The Pocket-sized Guide to Blogging

May 21, 2008

The Pocket-sized Guide to Blogging
by Skellie

(A bit out of practice, but stick with me.)

If you’re like me, you’ve probably read the equivalent of a few books worth of material on how to run a successful blog. You’ve read about getting more traffic, getting more subscribers, getting more links, more comments, social media votes and so on. If triggered, you can probably remember (broadly at least) most of what you’ve read. But it’s easy to forget the steps involved, particularly when we consume so much new information every day.

The purpose of this post is to lay out the key principles of successful blogging in one place. The details of each point aren’t here — that’s where your own knowledge comes in — but I think it should be helpful in terms of reminding us about the skills and habits that are most important to what we do.

I could have added a dozen more sub-headings, but I wanted to take some of my own advice and simplify down to the eight areas that I believe are most important.

How to grow

Self-promote until your posts start to get traffic with or without you.
Then — produce something other people want to talk about.
Always focus on building your blog’s vital signs: your comments and subscriber count — the marks of popularity that people can actually see.

How to write popular posts

Time spent on the post is more important than your talent.
Use your best idea — don’t save it.
Highlight the best bits with formatting.
Brainstorm headlines until you find the best one.
Pour heaps of value into this one post. Don’t spread it thin. Impact is key.
Use interesting images to attract attention.
Use your (short) intro to tell them what you’re going to tell them.
Social media users are spoiled for choice. Assume they’re impatient.
Link out to spread the word.
Ask for votes and links — just not too often.
Use a blueprint. Look back into your blog’s history and emulate your most popular posts.

How to get more comments

Respond.

How to create a blog that is well designed and usable

Assume that a visitor will never spend longer than three seconds searching for a link.
If you want people to see something, don’t put it in your footer.
If you don’t have an easy to find About page, make one now.
Your headlines could be bigger than they are. They’re doorways into your posts.
Use an interesting image in every post you want to draw traffic to.
Declutter your blog by keeping only what’s important. Clutter leaves less attention for what matters.

How to stay interested over the long-term

Don’t be afraid to write about what interests you, even if it’s a break with tradition for your blog.
Learn to enjoy blogging as a hobby. Any success is a bonus.
Never stop connecting with your audience, whether it’s 10 people or 100,000.
Don’t be afraid to take breaks. A break is better than burn-out, and your subscribers will stay with you. A blog that isn’t updating isn’t an interruption.

How to get more subscribers

Do what’s necessary to maintain a very high content standard, even if it means posting once a week.
The notion that subscribers unsubscribe if you post too little is a myth. If they like you, they’ll wait.
Don’t overwhelm your subscribers with quantity (unless you’re Lifehacker).
For someone to subscribe, they need to believe your blog will be useful in future, not just now.
A big RSS button and other gimmicks don’t convince people to subscribe. Your content does.

How to make money blogging

Focus primarily on growing your traffic — more traffic = more clicks.
But remember, traffic isn’t worth anything if it’s not actually paying attention to you or your ads.
Experiment. There are dozens of ways to make money with your blog. Scrap what isn’t working and move on.
Your advertising space is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

How to think of great post ideas

Write every idea down. Don’t assume you’ll remember anything.
Always return to what matters most for your audience. It’s impossible to cover that too much.
Strokes of brilliance take time. Give yourself the time to have ideas by sitting down and brainstorming.

***

In the 10 Trump-card articles post I shared in April I accidentally linked to the wrong article when sharing Bob Younce’s trump card post. Here’s the article I should have linked to. Enjoy!

Bang Your Gong: A Call for Action from the Internet Writing Community

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90 Comments, Comment or Ping

Gori Girl

Wow - this is just a great, simple post, Skellie (but I bet it wasn’t simple to write!).

Glad to see you back posting.

May 21st, 2008
Blogguebo

Yes, simple but great points. Thanks for sharing this with us Skellie. Welcome back!

May 21st, 2008
Farfield

Great post! I think it summarizes a lot of important things I have to stay aware of as a beginning blogger (I just started two months ago).

Concerning the amount of time I spend on each post it’s good to read your advice to focus on the quality, not the quantity. I simply can’t spit out posts every day and if I would, they would probably be mediocre. So I’d rather focus on a few good quality posts a week!

May 21st, 2008
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net

Welcome back Skellie!

May 21st, 2008
dinu

I think I should keep reading this over and over ..again…

thanks for all these tips.. great collection indeed

May 21st, 2008
Amanda Fazani

Skellie, it’s great to see you’re able to write here again. Hope everything has gone well for your studies!

This post is excellent, a great reminder of what we should focus on in order to be successful in the long term. I’ve actually printed this off to keep in my notebook as a reminder

Best wishes and thank you for your excellent post!

