How To Write A Successful Blog:

Top Ten Tips

1) Stay on topic

Opinions are generally accepted but the content of the items in the blog should all relate to a general theme. Define a topic and stick to it. This will ensure that you create a loyal following of interested readers.

2) Be informative

If you are attempting to create the impression that you are knowledgeable about a specific industry or sector, be sure that you stay current on news. If you are offering an opinion, be sure to qualify your post, making it clear that the content is intended as an editorial.

3) Old news is not news

While blogging every day can be a drain, it is important that the information presented is current and accurate. Writing an article or blurb about something that happened 6 months ago, will not be of interest to many.

4) Adhere to a schedule

Create a schedule and stick to it. Realizing that blogging requires time and effort, don’t create unrealistic expectations and be unable to deliver. If you have worked hard to develop an audience and a community you don’t want to lose them due to lack of communication.

5) Clarity and simplicity

Keep your posts and blog entries clear and easy to understand. Remember, the web is global and expressions, idioms and acronyms don’t always translate. Sometimes a little explanation goes a long way.

6) Keyword-rich

If the goal of your blog is to increase your visibility, include related keywords in the title of the blog. Use the title as a headline to attract interest. Each item post should have a title that will attract attention but still be relevant to the post.

7) Quantity matters

In order to attract the attention of search engines, you will need to develop content and substance. A headline or simple sentence is not going to generate the interest of readers or help with search engine ranking. Be sure to archive old blog posts to develop a large portal of similarly-themed content.

8) Frequency

If your blog content is updated frequently, search engines will tend to spider the pages at regular intervals.

9) Spell checking and proof-reading

It only takes a few extra moments and can save you from having to make embarrassing explanations. Remember that whatever you publish on the Internet can be found and archived. Think carefully about what you post before doing so.

10) RSS

RSS will increase your blog’s reach. It is important that you include your blog’s content in an RSS feed to increase readership and distribution. Most weblog audiences are small, but with time and regular updates audiences grow. Bloggers may never have more than a few hundred readers, but the people who return to regularly are generally interested in what you have to say.