I carry a note-pad around to write down those titles! (You won't always have your computer on you ya know?). And when it comes to trying something new, I know it's uncomfortable, but like Nike says, "Just Do It!" The interviews series I was doing at Blogworld is my first time working with video :-)
JG
· 1 year ago
Chris, Another brilliant and helpful article. I have been using Zemanta for awhile and it has proved to be useful and intuitive. Thank you for helping me set fire to my blog.
Saravanan Sahadevan
· 1 year ago
Marvelous Piece once again Chris! I decided to just go for it. Extra hard work.. Extra Hours.. That's the secret.
Chris Leonard
· 1 year ago
All great stuff. Hadn't even heard of Zemanta, I'm going to have to check it out. Coming up with blog content isn't always easy, these are great tips. I just blogged about this last week.
Sherryness
· 1 year ago
Great stuff! I also subscribe to Google Alerts for the subjects I am focusing on. Not to copy or link to, but for inspiration, fact-checking, freshness, etc.
frank
· 1 year ago
Great tips Chris.
One tool that i think you have mentioned before that might be worth noting here:
I also know that reading is vital to having an opinion/voice. The more i read, the more i want or have to say about a given topic, tool, etc ...
Being that i'm in the think of getting ready to launch a new company blog, i find that reading to stay up on the industry is very important.
what i struggle with ... How to stay on top of the industry? how does everyone else out there sggregate it all together, pick what is really important, and focus time where it counts?
Fantastic post. Can't wait to get home and try out Zemanta with Windows Live Writer.
Cheers!
MariSmith
· 1 year ago
Hi Chris!
I must say I aspire to your blogging talents! (I'm working on cloning myself so I have more time to manage my 3 blogs. ha!!)
Seriously, it was such a delight to get to meet you face-to-face at the BlogWorld Expo this past weekend, after being your online bud for over a year. I just love how social media allows us to create "virtual rapport" such that when we meet in person, we're like long lost pals!
And re blogs on fire, one of the many tips I learned from you a while back is to always end posts with question(s) to invite feedback. I admire how well you do this!
Cheers, Mari @marismith
Maria Reyes-McDavis
· 1 year ago
Chris, great post with some real solid tips. What sets you apart is your ability to really break it down and make it simple. Super.
Maria @websuccessdiva
David Molina
· 1 year ago
Hey Chris-- phenomenal advice once again!! I use my BlackBerry to punch in notes, ideas and titles then revisit the next day and email them to myself and then upload to blogger for edits. I usually run 2-3 blogs at a time, then post one by one. But what I found most useful from this blog, was "Write for your audience. Write as if you’re them. Write to tug at their thoughts and attention." Outstanding! David
Seamus Anthony
· 1 year ago
Great posts, thanks for the bits of advice I hadn't come across before.
I was wondering if others find too many links out during a post (especially without a real point to them) distracting and even annoying, and if so, would using Zemanta in this way really be such a good strategy?
I already use Zemanta for tag suggestions and sometimes photos which is great.
Nicholas Chase
· 1 year ago
Chris, Saw your panel at BlogWorld. Nicely done, you are worth every penny those corporations provide to you for speaking. (I was the video guy at BlogWorld Expo 2008, on the platform at the back..).
Can you please send me the AKOHA kit you mentioned in your panel discussion?
I'll be sure to blog about it and my BlogWorld experience.
Please send me an email, and I'll email my address to you.
Respectfully, 'a new subscriber', Nicholas 'the video guy' at BlogWorld Expo 2008, Las Vegas
Doug C.
· 1 year ago
Chris, I want to thank you for this article. For me the best tip is the one about the free ebook. I'm going to make up a PDF of the best tutorials from my blog and offer it up there for the visitors.
Thank you.
Ryan McLean
· 1 year ago
I have found that promoting the blog is one of the absolute essentials. If you write great content but no one reads it you may as well not write it. Good tips on promotion
Patrick MacFie
· 1 year ago
Just been trialing Zemanta, looks like a really great tool. Going to get my writers to start using it tomorrow will get back with the results.
Christopher S. Penn
· 1 year ago
Have a major financial crisis and be the financial guy in social media ;)
Seriously - become an expert in your niche.
Jack Hadley
· 1 year ago
Above, you mentioned delivering USEFUL content. Can't emphasize that enough. At BlogWorld this week, one of the presenters suggested that you think about your very best client when you write. You wouldn't just push a bunch of dribble on them, just to post "something". You would think long and hard to write something useful and meaningful.
