DISQUS

Allison Worthington {@fussypan · 11 months ago

excellent. Thanks Chris!

Kimberly · 11 months ago

Thanks! A lot of great ideas for the coming year.

Steve Woodruff · 11 months ago

28. Don't forget to weave in humor. Your readers need a laugh now and then.

Zach Heller · 11 months ago

Great suggestions. I was just asking about these types of tools that you can use to create dedicated readers and a real community feel. I will be sure to use all 27 of these suggestions in my own blog in 2009. Thanks.

virtualimpax · 11 months ago

The "unfinished" post idea is PURE genius!!! No need to feel guilty for not finishing the post - let your readers do it! BRILLIANT!!!

SECRET AGENT MAMA · 11 months ago

Most excellent advice!

Toma Bonciu - SEO Services · 11 months ago

Hi Chris,

This is a great collection of things to do in order to obtain a good article.

I think the title is the most important thing. It's weights at least 50% because it can make the users click and also is the most important place to use your main keywords. For me the title of the article has to promise something to the readers and also has to intrigue them enough to click and read the first paragraph.

And I've just landed on another tips : concentrate on the first paragraph. In my opinion it's crucial. Starting with a question is a great idea and I'll take it into consideration. I always try to summarize the content in the first paragraph and also rise the curiosity of the reader. I try to talk about what are the benefits of reading the article - what I have to offer.

Thanks for the article.
WebOptimization on Twitter

Kyle Reddoch · 11 months ago

Thanks Chris for this wonderful information. I am going to take this into consideration in 2009!

A Cowboy's Wife · 11 months ago

Love number 9. I've never really thought of doing that but it's a great idea!

Great way to wrap up the year, by helping others;)

David_N_Wilson · 11 months ago

Great post. Hopefully it will lead to people branching out and digging deep and finding their unique voice in the uberbabble.

Two things I'd add, though if one reads your post carefully enough, they are already there...

Dig into yourself, your life, and the things you are passionate about and share them. You can't write as well about things you don't know or care about; sincerity and expertise will show in your words.

If you post to several blog sites, cross post. Not at the same time, but if you write (as I do) for a writing blog like http://www.storytellersunplugged.com - and also post about writing in your blog, wait a while and then share what you wrote for the other audience. It cross-pollinates your readership.

BE YOURSELF

-DNW

Coach Colette · 11 months ago

These are FANTASTIC tips for bloggers! Thanks, Chris. Happy 2009!
Cheers, Coach Colette

David Brim · 11 months ago

Wow...Awesome to have all these tips in one location. Thanks Chris.
Have a safe & enjoyable new year

Julie Roads · 11 months ago

I would add that you should be consistent - with your voice, tone and topic (you can certainly branch out, but always find some way to tie it back in to your main raison d'etre). I did this when I wrote about politics on my copywriting blog during the election - you're building a brand with this blog, and consistency will make for a rapid transition from occasional reader to subscriber, client, partner...sky's the limit. Readers want to know you, we all want connection.

Great post, as always, Chris. Ann Handley is one of my favorites too. Happy New Year!!!

Danny Brown · 11 months ago

Don't assume that your reader knows what you're talking about (and I don't mean that disparagingly).

Just because you and a lot of your readers may be aware of certain phrases, terminology, applications, web tools and so on, doesn't mean the average visitor who may have stumbled on your post has. If you have to think about the best way to describe something, it's pretty much a shoe-in that your readers might have twice the difficulty.

Also, with regards #19, make it as easy as possible for your readers to share the post if they like it. Have a little "Add This" or "Share This" button with various options at the bottom of your post - goes a long way to spreading the cheer. :)

Thanks Chris, I was using some of these but others I'll revisit.

LinksMonkey · 11 months ago

Ooh. This post is like finding the Batcave & touching stuff.

Josh · 11 months ago

Thanks for the great advice.

Katja Presnal · 11 months ago

Thank you for a perfect last-of-the-year blog post. This gives me new energy to start the new year and make it even better. Like I have already purchased the Thesis theme.. now I just need to take the jump and make the blog make-over happen. Happy New Year to you Chris, thank you for being such an inspiration for all of us!

Amy · 11 months ago

I am a first time commenter here, but just had to tell you what an EXCELLENT entry this is. I learned so much and I appreciate it. Thanks, Chris!

Deeter · 11 months ago

I would add...

Eliminate all pop ups of any kind. These have been so over used in the past that they can now make a great blog seem amateur.

Bring as many "people" into the context of your posts as possible. Relate personal conversations and tell relevant stories, instead of just speaking @ us from inside your lonely head.

Steve Olenski · 11 months ago

From someone looking to grow their BlogBase... these kinds of tips are invaluable. Thank you and have a Happy New Year. Steve O

Allison Crow Flanigin · 11 months ago

Excellent list-- as a baby blogger your list certainly will help me grow a bit! my favorite is "27 is odd."

Cindy Hartman · 11 months ago

As always, you ROCK when it comes to sharing your expertise. Thanks!

Ingrid · 11 months ago

Another great post, Chris - thanks for this! There are some great points in here, some reaffirming my "blogging good practices" beliefs, some being ideas that I hadn't considered before.

Mike Lewis [@bostonmike] · 11 months ago

Great post as always Chris. This is especially helpful for me as I am close to finally launching my own blog. Thanks for the advice and if I don't have a chance to chat with you today - Happy New Year!

Michael J. Carrasquillo · 11 months ago

Chris ever since I employed your blogging suggestions more aggressively, I've been a more focused and creative writer/blogger. So much so that I often over do it in my writing and wonder if posting such long passages are valuable. My one concern is staying "on brand." Because I do so many things, that I can't possibly brand individually, I make my blog a personal blog and let the categorization do the separation of my ideas in blogging for me (that's my brand - Mr. do it all LOL), I'm still working towards solutions though, its always a work in progress. I know sometimes it's not "personal brand" safe but in my opinion, it's better to JUST DO IT, you learn more about yourself as you go along and that (in my opinion) is something that is infinitely more valuable in the long run.

Thank you Chris and Happy 2009!

Denise Lee · 11 months ago

This is great stuff for us newbies and by sharing you showed one other tip which is always look for and offer solutions to your readers' problems and they will keep coming back.

