How to make your blog lively? by Partha Bhattacharya
Not all blogs are equal. There are some that have a touch of class, an
expression of individuality. It is always interesting to read such blogs, as if
each time there will be a new revelation, a new way to know things that you're
already aware of. More than writing prowess, it is the passion that drives
blogs. So if you're passionate about something, you're most likely the ideal
candidate to make your blog a success.
There is a growing concept that blog needs search engine optimization as much
as a webpage does. This has proponents both for and against. And there is a
reason for that. Many websites are in fact blog-sites in the sense that they
are built on the back of content management applications, like Nucleus CMS and
Wordpress (you need to download on to your server) or the ubiquitous Google's
Blogger (you don't download anything).
In these cases, since each blog-post makes a separate webpage, it perhaps makes
sense to optimize it with a chosen keyword for better search engine ranking.
Those who speak against optimizing blog-posts hold the oft-repeated view that
it will spoil its spontaneity, which is so necessary for a blog to be liked by
viewers.
What then are key points that go to make a blog eminently readable? Here is my
take.
Discover a niche
It's not uncommon to find people having experience in diverse fields. For
example, landscaping and philately. While that may be symptomatic of your
personality, you're not expected to explore both in the same blog. Instead, it
is always wise to discover a niche topic, say landscaping roof-top gardens or
19th century philately in Europe. As you can see, your topic is very focused.
That would be ideal, given today's mushrooming of blogs everywhere.
Name yourself
Often, blogs are kept deliberately anonymous or given strange names. This has
been the style in the beginning when blogs have just come into fashion. This
doesn't work anymore. The point is you want to connect with your viewers,
listen to what they have to say, and so a blog is served well when you let your
viewers know who you actually are. Any ambiguity on your part will hasten
lessening interest in your blog, even if it is well-modulated and well-written.
Develop your style
Your blog is the ideal place to leave your imprint. You may be good in
narration, or you may be good as a critic, or perhaps you are a good
story-teller, or may be you're a combination of more than one trait. It helps
to remember that there are readers of any style that you adopt in your writing.
If you are adept in weaving words, you may try switching between 2 or more
styles, but a single style is more preferable if you look at it from your
readers' viewpoint.
Say something of value
This is very important. Unless you've something fresh to add, why do you think
your readers will find your blog interesting to read. It is tempting to gloss
over this matter for the simple reason that it is difficult to write
value-posts every time. It perhaps is. But keep telling yourself that you can
always give a small twist to a tale already told. That may not be as difficult
as you like to imagine.
Write regularly
It's surprising that among several thousands of blogs debuting everyday, only a
handful makes it beyond a month, even less beyond 6 months. One reason may be
lack of preparedness, which means many blogs are started on the spur of the
moment. If you wish to slog it out, ensure that you write regularly, perhaps
every alternate day or 2 to 3 days a week. There are 2 important issues here.
Not only you signal to your readers about how frequent to expect your posts,
the search engines too will pay regular visits, which is good for overall
'health' of your blog.
Link, link everywhere
Be generous with your links. If you've taken an idea from another site (no bad
that), give a link there, albeit opening in new window. It's a mistake to
believe that you cannot hold your own if you give away links where they matter.
On the contrary, you may emerge as a good reference point whom your readers
will come to trust in course of time. The other necessity is to link to your
own earlier blog-pages whenever there's a chance to do so. As much as this
strategy helps your readers, it's an important fodder for search engine spiders
who prefer links like nothing else.
Coming back to the heading, "How to make your blog lively?", suffice it to say
that a blog is the wholesome fruit of all your efforts above, a sum-total of
your ability and willingness to do it well. If one of these is lacking, your
blog is likely to suffer, but more than that it is your valiant effort that
will go waste. You don't want that, do you?
Suggested readings:
Make money online with ProBlogger blog tips
About the Author
Partha Bhattacharya is an expert
web content writer. It's rare that his clients have preferred any other
provider after availing his service as content provider. Partha uses
SBI! for his targeted website.
|
