A good Blog is a wonderful gift. And those of you who know me, know that I love to get gifts. You can see that it started at a young age. Some things never change. I just drove a thousand miles to FL during the holidays to get my gifts from the family. And quite a haul it was.But that's not what this post is about. I'd like to share a few simple suggestions to those of you who are reading my Blog and have Blogs of your own. I'm not lecturing, and I am definitely not telling you that my way is the right way, but I will tell you what makes me keep going back to t a Blog.
1. Content is key. I know Blogs are basically personal or professional journals, but lets keep in mind who our audience is. If it's personal, okay, but don't overdo it on the "too personal." I went to an author's blog once and she was explaining a very intimate situation that led her to be able to write the best sex scene ever. If I were her spouse, I would have been two steps past irate. Keep in mind that most blogs are public and people of all ages can read them.
2. Ease of subscription. I have noticed that I am RSS challenged. I'd like to say that I am brilliant and can figure anything out, but this is still puzzling me. So I am a big fan of the "Follow me" link. This is a wonderful Blogger tool that allows me to click on a link and automatically be following a particular Blog. This is a gift to your more technically challenged readers and will encourage us to come back. It also allows us to add you to our Blog rolls with a simple click. If I don't have easy access, chances are you will be forgotten.
3. Information is a bonus. For me this is different than content. I love to scour through the Blog rolls and links of interest on other people's Blogs. I have found some of the greatest Blogs and web sites this way. Plus, it allows me the opportunity to netowrk on a much wider scale. Don't be shy about the Blogs and sites you visit. Your surfing habits can tell inquiring minds alot about you.
4. Network, network, network! The most important thing about your Blog is to let people know where to find it. I keep a pretty close eye on how many people visit my Blog and where they come from. If I get a referral from another Blog, I add it to my Blog roll. It's my way of showing my appreciation. Don't be afraid to tell people to stop by. You never know who you will meet or what you will find. Some people say it is rude to put a signature in a comment on someone else's Blog? Why? Who made that rule? You don't have to write a book, but I say, just do it. I always sign my comments with my name and blog address. Straight and to the point.
See, that wasn't too painful, was it?
The Blog gift I got today. Tom Ziglar, the son of Zig Ziglar is now following me on Twitter. I am assuming because he saw my blog link in a comment I posted on his Blog. Now several people from his Blog have visited my Blog. How dang cool is that?!
So if you have a mind to, hop on over and check out Ziglar Pure and Simple. It's a pretty cool place and you can't go wrong with those Ziglars. Feel free to tell him I sent you. heehee
©Karen L. Syed
23 Comments on The Gift of Blogging, last added: 1/17/2009
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My hubby (and son) would complain that I give too much information in my weekly humor column about them - and I don't go near the bedroom or bathroom for my laughs! Part of the problem with this newfangled world of blogging is trying to think of interesting topics without coming off as self-absorbed. How do you know when you're saying something good and true and useful, and when you're just regurgitating your own ego?
Oops! Forgot my signature! ;D
Gayle Carline
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com
Good post, and thanks for the gift!
Thanks! All info and advice comes in handy.
Joan De La Haye
http://joandelahaye.wordpress.com/
(Remembered my sig line. Aren't I good?)
Thanks Karen. I often mentally debate about whether to leave my blog URL. I've done it once or twice, but really not often. I, too, had heard that it was crass to do it. I'm going to try to change. I went to Zig's site (thank you for that) and left a comment along with my URL. One baby step...
http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com
Great post, and good reminders, Karen. Thanks for the post!
Good advice as always, Karen. Thanks.
Is there an added incentive or attraction if you URL is actually typed out? Most sites will link you back through your name anyway.
I do leave URL links sometimes, but only when I say I wrote a post that disagrees with/supports/elaborates on this point, etc. In that case I give a direct link. Otherwise why leave it?
I try to mix my content between semi-personal and writing, also to give tips when I can.
Today is the 3rd part of my series about the Followers gadget on blogspots. Sunday, I explained how to install it, Monday, I explained how to become a follower, Today, I explain the benefits of being a follower on a blogspot.
I've got some other tips coming up this week. Tomorrow is 7 reasons why you should comment on a blog.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://www.morganmandel.com
There is definitely a bonus to typing it out. Sometimes links get broken or don't show write. If you type it out they can find you no matter what. Copy and paste, baby!
As for the reason to leave it just because...you may or may not have anything to say on that particular post, but why shouldn't new viewers be enticed to go back and read your previous posts. My back posts get read as much as my new posts, and new viewers tend to read at least one other post when they first get to my Blog.
It's about networking and you always want people to know how to get to you.
Making it simple for the reader is your gift to them.
#1 is to die for, but I see that sort of thing often, especially on social sites. It's not just too personal - I don't want to know!!!
And I remember you talking about the information one should have in email signatures when we were at Book 'Em. I think I adopted that trick the day I returned!
Great advice, great tips, as always, right on target!
And I am going to start leaving a full sig...that was my favorite!
Billie Johnson
http://www.otpblog.blogspot.com
I think the signature is important. It is your introduction. You've just arrived at a party and no one knows your name, the only way to change that is to tell them.
And if people already know you, it is a reminder of who YOU are because YOU are important.
Great post and reminder to be confident on-line.
Cheers,
Karen H.
http://www.scobberlotch.blogspot.com
And thank YOU, Karen, for your blog gift today! I, too, am not a fan of too much personal news on a writer's/publisher's blog.
Hi Karen,
That's a good, meaty blog post. :-)
I like your mention of Zig Ziglar, whose work I read many years ago.
Bob
http://bobsanchez1.blogspot.com
I adore ZZ and Tom is his son? I must go follow him! It's so true what you say about having followers, and I find about half of my visitors jump over straight from Twitter when I leave a teaser and a link to the blog. But I don't promote the blog unless I'm posting, so it's all linked.
Dani@blogbooktours
http://blogbooktours.blogspot.com
Great post, and wonderful site. I look forward to reading it during the coming months. How do you (we) stay on topic, not sound self-absorbed? I'm very new to this and appreciate the tips.
All best,
Lucia
http://bluestemwriters.wordpress.com
Thanks for all the reminders Karen. I was surprised to see that I wasn't already following you. I fixed that!
It's hard not to get "blogged under," but I'm learning to embrace it. Also, learning to pace myself so that I don't look up and three DAYS have passed since I first logged on! Thanks, Karen, for once again offering something that will only make our work better & earn higher dividends!
Diana
www.woofersclub.blogspot.com
A really neat book about privacy and the internet is "The Future of Reputation" by Daniel Solove. I was guilty of oversharing on web forums when I was a newbie, but once my childen's book career took off I curbed all of that really quickly.
Great reminder, Karen.
One question: Could you stand over my shoulder while I'm blogging and remind me to include links?
http://www.cynthiasattic.blogspot.com
Nice post Karen and such a gentle reminder to all of us bloggers. I do believe above all that content is king. Keep up the good work :^)