Happy New Year!

Stevie · 11 months ago

great piece. great ideas, the reason why I read your blog!

Maureen Metcalf · 11 months ago

I am a new blogger so this info really helped me. Learned some things I had not heard before. I appreciate your open sharing!

Rob McGuire · 11 months ago

I would probably include write in a warmer style that sounds like you're actually discussing a topic with someone. If you sound less cold and concrete it invites your readers to become more involved by commenting back.

Sarah (Real Life) · 11 months ago

Great list! I'm really looking to focus my blog in 2009, and this will help! I just cleaned up my design (#10) and I'm excited about it.

Also, Blogger does the permalink thing automatically

Paula · 11 months ago

All very helpful advice, I'm not hesitating to follow it, starting with #22. Number six is a good one as well, and like you, I read every single word Ann Handley writes (since being shown her blog through your tweets). If I can't write as well as she, I may as well practice brevity. I've been tippy-toeing around putting together a new blog for sometime now, wanting to do everything just right, your help and advice is really appreciated. Happy New Year

Sophiadare · 11 months ago

This is good meaty stuff!! Thank you for sharing!

JSchmitt (@cloudspark) · 11 months ago

Chris,
Incredibly helpful, how'd you limit it to 27? The blogs I read over and over convey information or insights through personal perspectives. Who wants to read a white paper on a blog? The personality and style of writing should be authentic to who you are and the voice you have. And that counts if you're an individual or a company.
Thanks!

Paula · 11 months ago

Ha! I just have to say, when I was typing the comment earlier, I was #2, by the time I hit "submit" I was #31...wild readership here, very cool!

Enduring Wanderlust · 11 months ago

Great tips. I try to mix it up in terms of content. Pretty easy with a travel blog: different destinations, tips, or some fun or odd travel story. Photographs are definately a key too. People often will come just to see a beautiful new photo of a city or country.

Happy New Year.

~Gennaro

Greg Rittler · 11 months ago

Chris-

This is good stuff. I especially resonate with #5. For the Friday Morning Memo, I have to ask myself every week "what do I have to give to people that will really help them?". It is so easy to get stuck thinking of yourself or a pet issue that is your thing. I read so many start up blogs that have nothing relevant to offer anyone! It's no wonder they disappear after 3 every other month posts. They aren't there to give.

I appreciate the great tips and will take them to heart.

Keep moving forward,

Greg

Trish Lambert · 11 months ago

Great Chris! I can always count on you to offer up good, thought provoking, and/or immediately useful stuff to my day.

One thing I thought of that is a riff on others' comments: Write as an associate, a collaborator, of your readers, NOT as a guru on a mountaintop who has it all figured out and is doling out wisdom to the less enlightened. We are all in this together, and part of leading is being honest about being human.

Elmo · 11 months ago

Excellent tips. Thanks for sharing them.

Tami Vroma · 11 months ago

Chris this is an awesome blog. I do have some questions. First one, and this is a big one--I leave a comment on someone's blog. Like I am right now-I really want to see your anwer-how in the heck to do I remember where to go back to--is it in poor class to say email me your comment? I read tons of blogs a day. I could check the box to email me if another comment comes in but then I get all the comments and it overwhelms my email.
My second questions is, where is someplace that I can just ask questions. For example, reading this blog I wondered what a permalink is. I have no idea how to figure out what it is. I also have a wordpress blog-and have no clue what a tracback is. Is there a good forum or someplace to just ask questions. I am feeling might overwhelmed with all I feel that I need to learn to be able to make it in this world--and I have to if I am going to continue being a realtor . .in Michigan no less!! I wish I had money to pay someone to teach me but I don't. Can you please email me this answer?

Jeremy Floyd {@jfloyd} · 11 months ago

# 9 is great. I would add that you can actually plan a "series" of blog posts over some period of time, as you would plan to publish a book. Establish a table of contents (or skeleton) for a "book" that you want to publish in 2009. Then publish posts throughout the year to fill in the body of the book. You may never publish the work, but the body of thought will be much more well developed by blogging it. You will gain interaction through comments and the thoughts will mature.

mary beth · 11 months ago

Thank you so much for the plethora of great tips. You certainly are a good "sharer" and your tips are definitely something I can implement. I am fairly new to blogging and my desire is to have a great blog that people want to visit {often} because of what it gives them. Just like a favorite magazine or tv show-something they don't want to miss.

Thanks again, I will be back {first itme here and I certainly am glad I came}.

gl hoffman · 11 months ago

Great List, Chris. You must be good at this. It shows.

Dean Meyers · 11 months ago

Chris, your stuff is always informative and a great reading/thinking experience. I would like to add to your list something that transparent yet clear in all of your posts: TONE. You model authenticity and equality with your audience in all of your writing, and that is one of the most inviting things you can do to get a reader to get to the end of the post. I think it's easy to see the difference when you read a slick offer of "secrets of blogging" written with a tantalizing promise of riches and thousands of followers if you purchase a program, compared to this list of 25 blogging secrets, laid out in straightforward fashion, with no miracles promised at the end of the rainbow.

Thanks for giving us this list and this platform to contribute our own nuggets of wisdom and experience.

Milton Ramirez · 11 months ago

You do as you say. Great post and advice for all bloggers (included myself) who still are struggling to provide help to internet people . Many of us still think only in 'traffic' more than the people who is visiting our websites.

We still have a long way to go on # & # 18

God Bless You and have a Happy New Year!

Angie · 11 months ago

Very helpful post. I still have a lot to learn.

I was always confused about the Creative Commons stuff that I never used any pictures from Flickr. I just try to take my own when I can but I think I get it now. Can I assume that I really only want to use any of the pictures under the section with the By: in the circle since I do sell stuff on my blog?

Also, the editorial calendar you speak of in tip # 9 is a great idea. I always get frustrated because I can't remember what I have written and don't want to repeat it too soon.

Still trying to figure out how to integrate my blog into Facebook and trying to understand what Technorati means by claim your blog.

As you can see, I still have tons to learn LOL Thanks for the great post.

Mark Cooper · 11 months ago

Great stuff Chris....I too, am a new Blogger and looking forward to putting these suggstions into practice.

