Search engine optimization is an ideal way for bloggers to gain traffic to their sites. This optimization makes it easy for search engines, such as Google, Yahoo and MSN, to locate content on your site that may be useful to the people hunting for information.
Search engines send out their spiders to look for information that's related to what the particular user wants. There are several things a blogger can do to increase his or her chances of being placed on the first page of results. Being on the top of the search results increases traffic and makes your blog more authoritative. If you can’t be found on the Internet, you don’t exist. If you don’t exist, what’s the point of posting? By properly using SEO, you can be found and exist in this new social community.
Here are seven tips I found to be particularly useful:
1. Title your posts in a way that pertains to its subject or content. Of course you want something catchy to entice readers, but don't get so lost in the title that isn't clearly related to your post.
For example, you wouldn't title a blog post about Baltimore's Artscape as "Summer Time." It doesn't get to the heart of your post, may leave readers confused, and worst of all, misdirect search engines.
2. Label posts by using appropriate tags. The tags are key words or phrases that relate to your blog. For example, the Artscape post might include tags such as: Baltimore, Artscape, events, visual art, film screening, live music, crafts, vendors. The list could go on, but it is important to keep in mind that the tags must be related to your post. It is not only misleading, but also unethical to place irreverent tags to misguide search engines and confuse readers.
3. Often overlooked by beginners, the actual webpage title is very important as well. David Alexander from The Baltimore Sun explained that search engines also use this to find your site. Look at the title on the top of your browser and make sure that it's the name of your blog, not something generic.
4. You've spent all that time working on the perfect blog post title in step one, making sure it relates to the post and is still eye-grabbing. Now, you might as well make sure it's in the permalink.
A permalink is the permanent imprint and address of your blog on the Internet. This gives a particular post its own page so that readers from search engines don't have to come to your homepage to read a post that may interest them. This should definitely match your title to make it easier for search engines.
5. Within your post content, label your links. DO NOT say "click here" to direct someone to another page. That is completely outdated, it is worthless to Google, and ultimately, worthless to you. Tell people what they're clicking on; "Artscape" can take a reader to the official website, Google knows what you mean, it’s more professional, and easier to read though.
6. Get your blog URL listed in Google’s search engine. Try other search engines as well, but Google is definitely the biggest right now. I listed mine on Tuesday and my page visits went from 91 to 123 by Thursday morning.
7. As mentioned before, pay attention to your analytics data. Most importantly, take note of the keywords that are bringing people in. Also, use hot trends to see what people are searching for. If it pertains to your blog, jump on the opportunity to write a relevant post.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Building traffic
The good news: you're almost on your way to becoming a skilled, vetern blogger. The bad news: you haven't done everything possible to get people to pay attention. That's ok though; this next post will help you to direct Internet traffic your way.
Here are my eight favorite ways to build traffic to your blog:
1. Join social networks. Get accounts (for free) on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Digg, YouTube, etc. Update your status to promote your blog. Join groups that are relevant to your content. Add or follow people who may have an interest in or are part of your niche.
2. Comment on other blogs. When you comment, you have the opportunity to link back to your site. You’re getting your name out there and you’re inviting others to check out your blog. It also creates a relationship with other bloggers, making you more known in the community.
3. Create valuable and original content. If your post is unique and serves the need of a niche, it will draw readers. Not to mention it will stand the test of time. Readers seeking out that information will be directed to your blog because you’ll be one of the few providing it.
4. Post frequently. To be relevant online, you have to be seen. To be seen, you have to be active. On the Internet, 15 minutes can be more like 15 seconds. Don’t be forgotten or invisible. If you are, you might as well not exist. Keep your blog updated, and readers are more likely to be loyal.
5. Launch without comments. I couldn’t believe this when I first read it, but the reasoning behind it actually made sense. Blogs with zero comments are depressing. Half of the fun of a blog is reading the responses. However, if it appears that you don’t welcome feedback, how will you ever get it? I’m torn on this one, so use your own discretion.
