Blogging tips and tricks updated

I've been doing this blog thing for a couple of years now. I don't talk about it or even mention it when I'm offline. When cornered, I just say that I talk to people through the Internet and we share stories and recipes and stuff. Part of the reason is, I don't want to have to explain to people why I do it and the other reason is I don't want them reading my shit. Plus, recent commercials are now invoking blogging like it's some pop culture thing and they make it sound really gay.

Right now, I read or try to read about 120 blogs and I add or delete about 2 a week. I enjoy the interaction because honestly I don't get out much anymore. With taking care of the kids, trying to save money and the price of gas, blogging is now my window on the world and a way to meet friends.

I do consider many of you guys friends.

I would like to share some of the things I've learned about being a blogger and running a blog.

There are no hard and fast rules but if you want to increase readership or get your message across, there are a few things you should and should not do. I've learned these from experience.

1. Make sure your screen name links back to your blog. If you are commenting and someone likes what you have to say, make sure they can find your blog with a simple click. I cannot tell you how many times I've searched through a list of blogs that haven't been updated in 3 years to try to find the right one...some folks don't even link their name to their blog and then get all huffy when I don't visit.

2. Enable feeds in your blog settings. Most folks who read a number of blogs have a feed reader. It tells me when you have a new post for me to read. It's really hard to keep track of bookmarked blogs and checking them constantly for new content is hard work. When you don't have feeds enabled it really cuts down on your readership.

3. If you start a blog, the only way to get new readers is to visit blogs that fall into your realm of interest, make good thoughtful comments and be patient. Don't go into someone's blog and link your own blog in the comments unless you have a post that fits in with the topic at hand..even then it's not always good manners.


4. Recognize that there are some bloggers out there that do not comment. If you like the blog, just read, comment and don't expect them to ever acknowledge your existence. Don't get your panties in a twist over it. That's just how some motherfuckers roll.

5. Try to link blogs and posts you find funny and interesting in your own blog posts. People like to be acknowledged. They also appreciate the sentiment and free advertising and may return the favor.

6. Don't get into a pissing match with other blogs. If you disagree with something they wrote, state your reasons politely in the comments and leave it at that. The worst thing you can do is post something that trashes another blogger. You will alienate too many people and get a reputation as an asshole.

7. Don't be afraid to speak your mind. You may step on a few toes but people would much rather read a strong definite opinion than read about puppy foo foo for the umpteenth time because you are too concerned about hurting people's feelings.

8. If you want to place ads on your blog fine...but do not have pop up windows, adverts that change you to a different screen and other annoying bullshit. It just makes reading that particular blog more trouble than it is worth.

9. Begging for money...now this is where it gets tricky. If you want a tasteful little box up in the corner for donations..that's fine...some folks need money for bandwidth, some need it to buy substances that make them more creative and some are just grubbers. Don't be a grubber.

I'll tell you what...as soon as someone puts the tag: "gimme two dollah for a cuppa" on each blog post. I hit the delete button. What the fuck is a cuppa? Why would I want to give you money for one and oh yeah... how about a big hot steaming cuppa shut the fuck up.

10. Don't take yourself too seriously. It's just a blog for crissakes.

GuyK: brought up a really good point : "Another is that many people will not wait for a cluttered site to download. Sites that take more than a few seconds to show on my screen I just click off."

This means tons of HTML, music, large pictures, animations and I don't recommend showing more than a week of posts on one page.