Jenn Fowler · 11 months ago

Fantastic list!

I don't know if this is wayyyyy to basic, but don't forget-use correct spelling and grammar. If I go to a blog and the grammar and spelling are poor, I never go back.

Also for brand new bloggers, remember to break up your text into much smaller paragraphs then you would in traditional writing-this makes it much easier to read online.

Just Pure Lovely · 11 months ago

Links in the middle of the post (to the post, not to other content)? Now, that's a clever one I hadn't thought of! I should add that to my photos as well. Great tip, thanks, and Happy New Year!

Erik (@challeng) · 11 months ago

Excellent pointers. I plan on using them... eventually. :-)

Andrea @ Mommy Snacks.net · 11 months ago

Great tips! Thanks for sharing.

Rosh New media photograpaher · 11 months ago

Being a photographer and blogger.

I can't agree more about adding images. Great list.

Thanks

Rosh

Katybeth · 11 months ago

Learning to perfect the question, will be one of my goals for 2009. In order to ask a good question, you need to listen well--so its a two part goal.
If it weren't for Twitter, I never would have found Chris Brogan, and if I had not followed you and your passion for sharing this past year, I may never have met Ann Handley, who always leaves me wishing for more...Jon Swanson's who calms and inspires, Liz Strauss who brings energy to my day and is from Chicago. Those are just a few of the of the many wonderful people you introduced me too!
Thanks Chris. Happy New Year to you and your Family!

Kathleen · 11 months ago

Restarting a numbered list, I've needed to know how to do that forever!

About pointing to old content, I do it very overtly (your mileage may vary). My blog is highly technical (how to start a clothing line, it is more technical than creative) and I don't like to repeat myself. So once a week, every Friday, I post an archives entry and list all of the entries that had been published that week over the past four years of my blog. I started doing this after my visitors asked for it, it was kind of weird at first since I haven't seen anyone else in the blogosphere doing it but this weekly entry is easily my most popular post of the week. A casual visitor would never know that tho judging by the number of comments the entry gets (none). Anyway, it allows my newer visitors to catch up on older content in an organized way. With over 1,500 entries of non duplicative content, it helps a lot. Also, my entries are rarely short, often at least two printed pages in length.

This has three additional benefits.
1. My page view count per visitor is much much higher than elsewhere on the internet (seven pages per visit per visitor).
2. I won't blame you if you think I'm lying, but average visit length is 9 minutes. This compares to the 30 second internet average.
3. Search engines. Recycling those old titles on the front page packed with key words only helps my rankings.

A Maui Blog · 11 months ago

you are so generous to share. Thank you and Happy New Year! I am looking forward to a powerful community in 2009, "mahalo" for your help.

jangeronimo · 11 months ago

Great helpful list. And may I add to keep it personal - conversational style, trotting out every once in a while a video of your son in eating snow, a rare glimpse into your life? Every time I come for a visit I feel like it's just a one on one conversation over a cup of coffee or something. It does not feel like we're being talked to at all as most blogs about meta blogging do. And lastly for tour de force - pulling off a surprise every now and then. Like losing the beard or something? :)

Matthew TT · 11 months ago

Chris, I've followed you on Twitter for a bit, and read your blogs on occasion. This is the one that will get me to subscribe. What a great job. Love the links and the specific examples. I'm still not too sure about the non-goatee look, but I simply can't deny the value of your content contribution. *chuckle*.

Have a great and prosperous 2009!

Matthew

Craig · 11 months ago

Amazing tips Chris, def something I am going to take serious when I begin my side blog next year.

Joel Richards · 11 months ago

Great post. Just what I needed to help me start the new year off right. Thanks for sharing.

russelltripp · 11 months ago

Great list, Chris. One tip I'd add is that when I'm stuck for ideas, I consider what someone who thinks I'm wrong about a particular topic would argue and try to think around the subject from their POV. Not only does it help me come up with some great new blog post ideas, it also helps me grow as a person at the same time. Remember, no matter what you think about anything, at least 2/3 of the world probably disagrees with you. :-)

Blog Expert · 11 months ago

Now that is an amazing list. You use a lot of things that a few guys are telling me are not a part of building or powering a community. I am happy that you believe they work also.

gacconsultants · 11 months ago

Thanks again Chris for your inspiration and insight. I have learned many things from your work. Best wishes to you and your family in 2009 and beyond - Happy New Year : )

erin · 11 months ago

Thank you for the much needed advice.

Alicia · 11 months ago

Great tips. I'm trying to abide by all of them, esp. including more photos. My biggest beef with bloggers is when they don't update enough.

DeAndrea · 11 months ago

I think I would add a bit about SEO. I think its great that you mention to use H3 headings and such to help out the reader, but I think you should also keep in mind that the text in those H3 tags is considered more important to google. So if it is relevant, it can help with your search ranking. There are other things you can do to boost your readership- your out-posting suggestion is well taken! I will be working on outposts next week, and registration on Technorati (and others) as well.
As always, Awesome post!

Rahsheen · 11 months ago

You know, Chris, I hadn't realized how much your writing here has affected things I aim to do with my blog. Asking questions when sharing my posts, leaving topics somewhat unfinished to encourage discussion, things like that.

I always noticed how you share your posts with a question on Twitter and thought that was a complete break from what I normally see there. Simple, but awesome.

As far as showcasing your community, I have been thinking about the best way to do this. What do you think about Google FriendConnect in this respect?

John Waller · 11 months ago

A great list of tips. I would add not to get bogged down in the "Technical Stuff". If you have a good theme just roll with it. Don't worry about changing the background color of your header from light green to a darked green...etc

chrisbrogan · 11 months ago

Google Friend Connect is the devil. They get the data. You get nothing.

Nancy Adler · 11 months ago

Thank you so much Mark for your quality content post. Awesome suggestions and ideas. Being a huge giver myself, I especially enjoyed your suggestion to share your secrets, we can not implement them all anyway.

Thanks again Mark. Wishing You and Yours a very happy and prosperous New Year! - Nancy Adler

Kim · 11 months ago

Great information for a newbie like me! Thanks!

