10 Tips for Better Blogging

Unless you’re a late-night TV talk show host, you shouldn’t be delivering a monologue. And that means you should encourage your visitors to post replies and join the discussion.

You can do this by posting about topics that typically get a strong response in other places (like on niche forums).

Be sure to specifically tell your readers to post their opinion.

One way your blog generates traffic is via the search engines. And you can ensure you get search engine traffic by optimizing your content for the search engines.

It’s simple: Use a tool like WordTracker.com or your favorite keyword tool to find out which phrases (also known as “keywords”) your market is using to find information in your niche. In particular, search for longtail keywords, which are low-traffic yet also low-competition words (meaning you have a good chance of ranking well).

Next, write articles using these keywords.

Tip: For best results, use your keyword in your article title and sprinkle it into the article two or three times for every 100 words of content.

A successful blog means you need to blog consistently. However, it’s easy to fall behind if you’re not used to blogging regularly. You can avoid this by writing five, ten or more articles at one time – then upload them to your blog and set them to publish on a future date.

To keep people interested, post articles of varying lengths. Sometimes you might post a regular 400 to 600 word article. Sometimes you might post something that’s 1000 words or more. And at other times you might just post a 50 word tip.

Another way to keep people interested is by using a variety of formats, such as text posts, video posts and audio posts. You should also regularly include pictures, screenshots, charts and other illustrations that keep your blog visually interesting.

If you post regularly, people will come back regularly to see what’s new on your blog. At a minimum, commit to posting once a week. Depending on your niche and the goal of your blog, you may post daily (or even multiple times per day).

When you see your readers responding to a particular topic or style of posting, feed them more of the same. If you’re not yet sure what your readers enjoy, then take note of what your niche responds to on other blogs and niche forums.

Most people who visit your site will never return. That’s why it’s a good idea to get these people to subscribe to your newsletter (as well as your RSS feed). Offer valuable free bonuses to “bribe” your prospects to join your list – that way you can follow up with them and remind them to visit your blog again.

Another way to make your blog sticky and encourage repeat visitors is by creating regular weekly features. These regular features might include things like:

• A weekly product review.
• The “tip of the week.”
• An interview with a niche expert.
• The top ten blog posts elsewhere in the niche.
• A feature where you answer readers’ questions.

If there’s a hot, maybe even controversial debate going on in your niche, don’t be afraid to take a stand and post about it. Doing so “humanizes” you and draws your prospects closer to you.

From time to time, you may also posts “rants” or other passionate posts. Many readers will find it a refreshing break from the typical “how to” posts.