May 21st, 2008
Evan Meagher

Great, concise article. There are way too many long-winded articles out there on these topics that don’t really say anything. It’s refreshing to see a nice, quick list. Thanks Skellie!

May 21st, 2008
Guy Thinking About Midlife

Cheers man, a nice little list for me to add to my lil’ notebook I take around with me always.

BTW, I’ve just started a weekly list. i.e. a list of to do’s each week that I gotta do, like ask for a link, quality comment on other blogs (so here I am), write less long articles and more short an informative articles… that sort of thing.

I can then work out what I need to do, how much time Im going to give to each task, then I’m off.

If it all works out I’ve got time to go canoeing or just go to the beach.

best wishes

May 21st, 2008
wpGuy

Amazing article! I didn’t think you could write such a short article and yet say so many interesting things. I’m going to print this and stick it on the freezer ?:-D

May 21st, 2008
skellie

Thanks for the warm welcome back everyone :). I really appreciate it!

May 21st, 2008
Tess

Missed you, glad to see you back and on great form with this simple but powerful list.
Hope you did good on the last three papers.

May 21st, 2008
Shaun

Ah, nice. Well written, to the point, and true.

May 22nd, 2008
Craig

Great post. I enjoyed reading it.

By the way, in the sentence that reads: “Declutter your blog by keeping only what’s important,” I was unable to find the word “declutter” in the dictionary.

I did find the word “unclutter.” Thought you should know.

My apologies. I work as a technical writer and have a creative writing blog. I spot things like this.

May 22nd, 2008
Trish

great post -very easy to read but excellent tips Skellie.
Love the title.
Hope all the papers came together well and give you a sense of accomplishment - especially when the marks are returned.
I m printing it out too.

May 22nd, 2008
Hunter Nuttall

I’ve never understood the deal with people unsubscribing if you post too little, but it’s at least a little bit true. I once saw someone leave a comment (not on my blog) saying “This blog had so much promise, but after nearly a month with no new posts, I’m forced to unsubscribe.”

I don’t get it. If you like the blog, what will unsubscribing accomplish? I’m subscribed to some blogs that haven’t had a new post in months. While I’d like the authors to post more, I know that unsubscribing won’t help.

May 22nd, 2008
Bamboo Forest

Wonderful synopsis of the ingredients of an effective blog. My favorite parts:

“Time spent on the post is more important than your talent.”

“The notion that subscribers unsubscribe if you post too little is a myth. If they like you, they’ll wait.” <– I totally agree with this sentiment.

“Write every idea down. Don’t assume you’ll remember anything.” <- I actively do this.

Wonderful post. Thanks for educating me.

May 22nd, 2008
Corey - Simple Marriage Project

Welcome back Skellie- great tips I will continue to refer to.

May 22nd, 2008
Sonia Simone

Great post! Basic in some ways, but very useful. Maybe I should say “basic in a good way.”

Nice to see you back!

May 22nd, 2008
Bugsy

Read, printed, and taped to my bulletin board.

Thanks.

May 22nd, 2008
Palin Ningthoujam

Nicely summarized. Everything intact.

May 22nd, 2008
Bob Younce at the Writing Journey

Thanks for the link, Skellie. Your word is gold.

Really good to have you back, by the way.

My faves from today’s post:

How to get more comments
Respond.

and

How to get more subscribers

Do what’s necessary to maintain a very high content standard, even if it means posting once a week.

May 22nd, 2008
Sally J. (Practical Archivist)

Skellie, so glad you’re back!

I don’t mind waiting one bit. Unless your blog is only about time sensitive information, why would someone unsubscribe after a month without posts? One of the greatest things about RSS is that I no longer visit blogs and leave frustrated when there’s no new content. The content comes to me.

Anyhoo…the quote below felt like it was tailor made for me. It calmed my fears about posting again (Has it been too long? Are my readers angry?) and has inspired me to get back on that horse:

Don’t be afraid to take breaks. A break is better than burn-out, and your subscribers will stay with you. A blog that isn’t updating isn’t an interruption.

Hmm…maybe I should start with an RSS 101 post!

May 22nd, 2008
Toblerone at Simple Mom

You prove this one well:

“Do what’s necessary to maintain a very high content standard, even if it means posting once a week.”

I’ve been eagerly waiting for your next post, so I’m happy to read it! And like others said, it’s easily printable and great for a quick reminder. You are my favorite blogger-about-blogging. Thanks for the great content.

May 22nd, 2008
Nancy

A great post, thank you! Good to see you back.

