I’m not an expert blogger, but I do spend a good majority of my day reading and commenting on blogs. A lot goes into writing a blog, even if it doesn’t seem that way on the surface. Wondering how to get started? Here’s my take on the top 3 things you should keep in mind.
Content, Content, Content
It may be all about the Benjamin’s in your world, but it’s all about the content in mine. Make your blog interesting and I’ll keep coming back. I don’t want to read a million posts talking about how fabulous you are, but I do want to read a million posts about your creative process, the work that goes into marketing your work, inspiration you find throughout your daily life, or other artists you’ve been digging lately.
Blog posts don’t have to be epic tomes! Length isn’t necessarily an important factor here. It’s more about the point you’re trying to get across – a good story will keep me reading far longer than the shorter version of the same story that lacks substance.
Looks Are Important
I may not know what you look like on stage, but I do know what you look on the Internets. Your blog can be pink, purple, orange, green or blue – just make it easy to navigate and I’ll keep coming back. If you’re wondering if your site looks like to an outsider, ask someone that has never visited before and see what they say they like or dislike.
Highlight what you want your reader to pay attention to first. If it’s your content and your videos, make sure you give them equal real estate. There was a big discussion about sidebars on the last #blogchat, and it seemed like the overwhelming conclusion was that your sidebar has to be useful. If you’re active on other sites, provide an easy way for people to find you there. If your posts leave a lot of room for follow-up, or if you just want people to email you and make you feel loved, make sure a link is prominently featured. You figure out what’s useful by first figuring out your goals. If you think your sidebar is getting too long, try creating new pages on your website to hold some of that content. A site shouldn’t be overwhelming to a new visitor!
Know Your Audience
There are a ton of ways to figure out what your readers enjoy. I use Google Analytics to see which posts get the most traffic, and Google Webmaster to figure out how people end up on the site. I keep an eye on which posts get Tweeted the most, and see who likes or comments on my posts that are shared on Facebook.
When all else fails – ask people what they want to read. Ask them what questions they have for you and see what they say!
Want more? Check out Pro Blogger for some GREAT blogging tips. Also, don’t be afraid to emulate – if you like a blog, watch and see how they do things. See if you can adopt their practices for yours!
Do you have tips to share? Any lessons you’ve learned along the way? Share them in the comments!