Joe Mescher · 11 months ago

WordPress and Thesis provided me the technical ability to blog.

The inspiration for topics, structure, and style come in large part from your blog, which I read excitedly each morning.

Perhaps the most important step I learned this year (been blogging in earnest for 4 months now) is linking inside of every post. Traffic has increased steadily, as have number of pages viewed/day.

Next step I'm taking is a customization of the Thesis theme, as I hope many more bloggers here try this year!

William Muncrief · 11 months ago

This is my first run on your blog Chris and I will be back for more. Great insight for anyone blogging.

Thank You
Here is to a great 2009 for you.
William

Christine @ Boston Mamas · 11 months ago

Thanks for this thoughtful collection of tips, Chris. When I started Boston Mamas I was so nose to the grindstone working on creating content that I totally forgot about what I now like to call "blog karma" (commenting in, reading lots of blogs, cross-linking, etc... many of the things you cover in this post). It's amazing how powerful the karma is; but even more than that, how fantastic the people can be behind the blogs. I feel fortunate that in the last year I've had the chance to also meet a lot of the folks I've been reading in person!

Happy new year! -Christine

Rowell Dionicio · 11 months ago

I'm glad that I can look up to a successful blogger like you and get some awesome tips. I'll sure compare my blog to the tips.

DrK · 11 months ago

Great list, Chris! Thank you! I like the reinforcement for what I'm doing already, and the ideas I've yet to try. I got at least two good ones out of this that will guide me all next year!

Sarah Z. · 11 months ago

Thank you for this post! I'll be sure to implement this list into my work in 2009. Great way to start the new year!

Vernita Sherman · 11 months ago

Great Post. I've been in the internet marketing game for awhile now, but blogging is new to me so this post really helps.

Como · 11 months ago

So glad I found your site...excellent tips and reminders

Steve Atkinson · 11 months ago

This is great information. I will be trying some of the ones that i haven't already tried in the upcoming year.

ATLANTA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER · 11 months ago

Chris, these types of posts really helped when I started this past year. thanks for the reminder and things to implement in 09

Chana · 11 months ago

Great Secrets! My company is planning some major blog movement in '09 and these will help!

Lary Stucker · 11 months ago

Chris,
What happened to rule number 6? seriously these are all great rules but I got through the first 9 and now I need to go take a nap or something. You naturally broke it up into three areas (starter moves, technical stuff, bonus material) maybe you should of written this as three separate blogs.
@LaryStucker

Tom Allinder · 11 months ago

I have come to a decision: Before blogging about social media or social media platforms, or anything else outside of my niche, I am going to become someone first.

I am going to build traction on social media platforms so that someone, anyone... will actually read what I write and think enough of it to put in a comment.

Eric Scouten · 11 months ago

Chris, love this list. Now ... all I need is a little miniature version of this post to sit in a corner of my WordPress admin screen while I'm blogging. :-)

Thanks, -Eric (a fellow Thesis user)

Teena in Toronto · 11 months ago

Excellent post! Thanks for the tips!

theBandwidthHog · 11 months ago

Thanks for the list. I've been making a living in computers for 25 years now, but am very new at blogging. It's rather humbing to find out just how much I don't know about computers!

thanks again

Sarah · 11 months ago

Thanks for the tips! Here's another: be human. Yes, write about your business, share tips for success, etc. But write about your staff, a great vacation you took, the little personal things once in awhile so that you're not just a machine cranking out corporate material. The post we've had the most hits with was when each staff member wrote 50 words about thanksgiving and what they were thankful for.

The Sports Effect Defect · 11 months ago

Hey Chris. Honestly a lot of that stuff is still outside of my scope, but I've enjoyed reading your posts. I usually only read the ones that show up in the SmartBrief on Social Media, but they are usually tailored to what I'm looking for. Magicians are usually held to a code to keep their tricks secret, but I'm glad bloggers aren't as well.

Emily Dulcan · 11 months ago

Thank you Chris! I hope everyone that I work with can employ these nuggets of wisdom as faithfully as I (hope) I will in 2009!

Bryan Person | @BryanPerson · 11 months ago

The Mzinga guys (or at least one current Mzinga guy and one soon-to-be-fellow-Chris-Brogan pirate) had a good interview with Liz Strauss a few weeks ago, and here were her two top blogging tips:

1) Leave a blog post unfinished (you advise the same in point 5), giving readers more impetus to jump in and finish your thoughts for you.
2) Ask the right question at the end of the post that moves people to respond. Liz says about one-third of the time for her posts are spent coming up with just the right parting question.

Troy Bingham Dialer · 11 months ago

I am going to have to try these on my blog right away. I have gotten away from the basics.

Adam Singer · 11 months ago

"Failing that, posts with numbers seem to work. Especially weird or odd numbers."

27 is definitely an odd number. ;)

Spencer Alexander · 11 months ago

Great post! I seem to be addicted to "blogging tip" articles, and this is one of the most enjoyable articles I've read. I especially like how each tip was short and to the point.

Thanks for the great post!

Kat · 11 months ago

Great list. Some things I already do and teach my clients to do and others I hadn't yet thought to do. Believe it or not, the photo thing gets me every time. I can get a post up in a goodly amount of time, but then finding the photo takes me forever. I must work on that.

I will definitely be sharing what you wrote. Happy New Year!
@kat-taf

Dror Engel · 11 months ago

great post! thanks for these amazing tips.

Stu Rich · 11 months ago

Thanks Chris. I have only been blooging for a few months now and these hints are very helpful. Have a great New Year.

KyNam Doan · 11 months ago

I've already started lifting some of your tips. You had better watch out! You're going to get some stiff competition. Well...not really :P

Pictures have always been trouble for me. Thanks for the source.

Sherry Kerr · 11 months ago

Chris, your work never ceases to be helpful and save me months or years of trial and error. This one is practically a blog bible -- so helpful, in fact, I'll break my paperless rule and print it to look at often. I know some of what you do is the way you make a living -- but some of it isn't. Thanks for your generosity.

Lesley Dewar · 11 months ago

Excellent words of advice and a wealth of learning here. Thank you. And thanks, Wayne Mansfield, for the directions.

