Keeping up with my Sunday pattern of posting one from the archives, this post below was one of my very first written March 22, 2010. Upon reading it, I’m impressed this list still has merit nearly three years later…what tips might you add based on your own blogging journey? Lastly, how about publish your “First Blog Post?” (Still relevant and well written?)
From Soulati’-TUDE! Archives:
Now that I’m officially a blogger, it feels pretty cool. I’m eager to put all the back-end stuff behind me and concentrate on perfecting and building the network. Unfortunately, I need to dig deeper for the patience as it’s all part of the larger journey.
In spite of my short time here, there are tools a newbie blogger needs to stay the course. Let me suggest several based on direct experience in the first two weeks:
- Patience and Perseverance. Without high levels of patience, a new blogger cannot persevere.
- Tech Know-How. IT knowledge is not a necessity, although it’s a bonus. Some of the more daunting areas are installations, code, ftp, renaming files, creating databases on c-panel and so much more. When self-hosting a WordPress blog, be prepared to be frustrated.
- Know your limit. Hit a wall? Ask for help; hire the experts. I didn’t, but needed to. (I had hit my wall, but a guy on Twitter blew me off for a week, and it angered me so much I insisted on doing this myself.)
- Time. Blogging requires more time. Obstacles and snafus galore and solving each take precious hours. See number two.
- Listen at a higher level. When speaking with clients, colleagues, friends, peers, listen for the next blog topic. After any conversation, if something strikes you, jot down key words to trigger topics.
- Keep a notebook, folder. Keep the notes, posts, items you read in a manual notebook or desktop folder.
- Rip tear sheets. Familiar with this term? Public relations practitioners use it when one of our stories we’ve placed hits. Get oriented to tearing out stories and filing into an idea folder. I’m already tearing sheets from Advertising Age, BusinessWeek and the Wall Street Journal which offer an array of ideas.
- Follow and subscribe. No better way to get post ideas then to follow people on Twitter lists via or . Subscribe to blogs in a reader. That way when on the road, you can access posts galore and delete subscriptions not making the grade.
- Use a dictionary/thesaurus. There’s nothing like a good dictionary to help find the right word or look up a synonym. Each post I’ve written has required reference to the dictionary. I’m expecting a few grammar lessons along the way, too.
- Be aware. Being aware is more than just combing content for ideas. Curiosity is the first step towards greater awareness. Surf 10 minutes daily on Technorati and get a sense of topics, style, and popular bloggers’ content. With awareness comes relevance.
- Engage on Twitter. A blogger must have a Twitter account, but all tweeps don’t have a blog. Twitter is the first best marketing tool for a blog; it’s a built-in audience who already finds you credible enough to follow. Blog posts are first promoted on Twitter. Whether you include Facebook in this marketing scheme is up to how you use it (friends/family or mix of business).
- Be responsive. When you post, the objective is to get attention. The ultimate goal is to get comments and furthermore subscribers. Answer everyone with appreciation who takes time to jot a note.
- Queue the posts. It’s Sunday morning. I’ve written 3.5 posts. Am thrilled to have something in queue for the week. Find that quiet time to draft skeleton content. Come back to it and edit. Find support points from the Web to empower the message.
- Learn! Already after a solid week of blogging, I’m thrilled with learning opportunities. While I thought Twitter was wonderful, blogging beats it hands down. I now look at everything through the blogging glass…is this a good topic? Is it a trend? Where can I find the data to support this statement? Do I need to back up my opinions? Shall I link to that site? Should I self-promote the blog on another’s post? Does this content resonate? Who cares?
- Respect one another. Everyone is entitled to opinions. It’s what makes the blogosphere rich. Set a positive tone with the goal of garnering respect.
What might you add to the list, please?
This is an awesome post. Thorough and detailed at the same time.
I would add take time to visit other blogs and leave relevant comments.
Make sure you create a list of who you admire and take turns-for me there are so many. So a schedule keeps you on track.
Thanks, Michele and Twitter friend! This is my point in the post; Twitter is so fabulous in enabling expansion of bloggers’ networks. Michele put out a tweet she likes to validate blog posts, and I jumped on that gift! As a newbie blogger, my audience is small and growing. Thank you for stopping in, Lady, I appreciate you.
I recently help launch a blog for the League of Women Voters of Ohio so thanks for the tips.
Hi, Teana! Thanks for stopping by to share. Please provide your blog link for LWV; perhaps we can collaborate on a post topic.
You are a braver soul than me. I read my old posts and cry. So glad they are buried on a different site, far from where my current customers can find them.
@geoffliving I found them. Hahahahahaha……..look out! Kidding, of course.
@geoffliving You don’t think I read that thing carefully to see if it still passed muster? I was kinda shocked it did! LOL
I love the fact that #1 is patience and perseverance. I personally stopped there. The other stuff is great but that single most relevant point cannot be understated.
My first post was horrific. I was so proud to publish it. My wife and I looked at it and I danced a jig. Last week I resurrected an old post, cleaned it up, wrote a new front end and published it. In my perusal I reread some of my first ones. I blushed they were so bad. The ideas work but holy jamoly. I was trying wayyyyyyyyy to hard.
Oh and #15. Huge.
Cheers!
@rdopping I still remember my first few comments and when one came in from South America, I danced a jig. The early days of blogging are so frightening and rewarding. You need to cherish those memories as you grow because the journey is a challenge!
Don’t forget to hit @billdorman blog today; his hat is nearly hung…
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @billdorman Been there. Done that. His hat is still firmly planted. It’s just a different hat. I wish him luck. Onward and upward.
My efforts are redoubled. I al fired up and planning to make some real changes in the next while.
Cheers and have a great day!
@rdopping @Soulati @billdorman I look forward to seeing what’s in store, Ralph!
Oh I remember the first few posts I ever wrote. Hmmm, terrible. I had no idea what I was doing or what direction I wanted to go in.
But boy was I excited when I got the first comment on my blog.
I still have to have patience and perseverance even now!
Excellent advice to beginning bloggers, Jayme. You’re right about patience and perseverance. So many people expect to be successful immediately but it takes hard work.
I also especially like your advice to use a dictionary. So important to get it right!
Excellent advice to blogger Jayme! And all still relevant, years later! I just hope many are listening and knowing the importance of how enjoyable blogging can actually be!