This is a guest post by Lee from Lees Shizzle Blog, I am thrilled to have him here as he makes his debut with his first guest post on how to bring your blog alive.
Recently I’ve been thinking about “how to bring my blog alive“. It’s not like it’s dead or anything but I have a constant need to keep it alive so to speak. Having said that the most important way is to keep it updated and provide quality content. This is so cliche in the blogging communities and blogging in general. But the truth is that it is very important.
Has your blog lost it’s touch
Not everyone is good at or even feels a need to constantly put out a post let alone 2 or 3 post a day. Some have the time some don’t yet even those who do have the time still don’t feel the need. And those that feel the need will at times struggle with content. Below I will give you some ideas to which some I’m sure you’ve read about in your searches and some you already apply. Some of these ideas will work for your blogging style and niche and some won’t but if you find some value with the list please share how it works for you.
- Remember the Human Element
- Don’t Forget Your Blogs Purpose
- Find the Courage to Take Risks
- Interact with Your Readers
- Interact on other Blogs
- Share about new Designs
- Use Eye Catching Images
These are only 7 of many. I’m sure together we could come up with a ton of “Simple Easy Steps.” Yet they are extremely important things that I try to remember. Especially if I am struggling with content ideas. I am not totally convinced of the ole bloggers block statement, in fact I’ve written about it and used it as a topic on occasion.
Remember the Human Element
When I refer to the ‘Remember the Human Element’ I actually saw this on another bloggers blog (Lorelle on WordPress) and realize how important it is. When ever you begin to lose site of sharing your experiences in your topics you begin to forget about the human element. No one wants to always hear about how good this is or that is if your not sharing your personal experiences in how it has helped or affected you. Personally I don’t want someone who hasn’t experienced a divorce to try to tell me about a divorce. Or someone who hasn’t raised horses tell me how to train horses. Get the idea?
Don’t Forget Your Blogs Purpose
It’s easy to get lost in the surf and try to emulate others in their writing style or share a story like another favorite blogger you visit. But don’t forget your blogs purpose. It has to be about you or what you know about. I’m learning this along the way, and it’s becoming clear to me that the more I share with a human element the more I find my purpose. I love relating to things that has happened and making it my purpose as a blogger. Does your blog have a purpose?
Find the Courage to Take Risks
Wooo hooo big one! For some anyway. I find it fairly easy to take risks. I believe that if your a serious blogger and want to improve your blog then you need to improve your blogging skills. And in order to do this you will need to begin to take some risks. Healthy risks. Some risks I’ve taken have been to be a little more transparent as stated in my blogs purpose. I don’t believe I can blog with the type of purpose I desire if I don’t become a little more transparent. Blog about something you know about, but something new. Not so much out of your niche but new. What risks have you taken lately?
Interact with your Readers
When I first started blogging I made a lot of little mistakes. I’ll make some more along the way as well but I will learn from them as I go. One of the most important things about being transparent is having to interact with your readers. It’s fairly easy to put a post up and start drafting out another, rinse and repeat. I’m finding that I’m having more success by interacting along the way. I ask questions, I encourage comments and I ask for support and feedback. Just like the previous paragraphs ended with a question. I’m encouraging your participation.
Interact on other Blogs
Some of you know this has been a fault of mine..[enter evil smile]…as I tend to be confronting or defensive. Not meaning to hurt anyone’s touchy feelings or do so in a criticising manner. It’s just me. If you were sitting in my home or I yours you’d get the same me. I don’t pretend on sites or in person. I will admit it is a fault at times as others take it offensive online when done so without thinking. So remember that when you do interact with others do so appropriately. But get out there and comment on other blogs and interact. Challenge yourself to provide so many comments a day and keep that commitment. You will begin to see your blog come alive from some of those comments by having them visit your blog. Do you interact and how often?
Share about New Designs
Not only can a little tweek here and there bring your blog alive you can show it off from the get go by doing a post about this. Tell your readers, tweet it and let others know. I recently added an ‘About Me’ page and a ‘Contact Me’ page. Something I had neglected for a long time. I will add to this as I become more transparent and continue to find and improve on my blogs purpose. Have you tweeked yours lately and if so how?
Use eye catching Images
Whenever I publish a post I try to find an image that very closely relates to the post. Either something that very clearly fits the title or gut of the content therein. It brings your blog alive. I use ‘Photo Express’ most of the time as it is a free service where you can download up to 10 free images a day. I usually find what I’m looking for. Where do you get your images from? I don’t do too good at image editing so I look for the easy solution.
