Lately I’ve been coming to many realizations about my blog so I find myself writing quite a bit about the how to’s of blogging. I’ve been looking at the Skool of Life from a long term, strategic, business perspective and realize there are something I might have done differently if I knew what I know today.
Guest Posting: I’ve been fortunate enough to have guests post such as 10 signs that the matrix has you and 10 tips for Navigating the waters of life published on a blog as popular as Dumb Little Man. While I have no doubt, gotten a nice influx of traffic from my posts there, I realized that I have written a ton of content, which if it had been used as guest posts at other blogs, would have given me a bit more exposure. Additionally I’m now planning a guest posting blitz. I would say coming up with a guest posting plan is a really good way to go. You can easily get guest posts on the top blogs, but it might take some time. So, I would say find somebody with 500-1000 RSS readers, to get your name out there while you are waiting for the Problogger type blogs to get back to you.
Commenting Strategy: I’ve heard one them consistently in all the interviews I’ve conduced with bloggers as part of the interviews with up and coming bloggers podcast. Even when we try to leave insightful comments that are not things like “great post, etc, etc” we are still on there as a one shot deal. Nathan Hangen told me that getting involved in the conversation at these blogs is really key.
Relationships with Bloggers: With guest posting comes relationships with other bloggers. I think I waited far too long to do this. I think you should reach out to other bloggers who are in the early stages of their blog and make them part of your network. It’s likely you’ll all be progressing at the same rate, and be able to help each other out.
Newsletter/Sales Funnel: I setup a newsletter. I have about 90 subscribers, but I didn’t set this up the right way and now I’m being forced to go back and rework my email strategy. I think this video with John Chow is really the best thing I’ve seen explaining it.
Team Blogging: Blogging may start out as an individual endeavor. If it stays one, then you are in for a really long uphill climb. Collaboration with other bloggers is really the key blowing the lids off what is possible. I’ve heard of bloggers forming their own mastermind groups. I’ve thought of starting a second blog and working in conjunction with some people that share my same goals. Feel free to email if you are interested in working on this joint venture.
Podcasting: I avoided the podcasting concept for a while and I realized that it was a mistake this week. In my recent interviews with up and coming bloggers podcasts (Josh Hanagarne and Kelly Diels) I was able to start connecting to other bloggers and immediately growing my relationships through referrals. Each blogger I interview refers me to somebody I don’t know that I should interview.
In a nutshell I would say that, you really should have an attack plan and strategy for your growth. I had one that wasn’t clearly defined. Hopefully this will help all my readers who have their own blogs.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Srinivas,
I really think that building relationships with other bloggers is an absolute must.
Your guest post was a hit on my blog and picked up about 40 comments and made it to my top ten. Thanks for that. You are welcome to do another guest post any time on my blog.
Hey Gordie,
I’m glad to help out with guest posts. I think even I’ve found that having other people guest post for you is really a key factor in being able to get your blog moving. It allows you to get different perspectives and get unique content in a different voice.
Great advice for bloggers! I completely agree with all of these points and some of them are still things I need to work on a lot on my own blog. Thanks for the tips!
Dani,
I’ve been making a shift in my thinking to running it a business because as I think about the longer term growth for The Skool of life, I realize all of these things will be important.
Srini,
All excellent ideas and most are ignored right out of the shoot. In terms of the newsletter I see many people not do this because they say Im not ready to do a newsletter.
Even if you dont have a “newsletter” idea just yet, you MUST have an email opt in on your homepage. Not Feedburner but something like aweber or whatever. You can give away something in order to get peoples emails or just say something like, Join My List where I send out special info you cant find on this site”. Then send them free tips and info, create a relationship.
Lastly I would say also focus on the look of your brand. Everything from logo, to website design, to twitter page, to your personal avatar, etc etc All of that should be thought of and executed to the best of your ability. If you have no ability in this area find someone you can afford to have do it for you. Your selling yourself and brand as much as your content.
Good luck to all and thanks for the post.
Rich,
Thanks for stopping by and for giving us some great input. I’m looking forward to getting your interview published and doing some work together going forward. I think the key really here is to run it as a business.
I’m looking for a new guest post opportunity. Need anything along the lines of “How I Brought Sexy Back (in a High School Musical Bathing Suit)? I’m sure I could tone it down and reel it in a little bit
Loving your posts so far.
Aha… I recall you from Yaro’s forum… looks like we’re both finding our respective grooves!
Email is a bit different. I’ve run a couple of lists. Blog posts get a little more leeway. Email is more powerful, but easier to mess up.
Great post Srini!
But seriously, I’m finding guest posting/relationship building really key. Commenting, while it doesn’t bring much in terms of traffic, is a great way to build relationships. That said, sometimes you just want to say you like the post and have nothing to add to the conversation. I love when I get comments like that too. Who doesn’t love compliments?
Karol
I would add, becoming a professional and gaining some awknowledgement in the niche/topic I will be blogging about and this way build hype. Once I get some hype, write an ebook then find people to interview you, so once you launch your blog you will have readers awaiting to read your posts with anticipation.
I liked what you mentioned though, especially the newsletter idea. I never used one and should really start sometime soon.