them.
So we have decided to do a little research and figure out how we can shamelessly promote our blogs to the virtual world and gain a tiny bit of fame while doing it.
So let's get it straight. When any of us first start our blog , we are nothing. we are a tiny pin prick in this information super highway just hoping we can cause an accident so people can stop by and look at the carnage of our blog. Hopefully enough to make them come back for second's and thirds and so on. Also we hope that they tell their friends because if they tell their friends then their friends will tell their friends and so on and so forth. Little by little you will be corrupting their minds and brainwashing their thoughts. Much like Scientology or the Kabbalah. Hey, they may even send you $26 for a piece of yarn to tie around their wrists. But I digress.
So what should one do to promote their Blog? Easy. Here are some tips that I stole, er, borrowed from About.Com:
1) Aim to provide quality content.
No matter what your blog is, you want it to have some sort of meaning and quality to it. Nobody likes to read unfocused jibber jabber. For me I want to make my blog about everything that interests me, from the advertising world to politics, to entertainment, to just ranting. I like the wide spectrum of thoughts and ideas. It's not stale. Also, PICTURES are a great idea. Like in advertising a bad ad is something with a lot of gray space (text). Throw in some pictures (relevant to the post) so it can break up the mundane. I guess the one quote that basically suits this is "Write well and they will come"( and add a picture or two)
2) Blog regularly.
If you have a blog and don't update it what's the point of having it? People want to read the new goings on of your life and what you are feeling. Seriously they do. Humans are such nosey creatures that they feel the need to know whats going on. So even if you update once a day, hey its something new. If you don't want to update regularly just go over to myspace.com or livejournal.com. Hey I'm not knocking those 2 sites. I have both as a matter of fact and I hardly update those. For some reason, the blog gives you more of a sophisticated feel, even if you are writing about T & A, because it gives you the need to tell people what is what and what is where, and this is that, now.
3) Define the type of readers you want to have and create content for them.
Ok, this is important. This helps you have a focused idea of wher eyou want your blog to go. Some people right soley on business or poetry or cooking. While people like me write on a hodgepodge of things. Once you know who you are writing to, you know HOW to write to them. My blog is purely conversational. I'm an advertising graduate so that type of writing was drilled into my head. Screw MLA style and journalistic writing! Advertising style is the way to go.
So when you figured that out, make sure you put your topics in under relevant categories. Like, Why would I put my sex life under my News section. ok granted it would be news, but not vital for world change.
4) Think about keywords with your use of titles, links and blog posts.
If you have the key keywords, it will be easier for searches to find you. It's like when you do a resume and you ad keywords at the bottom, most likely your resume will make it to the top of the pile because the resume program picked up on some key factors they place you want to work for is looking for. So be smart and Key Keywords.
5.) Participate in communities.
This goes for blogs just like in the real world. If you want to make it in the corporate world or any world really, its who you know, not what you know. When you network with other bloggers they will most likely promote you on their site and even spread the word. Remember, WHO YOU KNOW, NOT WHAT YOU KNOW!
6) Get involved in people's blogs.
When you network and participate in other blogs, leave meaningful comments. Something that can spark conversation. whatever you do, don't leave the ever annoying "Yo Visit my blog!"
7) Mention your blog anywhere you possibly can
In your email signature, in forums, in your business card (if you feel you can mention your blog in your business or profession), in address labels and in conversations with friends.
Submit your blog to directories and registries.
9) Make sure you set your blog to ping blog tracking sites
This let's other bloggers know, "Hey they updated let's go read!"
10) Consider making use of free and inexpensive advertising tools, including blog traffic exchange communities.
If you decide to advertise your site, either online or offline, make sure you prepare attention grabbing ad copy. Study the type of ads that attract you and see what makes them work.
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2 responses so far ↓
The Nature of Greatness » 10 More ways to promote one’s blog // June 7, 2006 at 3:18 am |
[...] Well, I talked with my friend Jennifer, and I brought up the idea of us each posting about the same top, how to promote your blog. She recently started a blog as well, so it's a pertinent subject to both of us. You can read her post here. [...]
Psyboashy // February 24, 2008 at 9:48 pm |
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