Starting a blog can seem overwhelming, but in truth, it's
one of the simplest ways to join the online community. Follow these tips to
ensure your blog is positioned for success.
1. Define Your Goals
Before you start a new blog, it's essential that you define
your goals for it. Your blog has a greater chance of success if you know from
the beginning what you hope to accomplish with it. Are you trying to establish
yourself as an expert in your field? Are you trying to promote your business?
Are you simply blogging for fun and to share your ideas and opinions? Your
short and long term goals for your blog are dependent on the reason why you're
starting your blog. Think ahead to what you'd like to gain from your blog in
six months, one year and three years. Then design, write and market your blog
to meet those goals.
2. Know Your Audience
Your blog's design and content should reflect the
expectations of your audience. For example, if your intended audience is
teenagers, the design and content would be quite different than a blog targeted
to corporate professionals. Your audience will have inherent expectations for
your blog. Don't confuse them but rather meet and exceed those expectations to
gain reader loyalty.
3. Be Consistent
Your blog is a brand. Just like popular brands such as Coke
or Nike, your blog represents a specific message and image to your audience,
which is your brand. Your blog's design and content should consistently
communicate your blog's overall brand image and message. Being consistent
allows you to meet your audience's expectations and create a secure place for
them to visit again and again. That consistency will be rewarded with reader
loyalty.
4. Be Persistent
A busy blog is a useful blog. Blogs that are not updated
frequently are perceived by their audiences as static web pages. The usefulness
of blogs comes from their timeliness. While it's important not to publish
meaningless posts else you may bore your audience, it's essential that you
update your blog frequently. The best way to keep readers coming back is to
always have something new (and meaningful) for them to see.
5. Be Inviting
One of the most unique aspects of blogging is its social
impact. Therefore, it's essential that your blog welcomes readers and invites
them to join a two-way conversation. Ask your readers to leave comments by
posing questions than respond to comments from your readers. Doing so will show
your readers that you value them, and it will keep the conversation going.
Continue the conversation by leaving comments on other blogs inviting new
readers to visit your blog for more lively discussions. Your blog's success is
partially dependent on your readers' loyalties to it. Make sure they understand
how much you appreciate them by involving them and recognizing them through
meaningful two-way conversation.
6. Be Visible
Much of your blog's success relies on your efforts outside
your blog. Those efforts include finding like-minded bloggers and commenting on
their blogs, participating in social bookmarking through sites such as Digg and
StumbleUpon, and joining social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
Blogging is not a demonstration of, "if you build it, they will
come." Instead, developing a successful blog requires hard work by
creating compelling content on your blog as well as working outside of your
blog to promote it and develop a community around it.
7. Take Risks
Beginner bloggers are often afraid of the new blogging tools
and features available to them. Don't be afraid to take risks and try new
things on your blog. From adding a new plug-in to holding your first blog
contest, it's important that you keep your blog fresh by implementing changes
that will enhance your blog. Alternatively, don't fall prey to every new bell
and whistle that becomes available for your blog. Instead, review each
potential enhancement in terms of how it will help you reach your goals for
your blog and how your audience will respond to it.
8. Ask for Help
Even the most experienced bloggers understand the
blogosphere is an ever-changing place and no one knows everything there is to
know about blogging. Most importantly, bloggers are part of a close-knit
community, and the majority of bloggers understand that everyone is a beginner
at some point. In fact, bloggers are some of the most approachable and helpful
people you can find. Don't be afraid to reach out to fellow bloggers for help.
Remember, the success of the blogosphere relies on networking, and most
bloggers are always willing to expand their networks regardless of whether
you're a beginner blogger or seasoned pro.
________________________________________________
By-
SEO Analyst (Expert in off Page Optimization)
Mobile No - +918401804840
Social Profiles :-
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