6. Invite guest bloggers. Flattery will get you everywhere. Not only are you building a relationship with a blogger who is probably more established than you, you're also building traffic by attracting readers from that blog.
7. Monitor your analytics. Keeping track of this data can reveal a lot of things. What were your most popular days? Most read posts? What keywords drew in readers? Where did they come from? Keep this information in mind when writing future posts to maximize traffic.
8. Submit to all search engines. Most of my blog hits came from search engines. You’re writing these posts, pouring your heart into the content, actively promoting it and engaging in communities. Why not sit back and let the spiders do some of the work? That’s what they’re there for.
Here are my eight favorite ways to build traffic to your blog:
1. Join social networks. Get accounts (for free) on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Digg, YouTube, etc. Update your status to promote your blog. Join groups that are relevant to your content. Add or follow people who may have an interest in or are part of your niche.
2. Comment on other blogs. When you comment, you have the opportunity to link back to your site. You’re getting your name out there and you’re inviting others to check out your blog. It also creates a relationship with other bloggers, making you more known in the community.
3. Create valuable and original content. If your post is unique and serves the need of a niche, it will draw readers. Not to mention it will stand the test of time. Readers seeking out that information will be directed to your blog because you’ll be one of the few providing it.
4. Post frequently. To be relevant online, you have to be seen. To be seen, you have to be active. On the Internet, 15 minutes can be more like 15 seconds. Don’t be forgotten or invisible. If you are, you might as well not exist. Keep your blog updated, and readers are more likely to be loyal.
5. Launch without comments. I couldn’t believe this when I first read it, but the reasoning behind it actually made sense. Blogs with zero comments are depressing. Half of the fun of a blog is reading the responses. However, if it appears that you don’t welcome feedback, how will you ever get it? I’m torn on this one, so use your own discretion.
6. Invite guest bloggers. Flattery will get you everywhere. Not only are you building a relationship with a blogger who is probably more established than you, you're also building traffic by attracting readers from that blog.
7. Monitor your analytics. Keeping track of this data can reveal a lot of things. What were your most popular days? Most read posts? What keywords drew in readers? Where did they come from? Keep this information in mind when writing future posts to maximize traffic.
8. Submit to all search engines. Most of my blog hits came from search engines. You’re writing these posts, pouring your heart into the content, actively promoting it and engaging in communities. Why not sit back and let the spiders do some of the work? That’s what they’re there for.
Harnessing the power of social media
Cheap is good, but free is better. Luckily for you, all the social media you will be using is free. You have Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Digg, YouTube, LinkedIn and more to use as resources. All it takes is a few minutes to sign up for an account, and you are engaging in social media and networking.
Social media is very valuable to the success of your blog. Here are five of my favorite tips on using it effectively:
1. Get information sent to you. Use resources like RSS feeds and Google/Twitter alerts to keep you in the know about your niche.
RSS feeds allow you to keep track of all new content from your favorite blogs and websites in one place. You will never miss an update again.
Google and Twitter alerts will inform you of any Internet buzz pertaining to your topic. For example, anything pertaining to Baltimore comedy would be of interest to me, and Google would make sure it was brought to my attention.
2. Monitor your competition. What are they already doing? More importantly, what are they not doing? You need to fill that gap; there’s no need for several blogs all talking about the same thing.
3. Ask questions and leave posts unfinished. You are making readers think and inviting conversation. This is an excellent way to create a sense of community and make readers feel like they are an important asset.
4. Always remember your etiquette. Your integrity is very important to building a personal brand. You want to be known as a credible and reliable blogger; don’t abuse social media.
5. Gain sources. The goal of social media is to build relationships. In doing so, you can also learn from your audience. What do they want to read about? What do they already know that you don’t? This can help you to build upon the original content on your blog, making you more of an authority on the topic.