May 22nd, 2008
pcsourcepoint

Thanks for the resourceful summary of your tips. I use often insert popular landmark images and try to relate them to the subject of each post. The images have attracted visitors; Some have commented about the images (their experience or knowledge of the location) more than the associated post - I think more people are using Google’s Image search…

May 22nd, 2008
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map

You’re right…I’ve read so much material on how to run a successful blog that I’m becoming quite numb to them.

However, I enjoyed your list here. It’s concise! And that’s what I need. I’ve printed it out too!

Evelyn

May 22nd, 2008
CJ

This actually made me a little scared to ever look at my blog. Ever. Again.

May 22nd, 2008
Lilja

Welcome back with the audience!

Very useful post, Skellie. Thanks!

May 22nd, 2008
Hans

Nice to see you back Skellie! I hope your study doesn’t drive you crazy anymore! In fact, I really understand what you live because I live the same situation.

I really agree that time spent on a post is more important than talent. But I guess that when time is limited, talent is something worthy! I think you are the best example!

I really appreciate what you do!

May 22nd, 2008
Loraleigh Vance

This is probably the most practical post I’ve read about blogging yet.

Thank you.

May 23rd, 2008
Angel Wilder

Thanks for the wonderful tips! I am always looking for ways to spruce up my blog. I enjoy sharing my words of wisdom with my readers and these tips will definitely help out.

May 23rd, 2008
Monique Caradine

Skellie,

found your blog via @websuccessdiva on Twitter. Would you mind if i re-post this great info on my blog? I was just talking to a group of women today and suprisingly, only a handful of them even know what blogging is. This would be great info to pass along.

I’m new to blogging and social media myself (only since March). But so far, I’m getting it and I’m hooked.

Thanks for this info.

May 23rd, 2008
John Hoff - eVentureBiz

One way I go about thinking up of new posts is checking my Google Analytics account for keywords used to find my site.

I figure if one or two people found me that way, others will too - so I’m going to give them what they’re looking for.

May 23rd, 2008
Ken Allan

Wow! I’ll read this again Skellie.

This is comment 32 (or is it 33 or 34? I’d better be quick!)

What a champion example of how to write a post. I guess the other 31 or so commenters just stumbled across this post by chance? Not.

I’m truly impressed and will take careful notes from your tips. But I’ll be back.

Thanks for this wonderful resource!

Ka kite
from Middle-earth

May 23rd, 2008
Young

@skellie, welcome back! How about your three big papers? Did you pass with high scores? I will translate this post into Chinese.

May 24th, 2008
Garold - Self Mastery Keys

This is one to print. Thanks for the simple list format. Sometimes we just need to jog our minds of things we already know. Thanks!

May 24th, 2008
J.D. Meier

I like your ability to frame out and distill the essence.

May 24th, 2008
Travis Wright | Cultivate Greatness

Thanks Skellie, and welcome back.

This post is a perfect primer to some of the clients that I teach internet marketing too.

Thanks for the words of wisdom!

May 24th, 2008
jhane bioneda

Hey.. ?
That was a nice post you got there..
please do visit my site too..
Support.. ?

May 24th, 2008
Ruben

This is really what I need to know, thanks. I will start a new website in the future and I am still bussy with developing the wordpress theme, but your tips will really help me when I start writing. I have failed earlier with blogging because not following the guides you posted here. I should have had this list at that time.

Your blog is invaluable, keep up the great work!

May 26th, 2008
Shirley

As someone who is getting ready to join the blogging world (and Blog Talk Radio as well), this info is fabulous! I am so glad I found you today! Thanks very much!!

May 26th, 2008
Pat R

You summed it up beautifully. It’s all the things we need to remember to be successful in blogging.

Thanks for making it seem so simple with value and purpose.

Blessings,

May 26th, 2008
Mary@GoodlifeZen

Great tips!

There’s something I’m not clear about, though. I was just re-reading an older post by Skellie about how to grow your subscribers by 1000 in 3 months. This article hammered home the idea that we have to write exactly for our target audience to attract subscribers. I’m not sure how that fits with “Don’t be afraid to write about what interests you, even if it’s a break with tradition for your blog.” Isn’t there a discrepancy here?

I’ll give you an example from my blog Goodlifezen.com:
I usually write about self-development themes with a spiritual twist. So, reader favourites are about happiness, creativity, kindness, meditation etc.

However, a week ago I put up a post called “7 Ways Dancing Refreshes Spirit and Body” and included a short YouTube clip of a steamy tango performance that my partner and I did recently. A couple of my readers weren’t amused…it seemed that I was bending too far out of their comfort zone. Was that a good thing or not?

cheers
Mary
PS Great to see you back in the saddle, Skellie!