Susie Blackmon · 11 months ago

It's an omen to get up on January 1 and have the privilege of reading this great post, and an inspiration. Thank you for your generosity and guidance. It would make my year to be someone you admire once I fine tune my work through lurking around ChrisBrogan.com. All the best, and even more success to you in 2009.

Musings of a Housewife · 11 months ago

This is an awesome list. I have it bookmarked so I can refer to it again. I've heard about your blog, but this is my first read. Now I'm subscribed! :-)

Heather @ Not a DIY LIfe · 11 months ago

First time visiting your site. Thanks so much for the helpful hints. I know there are at least a few things I need to change about my blogging (like commenting more!).

Happy New Year!

Michał Mościcki (Poland) · 11 months ago

Need more? Excellent words of advice: "Personal Branding for the Business Professional" by Chris Brognan. Have simple, useful, crisp business cards to share... Make contact personal branding in Poland too and narrative marketing: www.marketingnarracyjny.pl. Here are some elements "marketing narracyjny metodą E.Mistewicza", it's useful and valuable to others.

Debra Askanase · 11 months ago

Well, Chris, I'm nervous but doing it...my first post on someone's blog that I don't know personally. (But I'm such a big fan I had to drop by.) I started a professional blog about two weeks ago, and searched your site for tips. The best one I found was the advice you offered about always keeping a few blog posts "in the back pocket" for when ideas aren't flowing. In the short time I've been blogging, I've used that. The addendum to this advice might be: don't throw away drafts! I've gone back to drafts I was sure I'd never post and reworked them into entirely different posts.

Jerry Roberts · 11 months ago

Hey Chris,

If you send your blog to Facebook and/or LinkedIn, or elsewhere, doesn't that flag Google and bring on a duplicate content penalty?

I like the showcase for your community. Nice idea.

Overall, a very good post. Thanks.

ShriNagesh · 11 months ago

That's a wonderful round-up of the most important things about blogging, though it never occured to me about the editorial calendar.

Paul J Roberts · 11 months ago

Chris,

As usual, excellent list of advice. I don't think you left anything out! Some of them I've been implementing into my new blog and personal branding process. I am now working on blog format by trying to figure out H-tags, linking and getting my blog out there. I appreciate the advice you have given in that area as well.

Next. Building killer content..... bring it on!

Todd Jordan · 11 months ago

Chris,

You've been doing a great job this year. This tip list is a great round up. Some of these I've already been doing and can second your recommendations on. Others I'll be giving a try.

A favorite of mine from your list is linking out to other blogs. This definitely fuels the network.

Another favorite is the no registration required note. I've not commented on blogs this year where I really loved the post because a registration for that blog was required.

Cheers to a great 2009.

Doug Firebaugh · 11 months ago

Greta post dude! Amazing as usual! And learning as always- happy 2009! 27 Gold Nuggets to take into the new year!

Brian · 11 months ago

Thank you for the great suggestions, being "new" to starting a blog this will be a great help!

Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Arti · 11 months ago

Okay guy, this is the kick in the rear end I needed to recommit to writing every day on my blog. There are so many things needing attention that when I don't focus, I am too scattered to do justice to any one thing. Blogging is connecting to community. Hey, my niche is relationships, duh! Better connect.

thanks for reminding me.

Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke, family relationship coach and author

Walter Paul Bebirian · 11 months ago

Now all that is needed in this world is a way to use all of these secret tools - and have everyone following them plus have time to do something other than writing blogs and reading everyone else's comments -

Any secrets for that?

Walter :-)

Forrest McDonald · 11 months ago

Chris - as someone entering the blogosphere very recently I can say your advice is helpful from a practical sense and encouraging from an emotional sense. Seeing a list of things which appear pretty easy to complete and will help improve your success is motivating.

Thanks for working to help us achieve our goals.

Jeff Korhan · 11 months ago

Chris - Great stuff as usual.

My fav is not making people login to comment. That's crazy. Who has the time.

Surprised you don't mention video. You did one on that snowstorm, right? Video has been huge for me. I do it because I'm a speaker and feel people want to see me in action, even if its staged in my office. In fact, I think the key to video in a blogging format is to keep it unpolished and real.

Best part of video is it makes me work a little bit harder on the post to ensure BOTH the vid and the text are tight and relevant to the reader. For this reason, I have to keep the posts weekly at www.therightwayworks.com

Thanks for keeping it real,

Jeff Korhan

williamarruda · 11 months ago

Hello Chris,

You always provide so much value in each of your posts. Thank you. You really walk your talk.

I love all of your 'secrets', especially number 23. If as a blogger you create posts but don't engage with your readership, you are missing out on the most important part of blogging - building community. What makes blogging so exciting is that you can start and continue a conversation - and everyone who is part of that conversation benefits and grows.

When I left my corporate job and started my own business, I loved the independence, but felt isolated. I started my company, Reach Personal Branding, eight years ago - long before blogs. I missed the sense of community I had in the office. Now, the feeling of community has been restored thanks to my Blog (and the others that I read and contribute to regularly - like this one!). I have engaged with so many people that I would otherwise not even know and it has been good for my business and great for my personal fulfillment. Thanks again for another valuable post!

Happy New Year!!

Best.
William
www.williamarruda.com

jeremylichtman · 11 months ago

I have to say that this blog entry made me really think hard about how I was approaching blogging. Thanks again Chris!

Vaughan Merlyn · 11 months ago

Given your latest post "No Comment" I feel obliged to go back and comment on this post - it is truly superb! Through my own experience and instincts, I already follow many of these suggestions (about one half) so that leaves me with at least 14 new ways to become a more effective blogger! That's quite a gift that you have provided to the blogosphere!

And while I'm at it, I must also say that your blog is one of those that I read just about daily. Which reminds me - time to go update my own blogroll!

Thanks, Chris - keep up the great and highly informative and stimulating work!

Guillaume · 11 months ago

Great Post, agree with all the rules and already doing most of them, so it makes me happy! I think you could have added time is the number one rules. If you are serious about our blog, it will take you a lot of time, this is a real commitment.

@kiwicarol (Carol Cooper-Taylo · 11 months ago

I've been following your blog for the last few months Chris, I really appreciate your pragmatic approach. I have been blogging for some time and don't get many comments on my blog, so if you or your readers would care to take and look at my blog and give me some feedback on how to improve I'd be really chuffed.

