9 Lessons for Would-be Bloggers

Good points, all around. I’ve had the hardest time with that last one. My blog is up to 100+ visitors/day, which feels like a decent number to me, but plenty of posts still go by with no comments. I have to remember that people don’t comment for the same reasons I don’t always comment on their blogs; it’s nothing personal. I also have to remember, like any new venture, to do it for me, and not for the applause of the crowd (or the check after the show).

I think one additional thing is to follow other people who are in your schtick field (to borrow your word), and comment on and link to their postings as well. Share the link love.

Great post. particularly the greatest hits..added the widget to my blog. Thanks for the advice. Enjoyed!

Really in depth information there. I would really agree with the “when in doubt”, just post. Unless it’s controversial where you might cause a fight, but if it’s just wondering if anyone cares, I say do it. Just earlier this year, I was getting ready to go to the day gig and nothing was grabbing me to post about, then I ran across something on boing boing - about Shawn Hornbeck. It was a local interest thing, so I posted it. By 10pm I was on the local evening news as the top story. Of course they had it wrong, as I was the “internet detective”; but whatever works to get your 15 seconds.

Rex

I completely agree with your article. When I first started my blog I was very concerned with minute details and making posts LONG. Now, after a few months practice, posts are rough, short, and simple but they all have valuable CONTENT. Good content=return readers.

Well written, and a useful set of posts that applies to activities beyond blogging. The key point being to take chances and step out there to make your voice heard.

I realized after reading this how much comments mean to me when they come in. Thanks for posting all this. I think your first point about the “fear” factor is spot on. One issue I have is with “unpublishing” if only for the rumor and speculation it can cause. I believe that if you are going to retract something it should be done in a update to the original or in a whole new post. The problem with just deleting a post is that no one ever knows why it happens. We have seen some large mistakes made by other bloggers who are coerced into removing or editing posts and I continue to believe that transparency works best. For some reason people are always drawn to a site when posts come down…even if it is for the right reasons.

Thanks for this - may be I gotta try start my blog for third time…

I am listening.

ok, so how do i get that “add to delicious” link for my blog?

Josh,
Nice list and very good advice. One thing many bloggers don’t think about much is the number of people not currently blogging simply because they don’t know how or how to start.

Please write in complete and correct sentences. Writing is a reflection of your thoughts.

Another good post on why to blog.

RE: People don’t care very much whether you write in complete sentences, use correct grammar, or are copy-edited.

Well, that’s not quite true. Many people don’t care, but some people care a great deal and will discount whatever you’re trying to say if you’ve made too many errors.

Using correct grammar helps ensure that your ideas will be understood.

Your advice to “use the comments for refining your point” and “whatever you do, don’t argue with them, don’t say that they didn’t understand the point” reminds me of the mantra: the customer is always right. A very customer-service-centric point of view which will serve you well. Great blogging insights. And, I love your greatest hits advice. That IS a draw for new readers!

I love this post. The information is immensely encouraging. Thank you for this.

I particularly like the concept that all thoughts are in beta. Good one. And, of course, the reassurance that people are listening. I like that the same five people comment, but I also like that I have fifty subscribed to the RSS feed.

Great piece. Joshua. You gave my good advice. After reading your story, I stopped worrying about how to blog.
I once translated your the Del.ici.ous lesson and posted at Chinese translation community but then I didn’t read any other greatest hits further. I checked out this piece last night. Now I found your blog truly worth reading, And Bokardo has become a permanent fixture on my bloglines.

Excellent post, especially your thoughts re: when in doubt post, and beta. I just put up my first post 6 days ago and it will help me to remember these points when posting (instead of trying to make them perfect like I have been), thanks!

One big lesson: don’t hire on as a contract blogger. You’ll make nothing. I increased readership by thousands, but received pennies, because I signed a contract that left out my expected pay. The famous blogging firm scammed me, by withholding that information for 4 months and when I finally got a check, I quit in disgust. Blog for yourself. You’ll feel much better it.

ack! You’ll feel much better for it! Guess I’m beta.

Thanks for this encouraging post; particularly the second point. I’ve been ’schtuck’ figuring out my ’schtick’. Since it’s all perpetual beta, I’ll just get started with a general direction and let the ’schtick’ evolve.

For a ‘newbie’ like me, this is yet another great learning experience for me. You must have spent quite some time writing this. Thanks!

It’s funny how I get few comments on my blog but people will come up to me all the time and say they liked such and such a post or will email me personally to make a comment. It seems many people do have a fear of commenting in public. Suggestions on getting a dialog going would be much appreciated.

Also, I agree a formal tone and grammatical perfection are not needed, but I do think proof-reading for spelling and basic punctuation aid credibility. I think it shows you care about what you’re saying.

quote:For every person who posts a comment on your blog, you have 10 (or 100) readers who won’t. Always remember that! Even if you don’t get the 100 comments that you were hoping for doesn’t mean that people didn’t like the post or that they didn’t consider it…it just means that they didn’t have anything to initially say or couldn’t at the time. This is a hard problem…because if you don’t travel a lot then you might never know that there are people who are reading and just not saying much. If you do travel, make sure you let people know who you are and what your blog is, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many readers you have.
…..