Social media is very valuable to the success of your blog. Here are five of my favorite tips on using it effectively:
1. Get information sent to you. Use resources like RSS feeds and Google/Twitter alerts to keep you in the know about your niche.
RSS feeds allow you to keep track of all new content from your favorite blogs and websites in one place. You will never miss an update again.
Google and Twitter alerts will inform you of any Internet buzz pertaining to your topic. For example, anything pertaining to Baltimore comedy would be of interest to me, and Google would make sure it was brought to my attention.
2. Monitor your competition. What are they already doing? More importantly, what are they not doing? You need to fill that gap; there’s no need for several blogs all talking about the same thing.
3. Ask questions and leave posts unfinished. You are making readers think and inviting conversation. This is an excellent way to create a sense of community and make readers feel like they are an important asset.
4. Always remember your etiquette. Your integrity is very important to building a personal brand. You want to be known as a credible and reliable blogger; don’t abuse social media.
5. Gain sources. The goal of social media is to build relationships. In doing so, you can also learn from your audience. What do they want to read about? What do they already know that you don’t? This can help you to build upon the original content on your blog, making you more of an authority on the topic.
Writing web content that grabs readers
It's pretty much established that we are the first generation that grew up with the Internet. Think back to a typical night in middle school. It’s very likely that you'd find most of us in front of the family desktop, chatting on aim, surfing the web, listening to Napster, watching TV in the background and "doing homework" simultaneously.
So imagine what it’s like for your potential audience now. Do you think people really want to be confronted with long blog posts? How does a webpage with endless text make you feel?
Writing online is definitely different than traditional print, but it is easy and important that we adapt. Best of all, our generation already knows what we like online.
Here are the six rules that I’ve deemed most important throughout the semester:
1. Keep posts short and concise. The average is 100-250 words, and even less if you include media like videos, audio or lots of photos. I know that sounds really short for most of us. However, when you consider a blog post, anything more than that starts to look overwhelming and you will lose readers’ interest.
Make sure to break your text up; short paragraphs go a long way. It gives readers the illusion that they're reading less.
2. Link throughout your posts. This serves several purposes. It was often stressed in class to “do what you do best, and link the rest.” Give credit where credit is due. If someone else explains a point that is relevant to your post, link to them, and let them know. You are networking and gaining authority in the community by jumping on aboard with fellow bloggers.
Also, you want to be transparent. Although blogging gives you the opportunity for your personality to shine through, it’s always important to present all sides to an issue. Your credibility is more important than ever in the digital age.
3. Use digital media in your posts. Again, writing online gives us awesome opportunities that were never possible in print. We have can posts videos, slideshows, multimedia presentations and audio clips.
These additions can make your post more interesting and help to drive the point of your post home. Enticing readers’ interest is your goal, and you already know more people in this country watch TV than read. Cater to them.
4. Reply to comments and emails. First of all, you’re a student journalist. It’s not like you are some big-time, professional blogger who is being bombarded by feedback from your massive audience.
Show your appreciation for the little response you will receive. If commentators feel like they have a voice in the community, it will help convert them into loyal readers. As Jeff Jarvis would say, be a platform. Also, you are actively engaging in social media. New media is all about two-way communication; take advantage of it.
5. Don’t throw all the rules of journalism out the window. Your degree cost somebody a lot of money! But seriously, one edge that you have over the typical blogger is that you’ve been trained. This is going to make you look very good as careers opportunities in new media expand.
Remember the inverted pyramid? With blogging you still need a “lead.” Only online, it might be even shorter. It’s still important it get your whole point across in those first two sentences, and then you can expand on the story.
Be consistent in your style. Most bloggers aren’t relegated to the AP style book, but I suggest you stick with it. Readers won’t be confused because you “jump around” in your writing style. Also, it’s great to keep up with those skills; it makes you that much more desirable as a writer.