Lisa Wood · 11 months ago

Thanks for the great tips, Chris. I especially liked the one about putting links in for when someone uses your content. I'll keep that in mind.

Timothy Carter · 11 months ago

I am never amazed at the incredible tips and ideas you give man! I'm thrilled to have stumbled across your site in 2008...continued success in 2009 powering your community and impacting mine! :)

Thao Ly · 11 months ago

Great post, thanks for the tips

Joffrey · 11 months ago

This post rocks, really! And wow, now I know that I am not a very good blogger... But maybe your tips don't fit to all blogs? I think that some of those secrets would not be a great idea for mine.

Der Onkel Plak · 11 months ago

The more obvious things are the most important. This list is great!

RustyH · 11 months ago

Thank you. This was read word for word.

Nicky · 11 months ago

As always - thank you for sharing these marvellous tips Chris. Going to bookmark and Stumble.

David Lingholm · 11 months ago

I really appreciate this post, especially the bonus suggestions! It is easy to blog but harder to drive traffic to it. It wasn't until I installed Google Analytics to my blog that I was able to understand how leaving good comments on other blogs really would help me increase my numbers. And having LinkedIn, Facebook and the right Ning accounts can really help. Thanks Chris!

Rob Caldwell · 11 months ago

Spot on again. That is great advise. I learned something again (way to follow your own rules! :)

Smart Boy · 11 months ago

What excellent advice. Thank you for the tips. I'll be sure to implement and double check all points - and be sure to involve all aspects in my sites this coming year.

Sports Blog · 11 months ago

Cool tips! Thanks for sharing the 27 blogging secrets!

Brenda · 11 months ago

I've been blogging less than a month and searching for useful tips. What you have here is the best I've found to date. Not too techy. Clear, concise, and "real life". I'm your newest fan!

Jennifer · 11 months ago

Thanks, Chris. Enjoyed the post. Especially the Simplaris tip. We share our blasts via social media, twitter, linkedin, and facebook manually. Nice to know there's an app that can do this for us! Happy New Year!

Roxanne · 11 months ago

Hey Chris,

Terrific advice. I would only add one thing that is understood (but usually forgotten) by most writers: good grammar. Beyond spell check, there is www.m-w.com, my favorite. And beyond Merriam-Webster, there is the AP Stylebook—my favorite—or the Chicago Manual of Style (if you must ...).

Most of us know this instinctively but do not express it: The minute a blogger begins writing poorly, we navigate away from the page faster than a surfer evading a pop-up ad. The same can be said for a clean, gorgeous layout, but you've already mentioned the importance of design to readership, so thanks for that!

Shawn Jooste · 11 months ago

Thanks Chris. Really great post. Can't emphasize commenting on other blogs enough. Almost more important than writing for your own blog.

Samantha Rhodes · 11 months ago

Thank You very much for the tips, just when you think you have it understood something else comes along.

DaelClark · 11 months ago

excellent work good sir! I am about to start a blog of my own and found your article to be very informative. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Marianne · 11 months ago

Love this list; Chris, you're so genuine in your posts and in the way you reach out to your community here. I'm learning a lot; thanks!

ceseco · 11 months ago

Hi,
@ceseco on twitter
Great post .. I have been using technorati for bout a month now. It has helped me and the folks I link to. And will work on the other items you have suggested. I do have a question though .. and seeing you have 153 comments I may get lost in the masses here. What do you or can you do when a post or article does get lifted? With no link back to either the original post or website. I have had this happen a few times now, my responce is to leave a polite comment thanking them for the re-post and requesting a direct link back to my article or blog. What else can I do?
Thanks in advance

@ceseco on twitter

Evelyn So · 11 months ago

Absolutely great tips and will pass them along, thank you!

Kate Brodock · 11 months ago

One thing I might add is the value of time + research (this is linked with ADDING VALUE). It's easy to write in a stream of consciousness, which is really tempting, especially under a time crunch.

But if you take the time to 1) organize and 2) put in a little outside research, I've found that's a HUGE step towards making your post a lot more valuable to the reader.

Bloggeries · 11 months ago

Amen to #6. Long long long bloggeries don't get read by the majority. Sharing this with forum now. Good job Chris!

Francisco · 11 months ago

Chris, I'd really like to thank you for the work you do. I appreciate your posts and have learned too much to mention in this tiny space. All of the tweaks and improvements my blog could use that I'm thinking about for 09' are greatly influenced by your suggestions. Thank you again and may this year bring you only good. Take care.

Jered Stoehr · 11 months ago

Appreciated the strait talk on # 12 (technorati) . I took your advice, went there and claimed my blog. It was my first time and so far I believe it does not search well at all.

BTW, searched your blog to try to find a post on technorati, didn't find much. What's so good about it or why use it?

vaughan · 11 months ago

good useful information there chris - thanks.

blogs are like opinions - everybody has one and usually they are not the same. that is the beauty and the curse of writing for a crowd that you are trying to stimulate without knowing who they are. your points can be applied like seasoning in a recipe - some people will use them all to make the right flavour - others will just drop in a little of number 19 and be happy.

cheerio

@vaughan

Timon Weller · 11 months ago

Awesome list, this must of taken you ages to get all this down.. The only aspect i think that you missed was contributing on other peoples blogs, i mean writing posts on related blogs.. It gets your name seen in other related communities and therefore increases your community base...

Park · 11 months ago

Thanks, Chris. I've been a student of yours for a few months now and find your blogs hugely informative. I appreciate your generosity in sharing what you know. Cheers to '09.

Andre van de Graaf · 11 months ago

Chris,

Thanks for these tips but i think you missed one:
Content is KING.

It sounds like an open door but without content you have nothing.