Really good read, thanks for the info and all the comments. Great to see what people think.

Cheers,
Seychelles Web Design

> This is a hard problem…because if you don’t travel a lot then you might never know that there are people who are reading and just not saying much.

So, so true. People come up to me and say they have been reading Airbag for years yet I’m meeting them for the first time because they never chose to comment for one reason or another.

Great work Josh. I’m excited to see the response you’re getting.

Thanks for this encouraging post; particularly the second point. I’ve been ’schtuck’ figuring out my ’schtick’. Since it’s all perpetual beta, I’ll just get started with a general direction and let the ’schtick’ evolve. Greetings

@ Dr. Pete - i hear ya on the Blog comments point*

Often Blogs can be a complete Dead Zone as far as wondering whether Anybody out there in the whole Universe is Reading U or not*

I recently joined http://www.MyBlogLog.com & U can add a Nice Widget that at least shows U the People who have popped by - as well as other useful Stats!

A girl I know started a group called Flickr is My Blog - No doubt because that is where all the Social Interaction takes place in terms of getting much beloved Comments!

I might add Flickr is also an amazing source for getting awesome Photo Visual Images for your Blog which makes it more appealing to yer Readers!

& there’s also been a certain Snobbery among Old Skool Bloggers that U have to say something completely Topic Related - Nothing wrong with Have a Nice Day!!

Cheers! Billy ;))

Peace*

Thanks for the advice, maybe I’ll take it up soon…

Just the same way you use Comments to refine your writing, you can also use information gleaned from search engine hits.

http://www.bezwstydne-pierdolenie.wqe.nowaruda.pl
http://www.cipki-wypierdolone-pitka.wqe.nowaruda.pl
http://www.tvanal-pizda.wqe.nowaruda.pl
http://www.cycki-liwe-sex-kurwa.wqe.nowaruda.pl
http://www.siksy-napalone.wqe.nowaruda.pl

Thanks, Joshua!
I just translated to italian the 1st lesson and published it on my personal blog. I am going to do the same with the other lessons you wrote. I hope this is ok.

Your lessons are short, clear and simple: perfect for beginners (and for would-be translators as I am

Here is the 1st translation

Bye,
pinna

Thanks for the insight on thoughts being in beta. It triggered some good thinking and inspiration in my life. Appreciate it! I referenced you and this article on my blog.

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Correct English be-damned???? Wow. I totally disagree with that one. I love my computer and the Internet, but this aversion to using intelligent language and grammar is the result of a general laziness and unwillingness to go back and CHECK what you’ve written. Just yesterday I was attempting to read information on a most interesting site. The problem I encountered was a plethora of misspellings, which led me to the conclusion that whoever put the site together was not very careful or thorough. Proofreading - what a concept. If you’re language-challenged or dyslexic, ask another to check what you’ve written. Your writing will be much more credible (And by the way, there’s no hyphen in be damned.).

Thanks for the pushback, Lynne. In my experience correct English just doesn’t count for much. I would hate for bloggers to be intimidated away from blogging because people are being grammar-cops. My focus in this piece was to empower bloggers, not scare them into thinking their grammar need be perfect.

On a personal level, I appreciate proofreading…this isn’t about not editing. It’s about editing for clarity as opposed to editing for grammar…one takes priority in my mind.

Thanks for the lessons.
Are you planning to write an article about plugins? It would be interesting to read.

Great post (the follow-up, too), especially for those of us newer to blogging. Hearing a voice of experience can be oh-so-helpful; the “beta” point is a great reminder.

And the call to abandon so-called “correct” language — thank God. Do I talk like an English paper? Heck no. So I sure-as-shootin’ don’t want to write like one. Those days are over!

Thanks again.

Excellent article Josh. I am doing a class presentation to graduating High School Students in a few weeks on how ot conduct to use the internet for their job search. I am a novice when it comes to blogging but I think I am going to put more emphasis on the students to start blogging. This seems to be teh new way of the future to look for work.

Thanks again Josh for a great article and helping a rookie like me

Dave

You’re absolutely right, Josh. Blogging is *the* way to stay in touch with your readers online.

Good article!
Thanks, Josh!

Thanks for useful info

Thanks for the lessons. Great, thx

I really enjoyed this post. However, my problem with starting my blog is not being able to write or being shy. My problem is that I have not been able to determine what my flag should be. It is easy to say plant a flag but for someone like me with such a large variety of interests determining what that flag is turns out to be a rather difficult proposition.

great article, thx for it

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I’ve got the 2nd problem (i thought i have to be informative, serious, formal and ‘cool’),, it’s about several weeks ago,, but i decided to keep on writing, coz I love it,,

nice post,,

Wow! thats an amazing article for sure, it will be helpful to all bloggers to spread useful information to fellow bloggers.

