1. Be the blog. Write about a topic that’s true to who you are. Don’t try to pretend you’re something you’re not. Not only will you enjoy what you’re doing more, but your audience will appreciate it. People can sniff out a fake from a mile away. There are so called “gurus” out there who will tell you to “fake it till you make it” and to present yourself as already successful even though you’re just starting out. You might be an expert in your chosen field, but if you’ve just started your business, don’t be afraid to tell it like it is. You’ll feel better about what you’re writing, and you’ll inspire others who are interested in starting their own businesses.
2. Back up your blog. This is definitely not a lesson you want to learn the hard way. From the very beginning, and for as long as you have a blog, duplicate the files on your server in at least one other location. It’s a good idea to have a duplicate directory on your desktop as well as on a portable device, like a flash drive. It only takes one loss of your valuable information due to a server crash or human error to wish you had heeded this advice. Speaking of which…
3. Find a great hosting provider. Hosting providers are a dime a dozen, and many are priced as such. In some cases, their service and performance are good, despite their low prices. In other cases, you’re sacrificing what’s most important for a low price. So how do you know which provider is best for you? Research. Look at online reviews, and ask around. Ask other bloggers and site owners who they use and trust. Which brings us to our next tip…
4. Ask for help and advice from other bloggers. Don’t be bashful or intimidated (or too proud) when it comes to asking for advice. Put yourself in the shoes of a blogger you admire. What would you think of someone new in your industry coming to you for advice? Would you think you’re too important to be bothered? Hopefully you wouldn’t. In fact if you became a popular blogger, it wouldn’t be because you had that kind of an attitude. Of course, you’re not going to get in-depth personal coaching for free, but asking a question is perfectly reasonable. So get help and advice. It’s a great way to shorten the learning curve, and you’ll make some great connections in the process.
5. Follow and comment on other blogs. Showing your support for other bloggers by leaving meaningful, thoughtful comments is important for a lot of reasons. First, you learn a lot by reading other blogs, and the comments that go with them. Secondly, it’s a great marketing technique. You get to link to your blog when you leave a comment, so you’ll get some traffic from it. And third, the bloggers you’re commenting on are more likely to check out your blog and return the favor. For more information on comment marketing, see our recent post on the topic.
6. Know your audience, and provide them with outstanding content. More than any other tip or trick you can learn, this is ultimately what will make the difference between a successful blog and one that never takes off. It’s the same if you own a restaurant, sell software, or write a blog: If you give people what they want, they keep coming back. So stay connected with your audience though social media, the comments on your blog and by participating in forums and comments on other blogs. Listen to what people are saying and address their wants and needs in a way that’s thoughtful, entertaining, and most of all, true to your style.
Of course, above all else, it’s important to just get started. If you wait until you feel like everything is just right, you’ll never make anything happen. So get going with your blog and tweak as you go. And as you do, follow these tips, and you’ll be a blogging superstar before you know it!