May 27th, 2008
m.dot

I have been blogging for three years in a crazy tiny niche, feminism and hip hop and I agree with most of your observations.

I would add that as a blogger you request feedback. Recently I did a survey w/ survey monkey and learn that 82% of folks wanted me to talk more about politics AND that they would listen to a Pod cast, if I did one.

Who knew?

May 27th, 2008
Barbara Ling

This point:

>> For someone to subscribe, they need to believe your blog will be useful in future, not just now. <<

Very insightful. I really like that point and will think on how to incorporate it in my own blog.

Barbara

May 27th, 2008
Carla

Thank you for writing this! I have been trying to stick to a blog for several years but for some reason, I lose steam and drop it. This time around with your advice, I will be able to stick with it, especially for my business blog.

May 28th, 2008
FREE One-Way Back-Links

Wow Skellie! Great post!

Excellent ideas on how to make killer posts and keep people flocking back.

May 29th, 2008
hank

Welcome back and awesome to see the post. What really caught my eye was the myth of posting frequency. If you write good articles, they’ll wait. Good call!

May 30th, 2008
Marelisa

It’s certainly important to keep your blog decluttered. Sometimes I visit blogs that have so many differente things on the page that I can’t even tell where the newest blog entry is, so I leave.

Jun 1st, 2008
Mandy

This post is definitely all of those things, especially full of value! Skellie - you always guide me in the right direction to move forward with my blogging.

Thank You

Jun 2nd, 2008
garry

Some great pointers that offer sound advice for anybody new to blogging or looking to take their blog on to the next level.

Jun 2nd, 2008
Jonas

Thanks so much for this post, very, very helpful indeed! There is so much value in each of your posts. This is what I’m talking about when I blogged about how top bloggers all have this trait that has helped them succeed in blogging - consistency.

Jun 2nd, 2008
katelyn

Thanks for this! It really is a great guide to blogging, I found it super helpful and inspiring. I’ll be reading back on this entry to help me keep motivated to always working towards a better and more successful blog! Thanks (:

Jun 3rd, 2008
Tom At The Home Business Archive

Great tips! There are so many things when it comes to writing great blog content.Useful and helpful content works the best.Focusing on the topic is important.

Jun 4th, 2008
Ichizu

Excellent post! I love the point format - I usually skim read blog posts, so this was excellent.

Jun 11th, 2008
Mcneris: For Bloggers

What is this self-promote that you advocate? I must say the first thing I wanted to write here was WOW. then I saw it in the first comment. Enough said

Jun 14th, 2008
Radi

Very nice post.

By the way, what do you mean by “self-promote”? I mean, how to do it?

I’ve searched your web with keyword “self-promote”, but didnt find any good result..

Jun 14th, 2008
Linda R. Moore

An excellent post, but when will you be back in earnest? I’m finding it rather disheartening to keep checking back only to find nothing to read. And your other blog is full of guest posts, which isn’t why I subscribed to it.

Jun 17th, 2008
Supermance

just exactly what im looking for, thx for these great tips

save it, and i promise to do these steps later

Jun 18th, 2008
Corey Freeman

Wow, very informative. Nice tips, especially the not saving your best ideas.

Jun 20th, 2008
Shaun

Everything okay?

Jun 21st, 2008
Karrie

Excellent post with real clarity. I’m going to print it out and keep it by my PC, so many thanks!

Jun 24th, 2008
Connie Brooks

Welcome back Skellie!

I’ll be referring to this often, thank you.

Jun 24th, 2008
Cath Lawson

These are brilliant tips Skellie. And it’s so true that people don’t unsubscribe because you’ve taken a break. I recently took a break through illness and it didn’t stop people coming back, although I thought it would.

Jun 26th, 2008
Sanja

i blog now since about a year. tips and ideas for better blogging are always welcome to me. blogs like yours help me to make progress. thanks for sharing your tips!

Jun 26th, 2008
Daniel Richard | WE

And the greatest part is that all these things does work! These are definitely nicely laid out for easy reading is worth the bookmark and subscribe.

Thanks Skelli for sharing this article!

Daniel

Jun 28th, 2008
Sheryl Loch

Skellie,
Nice post, I like the fact that it is in non geek terms (or not to complicated).

Your #11 ‘Use a blueprint. Look back into your blog’s history and emulate your most popular posts.’
Is one that always amazes me, you just never know what the hot topic is.

I have also found that you do not have to be the ‘top expert’ and write in technical terms as if you were a professor that just discovered a new life saving cure. Many people are like me and live by the ‘KISS’ (keep it simple stupid) rule. LOL!

Thank you so much for tips that I need to work on.

Jul 11th, 2008