It's been two years since I started my first blog at Rock-Head Sciences and soon thereafter on this author page. Recently, I was asked for tips from a follower, so I've jotted down 20 suggestions that stand out to me on maintaining a successful blog. Overarching all of them, however, is persistence. It takes many hours of learning, creating and experimenting in social media. Keep trying new ideas!
1) Find a niche and post routinely (i.e. once weekly, monthly, etc.), or if it's general, post several times a day to generate traffic.
2) Engage with your audience whether on Twitter or comments on your blog.
3) Invite guest bloggers and provide posts for other blogs.
4) Edit, edit, edit. Read your posts out loud, and ask someone else to read it before posting.
5) Incorporate humor into blogs when possible.
6) Use a professional looking website.
7) Use pictures with blogs and posts to social media.
8) Schedule announcements on a new blog using Hootsuite or another type of scheduler.
9) If you use WordPress, get the plugin "Revive Old Post" - make sure your titles of the blogs are how you want the blogs to be posted. This plugin will automatically retweet old posts randomly at a time interval (i.e. every two hours) you choose.
10) Make sure to get a backup plugin. I use "Updraft Plus" and have used it with success. Also, write each blog with Word, Pages or some other word processing software and keep your own files as back up.
11) Watch Twitter feeds from social media experts, bloggers and authors for great advice on blogging.
12) Ask website visitors to join your email list and announce new posts to their email.
13) Find a good video that shows you how to set up your webpage appropriately and all the related settings.
14) Use Google Analytics to track your page. You'll be able to see demographics that will give you insight on your followers.
15) Pay attention to SEO advice and follow it. Search engines are essential and you want potential followers to find you.
16) Follow copyright laws when using anyone else's writing or other media such as photos. Make sure you have permission.
17) Add your social media information to all your social media accounts, email signature block, and anywhere else.
18) Order cards to hand out. I use the square cards from MOO. Have them printed with the QR code for easy phone scanning.
19) Make sure to use reputable references in posts or when retweeting other posts on Twitter. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and you want to maintain your reputation as an expert.
20) Reference back to old posts in your new posts. This will help with traffic.
In addition to these tips, I have written several posts regarding blogging and tweeting in the past. For additional social media tips, see the following blog posts:
Twitter tips: http://www.sandiewill.com/blog/category/social-media
Twitter tips at Writer's Helper: http://www.writershelper.com/Editors_Notes-182.html
Blogging: Engagement is the Key to Successful Blogs: http://www.sandiewill.com/blog/engagement-is-the-key-to-successful-blogs
Sandie is author of the soon to be released YA novel, A Caging at Deadwater Manor, from Caliburn Press. By day, she is a manager of a geology team who strive to protect water resources and natural systems. Her blog page includes short stories such as The Writing Desk Saga and inspirational experiences, as well as writing, blogging, publishing and Twitter tips. She lives with her husband, Charlie in Tampa Bay, Florida. They have two children, a beloved lab mix and a not-so-loving tabby.
Feel free to share your social media tips in the comment section below as well!
1) Find a niche and post routinely (i.e. once weekly, monthly, etc.), or if it's general, post several times a day to generate traffic.
2) Engage with your audience whether on Twitter or comments on your blog.
3) Invite guest bloggers and provide posts for other blogs.
4) Edit, edit, edit. Read your posts out loud, and ask someone else to read it before posting.
5) Incorporate humor into blogs when possible.
6) Use a professional looking website.
7) Use pictures with blogs and posts to social media.
8) Schedule announcements on a new blog using Hootsuite or another type of scheduler.
9) If you use WordPress, get the plugin "Revive Old Post" - make sure your titles of the blogs are how you want the blogs to be posted. This plugin will automatically retweet old posts randomly at a time interval (i.e. every two hours) you choose.
10) Make sure to get a backup plugin. I use "Updraft Plus" and have used it with success. Also, write each blog with Word, Pages or some other word processing software and keep your own files as back up.
11) Watch Twitter feeds from social media experts, bloggers and authors for great advice on blogging.
12) Ask website visitors to join your email list and announce new posts to their email.
13) Find a good video that shows you how to set up your webpage appropriately and all the related settings.
14) Use Google Analytics to track your page. You'll be able to see demographics that will give you insight on your followers.
15) Pay attention to SEO advice and follow it. Search engines are essential and you want potential followers to find you.
16) Follow copyright laws when using anyone else's writing or other media such as photos. Make sure you have permission.
17) Add your social media information to all your social media accounts, email signature block, and anywhere else.
18) Order cards to hand out. I use the square cards from MOO. Have them printed with the QR code for easy phone scanning.
19) Make sure to use reputable references in posts or when retweeting other posts on Twitter. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and you want to maintain your reputation as an expert.
20) Reference back to old posts in your new posts. This will help with traffic.
In addition to these tips, I have written several posts regarding blogging and tweeting in the past. For additional social media tips, see the following blog posts:
Twitter tips: http://www.sandiewill.com/blog/category/social-media
Twitter tips at Writer's Helper: http://www.writershelper.com/Editors_Notes-182.html
Blogging: Engagement is the Key to Successful Blogs: http://www.sandiewill.com/blog/engagement-is-the-key-to-successful-blogs
Sandie is author of the soon to be released YA novel, A Caging at Deadwater Manor, from Caliburn Press. By day, she is a manager of a geology team who strive to protect water resources and natural systems. Her blog page includes short stories such as The Writing Desk Saga and inspirational experiences, as well as writing, blogging, publishing and Twitter tips. She lives with her husband, Charlie in Tampa Bay, Florida. They have two children, a beloved lab mix and a not-so-loving tabby.
Feel free to share your social media tips in the comment section below as well!
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