Using a Blog for Your Writing Business
I am rethinking my blog, amidst lots of great advice from readers, the SOAP experience and what I have learned from reading other blogs. What I have learned is easily transferable to anyone wanting to enhance any type of home business through blogging. I still have a way to go, but have a clearer direction. I will be using this as a checklist for my blog “makeover”.
Content and Purpose
1. Define the purpose and of your blog. What outcomes are you aiming for?
2. Define the focus as it relates to yourself and your business.
3. I’ve read that some blogs are a conversation and some are a monologue. Which is yours?
4. Who are your readers or target audience?
5. Are they mainly passing through or are they willing to stay around and listen and maybe give you another try?
6. What do your readers or target audience want? What are they looking for? Why do they come back?
7. Does your content offer value to the reader? How do you know?
8. Does your home page look like a Google Poster Board (like mine at the moment - soon to be changed)
9. Do you include original thoughts or add value to previous discussions around the net?
Any other points you can suggest?
Are You a Generous Blogger or a Lone Wolf?
1. Do you have the Do Follow Plugin installed?
2. Do you link to other blogs of value to your readers?
3. Do your outgoing links go directly to the other blog, or do you force them to open in a new window?
4. Do you value add for your readers e.g. offer free reports, ebooks, special features?
5. Do you engender a sense of community on your blog?
6. Do you comment regularly on other blogs, including those who visit you?
Any other points you can suggest?
Navigation and Usability
Do you have an up to date and attention grabbing About Page?
Is it easy to comment on your blog?
Can you be easily contacted?
Is it easy for a non regular to find their way around your blog?
Does the blog template reflect your topic and focus?
Is there a photo of you on your blog? People like to know who they are dealing with.
Any other points you can suggest?
SEO & Traffic
Does your content load before your side columns?
Do you use “alt” tags for your images?
Have you checked available WP SEO friendly plugins?
Do you interlink to your other posts?
Do you have MyBlogLog installed? (if suitable for your blog)
Do you take part in social networking e.g. StumbleUpon and Digg etc.
Do you join in with useful input to forums about your topic?
Any other points you can suggest?
How Blogging Has Worked for Me
As my blog develops, I’ve realised that the greatest benefit to me as a writer is the networking and learning aspects that I have gained from my blog. The networking is not with clients but with other writers and readers. I have discovered that even in a diverse blogging world, there are more commonalities than differences.
In return, I hope I have contributed something too. For the future, I will have a business page with samples and services, or perhaps even a separate blog for my writing business.
This post is for the Working at Home on the Internet group writing project
Great post! This is nothing, if not a learning experience. I love the way you summarize what you’ve learned. I can’t wait to see the results of your makeover.
Laura - Yes, I learn so much each day. I sometimes think I gather too much information. If I had coding skills, I could just tweak things and experiment myself.
Hey Yvonne,
As laura said, I like the way you presented your own experiences as a checklist. I’m going to have to keep a copy for myself to make sure I get it right.
Thanks for participating in my project, this post fit perfectly.
Joe
Hi Joe
I’m pleased to know I was on track with this for what you wanted for the writing project. I’m looking forward to reading and learning from the other entries.
You’ve given us some excellent pointers here, Yvonne. Blogging is certainly a learn-as-you-go business, and any tricks or principles that we can pick up along the way can only help!
Thanks!
Jeanne
I think that bit about the google poster board is important. I don’t mind ads…anyone who can find a way to make a little money for their labors has my respect. But I have been on a number of blogs where I had to search for the content. I usually don’t. I usually just go on, without reading whatever was nestled between all the ads and certainly without clicking on any ads.
Oh, and I like that about the new window. Some people seem to think that they are losing me if I click on a new link. But I know how to use the back button and I know how to right click if I’m not ready to leave the page. Which reminds me…a lot of people have right click disabled to prevent people lifting their pictures. It is frustrating for people like me (especially if they have a lot of links I want to look through). The problem is that even I know how to lift the picture without right clicking on them, so I know those whom they worry about do to. It is only a frustration with no added benefit.
Just my two cents.
Dana - The longer I blog the more I realise the content is what draws people, and too many ads can detract from the site. One idea I’ve seen is having a few relevant ads on other pages, but no ads at all on the home page. That’s something I wouldn’t mind trying.
The “no new window” idea is something I’ve only recently discovered. I’m in the process of going back and changing my links in older posts, so eventually everything will open in a new window.
The right click is interesting. As you say, you have to look at what is best for your reader, and trust that they will come back when they are ready. Adding a watermark to the picture is more effective than the right click, I would imagine, in any case.
Thanks for taking the time to visit and comment. I appreciate your insights.
Great post, Yvonne. I’m going to mention it on Home Biz Notes. I think my readers would find your checklist very helpful. As you say, one can apply your tips to businesses other than writing.
Mary Emma - Thanks for mentioning the post on your wonderful blog. I’m pleased you found it helpful.
Jun 2nd, 2007 at 8:29 am
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