SEO is all about the hierarchy of search results. The higher a blog or Web site ranks in a list of results, the more likely someone's going to check out that site. Ipso facto, a site's rank in a search determines traffic volume. Here are a few pointers on getting your blog higher on Google's search results.
Check out Google Hot Trends. Hot trends ranks the key words and phrases people are searching for on a daily basis.
Here's where the moral conundrum comes in, though. Are you going to use one of these phrases in your title tag(headline) arbitrarily just to get some shallow hits? My suggestion would be to cruise Hot Trends from time-to-time for guidance not for headlines. It is important to stay topical, though.
Look into the Google Keyword tool. I'm sure you've noted this is another Google doo-hickey. Google's got it all. Keyword helps you with keyword ideas ...duh... to tag or put in your headline/title tag. You type in the phrase or word you want help with, and it gives you some related phrases or words that have seen the most hits. I've had moderate success with it.
You have to submit your blog to almighty Google, as well. Submit it to Webmaster Tools, too. I know I'm technologically dating myself, but it's kind of like putting your name in the phone book. Poof! You exist in the blogosphere.
Play around in some SEO forums where people collectively brainstorm about your blog topic. Check outSEO News. Use the advice you like, and ignore the rest.
Finally, when selecting tags, try to tailor them to individual posts. Overloading every post with the same tired tags can muddle up the search results. This is something I've just discovered on my Wordpress blog, Meep Meep. It's a running blog, and I was using the tag,"running" with little restraint.
Good luck and pleasant blogging.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
How to build traffic on your blog
Building traffic and increasing your "hits", require consistency -- just like everything else in blogging.
In the blogosphere "traffic" is the end-all-be-all. You should get very comfortable with Google Analytics. It'll give you a running play-by-play of site visitations. Wordpressers have this built into the dashboard.
It's important to become involved in the conversation. Participate in other bloggers' posts. Make constructive, worthwhile comments, and your hits are going to go up.
Bloggers generally observe quid pro quo. So, at the very least, the bloggers themselves will probably check out your posts. I don't exactly love Green Girl in Wisconsin, but her readers like to comment.
If you're proficient at No. 1, you could rope yourself a few back links. You want these. They're links to your blog via other Web sites. I got some back links by e-mailing the authors of other relevant blogs, complimenting their blogs, and asking them if it was Ok to add them to my blogroll. Don't ask to be put on theirs. Give them a chance to willingly reciprocate.
I got a back link from Atlanta Running. I'm Meep Meep in case you forgot.
Submit your blog to a directory. This is something I'm just getting around to. I can't swear by the results yet, but I don't really see any downside. Master New Media is where you should start.
In the last post I noted the importance of social media networks like Facebook. They provide you with built-in audiences. I forgot to mention the importance of participating in said network. Don't just post blog links and split, keep up appearances: post pics and talk about your day.
It is very important to post frequently. You might take a vacation, but your blog can't. Remember what happened to TV after the writers' strike. People will tune out and find something else to read. Musings is a trusty poster.
In the blogosphere "traffic" is the end-all-be-all. You should get very comfortable with Google Analytics. It'll give you a running play-by-play of site visitations. Wordpressers have this built into the dashboard.
It's important to become involved in the conversation. Participate in other bloggers' posts. Make constructive, worthwhile comments, and your hits are going to go up.
Bloggers generally observe quid pro quo. So, at the very least, the bloggers themselves will probably check out your posts. I don't exactly love Green Girl in Wisconsin, but her readers like to comment.
If you're proficient at No. 1, you could rope yourself a few back links. You want these. They're links to your blog via other Web sites. I got some back links by e-mailing the authors of other relevant blogs, complimenting their blogs, and asking them if it was Ok to add them to my blogroll. Don't ask to be put on theirs. Give them a chance to willingly reciprocate.
I got a back link from Atlanta Running. I'm Meep Meep in case you forgot.