I fear that many bloggers may be posting just for the sake of posting (and for the sake of self promotion). Over time, that will surely compromise the medium and the credibility of blogging in general. So, I say, think USEFUL, USEFUL, USEFUL.
Thanks, Chris. Not sure how you continue to write so much USEFUL content... but thanks.
Matt Dunn
· 1 year ago
We've recently started a company blog here at Morningstar and I feel these tips will be a great tool to help us get our content headed in the right direction.
As others have mentioned, promoting a blog can be a tricky thing, but very important. One thing we are experimenting with is adding a blog link to our email signatures. Anyone have thoughts on this tactic?
David Henderson
· 1 year ago
Outstanding blueprint for setting cyberspace on fire. Thanks. For those who use Wordpress self-hosted blog, here's the link to download the Zemanta plugin - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/zemanta/.
David
Andy Finkle
· 1 year ago
I want to add (highlight) one comment in particular that you made; "Make your RSS subscription buttons very visible, and also your social bookmarking tools"
To many blogs relie upon the new ShareThis / Addthis button IMO, and sometimes too much choice leads to no choice. Look at how I end my post here...I "ask for the order" with DIRECT links to what I believe are the most important actions ...(follow me on twitter, comment on my post, DIGG this). Look at the very end of this post for the example:
Hi Chris. When I advise my advertising agency clients about their content strategy (which usually includes blogging) I try to help them see how their firm's positioning can really help with maintaining the content strategy. For example, a generalist design firm can come up with a bunch of initial post ideas (designs they like, cool typography, new projects, etc.) but soon they run dry and slow way down--or stop. In contrast, a highly positioned firm (ex. one that specializes in credit union marketing like currencymarketing.ca) will rarely run dry on ideas, in fact the hard part is for them to find time to write them all out.
Not only are post ideas for generalist firms hard to maintain, but they are also usually less impactful. They tend to be similar to most other designer blogs, and the content interesting mostly to their peers rather than to clients. Blog posts from specialized, well positioned firms, on the other hand, flow freely and are often more compelling and helpful. Like yours.
Thanks!
Dan Patterson
· 1 year ago
Hey Chris,
Great article. I ran into the guys at Zemanta at BlogWorld and honestly didn't give them enough attention to really find out what they were all about. Since you mentioned them, I'll have to check them out and see what they can do for me. Thanks for the tip!
BethP
· 1 year ago
Great advice, Chris. I also try to incorporate conversations and discussions I have with friends and acquaintances into my posts, as they often inspire or take my brain in a new direction.
Kevin Cimring
· 1 year ago
Hi Chris, Thanks as always. Could I ask you to share some advice related to analysing blog traffic. Currently, I am getting different information from Feedburner to the info I get from MyBlogLog, for example. Could you suggest one comprehensive analytical tool that shows traffic to the site, page views, offsite clicks etc. Kind regards Kevin
Kevin Cimring
· 1 year ago
Hi Chris, Thanks for the great info. Could I ask you to share some advice related to analysing blog traffic. Currently, I am getting different information from Feedburner to the info I get from MyBlogLog, for example. Could you suggest one comprehensive analytical tool that shows traffic to the site, page views, offsite clicks etc. Kind regards Kevin
AngelaConnor
· 1 year ago
I always know I will get something useful here, Chris. Thanks again. I am walking away with new ideas. I will also be blogging about your Personal Branding e-book in the next week or so. It's a must-read.
Larry
· 1 year ago
Tks for the Info, I have been concentrating on just putting up posts. I need to change my writing to get visitors involved.
Lindsay
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the info! For a new blogger like myself this is really helpful.
JimAtJaxtr
· 1 year ago
I think a big part of keeping a blog going is just setting aside the time for brainstorming. Getting the ideas going on a regular basis helps continue them. Plus, just reading other blogs helps me spark my own creativity.
Kevin Dwinnell
· 1 year ago
I'd offer "go beyond your comfort zone."
I've been surprised that the blog posts getting the most feedback are the ones I thought "should I post this?" Not that its anything controversial, just beyond the low-key/conservative approach I'd normally take.
Pam Hawk
· 1 year ago
Brill-E-Ant.
I'm saving this post for reference. Also checking out Zemanta - what a handy tool.