Keep your writing simple. Don’t use long words that the average reader may not understand. Write it the way it comes to you in your mind. Make sure your posts mimic the way people actually speak. You don’t want to alienate readers with confusing, wordy posts.
Since this is blogging, objectivity is out the window, but it’s still important to make your agenda or views known. You want to maintain credibility, but most importantly, you want to restore trust in journalism. You’re human; you have an opinion, so share it. Hopefully, it will create dialogue.
6. Lastly, please edit. Since this is going to be just you and the computer, train yourself to be a proofreading fanatic. One suggestion I find helpful is to read over your work at least four times. Make sure exactly what you wanted is being published online. Remember, this is a representation of you.
The secrets of the great blogs
The qualities of great blogs
The first and most important quality that the blog creator must identify is the tribe. The tribe consists of the leader, the blog owner/poster, and the followers/readers who follow the blog. it is a community based around a common idea that each person identifies with.
The most important thing for blog leaders to remember is that the readers are the most essential part of the blog. The blog is a place for them to connect, communicate, learn and share.
Rob Curley discusses the five p's of successful blogging: passions, practical, playful, personal communication and porn. The common passion for the blog topic is what draws readers to a particular blog.
Naturally, people enjoy receiving information about hobbies or topics that interest them. Practical refers to the type of information that the blog presents. It is important that the content reflect the passion of the reader. It must stay on topic, or else the blog is irrelevant to the readers, and the sense of tribe is gone.
Although the information is useful to the reader, it should be presented in a playful way. Blogs tend to have a more causal tone than newspapers, and the blog posters should have a voice of their own that readers can identify with and grow to know.
Personal communication is one of the best features that the blog has to offer to offer. It provides a very immediate communication, not only between reader and owner, but also other readers. Knowledge, suggestions and relationships can be formed in a more causal and topic-focused community.
Good examples of blogs
Content people are passionate about
The first and most important quality that the blog creator must identify is the tribe. The tribe consists of the leader, the blog owner/poster, and the followers/readers who follow the blog. it is a community based around a common idea that each person identifies with.
The most important thing for blog leaders to remember is that the readers are the most essential part of the blog. The blog is a place for them to connect, communicate, learn and share.
Rob Curley discusses the five p's of successful blogging: passions, practical, playful, personal communication and porn. The common passion for the blog topic is what draws readers to a particular blog.
Naturally, people enjoy receiving information about hobbies or topics that interest them. Practical refers to the type of information that the blog presents. It is important that the content reflect the passion of the reader. It must stay on topic, or else the blog is irrelevant to the readers, and the sense of tribe is gone.
Although the information is useful to the reader, it should be presented in a playful way. Blogs tend to have a more causal tone than newspapers, and the blog posters should have a voice of their own that readers can identify with and grow to know.
Personal communication is one of the best features that the blog has to offer to offer. It provides a very immediate communication, not only between reader and owner, but also other readers. Knowledge, suggestions and relationships can be formed in a more causal and topic-focused community.
Good examples of blogs
Content people are passionate about
- Said the Gramophone: a music blog where mp3s are posted for 2 weeks at a time. The bloggers really enjoy the music they post and are trying to give the artists exposure.
- One Percent Club: A resource for the LGTB community.
- Adventures in Vegetarianism: A vegan woman who is passionate about her lifestyle and shares recipes and news.
Playful content
- Perez Hilton: Celeb gossip, mocks and judges celebs.
- gawker: A gossip blog about New York social life.
- Bare Bits: A blog that about sex and romance and taking it lightly.
Practical content
- gizmodo: a tech blog that reviews products and gives news.
- huffingtonpost: a political blog, editorial, commentary and an authoritative source of news.
- Escape from Obesity: a weight loss blog that helps people with encouragement, recipes and fitness.
Leading a tribe
- jezebel: content about or concerning women, including feminism, media, fashion, celebs, etc. Based on commentators, there are bonds between them. They often continue conversation outside of the blog.
