Whit's Blog

Blogging takes practice, and it takes dedication.  With persistence, you can become a successful blogger.  Here are 101 ways to blog better.

1. Keep a blog post idea file, so you never run out of blog post topics.
2. Survey your readers so you can find out what they want from your blog.
3. Interlink your blog posts.  When you write a post, link to older similar posts.
4. Write list posts, for example “101 ways to blog better”, or “10 ways to save money”.
5. Write “how-to” posts that explain step by step how to do something.
6. Use images in your posts.  People love looking at pictures.
7. Use your keywords in your image alt tags.
8. Use keywords in your blog posts.
9. Try to keep a keyword density of 1-5% (1-5 keywords for every 100 words.)
10. Don’t keyword stuff!  (Aka don’t overuse your keywords unnecissarily.)
11. Write for PEOPLE first, search engines second.
12. Use share buttons so people can share your blog posts.
13. Make your blog clutter-free.
14. Don’t use advertisements on your blog until your readership is large.
15. Don’t use too many ads on your blog, keep them to a minimum.
16. Use heat map tracking to see where your readers click the most on your blog.
17. Leave comments on other blogs with a link back to your blog (backlink).
18. Reply to your comments!
19. Take constructive criticism from your readers.
20. Use your main keyword at the beginning of your post.
21. Use your keywords in heading tags (H1,H2,H3 etc.).  Search engines place more weight on content inside these tags.
22. Use your main keyword at the end of your post.
23. Use your blog keywords at the beginning of your homepage.
24. Use your blog keywords at the end of your homepage.
25. Use a maximum of 2-3 main colors for your blog design.
26. Get a professionally done blog design.
27. Be unique!
28. Show your personality in your blog design and in your writing.
29. Use the word YOU alot, so your readers feel like you’re talking directly to them.
30. Learn to market your blog.  If you don’t, you probably won’t get many readers.
31. Limit the amount of topics you blog about.
32. Fine a niche that your blog can fit into.  For example:  Dog Training (note:  this is not necessary, but helps alot.)
33. Use WordPress.  You can do a lot more with it and really take your blogging to the next level.
34. Use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Plugins if you’re using WordPress.  They bring in new readers for FREE.
35. Monitor your blog for spam comments and delete them.
36. Offer the option to subscribe to your blog, and provide plenty of places for your readers to do so.
37. Build an email list from your blog.  (Capture emails.)
38. Recommend HELPFUL products that would benefit your readers.
39. Stick to 1 topic per blog post.
40. Use humor in your blog posts.  People love to laugh!
41. Be entertaining.
42. Spell check your blog posts.
43. Check your posts for proper grammer.
44. Make your blog easy to navigate.
45. Offer options for your readers to connect with you on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
46. Use social proof.
47. FOCUS!
48. Set a posting schedule and stick to it.  Again not necessary, but very helpful
49. Blog often.  People love freshly updated blogs..and they hate dead ones.
50. Blog about your passion.
51. Spy on your competitors so you can learn from them.
52. Listen to the advice of your competitors.
53. Network with other bloggers in your niche.
54. Allow guest posts on your blog.
55. Do guest posts on other people’s blogs.
56. Host giveaways on your blog – they bring in lots of traffic!
57. Participate in blog hops.
58. Start your own blog hop.
59. Blog about the latest trends.
60. Treat your blog like a business. (Take it seriously.)
61. Work hard.
62. Set achievable goals.
63. Market your blog a little bit every day.
64. Send your new posts to your email list (If you have one.).
65. Share your posts on social media channels.
66. Write a free ebook and give it away on your blog, in exchange for the reader signing up for your newsletter.
67. Be the 1st to blog about a topic.
68. Buy your own domain name.  (Not necessary but your blog will be way more successful if you do!)
69. Use Tweet Old Post (if you’re on WordPress) to send your old posts out to your Twitter followers.
70. Use Google Analytics to learn more about your blog readers.
71. Increase your Return On Investment (ROI).
72. Write like you’re having a conversation with your reader.
73. Ask your readers questions.
74. Encourage comments on your blog.
75. Take reader suggestions for how to improve your blog.
76. Make it easy for your readers to contact you.
77. Share personal experiences.  This makes you seem more real and human, and your readers will relate to you better.
78. Have a clear call to action on your blog. (ex.  ”Subscribe Here”)
79. Blog about topics that are important to you.
80. Use a tell a friend button to help your readers share your blog with their friends.
81. Break up your posts into paragraphs to make them easier to read.
82. Keep a consistent brand image.
83. Use a followers widget and make it easy to find.
84. Use related posts.
85. Use a navigation menu.
86. Use a top commentators widget to reward people who comment on your blog.
87. Have an “About Me” page that tells your story.
88. Use an easy to read font.
89. Use an appropriate font color.
90. Focus on providing value.
91. Read your readers’ blogs, you never know what you may learn about them!
92. Build relationships with your readers.
93. Be down to earth.
94. Don’t force a post, let it come naturally.
95. Link to other blogs – you never know, they might link back to you!
96. Don’t copy articles from other blogs.
97. Focus on 1 keyword per blog post.
98. Research your post topic before you write about it.
99. Use video on your blog.  People LOVE video – it has a personal touch that you can’t get with words and pictures alone.

100. Be creative..your blog is your work of art.
101.  HAVE FUN!