Submit your blog to a directory. This is something I'm just getting around to. I can't swear by the results yet, but I don't really see any downside. Master New Media is where you should start.
In the last post I noted the importance of social media networks like Facebook. They provide you with built-in audiences. I forgot to mention the importance of participating in said network. Don't just post blog links and split, keep up appearances: post pics and talk about your day.
It is very important to post frequently. You might take a vacation, but your blog can't. Remember what happened to TV after the writers' strike. People will tune out and find something else to read. Musings is a trusty poster.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The secrets of the great blogs
You wanna here a secret? Sorry, I don't really have one. You know most of this stuff, already. Trust your instincts. Here's a little refresher on blogging like a journalist.
Great blogs often have agendas, but unlike certain television networks, bloggers tend to put their agendas on the table. Transparency makes for loyal readers. If you lean a certain way, let it be known. Don't hide behind innuendo. The great blogs aren't about secrets. Check out this guest post from Chris Brogan.
Great bloggers don't imply that the scoop popped into existence in front of their keyboards. They attribute and accurately relay other people's info. Have a look at Sign of the Times. There's an angle the blogger is working, but it's an informed angle.
Great blogs handle a few things pretty uniformly: easily understood words -- no one likes a show off; small paragraphs -- too much text all clumped together can be scary; and keep your main point at the top of the story. Anyone remember the inverted pyramid? Here we cite the great Ariana Huffington.
When you link, and you should link; link like the greats do -- to valuable information. The links should serve to enhance your post and lend transparency to any information you may have received from another source. There's a good post in a movie blog called The Playlist that exemplifies this.
Above all else, great blogs utilize voice -- a sense of authorial propriety you can't find in a typical newspaper article. It's crucial that you don't come off sounding like a robot. I can't stress the importance of personaility in your writing enough. Michael Ian Black is the master of this. This is the fun part.
Great blogs often have agendas, but unlike certain television networks, bloggers tend to put their agendas on the table. Transparency makes for loyal readers. If you lean a certain way, let it be known. Don't hide behind innuendo. The great blogs aren't about secrets. Check out this guest post from Chris Brogan.
Great bloggers don't imply that the scoop popped into existence in front of their keyboards. They attribute and accurately relay other people's info. Have a look at Sign of the Times. There's an angle the blogger is working, but it's an informed angle.
Great blogs handle a few things pretty uniformly: easily understood words -- no one likes a show off; small paragraphs -- too much text all clumped together can be scary; and keep your main point at the top of the story. Anyone remember the inverted pyramid? Here we cite the great Ariana Huffington.
When you link, and you should link; link like the greats do -- to valuable information. The links should serve to enhance your post and lend transparency to any information you may have received from another source. There's a good post in a movie blog called The Playlist that exemplifies this.
Above all else, great blogs utilize voice -- a sense of authorial propriety you can't find in a typical newspaper article. It's crucial that you don't come off sounding like a robot. I can't stress the importance of personaility in your writing enough. Michael Ian Black is the master of this. This is the fun part.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Harnessing the power of social media
In the simplest terms, social media is the fusion of reader and publisher. You can throw around words like user-generated content, but the most important thing to remember is: You can now become a part of the story -- just write yourself in in that little empty box beneath"comments" or "what are you doing?"
Facebook and Twitter post updates will boost your hits toot sweet; but if your content is crap, your friends will start to ignore you -- or worse -- unfriend/unfollow you. So keep the content tight, and stagger the links to keep them hungry. I shall use my Twitter account as an example. I have a feeling Twitter will be much different by the time you're reading this, though -- the Atkins diet of social networking.
You have to make yourself accessible to people. It definitely doesn't hurt to include your e-mail in your "about me." If you want to reach people, you have to let them know they can reach you. Atlanta Runner has always been quick to respond to me.
Find the nicest blogs within your niche, and hit up the authors. Say hello, nice blog etc., and send a link of your blog. This is good way to make friends within your niche. And who knows? Maybe they'll link to you in a post or on their blog roll. I tried this technique with Training for a Half and it worked.
