A blog is a web site that provides regular entries of information, commentary, events, and news on a particular subject. It often combines text, images and links and allows readers to leave comments and interact with the writer.
So does your blog commit these sins?
1. Sending mixed messages?
We all know there are hazards of sending mixed messages to our children, "do as I say not as I do." The same goes for business. It's important to be clear with your clients and readers. Don't promise that you will do something if you know you can't. If you are sharing information in your blog posts be sure the information is accurate and be sure to come back and update them on events and stories that need follow-up. It's a simple fact, people prefer working with people who share clear messages. Don't over promise! Come across as credible, know your facts and investigate a subject matter before you write about it - it builds trust and confidence and keeps your readers coming back to you for more of the information you are sharing.
2. Hard to subscribe?
Wanting to increase your readership? Consider whether or not you are making it easy for your readers to subscribe to your blog.
Jeremy Blanton describes how to allow readers to subscribe to your blog via social networking sites:http://activerain.com/blogsview/783103/Allow-your-readers-to-Subscribe-to-Your-Blog-on-the-social-Network-of-their-Choice
Jason Crouch covered how to allow readers to subscribe to your blog via Feedburner in this post -http://activerain.com/blogsview/748476/How-to-Syndicate-Your-Blog-Meet-My-Two-Most-Important-Subscribers. This allows you to syndicate your blog via email which simply means someone can sign up and receive all your public posts via email.
Also be sure to subscribe to your favorite bloggers here on AR (the button is above the bloggers photo - see there on the right of this post - go ahead, click it!) Be sure to visit them on a weekly basis to see their latest posts. I think all too often we add people to our subscriptions list but that's where it ends - we need to visit and comment on their blogs to enjoy all the benefits of being a subscriber - isn't that what we want from people subscribing to our blogs?
3. Inconsistent Posting
In Jim's post, (http://activerain.com/blogsview/22717/How-Often-Should-I-Blog he compares blogging to exercising and provides 3 key benefits of blogging that include search engine seeding, maintaining and building readership and feeding the habit.
I've read many viewpoints on posting and agree posting should occur at least once a week and 2-3 times is even better. But, don't post just to post or for points - post whenever you have something of value to say - something that is worth sharing with your readers. If you're going through a period of not being sure what to write about or post - visit your fellow bloggers, make comments, read a good book, and before you know some ideas will start brewing.
4. Lack of comments back to your readers
If readers are stopping by to comment on your blog be sure to reciprocate and visit their blog to leave a comment for them. It's also important to recognize the comments you are receiving on your post and respond back in the comments section to acknowledge the points and comments shared by your readers (I've heard from many that they often return to see comments left back from the writer - I know I do - who knows, your next blog could actually be in the comments section.
Nestor and Katerina talked about the secrets beyond the comments in their post http://activerain.com/blogsview/772885/Its-Not-All-About-The-Comments-The-Secrets-Beyond-The-Comments in which they advised us to not just focus on the comments but the statistics page to know how many people are reading our blogs. I think this is important point because it will tell you how relevant your topic is to the majority of your readers. Look back at your previous posts and see which ones received the most comments and try to focus your writing on similar topics and carry out the same style of a post that was successful.
Cynthia Tilghman provides advice on practicing good blogging etiquette as ways to get more comments on your blog posts. Visiting her post http://activerain.com/blogsview/712761/Want-to-Know-Why will provide you with lots of helpful advice.
5. Lack of Links
Do your blogs have links? Are you linking back to a post or person that you are mentioning in your blog? (See examples throughout this post) Are you linking your pictures to increase your search engine juice as Lenn Harley mentioned in this post: http://activerain.com/blogsview/835384/IM-CONFUSED-WHY-IS-THERE-A-TREND-AWAY-FROM-CONTENT-CONTENT-CONTENT
Paying it forward is a concept here on AR that many people have adopted and it's a way to not only promote your services and information but promote the services and information of other members that you value, admire and that your readers will surely appreciate. Castellum Realty is a group that mentions their associates often and is a great example of the concept of Paying it Forward.
Does your blog commit any of these sins?
What are some other "sins" a blog can commit?
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