Everyone seems to have a blog. Most of what is on the internet is a personal journal with out much depth. For a person who wants to get their writing out their, who has a voice and something that needs to be heard, it can be a rough bridge to cross. How do you get people to read your blog? Can you really make any money in the process? What really makes a blog worthy?
These are all great questions, and I have to admit that I have no idea what the answers are. I’m still learning the whole process myself. I have learned that reading other bloggers is a great way to learn the skill. It seems to be a very friendly community, and so far they have all been eager to respond to my comments and to help me out.
Just today I found that best blog yet that gives me some pointers on how to draw readers. It suggests ten ways to improve your readership – and in the process improve your blog.
10. Write at least five major “pillar” articles.
9. Write one new blog post per day minimum.
8. Use a proper domain name.
7. Start commenting on other blogs.
6. Trackback and link to other blogs in your blog posts.
5. Encourage comments on your own blog.
4. Submit your latest pillar article to a blog carnival.
3. Submit your blog to blogtopsites.com.
2. Submit your articles to EzineArticles.com.
1. Write more pillar articles.
The article goes on to help you understand each of the steps and how they build on each other. So far, I’m kind of stuck on number nine, but I’m getting better.
Some of these suggestions I’ve seen on other sites. But this is the first place where I’ve seen them put together AND explained. If you are serious about starting a blog, then this is one of the best places to start.
May 8th, 2007
I broke down and asked for help. For several months now, I’ve been convinced that I could do it all. I could be the housewife, the super mom, the great hostess, the avid gardener, the available volunteer and a successful writer. Something had to give.
After praying about it, I decided to ask a friend if she wanted to start coming around once a week to clean the house – the weekly stuff like mopping and dusting, along with the big projects like organizing the boys’ closet. After all, she said she ENJOYED cleaning and that she thought God had gifted her in that area.
See, I can clean. God has been working (and it’s been an uphill battle the whole way) to get me to where I can do it. But I would never say I ENJOYED it.
Before I had a chance to bring the subject up, she announced that God had directed her to get a job. “Hmmmmm,” I thought to myself. So after everyone else left, I asked and she said yes – quite enthusiastically.
So now I have help.
The thing that you have to know about working at home is that it REQUIRES you to delegate. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to get it ALL done. I’ve tried. Look at your life and see what you can bless others with doing. It may surprise you that your children, or friends, or parents, or spouse actually want to help out. Even more surprising is that they are often gifted in the area that you enjoy the least – if you would just give them a chance.
If you are serious about working from home, you have to be willing to ask for help. Take some time to look at your obligations and see which ones you can give away.
P.S.
What I Learned Today
Sitting here writing this I thought “my husband is a gifted cleaner and organizer.” But he spends most of his time working in the yard. Why? He does it because it’s man’s work and that’s what is expected of him. To make it even more interesting, he’s allergic to pollen. Just the thing you need if you are going to be out mowing, huh? I think I’ll share this thought with him. Maybe if we all worked where we were gifted and talented instead of where “they” told us we needed to be then our homes and our lives would be more peaceful.
May 8th, 2007