I hope this gives you some ideas in “How to Bring My Blog Alive“. I know that when I refer back to these ideas I can usually come up with something to keep me from the everyday struggles of putting out content as well as give me reasons to interact with others. My blog is important to me and so is it’s audience. I always try to remember not to lose the human element or my purpose. So what do you think?
Thanks Maria for allowing me the opportunity to share with your readers in my very first guest post!
Top work dude, fantastic attitude and great colaboration!
.-= TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..Why You Can Absolutely Do It + Videos =-.
Hey James thanks brother.
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Keep it Simple Don’t throw the Baby out with the Bath Water =-.
No probs brother, excellent to see you guest posting really good move. Top work
.-= TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..Why You Can Absolutely Do It + Videos =-.
Fantastic stuff. Great tips. I guess you have to treat your blog like a product.
.-= Corve DaCosta´s last blog ..International Women’s Day =-.
Hey Corve nice to meet you. Thanks for the shout of confidence. And your absolutely right, treat it like a product. I’m off to visit your sight. Again thanks
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Sharing A Guest Post and My Experience =-.
I believe that the most important is interacting with your readers, find out what makes them tick, see if they understand the meaning of your blog but I love your list very awesome.
Interaction with my readers has brought me to where I am at today and inspired me to keep going to reach my goals. Without them I’d be nothing for sure. Thanks Butterfly
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Sharing A Guest Post and My Experience =-.
Excellent post Lee, thank you so much. May it be one of many
Your more than welcome Maria. I hope it is one of many.
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Sharing A Guest Post and My Experience =-.
Excellent work Lees! My favorite one is the human element. For me at least it is so much more easier to read content when it sounds like it is coming straight from your mouth instead of some how to guide that seems computer generated.
.-= Ryan Hanzel´s last blog ..Balancing your life between virtual reality =-.
yeah I really been trying to focus on this lately Ryan. Thanks Bud I appreciate your comment. IMO I think it is the most important as well along with taking risks even if controversial at times….
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Sharing A Guest Post and My Experience =-.
I’ve seen a lot of these tips, but you really explained each one better than I have seen before. Nice write up.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..How To Survive A Scary Movie, Entrepreneur Style =-.
Thanks Alex, what a nice compliment you gave me. I appreciate it Bud. If I can do anything for ya. Give me a shout! Off to see some survival techniques from your shizzle.
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Sharing A Guest Post and My Experience =-.
Hi Alex,
I agree, Lee has really put everything into this post and I think its one of his finest. He’s not just all shizzle, more of a dark horse with some writing savvy. He certainly knows his stuff.
Thanks for allowing me to do this Maria and thanks for the comment. Overall I enjoyed it and look forward to doing more.
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..eCommerce What Platform are you using =-.
i agree, very useful tips
Thanks rick. Nice to meet you. what other tips can you help me with?
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..A Lesson Worth Learning A Lesson Well Learned =-.
Great list Lee. I think you’ve included the steps that all successful blogs use. Specifically engage the readers and make them feel like their part of the site.
.-= Steve Scott Site´s last blog ..Embark on Your Hero’s Journey =-.
Great way to interpret it Steve. I hope others see what you just said. All Successful Blogs use these.
Appreciate your comments dude. Hope all is well and your moving right along as planned.
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..A Lesson Worth Learning A Lesson Well Learned =-.
Lee,
A great post, with some very valid tips. I like how you’ve given some detail, rather than a list with a one line statement. Very useful!
Being courageous is very important. The Phote Express is a tip I’ll follow through and check it out.
Thank you for sharing.
Regards
Paul
.-= Paul´s last blog ..It’s only skin deep =-.
Hey certainly do Paul. That’s a great site for me to use and I know if others don’t know about it they should. You automatically get 1 free photo a day but by doing a couple of simple things like becoming a fan on facebook you can get more free ones. Most all the images on my site come from there.
Thanks for your comments
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..A Lesson Worth Learning A Lesson Well Learned =-.
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Hey Lee, I really like the human element idea, but first let me tell you how to train this horse….just kidding. I also have underestimated the value of pictures. I have 2 or 3 in various posts but not one in each. do you think it makes that much difference to include a pic every post or is that something that each blog should feel out individually?
Just thinking…
Justin
.-= Justin Matthews´s last blog ..I did the Twitter thing 20 years ago! =-.
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