A few weeks back, I went to a NJ Women in Communications event on Blogging Real Time. And Debbie Galant of Baristanet fame (Baristanet is one of the first successful localized blogging sites) was there to talk about how she got started and what she does. Here are her take-aways on how to become a successful blogger (Red text is my commentary):
1. Post often (well, here’s another 2010 resolution for me)
2. Develop a voice (my would be loud and straight-forward)
3. Encourage participation (e.g. tips, polls, contest, comments)
4. Make it visually stimulating (that sounds almost dirty, but Debbie is right)
5. Keep it short (but make it meaningful)
6. Make it useful (how many times have you looked at your corporate blog and felt like you’re imparting the wisdom of moses, but wonder why you don’t have millions of followers)
7. Make it fun (or at least try)
8. Propel it with viral media (a total time sucker, but it’s worth it)
Well, I see that I have one big new year’s resolution for my business and that would be working on the blogging. I’m the little engine that could and I keep saying “I think I can. I think I can.” Hmmmm…maybe I need to adopt a more proactive thought process for my own blog and take on Nike’s “Just do it” attitude. I write at least a dozen blogs a week for my clients. Now why can’t I do just one more little blog entry for myself?
Apparently, I have a bit of a following (scary!). Thanks for Matt for his encouragement (and gentle nudging about the lack of content). And, to Vinny for the big push. For all those out there following me – on this blog, Twitter, etc., give me a holler if you see week after week of silence. And, thanks for the follow.
Back to the main point….blogging takes time and thought. You can keep it short, but make it meaningful.
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