Tuesday, July 9, 2013

MORE Things Your Blog Needs But Doesn't Have + Google Reader Alternatives

Lately I'm working with clients on blogging/social media AND deep cleaning/organizing the house. What better way to kick start an organization series than to help you clear up and organize something you might not think about- your blog and web presence. Ready to get organized?! Here's some things you blog needs but doesn't have:

Me and the Yuko have been rearranging and organizing things as much as possible at the casa.

1.) Clear E-mail: I've gone to hundreds of blogs that don't have a clear way to send an e-mail! Bad bloggers! You never know when someone's going to contact you with an amazing offer, so get it up there! Now!

2.) No Social Media: Your blog should connect all of your shops and social networks for easy viewing and scanning.

3.) Streamlined Sidebar: Streamline everything on your side bar as much as possible! I work at this all the time, editing and streamlining the site for better aesthetics and easier browsing for the viewer.

4.) Above the Break: Try to have all of your most important information above the page break on your blog. (Or "margin", it's where the page stops before you have to scroll down.)

5.) Link Yourself: You don't have to go crazy with this, and I feel like authentic, organic writing is best for good SEO, but linking to previous posts and other pages on your blog will help you move up on the search engine rankings.

6.) Ditch Google Reader: If you're looking for alternative ways for bloggers to follow, direct them to follow you via e-mail, RSS, or networks like Blog Lovin'. If you're not already following me on Blog Lovin' or RSS!

7.) Sidebar Diet: The content on your sidebar shouldn't be longer than the content on your main page, edit and reduce when necessary.

8.) Need Moar PHOTOS: Unique photography is so important in blogging! The photos don't have to be perfect, in fact, it's awesome when bloggers mix it up and have some unprofessional photos mixed in, its makes a blog feel more human and less like a pure magazine. Just make sure each post has at least one!

9.) Socializing: Respond to comments, follow and chat with people who interest you via social media. Authentic communication is the best tool for helping your blog grow an audience!

10.) More YOU: A photo on the side bar really helps personalize your blog and helps us realize you're a real person and not a robot. Inserting yourself via a distinct voice and images is paramount in blogging. It's all about you and your story, don't be shy!

I love to help bloggers and newbie business owners set up their online world, send me an e-mail if you need help! Those were the top issues I've been seeing on hundreds of blogs these while working with clients. Tell me, what problems do you keep having with blogs? What do you like to see on blogs? Let's help each other improve! This week I'm going on a home and business organization theme, so come back tomorrow for more!
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39 comments:

  1. Thanks!!! I resemble those remarks!!! Fortunately I have enough business without the blog but I do find to to be an interesting hobby. I will say however I believe what little I have blogged has helped personify my business. I do have more folks emailing me with problems rather than jumping on the neg feedback.

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    Replies
    1. My blog is my #1 money maker, and it's definitely excellent for personalization. It helps defeat negative feedback when buyers know you're a PERSON and not an evil robot trying to give them bad service. :D

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  2. Have you tried www.hinto.co ?
    It's not an RSS reader, but it's highly visual and you can select which sites to keep up with.

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    Replies
    1. Nope, checking it out now. Liking what I see so far! Thanks for sharing this.

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  3. Great tips! I blog more as a hobby, but I still am interested in better ideas.

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    1. I think I was even more obsessed with growing/developing the blog as a hobby blogger, you're more passionate about some things when it's not the full-time job ;) Still love it to this day though. Good luck improving!

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  4. Thank you for these tips. I've been neglecting my blog due to school and work but really want to revamp it and dedicate time every day to it once this semester is over.

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    Replies
    1. Good luck revamping :D And glad the tips helped.

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  5. Hmmm I'm pretty pleased after reading your list I've done or am doing, if not trying to do all of what you've listed. I'll just need to keep review how those processes area all working for me.

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    Replies
    1. You can see the hard work that goes into your blog and brand, especially impressive considering your kiddos and another on the way :) There's a lot more to play with blogging but these are issues I keep seeing consistently.

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    2. Awww thanks Van. All a work in progress, things aren't where I see them being yet, but it's happening. Patience and persistence are key for me especially with young children. I love lots of plans and visions to keep me moving and interested.

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    3. Same here. Keeping future goals in mind and envisioning is a big part of staying motivated!

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  6. Great list Van! The most important thing I'm missing is the pic of myself. I'm painfully awkward in front of cameras, used to being behind it I guess. I need to put on my big girl britches and just take a dang picture of myself!

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    Replies
    1. I'm incredibly unphotogenic, standing straight (my posture suuucks)and smiling really helps though. Now I don't mind my picture taken...as much ;) haha

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  7. Thanks for the great tips! I've been meaning to tinker with my blog some more and these are very helpful.

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  8. I may have missed this, how do you get advertisers to your blog? I am not sure I want advertising but if they pay????
    Thanks,
    Jacqui

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    Replies
    1. You can use Google adsense to place ads on your blog, right now my advertisers are people who have contacted me to advertise on the site and affiliate links. Advertisers are an option when your blog is making enough traffic, but not so much early in the game. I didn't even think of advertising for the first couple years of blogging.

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    2. Thanks very much!

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  9. Amen to #7! Blogs that have 3 stories on the page but you could scroll forever to see everything in the sidebar drive me nuts. I'm just easing into blogging but I read a ton of them - your tips are always so helpful!

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  10. Thanks for the helpful tips! They came just at the right time, as I am brushing up my soon-to-launch blog, which I'll forward to you once I get my first blog entry posted. What I wish all bloggers would do is have a some kind of archives list according to date. Whenever I discover a new blog that I would like to follow, I like to go back and read all the old posts. The archives list makes it easier for me to find them.

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    Replies
    1. That reminds me, need to put mine back up. I've been trying to come up with an easy way to browse all the past articles but blogger's no cooperating with thumbnails. I recommend setting up any kind of archiving system ahead of time for new bloggers, now I have to go through hundreds of posts to set mine up nicely! No ap or anything on blogger to do it for me.

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  11. I think I have done all the above for my blog, but my reader base is still very disappointing :(
    Care to help?

    Regards,
    CpMooN
    iamcpmoon.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Growing a readership takes time and patience. It helps to start interacting with other bloggers (like you're doing here) and genuinely networking to get your name out there.

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