Carlos Lorenzo · 11 months ago

Thanks for sharing this Chris. Since you ask for our ideas I think that to make good posts you need to be a kind of story teller yourself. No need to be an O'Henry or Paul Auster but you have to keep the audience engaged in every way. It is obvious that a great title is a must, but also there must be some kind of introduction, main part and climax besides the list resource. I agree that it should be short though. People tend to read just part of it or make summaries due to the very nature of the internet. When they get the idea they start jumping over paragraphs so the good thing must come somewhere near the end. Content is essential and visual stimuli too. Most of all you must enjoy what you write about and believe it. You should never lie or betray your audience, steal content from others. Sharing and helping people must be a priority. Spelling should be right, design cool and vocabulary rich. By the way, I have to try Tesis one day. Everybody says is great stuff along with Wordpress 2.7. This has been a great post and I am getting hooked to them lately :)

David LaMorte · 11 months ago

Great Stuff Chris!

mike kirkeberg · 11 months ago

You are right. The "27" got me. Titles are something I have to work on.

Thanks

coins · 11 months ago

I was shocked by reading these 27 blogging tips really amazing.

Globetrotting Bride · 11 months ago

What a fantastic list! Some of these things I do automatically but I will definitely work to add in the other ideas. Thanks for the help!

Nick Stamoulis · 11 months ago

It def. takes a handful of different approaches these days to keep people interested and reading.

tech stuff · 11 months ago

Great tips... One question: do you allow feedburner to show the full story in the daily emails? If no, how do you limit it? If yes, why?

Rich · 11 months ago

Excellent suggestions!

Don Schindler · 11 months ago

You know, I almost always read the first couple of comments on a blog post. I know it is worth it to just leave a comment with a link back to your site but how important is it to be the first to comment with a relevant response? I think that could be a tip but, man, I wouldn't want to sit around waiting for you to post. Haha.

Scott Mahler-Datex Media · 11 months ago

Such great advice. That's what I love about the blogging community; their willingness to share their experiences with others. I own a website development company, and just recently started a companion site to blog. While I know about computer programming, I've had to learn about the social aspect of it all. So far, my experience has been great, and i've learned the most from people like you. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Promo2 · 11 months ago

Great collection. Three times (№9, 14 and 26) is repeated idea to link to our old successful posts. Idea is really simple and very effective for SEO.

Agitationist · 11 months ago

Still waiting for those 27 "secrets".

Yusuf Gad · 11 months ago

Exceptional article Chris! It takes the mystery out of writing a good blog.

This is definitely and article I'll be linking to often.

All the best for 2009!

Subbu · 11 months ago

Chris, thanks for this post. It is great and very useful for novice bloggers like me. I have a query about Flickr Creative Common. Is it free? How should I go about using it? Thanks

Miguel Wickert · 11 months ago

Chris,
Happy New Year! Excellent ideas here. Yeah, opening posts with a question is a habit I'm continually forming. Anyhow, pics, questions, commenting, linking out to others and so on., the essentials which we all need to remember to do. I have a an article I wrote some time back that reminds me of what you had to say in this post. :) Cheers!
-Mig

Easton Ellsworth · 11 months ago

Community is only in the mind:
http://www.visionaryblogging.com/where-blog-com...

Which is why influencing minds is so critical to powering community growth.

Susan · 11 months ago

Thanks for these tips! : )
I've linked to this post on my Squidoo Lens, currently titled, Blogging Secrets.

Kat Tansey · 11 months ago

Thanks Chris. This is one of the most insightful, well written pieces I've read about writing blogs. I'm taking what you say to heart.

Barbara C Phillips · 11 months ago

First time reader/poster - I'm impressed! Excellent, informative and practical advice on blogging. I had not been doing #4, but I will now. Thanks!

Malte Landwehr · 11 months ago

Nothing new on your list but I can agree with every single point you mentioned.

Further secret: When you comment on other blogs, try to be the first, because the first comment is read by most people. User your feed-reader to notice new blog posts on important blogs in your niche an be the first to comment!

hilary · 11 months ago

Thanks for the tips, really appreciated them and hope to add some into my blog in the future.

Stephanie · 11 months ago

Chris,
Fabulous secrets! Thank you for sharing them with me. I hope you don't mind but I am doing a whole series of blog posts based on your 27 secrets (with total credit of course!). I'm implementing 3 secrets each time and sharing my experiences with them. The first post is here: http://www.gomlmonline.com/blog/?p=180

Please let me know if you feel this is in any way inappropriate. Thanks again!

Cheers,
Stephanie

Marcia Dorfmn · 11 months ago

Thanks for all the great tips and for showing how really good content makes a blog appealing and valuable. (I found my way to your blog via the Blog Squad)

Marcia Dorfman · 11 months ago

oops - mistyped my own name. Should be Marcia Dorfman. :)

Joe Robertson · 10 months ago

Thanks Chris,
Very helpful and spot on.
Joe

Heidi · 10 months ago

Awesome tips, thanks!

(Here from Shannon Paul's Very Official Blog.)

100onewaylinks · 10 months ago

get 100 one way links for your site with a short time and easy way.

Stormy · 10 months ago

Know your audience.

Use controversy wisely. (Post on controversial topics that will get people thinking but not hating you.)

Write about the elephant on the table.

Phil · 10 months ago

That's a really good and descriptive article you got there, Crhis! Thanks a lot!
I just want to add something (if you don't mind, of course), posting regularly (being daily, weekly or whatever) does not mean writing useless gibberish like "I-am-about-to-get-a-grande-latte-so-what's-up"-style posts that would only harm your blog. Usually when I see a post like this I don't look at other articles by the same author. You might have the best article on something but just because "you had to post today" you might have driven traffic away from your blog.

Lisa Lomas · 10 months ago

What a terrific resource to find at del.icio.us, they have some real hidden gems and your blog is one of them. great stuff, ask a questions....................YES!

Robert Parrish · 10 months ago

Absolutely outstanding, Chris! Makes me rethink both the company blogs I manage, as well as my personal blog. Most thoughful.

Edgar Aguirre · 10 months ago

Chris - thanks for the awesome tips. I subscribe to you via Google Reader, and I just made the plunge to start my own blog with my buddy this last week. I look forward to learning more from you, keep up the great work!

Jason Finch · 10 months ago

27 *is* odd... but it's not prime.

william doust · 10 months ago

I read and passed on your Trust Economy eBook. One person who worked in the charity sector said that you made explitcit what they were doing! - that it took your eBook to make them realise. All the best. Will. PS. I'm following you on twitter now.

don angelo · 9 months ago

Reading this topic gives me more ideas on what is seo and how does it being done.As you know im just new in this field so your tips gives me lots of ideas. Thank you!

