It’s been over a year now since I have been blogging on www.floradelaney.com Sometimes, I have had a dozen good ideas at once and other times I have stared blankly at the screen. But I have several clients and friends who are hesitant to jump in. It clearly helps drive people to visit my website. Any website development needs to include a blogging aspect – even if it is selling pipe fittings!! Here, is my advice.
All blogs have:
- A Post – the text you write and any media you add to it.
- A Comment section (if you wish)
- A Permalink – the hyperlink for your post
Good Blogs also have:
- A RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Feed – so that people can subscribe to your blog. – It’s what looks like this
and it keeps the subscriber information private so they don’t have to give their email address to get updates on your postings. Make sure to test that it links properly. - Some way to search by tags or topics so that visitors can look for specific content.
What I have learned:
- Think of your blog as your online journal. It is almost always arranged chronologically. Try to use it for news in your area of expertise and personal commentary.
- Plan ahead. Blog often – at least 1/week. I use a post scheduler and try to schedule at least 2 posts a week. On those rare occasions when I have many good ideas, I try to get ahead.
- Keep content fresh. A great way to stay current is to comment on current events.
- In the event that you can’t find your muse, even short content or a link to another person’s website or useful content will do. However, avoid reprinting press releases. Or if you do, add your own original content.
- Keep users actively involved – ask for comments, feedback, stage a contest.
- Take chances. Otherwise, you will feel stale. My experience has been that Controversy = more readers and more comments.
- Commit to budgeting time. Maybe you’re gifted. But for me, I have to budget time in my schedule to keep on top of my 2/week commitment.
- Be casual and transparent – don’t use technical terms. You want anyone who reads it to understand it.
- Please use good grammar. ‘nuf said.
- Establish your voice and stick to it. People want to get to know your personality through your writing.
- Include images. (Insert “picture worth a 1000 words” quote here.)
- Allow comments and respond to them.
- Link and link often.
- Connect your blog to all of your networks: Linkedin, twitter, facebook, etc.