With well over 150 million blogs reportedly being online this year more and more people are seeking out ideas and tips on how to stand out among so many. Now I have to admit I didn’t have enough time to visit all 150 million, but judging by the ones I do visit that are successful vs. those that are, shall we say less than successful there are a few clear differences that stand out.
Be Yourself
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but you don’t have to spend much time at all online to find multitudes of people who just don’t get it. Finding your own “voice” might take you a while, but once you do it will become one of the main reasons people start coming back over and over again.
Write about what you know
If you’re super passionate about a topic, and can’t seem to devour enough information on the subject, and are continually talking (or writing) the ear off of anyone who shows the slightest interest in the same topic you’ve likely got a winner on your hands. Try to avoid subjects you either don’t know, or aren’t passionate about as they’ll soon dry up and what started out as fun will turn into work.
Be Consistent
You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s amazing how many bloggers write sporadically at best. I often stop by the occasional blog expecting new materials and when I’m faced with last month’s post still I quickly lose interest. If you can’t see yourself writing once or twice a week on a topic you may have chosen the wrong one to begin with which is why the last point was so important.
Your readers will become accustomed to the writing schedule you keep and will often stop by your blog in anticipation of the next article on the subject you write about. It’s probably a good idea to send these visitors away happy and fulfilled rather than lacking, and frustrated.
Respond to each and every visitor
If Twitter, Facebook, and blog comments are potential contact points between yourself and your readers, then make sure you’re monitoring all of these, and responding to the people who are actually interested enough in you and your blog to engage with you, or share your content. It only takes a moment, but the conversation you start might begin the conversation that brings that reader back again and again in support of your blogging efforts.
Don’t give up!
This is one of the biggest one’s on this list. There are millions of blogs and blogger’s you’ll never hear of simply because they are no longer online. They folded their tents up, and likely won’t be back. People wander off leaving their readers behind for many reasons. Some think the level of success they achieved in the time they “tried” wasn’t what they were expecting. Often these people either didn’t put in enough time, or enough effort.
The items on this list or basic and simple, but so few seem to be doing them or are flitting about from one set of ideals to the next trying to figure out which one is going to bring them the level of success they see others achieving. It’s simple! Figure out what you want, and then figure out what you need to get you there and do it!
About Warren
Haha, I like number 3 “Be consistent”. I just stopped by to visit your blog before work not expecting a post today since it’s still quite early. (I believe you’re an hour behind me) and found this post waiting for me!
As readers we do become accustomed and sensitive to your writing schedule and will make a point of stopping in when we expect something new.
Have a fantastic day!
It may be difficult to engage each and every visitor of your website, but the growth of your following depends on it. It will be exponentially more difficult when you gain a larger following. While you’re blog is still young, be ultra-friendly with early-adopters of your content, because in the future that may be a luxury you can no longer afford!
This is an extremely relevant post given the amount of people that are competing for the attention of basically the same audience. The niche aspect and writing about what you know becomes even more important as the crowd gets bigger, as having a niche you’re knowledgeable about provides you with a competitive advantage. It’s a sustainable advantage, too, because competitors can’t easily duplicate real knowledge.
Great info.
As a blogger or a website owner it is important to connect with the readers because the blog is not going to survive if nobody reads it. Whether in business or blogging we cannot afford to let go of our visitors. All the points mentioned in the post are equally very important.
Excellent, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that.
What a great post Warren! I couldn’t agree with you more.
If you can believe it, I actually had difficulty with the “being myself” part. The reason is I was taught to promote the benefits of my products and nothing more. I wasn’t taught to throw my own personality in there. Of course I also didn’t think I was very interesting or that a lot of people would actually connect with me. Silly right! I sure was proved wrong and I love that when that happens if you must know the truth. Be yourself, trust me it works!
Consistency is another problem a lot of people have. But here’s the deal. What do you really want to accomplish online? If you are here to promote products and/or a service and build a business do you really think you can hit and miss every once in awhile with providing valuable content and be seen? It’s the same thing as having a day job and doing the work when you feel like it. Think you’ll keep that job for long? There ya have it! Consistency is BIG!!!
Okay, I’ll stop for now. I think I’m making my point here. Follow what you have shared and they can be well on their way.
Thanks Warren, great post.
~Adrienne
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Well, you’ve definitely come into your own and “found your voice” it’s great watching your blog grow into something awesome! I’m sure you’re proud of yourself, but your readers (myself included) are proud of your accomplishments also! Keep up the great work, and keep conquering the online world!
Thanks Warren, great content! Staying consistent and never giving up a must!!
Cheers!
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Thanks Warren Your every content that you wrote is Fresh as your mind is This Post is as usual a awesome one =)
The subsequent time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I imply, I know it was my choice to learn, however I truly thought youd have one thing fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you could possibly fix for those who werent too busy in search of attention.
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