On Blogging

Advice for new bloggers: Taking your blog to the next level

For the final part of my Essential Advice for New Bloggers series we’re talking about how to take your blog to the next level.

Of course I need to start off this post with a BIG, HUGE, GIGANTIC disclaimer in which I tell you that I am still trying to take my blog to the next level.  So it’s not like I’m the expert here.

Still, we can learn about this topic together. Right?

So I’ve gone around to various sources and picked out the best of the best in terms of advice, guidelines, and recommendations on this topic and compiled them below.  I’m also throwing in some links to my favorite resources.  Finally, share your own tips and ideas! 

1) Ask your readers

This can be scary, but it’s one of the very best ways to get targeted feedback about how to take YOUR blog to the next level.  Finding out what your readers like and dislike about your blog is the best free advice you’ll ever get.

Of course it’s still YOUR blog; you don’t have to change everything just because someone says so.  But odds are you’ll see trends and patterns in your readers’ feedback that will help you make decisions to move your blog towards greatness.

2) Learn from the A-listers

You know that one blogger, the A-lister who you subscribe to and read religiously?  I want you to go, right now, and look at that blog.  But this time don’t look at it as a reader, look at it as a blogger.  Analyze.  Evaluate.  What things is this blogger doing that make his/her blog successful?  Try and remember how you first found this blog?  What drew you in?  Why did you subscribe?  What brings you back?

Read through the archives… especially from the very early days.  How has their blog changed since its inception? 

 Once you’ve spent some time analysing a couple of your favorite “A-list” blogs (and really, A-list is whatever you want it to be!), look at your own blog again.  What can you improve?  What is and isn’t working?  I’m not suggesting you copy your favorite blog (because really, how dumb would THAT be?!) but the fact is you really can learn from the people who are making it. 

If you’re really brave (or even if you’re not) email your favorite blogger and ask them for their insights on how they got their blog where it is today.

Some bloggers have even gone so far as to post their advice for all of us to enjoy.  For example, check out:

Blog Tip Sharing Project, from Jennifer at Playgroups are No Place for Children
Growing your Traffic from Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer

If you know of others, please leave a comment and I’ll add their links here!

3) Learn from the EXPERTS

Look around at the many excellent how-to blogs that are out there.  Pick one or more to subscribe to, and make a commitment to reading it regularly.  You’ll be amazed at how much valuable information is being put out for the taking!

Check out these blogs about blogging

• Problogger (this is my personal favorite)
• Daily Blog Tips
• The Blog Herald
• The Blog Bloke

Check out these blogs about writing

• Daily writing tips
• Copyblogger
• InkThinker

Check out these blogs about design

• Web Designer Wall
• Design*Sponge

Do you have a favorite how-to blog that isn’t listed here?  Leave a comment and I’ll add it!

4) Ya gotta have goals

Sit down and list out every goal you can think of for your blog.  Even the silly ones.  Even the really really lofty ones (”get on Oprah”, anyone?).  If you’re having a hard time, here are some example goals to get you started.

• Increase subscribership to 1,000 readers.
• Increase web traffic to 20,000 hits/ week.
• Post quality content 5 days/week.
• Go to BlogHer.
• Publish a book based on my blog.
• Become an A-list blogger.
• Generate $100k/year in blog revenue.
• Become a paid blogger for a major website.
• Spend less time blogging.
• Spend more time blogging.
• Improve my writing.
• Learn to use a photo-editing tool.
• Move to Wordpress and become self-hosted.

Like I told you, there’s no goal that’s too silly or too lofty.  Remember, these are your goals on which you will not be judged.  Have some fun! 

Now pick three goals to focus on.  Put them in priority order.

Next, brainstorm 3 things you can do to bring your blog closer to each goal.

Here’s an example.

Goal: Increase subscribership to 1,000 readers.
How I’m going to get there:
1) Sign up for Daily Blog Tips’ blogging hero contest.
2) Guest blog on three major blogs.
3) Introduce new blogging ”features” to generate excitement and momentum.

In conclusion…

And THAT, my friends, is the end of the Essential Advice for New Bloggers series.

So, let’s discuss.  What have you learned and, more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

I can’t wait to find out! 

© Jenny Blackburn. All Rights Reserved.

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Catch more of Jenny Blackburn’s humorous anecdotes on being a mom, a woman, and a whole lot crazy at Absolutely Bananas. If you have questions, anecdotes, or topics for “On Blogging,” email jenny[@]seattlemomblogs[dot]com.