Take part in conversations on other blogs. Start a few on your own blog. It isn't wise to post a story and leave it alone. Ask questions. You'll probably get answers. People are quick to throw their opinions into the mix. Have a look at Laugh lines from the New York Times blog.
Find groups on social networking sites -- groups that fit your niche. Join them, and occasionally throw a link into your comments. Chances are you'll find someone bored at work who would welcome the distraction that is your blog. Here's a Facebook group devoted to TV on the Radio.
Facebook and Twitter post updates will boost your hits toot sweet; but if your content is crap, your friends will start to ignore you -- or worse -- unfriend/unfollow you. So keep the content tight, and stagger the links to keep them hungry. I shall use my Twitter account as an example. I have a feeling Twitter will be much different by the time you're reading this, though -- the Atkins diet of social networking.
You have to make yourself accessible to people. It definitely doesn't hurt to include your e-mail in your "about me." If you want to reach people, you have to let them know they can reach you. Atlanta Runner has always been quick to respond to me.
Find the nicest blogs within your niche, and hit up the authors. Say hello, nice blog etc., and send a link of your blog. This is good way to make friends within your niche. And who knows? Maybe they'll link to you in a post or on their blog roll. I tried this technique with Training for a Half and it worked.
Take part in conversations on other blogs. Start a few on your own blog. It isn't wise to post a story and leave it alone. Ask questions. You'll probably get answers. People are quick to throw their opinions into the mix. Have a look at Laugh lines from the New York Times blog.
Find groups on social networking sites -- groups that fit your niche. Join them, and occasionally throw a link into your comments. Chances are you'll find someone bored at work who would welcome the distraction that is your blog. Here's a Facebook group devoted to TV on the Radio.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The makings of a great blog
There are tons of great blogs out there. All you have to do is find them, and do what they do -- in your own unique way.
Great blogs are all about content; but content with personality, if you know what I mean. They never lose sight of the informative target. They exist to bring you information, but each reveals the humanity that went into it. The Marquette University of Law Blog is a subtle example of this.
The good blogs are well written. There's a reason adults don't read children's picture books for leisure purposes. The writing is typically horrendous. That's right, I'm talking about Maurice Sendak, too. It's important to note the writing should hover somewhere around the 10th grade level -- clever enough to keep the reader engaged. Leave the convoluted stuff to Academia. Gizmodo's funny, cool, and cleverly written.
Once again, niche is king. Passion and obsession tend to make for great blogging, and the more unique the passion, the better the blog. The Toycyte screams obsession.
Your blog's name is also a critical component. You want it to get locked in. A little light of recognition should go off in people's heads when your blog title appears on the screen. I'm afraid giving an example here would lend to too much imitation. Be original.
Steer clear of title trends, meaning unusual spelling and letter arrangement. Odds are if you thought it was clever, so did a million other people.
Humor is the great unifier. If you've got genuine funny, you've got a great blog. This is the most difficult aspiration to fulfill. Everyone thinks they have a sense of humor. But not everyone can write funny. The Redneck Mommy is funny.
Design can be difficult to master also, but it's important. A good looking blog can definitely accentuate good content, though. Just don't go overboard. Simplicity is often the most effective tool. Check out BuzzMachine.
Great blogs are all about content; but content with personality, if you know what I mean. They never lose sight of the informative target. They exist to bring you information, but each reveals the humanity that went into it. The Marquette University of Law Blog is a subtle example of this.
The good blogs are well written. There's a reason adults don't read children's picture books for leisure purposes. The writing is typically horrendous. That's right, I'm talking about Maurice Sendak, too. It's important to note the writing should hover somewhere around the 10th grade level -- clever enough to keep the reader engaged. Leave the convoluted stuff to Academia. Gizmodo's funny, cool, and cleverly written.