Who blogs and why?
Who blogs? Anyone and everyone. That's the beauty of this new platform; all you have to do is sign up for a free account with a blogging service, such as Blogger or Wordpress, and blog away!
However, if you look at the stats, there are certain statistics that show who is currently blogging more. In the US, bloggers are mostly:
Blogs can be profitable. The majority of bloggers are earning revenue from their blogs, although it's important to note that it is not their main motivation for blogging. Most blogs are personal, then professional, and lastly corporate. Three-quarters of bloggers cover three or more topics; the average is five topics.
So, it's safe to say that most bloggers are making money from their content (over half feature ads), and the content is probably of a personal interest to them. Is there a better job than that?
There are several reasons why people blog. Top reasons for blogging are (in order):
Blogging has had an amazing effect on the field of journalism; that's why it's important for you, a jourlism student, to be not only familiar, but profiecent with it.
A lot of old school journalists may be fearful of this new shift in the field. Layoffs, decreasing ad revenues, and newpapers asking for bailouts may have you questioning your choice of major. Fear not; blogging, and social media in general, is just making way for plenty of new jobs and roles in journalism.
It is interesting to me that blogging can by used as an a way to get into traditional media by some, while others are doing the opposite.
Take Christopher Allbritton for example. Allbritton covered the Iraq War in its early days by raising money online for travel and equiment. Then he reported back to his eager audience. The blog gave him a platfrom to report on things as he saw them; as a trained journalist, but also as a witness to a war.
Of the experience, Allbritton said, "There would be no editors, no advertisers, no strings attached...But now I had the freedom to report and write what I witnessed and experienced."
As a student of journalism, you no longer have to play into the "old boy" system that was set up in the past. Blog about your community, your passion or whatever you decide. Since you're publishing online, the possiblites are endless, and in some of the next posts, I'll teach you how to make sure your voice is heard. Just start blogging and let your content speak for itself. It really can pay off. Good luck!
However, if you look at the stats, there are certain statistics that show who is currently blogging more. In the US, bloggers are mostly:
- males *
- college graduates *
- 35 or older *
- employed full-time
- earning income of over $75,000 *
Blogs can be profitable. The majority of bloggers are earning revenue from their blogs, although it's important to note that it is not their main motivation for blogging. Most blogs are personal, then professional, and lastly corporate. Three-quarters of bloggers cover three or more topics; the average is five topics.
So, it's safe to say that most bloggers are making money from their content (over half feature ads), and the content is probably of a personal interest to them. Is there a better job than that?
There are several reasons why people blog. Top reasons for blogging are (in order):
- self expression and sharing expertise
- networking
- gaining entry into the traditional media world
Blogging has had an amazing effect on the field of journalism; that's why it's important for you, a jourlism student, to be not only familiar, but profiecent with it.
A lot of old school journalists may be fearful of this new shift in the field. Layoffs, decreasing ad revenues, and newpapers asking for bailouts may have you questioning your choice of major. Fear not; blogging, and social media in general, is just making way for plenty of new jobs and roles in journalism.
It is interesting to me that blogging can by used as an a way to get into traditional media by some, while others are doing the opposite.
Take Christopher Allbritton for example. Allbritton covered the Iraq War in its early days by raising money online for travel and equiment. Then he reported back to his eager audience. The blog gave him a platfrom to report on things as he saw them; as a trained journalist, but also as a witness to a war.
Of the experience, Allbritton said, "There would be no editors, no advertisers, no strings attached...But now I had the freedom to report and write what I witnessed and experienced."
As a student of journalism, you no longer have to play into the "old boy" system that was set up in the past. Blog about your community, your passion or whatever you decide. Since you're publishing online, the possiblites are endless, and in some of the next posts, I'll teach you how to make sure your voice is heard. Just start blogging and let your content speak for itself. It really can pay off. Good luck!
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