Advice for new bloggers: Taking your blog to the next level
June 9, 2009 – 5:16 pm
Of course I need to start off this post with a BIG, HUGE, GIGANTIC disclaimer in which I tell you that I am still trying to take my blog to the next level. So it’s not like I’m the expert here.
Still, we can learn about this topic together. Right?
So I’ve gone around to various sources and picked out the best of the best in terms of advice, guidelines, and recommendations on this topic and compiled them below. I’m also throwing in some links to my favorite resources. Finally, share your own tips and ideas!
1) Ask your readers
This can be scary, but it’s one of the very best ways to get targeted feedback about how to take YOUR blog to the next level. Finding out what your readers like and dislike about your blog is the best free advice you’ll ever get.
Of course it’s still YOUR blog; you don’t have to change everything just because someone says so. But odds are you’ll see trends and patterns in your readers’ feedback that will help you make decisions to move your blog towards greatness.
2) Learn from the A-listers
You know that one blogger, the A-lister who you subscribe to and read religiously? I want you to go, right now, and look at that blog. But this time don’t look at it as a reader, look at it as a blogger. Analyze. Evaluate. What things is this blogger doing that make his/her blog successful?? Try and remember how you first found this blog? What drew you in? Why did you subscribe? What brings you back?
Read through the archives… especially from the very early days. How has this blog changed since its inception?
Once you’ve spent some time analysing a couple of your favorite “A-list” blogs (and really, A-list is whatever you want it to be!), look at your own blog again. What can you improve? What is and isn’t working? I’m not suggesting you copy your favorite blog (because really, how dumb would THAT be?!) but the fact is you really can learn from the people who are making it.
If you’re really brave (or even if you’re not) email your favorite blogger and ask them for their insights on how they got their blog where it is today.
Some bloggers have even gone so far as to post their advice for all of us to enjoy. For example, check out:
Blogging in Pink: A Woman’s Guide from Scribbit
Blog Tip Sharing Project, from Jennifer at Playgroups are No Place for Children
Growing your Traffic from Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer
If you know of others, please leave a comment and I’ll add their links here!
3) Learn from the EXPERTS
Look around at the many excellent how-to blogs that are out there. Pick one or more to subscribe to, and make a commitment to reading it regularly. You’ll be amazed at how much valuable information is being put out for the taking!
Check out these blogs about blogging
- Problogger (this is my personal favorite)
- Daily Blog Tips
- The Blog Herald
- The Blog Bloke
Check out these blogs about writing:
Check out these blogs about design:
Do you have a favorite how-to blog that isn’t listed here? Leave a comment and I’ll add it!
4) Ya gotta have goals
Sit down and list out every goal you can think of for your blog. Even the silly ones. Even the really really lofty ones (”get on Oprah”, anyone?). If you’re having a hard time, here are some example goals to get you started.
- Increase subscribership to 1,000 readers.
- Increase web traffic to 20,000 hits/ week.
- Post quality content 5 days/week.
- Go to BlogHer.
- Publish a book based on my blog.
- Become an A-list blogger.
- Generate $100k/year in blog revenue.
- Become a paid blogger for a major website.
- Spend less time blogging.
- Spend more time blogging.
- Improve my writing.
- Learn to use a photo-editing tool.
- Move to Wordpress and become self-hosted.
Like I told you, there’s no goal that’s too silly or too lofty. Remember, these are your goals on which you will not be judged. Have some fun!
Now pick three goals to focus on. Put them in priority order.
Next, brainstorm 3 things you can do to bring your blog closer to each goal.
Finally, do them!
Let’s hear from you… what are you doing to take YOUR blog to the next level?
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By Carrie on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Thanks again Jenny, for your awesome tips!
Carries last blog post..Local Family Likes Break Cooler Weather Brings
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By Gina on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
These are great tips–thanks! I’m especially interested in #4. I’ve had a very hard time figuring out what my goals are. How do you decide the numbers? It’s not like writing a business plan for a regular business. Right now, I aim to increase my subscribers based on how I’ve grown in the past, but is that too passive of a goal? I can set a monetary goal but then I don’t know how to set smaller goals to reach that number. ???
