A few weeks ago I ran a giveaway of the new book, Blog Blazers. I asked you, dear readers, to leave a comment sharing one lesson you had learned about blogging. There were 29 excellent responses (including a few I received via email). Using the Randomizer tool, I randomly chose 6 winners to receive copies of the book.
Here are the 6 winners and the lessons they shared about what they have learned about blogging:
“Love what you do! Otherwise don’t do it. Why? Because most of the time it shows. Blogging is a great way to establish a rep and build a business however, blogging without enthusiasm won’t bring out the best in you. And readers are pretty good at realizing what blogs come from the heart. Yeah, this may be difficult if you blog about a stale business topic or something with little glamor however I can assure you that loving what you do makes even the most boring of industries stand out. And when you love what you do, you will be the enthusiastic expert in your field. So put a little heart into your blog. Or put a lot of heart into it, as a matter of fact!”
Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy:
“The one thing I have learned about blogging is:
Building relationships is vital to building a successful blog. The relationships between you and your readers, the relationships between you and other bloggers in your niche, and the relationships between you and other experts in your field are all necessary and vital for a blog to live.”
CathyBendzunas:
“What I learned personally was that I actually like writing & am pretty good at it. And I absolutely love to blog.
With blogging, I learned to invite your readers to participate as much as possible. Ask questions, get them to vote on something, ask for advice, etc.
I also learned that you need to be consistent (which because of my work volume, I haven’t been lately). It’s best if you can blog on the same days of the week (preferably every day if possible but I know we all need a break). By being consistent, the readers come to expect your posts on those days.”
“The most important thing I’ve learned about blogging?
Blog is a verb.
You’ve got to tend to your blog regularly. Ideally, daily. Add to the conversation. Create entries that move the larger conversation forward. It’s okay to do quick entries just passing along an interesting tidbit you’ve seen elsewhere, but you’ve also got to create original content that others will want to link back to. Analyze some stats. Write an essay with a strong point of view. Compare and contrast two opposing views. Make a phone call or two to get some original quotes. Try to create something that will inform, entertain or persuade.
Blog is a verb.”
Susan Payton, The Marketing Eggspert:
“The best thing I’ve learned is that blogging from your heart, about things you love, is the way to go. Don’t blog about something just to make money or hit good SEO. Blog about what you know.”
“Just like voting:
Blog early
Blog often
Do your research before pulling the lever.”
Thanks to all who participated.
Very wonderful gift from you, Anita. Better luck next time for me.. 😉
Anita, you have pulled together a nice set of comments. All the comments you have posted are wonderful. Thanks for selecting them.
YFNCG, Cathy, Tim, Susan, and Jason, Serapis, CONGRATS! You guys deserve the prize.
Chaitanya
http://www.p2w2.com
Congrats to all who won. We may all learn something from the tips entered. It makes for good food for thought.
Thanks for the wonderful prize Anita! I don’t know of anyone else who gives away so much for their birthday. This website has been a great gift on it’s own, so the book will be icing on the cake!
Congratulations and happy reading! 🙂
Yes, I agree. Post from your heart about the people you care about. I care about small business owners making profits and making a life, not just a living.
I love the tip saying “Blog is a Verb.” So many people get caught up optimizing SEO or trying to check their stats that they forget to just sit down and “blog.”
Hey Anita
I have learned more about blogging by reading great blogs like yours. I am constantly trying to better my blog post and will continue to follow some of the great advice of your contest winners.
All the best
JB
Anita, thanks again for the prize. It was a wonderful gift I finally just finished reading the Blog Blazers book and have gotten some great information out of it, that I have already started putting into practice. As per your specific advice concerning Titles, I have already begun trying to make every title I write speak to my audiences and their “pain points and desires” as you suggested.
Your statements on blogs being part of a network economy that will grow exponentially as the network effect increases shows a realistic picture of what it takes to make a blog successful. I agree that the ideal would be to hire my own researchers, along with writers and marketers but as you stated most new bloggers who can’t afford to take this route should work their butt off for at least two years before seeing really positive results. And yes, you are also right when you say “success is a never ending journey”. Success can mean different things to different people.
By the way, thank you for pointing out Blog Carnivals. I did not even know they existed. A lot of the information you and others presented is going to take a little while to digest and really put into practice but I have already outlined many must do tasks that I will be incorporating into all of my blogs this year. 2009 will be a year of much success. Thank you for being part of that success.