Once again, niche is king. Passion and obsession tend to make for great blogging, and the more unique the passion, the better the blog. The Toycyte screams obsession.
Your blog's name is also a critical component. You want it to get locked in. A little light of recognition should go off in people's heads when your blog title appears on the screen. I'm afraid giving an example here would lend to too much imitation. Be original.
Steer clear of title trends, meaning unusual spelling and letter arrangement. Odds are if you thought it was clever, so did a million other people.
Humor is the great unifier. If you've got genuine funny, you've got a great blog. This is the most difficult aspiration to fulfill. Everyone thinks they have a sense of humor. But not everyone can write funny. The Redneck Mommy is funny.
Design can be difficult to master also, but it's important. A good looking blog can definitely accentuate good content, though. Just don't go overboard. Simplicity is often the most effective tool. Check out BuzzMachine.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Who blogs and why?
Let's start this off with an answer to that title tag: Who Blogs and why? The answer is: I blog; and I bet if you're reading this, you're flirting with the idea yourself. That is, if your not blogging already.
I started my blog, Meep Meep in February of 2009. I write what I know, running. After four years of journalism school, the process has been cathartic.
Blogging is the primary tool for the citizen journalist. The reader is invited into the conversation. The information is no longer presented on a stone tablet. It’s subject to critique and made malleable the moment it’s published.A racier example of this would be the Vice Magazine blog.
The op/ed, conversational style allows for more freedom than traditional journalism. Active military units immediately found an outlet in the blog. The government’s censorship of all wartime media left a big hole in the information civilians were privy to. Soldiers immediately filled that hole with their stripped down, no-holds-barred blogs. Check out A soldier’s blog.
The niche audience props the blogosphere up like a kick stand on a shaky Schwinn. Fragmentation is the future of new media; and odds are, if someone out there is passionate about something they're thinking about blogging about it. Any one like knitting?
It's all about finding your tribe - your band of like-minded web surfers. They like what you like and will probably like reading what you like, because they like it, too.
People who feel their opinions require more restropection than their social life affords them should look into blogging. The blog offers them a voice. The volume of that voice is up to them. Check out Whil Wheaton's blog.Granted, Wheaton was famous prior to his blog, but people love this thing. I think it goes beyond the whole Wesley Crusher association.
People with seeminlgy nothing to say can use the blog format to reach others with similar interests. The consensus amongst traditional journalists was: Who wants to read this crap? Attention whores like Perez Hilton prove how completely off-base they were. Hilton's blog is ridiculously popular.
I started my blog, Meep Meep in February of 2009. I write what I know, running. After four years of journalism school, the process has been cathartic.
Blogging is the primary tool for the citizen journalist. The reader is invited into the conversation. The information is no longer presented on a stone tablet. It’s subject to critique and made malleable the moment it’s published.A racier example of this would be the Vice Magazine blog.
The op/ed, conversational style allows for more freedom than traditional journalism. Active military units immediately found an outlet in the blog. The government’s censorship of all wartime media left a big hole in the information civilians were privy to. Soldiers immediately filled that hole with their stripped down, no-holds-barred blogs. Check out A soldier’s blog.
The niche audience props the blogosphere up like a kick stand on a shaky Schwinn. Fragmentation is the future of new media; and odds are, if someone out there is passionate about something they're thinking about blogging about it. Any one like knitting?
It's all about finding your tribe - your band of like-minded web surfers. They like what you like and will probably like reading what you like, because they like it, too.
People who feel their opinions require more restropection than their social life affords them should look into blogging. The blog offers them a voice. The volume of that voice is up to them. Check out Whil Wheaton's blog.Granted, Wheaton was famous prior to his blog, but people love this thing. I think it goes beyond the whole Wesley Crusher association.
People with seeminlgy nothing to say can use the blog format to reach others with similar interests. The consensus amongst traditional journalists was: Who wants to read this crap? Attention whores like Perez Hilton prove how completely off-base they were. Hilton's blog is ridiculously popular.
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