There are many tips and tricks for having a successful blog, but there are 5 tips in particular that I think are most important.
To start off, my first tip would be to organize your ideas. According to Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and Publishing 4rd ed. 2019, you should get to the point quickly. Having a bunch of unnecessary information or words can become messy and distracts the reader. The best way to do this is by keeping everything you include in your post complimentary to your primary idea. Not only does having an organized blog help the reader with not getting confused or distracted, it makes the blog look visually pleasing to the reader.
My second tip from Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and
Publishing 4rd ed. 2019, would be having the right voice is key. This is what sets you aside from all other writers and bloggers. If you’re wondering if you have the right voice in your writing, you need to look within. There is no single right voice to have, it’s what voice matches best with you. You want the reader to feel comfortable, you don’t want your voice to feel forced or copied. When ever I write my blog posts, I try to be my authentic self so the reader can get the best feel of who I am. This can create a feeling of personal connection if your reader can feel like they’re comfortable.
Thirdly, my tip from Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and
Publishing 4rd ed. 2019, is to link and attribute. Giving credit where credit is due can show the reader that you are a reliable source. Giving attribution can also show off professionalism that you respect other people work. Of course, without proper linkage and attribution, you can get yourself into some sticky situations and could cause your blog to get suspended or removed if caught plagiarizing.
Last but not least, my fourth tip from Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and Publishing 4rd ed. 2019 is to post often, approximately once a day. This helps you be consistent, which is a key factor in having an audience. You don’t want to leave your readers waiting for you to post again, because they could get tired of waiting and lose interest in your blog. Posting often and consistently makes it easier for your audience so they know when to read your new content. If you become too busy, because I know I can get to that point too, try using resources like Hootsuite.com. That website is used for people to schedule their posts, even on multiple platforms. If you plan your posts ahead and use this resource it will upload it on time and consistently, keeping your blog organized and your reader satisfied.
I do have one last tip, but I found this tip from an article by The Guardian. Interaction with your audience is key. When you interact with your audience it can make them feel included and want to come back. If your audience had a positive experience on your blog and interacting with you, they are more likely to come back to your blog again. Even if there is negative comments on your blog, because lets be honest…there will always be haters, make sure to handle them appropriately and respectfully.
I hope these tips will help you and your blog because they have definitely helped me.
Amber Hubenschmidt 