Ginas last blog post..FREE Kids Clinic at Lowe’s
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bananas Reply:
June 10th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Goal setting is one of those intangible, amorpous things. I say pick a number that seems achievable but also feels like a bit of a stretch. It’s less the number itself and more the fact that you have a goal that counts!
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By MammaLoves on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
I’m finally doing it…I’m getting my own domain and moving to WordPress. You’d think after so many years of blogging, I’d be farther along on the path…
Great list. Great, great list!
miss you
xoxo
MammaLovess last blog post..A Note to My Youngest on His Last Day of Preschool
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bananas Reply:
June 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
you go girl!!!
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By Michelle at Scribbit on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Thanks so much for mentioning the ebook–and goals are always tricky to formulate. Then of course once you get them set they have the nasty habit of morphing on you :)
Michelle at Scribbits last blog post..My Princess and the Pea Cake
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By Dolly on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
so thankful for this series, Jenny. I’ve read Scribbit’s e-book several times. I launched a new series last month, and I’m finally scheduling posts, and committed to regular columns and blogging 4 times a week. Setting up a schedule and planning it out has really helped me get organized. I’m hoping the consistency will help me achieve more subscribers and visitor traffic.
Oh, I finally got photoshop and figured out how to make my blog a little prettier…a little easier to link to…starting to look like a more robust blog.
By the way, what things did YOU do to get your blog to the next level. I LOVE your blog.
Dollys last blog post..Tuesday Travels: Painless Travel Tips
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By Lauren @ HoboMama on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
I’ve really been enjoying this series for new bloggers. It’s given me a lot to think about, and I keep tweeting all your articles! Your goals made me a little ashamed of my wimpier ones. Maybe I need to think bigger?
P.S. I’m in Seattle, too, so I love your header. :)
Lauren @ HoboMamas last blog post..Time to cancel the diaper service?
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By jenn on Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
This has been the BEST series! Thanks so much for all the info. One of the main things I’m working on is taking time to read other blogs and comment sincerely. I’m a firm believer that you have to give to receive, and I find that from each blog I read, I get more and more inspired to make mine the best it can be.
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By Kathleen@ForgingAhead on Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
I love setting goals! Brilliant advice!
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By Kerrie on Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
I also really like the goal-setting tip. I’m big on goals, but not so much on reaching them. :) Great series! Thanks for sharing your expertise.
Kerries last blog post..The First Birthday Party: What Not To Do
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By Reluctant Housewife on Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
To be honest, I’m not sure I want to take my blog to the next level. I’m happy right now at the ‘fairly small’ level.
# Increase subscribership to 1,000 readers.
# Increase web traffic to 20,000 hits/ week.
Whew. Sounds like a lot of pressure. Yikes. heh.
I’m too laid back.
My goals look more like:
Have fun.
Write well.
Be funny.
Those are my goals.
Thanks for the great link, though. I’m going to check them out.
Reluctant Housewifes last blog post..Bleh
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bananas Reply:
June 10th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I love your goals. Which is why I’m stealing them for my own. :)
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By BeanMa on Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
These are great. Thanks for posting!
BeanMas last blog post..Morning, Third Trimester
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By Merritt on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
Thank you so much for such great tips and advice. You gave me tons of things to think about! Your ideas got me thinking so much I used one of your tips as an idea for a post! My blog a work in progress, but I feel like I took a big step forward after reading and implementing some of your tips.
Merritts last blog post..Truly, truly outrageous
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By Janell on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the great post. I just started blogging so I need all the advice i can get.
Janells last blog post..9 Months
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By Lana Lulu on Jun 23, 2009 | Reply
Thanks so much for your insight! I never really thought about my goals until I saw your list and asked myself, “what are my goals?” I am going to make my list and go for it! Thanks again for giving me the boost!
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By Shannon on Jun 25, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the link, Jen–I’m honored to be on your list! ;)
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By Karuna@Mumbai Playschools on Jul 1, 2009 | Reply
You are sooo right about 1 - Ask your readers.
After all, without your readers you are nowhere and if you ask them and provide them with what they want, you are bound to build a loyal audience
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By Trackback - How To Make A Diaper Cake on Nov 29, 2009 | Reply
,..] http://www.absolutelybananas.com is one another relavant source on this subject,..]
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