Flora · 9 months ago

Thanks for the great information it will help a tonns. The Keysearch Analytics blog has tips, tricks, advice and case studies for the search marketing industry.

e business corporate · 8 months ago

Thanks for the wonderful post chris. I was looking for ways to improve my blog traffic. I was just reading through your post and I feel I must add something to it. Although I am not an authority to give tips for blogging I do wish to share somethings I have learned from my 6 months experience in blogging.

I always update my blog daily. Do you think once I start to update it once or twice a week in future my readers will get annoyed? I have some 25 feed readers and a page rank of 3 within 1 month of my launch. I am trying hard to deliver quality articles. Many have appreciated me through long emails about my posts.

The fact that makes me sad is that I do not get much traffic. Just 10-20 visits a day via organic means. Maybe I am not great at link baiting. I hope I can see some more traffic coming my way when some popular blog links to me. (If it ever happens).

I know that expecting steady traffic withing 1 month is not a good practise even after reading darren's six figure blogging ebook. Still, you know how hard it will be for webmasters right? How was it during the first month of your blog launch? I am not seeing much traffic for my as well. it has been there for 6 months. i recently got slapped by google for link selling using inlinks. A word of advice to anyone planning to do link selling. DONT DO IT.

Ching Ya · 8 months ago

That's why I always think that Blogging, is not JUST writing alone. While we're stressing on quality contents, there're numerous tasks to be done to ensure its visibility and recognitions. A blogger could choose implement Nothing from the above, and work only for the contents, but it may take a lonnggg time for people to start noticing you.

At least consider networking with others if you wish to go further with your blog. Chris made some fantastic points, and I just may need to settle a few things for my blog too.

@wchingya
Social Media/Blogging

Elisa Hebert · 7 months ago

Nicely written... thanks for the good tips. I think #17 might change some minds back at my office about our company blog. You're living #27... thanks for being helpful. :)

UK Web Hosting Dude · 7 months ago

Information like this is responsible for evolution of mankind. Great !

surkrs · 7 months ago

Now a days every SEO person is more concentrating on blogs because blogs are playing very important in search engines.

Iklan Baris Gratis · 5 months ago

great posting... very usefull for me.. thanks

Jasa Pembuatan Web/Blog Murah · 5 months ago

The "unfinished" post idea is PURE genius!!! No need to feel guilty for not finishing the post - let your readers do it! BRILLIANT!!!

maue · 4 months ago

nice one more power to you site..and keep it up

Wendy Kenney @23Kazoos · 2 months ago

Funny Chris, I just wrote a blog post about blogging today called "6 Easy Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Blog, and One Not so Easy" It's a short post, but it adds a little bit to what you've said. My biggest tip is to "Tell a story." You're really great at that, but I struggle with finding my voice. (Maybe it's my journalism background.) Thanks for all of the great info! PS. When are you coming to Phoenix?

anniebanannie · 2 months ago

Thanks Chris. I think I originally found out about you from Tara Hunt's Whuffie Factor book. This post especially is helpful because I'm new at blogging and want to do it well. I retweeted it too so the people in my computer class can see it too. I'd love to see you cover something about trackbacks and the etiquette of posting things I find on the web. If you've already covered that, don't worry, I'll find it. :)

anniebanannie · 2 months ago

Thanks Chris. I think I originally found out about you from Tara Hunt's Whuffie Factor book. This post especially is helpful because I'm new at blogging and want to do it well. I retweeted it too so the people in my computer class can see it too.

I'd also love to find out more about the etiquette of sharing things I've found on other sites and about trackbacks. If you've already posted about this, don't worry about answering this. I'll find it. :)

dmoore0021 · 2 months ago

Hi Chris,

I found these tips very useful & am half way through your book Trust Agents which is opening my eyes to how to build trust online.

Cheers,

David

Haroun Kola · 2 months ago

Looks like an old post but it's new to me and great tips that I'll be implementing for my blogging too

Hugh Macken · 2 months ago

This post is an oldie and a goodie. Thanks 4 the excellent advice, Chris.

Kathi Rabil · 2 months ago

#26--Point to your old stuff occasionally. Thanks, Chris!! That's how I found this article. And it came at a very fortuitous time for me.

I take time to process information and connect the dots, so I appreciate being pointed to this at a later time.

furniture · 2 months ago

This is a great list you have put together. I have it bookmarked so I can refer to it again.

Michael Hyatt · 2 months ago

This is an excellent post with tons of useful idea. Thanks!

Charles Stone · 2 months ago

Rather new to blogging. I loved this blog.

AllisonJoy · 2 months ago

Thanks for your blogging tips, Chris! It's always great to hear ideas from those around us!!

Chris Papandropoulos · 2 months ago

Hi Chris and all.
Since I am a new blogger I would appreciate if you could leave a comment (as a review even if it is bad!) to my blog http://www.tipsonconsulting.com..

Wim Van Leuven · 2 months ago

Great post! Practiical tips that helped to improve my own blog! Thanks a lot!

Clemence Ko · 2 months ago

Unbelievable tips. Any aspiring bloggers would be a fool not to use every single tip that are being listed here. Chris you are simply a genius. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Shel Horowitz · 2 months ago

I find that my posts on very topical events tend to get more push, and also that I typically get more comments on the copy of my blog that feeds into Facebook Notes than the main blog page at http://principledprofit.com/good-business-blog/ - never really figured that one out.

Cloud Computing Services · 2 months ago

Hey Chris, I agree with you on all these points that are essential for powering your blog. Particularly, the Technical Stuff section which includes the most important points for blogging effectively. Thanks for posting this informative blog. Keep blogging.

Kyle Chowning · 2 months ago

I found this late in the game, but given point 26, this is a great list. Thanks!

Franticmommy · 2 months ago

This was REALLY REALLY good stuff. I learned about 5 new things and am now a subscriber!

The Ranting Mommy · 2 months ago

Hey Chris, the link in #12 (re: Technorati) is out of date. Can you point us to what you were referencing? Thanks!