Great post. particularly the greatest hits

7 years is a very long time. in germany we would say “Hut ab” - Hats off in english?

Very good article! Thanks, Josh!

thanks

I’m a blogger-beginner. I’m happy about your article. Thanks

I understand and see the point of STARTING a blog.As well, some people are able to write continuously new posts in their blogs, which are interesting to follow, eg. a blog from a sailor, crossing the Atlantique (especially, when he or she is pretty young and the boat is pretty small
As well it might be interesting to have a blog for a holidaymaker, a boatcharterer, who is temporaily on a boat sailing several times year… however: when I see the equivalents to such projects, private homepages with travel-reports, after a while it become the same again and again.
Conclusion after all my thoughts: only a very few people are able to “entertain” their readers.Every year hundredthousands (SIC!) of books are published, only a handfull is remarkable and will ever be read… I see a similarity to blogs… it´s interesting to see, which and how blogs develop themselves over the time. That´s a pretty entertaining point for me
Regards from a sailor in Greece

love that “show your greatest hits” tips. great for creating “stickiness”

Very good article! Thanks, Josh!

thx for nice article, great work

I think these blog is really useful for new comers and Excellent resource list.

You have right! Greatings

nice lessons. i only can recommend this to all bloggers who would start. great informations!

Hello joshua, blogging is not heard of in my circles, being a fresh electronics engineer from mumbai university(India), students are very unfamiliar with the blogging revolution. I have referred your blog to a popular forum my class uses and I am hoping I am successful in persuading my friends to start blogging wonderful things like you have done. Cheers.

Great advice there. I can vouch for the fear aspect – I spent months deciding whether or not I would put up a blog, for this very reason : my (strange, and weird) thoughts would be there for the world to see, and I could be criticised.

Now, it wasn’t so much strangers that I cared about (who cares what a stranger thinks) it was more my friends and family I was worried about. Guys coming up and saying “do you REALLY think that?” or “Man, I didn’t know you were actually so weird!”

To be honest, the opposite happened. It’s actually helped to make conversation with many of my friends and family, and allowed some people to open up and share their ’strange ideas’ as well. It’s done what it’s supposed to do : put a community in context and poke the fire of conversation, ideas, and learning. This is how we learn and grow together. For too long, we had no way of just sharing ideas and learning more. I’m thankful to blogging and the internet for the potential it has to help us all grow and learn- and understand.

I think its offers some really useful tips in this article, but I personally disagree with tip ” Correct English be damned”, about foregoing proper grammar, punctunation, sentence structure, etc.

For informal everyday bloggers, this tip might hold up, but if you’re blogging on behalf of your nonprofit, my guess is that you’d want to appear as professional as possible, which requires solid writing.

is there some exemples of Comet used ?

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Nice article.Its very useful to me as newbie.Thank you.

Great guide for the noobies.

What do you think about autocomment posting software? I have a good visiting of my blog, but comments is a real problem

You are talking about the act of writing. An article about the act of reading will be interresting too !

Hi, nice web - site, and thanks a lot for all the useful informations, kind greetings from germany

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thanks for the great tips!
a must read for all the bloggers out there!

nice lessons. i only can recommend this to all bloggers who would start. great informations!
I’ll be subscribing from now on!

great post. ive been thinking of creating a blog and this would be a very nice guide to help me get started blogging. thanks a million.

thanks for the great tips!

Thanks for the article. I agree sometimes that correct english be damned because sometimes you need to write like you speak but typos aren’t spoken so you still have to watch for that one.

This is very helpful article because he help work with my blog. A lot of thank’s

Your page is amazing. I think that becose I find here a lot of information that help me create my web.

I particularly agree with your point:

They consider the act of writing as an act of conversation, as opposed to others who see it as a way to make money or a way to promote something.

I would hope most people have grown tired of the endless stream of money making blogs and inflated egos.

thanx for artichle

thanks

[...Even if you don’t get the 100 comments that you were hoping for doesn’t mean that people didn’t like the post or that they didn’t consider it…it just means that they didn’t have anything to initially say or couldn’t at the time. This is a hard problem…[...] I am glad to read that I am not the only one who had this problem. So, I will not quit but continue for a while!

Good article! Thanks, Josh!

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Great article and I agree with many of the points you make. I run a few blogs and my own thoughts are that you don’t need to write perfectly written posts. Your only concern should be whether or not your readers will find your posts interesting or not.

Spot on w/ the “when in doubt post” and “everything is in beta”. Far too many bloggers wait, wait, wait, and then the moment has passed. Every day delayed waiting for the perfect opportunity is one less day to build their brand.

Perfectionism also slows delivery - often I find that blogging with some holes gives readers a chance to fill them for me. And they do, willingly.