One thing I do to find topics is: Since I'm active at www.etsy.com, I check the forums to find out what kinds of questions people are asking over and over with only vague answers. I do a little research, post a solid answer, then post a link to my informational blog post on the forums. I have gotten more than a few comments from readers thanking me for the information and tips.
Thanks again Chris! One of your regulars, Pam Hawk
Jamie Simmerman
· 1 year ago
I was just reading a draft of a blog post and wondering how to add more punch. I think it's important to fire tings up every once and awhile. Thanks for the post.
Kool Beans
· 1 year ago
Chris,
You do great work. I don't go one day without reading your blog.
I have been in IT for 20 years and own my own business but I am new to internet marketing and social media. Your articles have become an essential resource for developing my business plan.
If you what to "Set Your Blog On Fire" check out www.chrisbrogan.com everyday!
Gareth Coxon - Dot Design
· 1 year ago
Great post as ever Chris! Have now installed Zemanta plugin and used it on my latest post, cheers, Gareth
Tiffany Starnes
· 1 year ago
Great post. I find www.alltop.com is a great resource to browse what other bloggers are talking about in my industry for inspiration and appropriate link throughs. www.popurls is also a great place to see what's happening in pop-culture.
mousewords
· 1 year ago
Great post! I'm already using its advice. :-)
Candis Hidalgo
· 1 year ago
I love the practicle, put-into-action advice here about starting a text file of titles and keeping track of mag cover titles. That's something I can go and do right now, and it'll make an impact.
Stopped at the Zemanta booth at BWE and have been meaning to check it out ever since... sounds like it's a great tool.
Michael Martine, Blog Consulta
· 1 year ago
Outstanding, Brogan. Here's a thought I'd like to share that I feel can add to this: provide opportunities for others. It's an amazingly powerful thing to do, with massive rewards for the people who take those opportunities and run with them. And that comes back to you in the form of good karma and further opportunities for yourself.
Chetz Yusof
· 1 year ago
Hey Chris,
Thanks for the post. I've always had a notepad with me but never written any blog post idea on it. I'll start now! I think I have to make it as a habit. Usually when I got an idea, I told myself, "I'll write it later when I have my laptop in front of me", but then I never did! Tsk.
Chetz <a href="http://chetztv.com/love-money-fitness" rel="nofollow">ChetzTV.com - Love, Money & Fitness Blog
Peter
· 1 year ago
Chris,
Awesome post. I'm helping start up a new blog right now, and your tips will absolutely come in handy.
One idea that's worked for me in the past: Come up with a theme that will allow you to write a handful of related posts -- say, like a couple of chapters of the same book. Post them all at once, with prominent links between them for cross-traffic. Market them in slightly different arenas, and your traffic will be compounded.
All Comments
Another brilliant and helpful article. I have been using Zemanta for awhile and it has proved to be useful and intuitive. Thank you for helping me set fire to my blog.
I decided to just go for it.
Extra hard work.. Extra Hours.. That's the secret.
One tool that i think you have mentioned before that might be worth noting here:
http://aiderss.com/
they have a great new extention that even plugs in with google reader to 'score' or 'rank' stuff.
http://gr.aiderss.com/
I also know that reading is vital to having an opinion/voice. The more i read, the more i want or have to say about a given topic, tool, etc ...
Being that i'm in the think of getting ready to launch a new company blog, i find that reading to stay up on the industry is very important.
what i struggle with ... How to stay on top of the industry? how does everyone else out there sggregate it all together, pick what is really important, and focus time where it counts?
--
http://twitter.com/franswaa
Fantastic post. Can't wait to get home and try out Zemanta with Windows Live Writer.
Cheers!
I must say I aspire to your blogging talents! (I'm working on cloning myself so I have more time to manage my 3 blogs. ha!!)
Seriously, it was such a delight to get to meet you face-to-face at the BlogWorld Expo this past weekend, after being your online bud for over a year. I just love how social media allows us to create "virtual rapport" such that when we meet in person, we're like long lost pals!
And re blogs on fire, one of the many tips I learned from you a while back is to always end posts with question(s) to invite feedback. I admire how well you do this!
Cheers,
Mari
@marismith
Maria
@websuccessdiva
David
I was wondering if others find too many links out during a post (especially without a real point to them) distracting and even annoying, and if so, would using Zemanta in this way really be such a good strategy?
I already use Zemanta for tag suggestions and sometimes photos which is great.
Can you please send me the AKOHA kit you mentioned in your panel discussion?
I'll be sure to blog about it and my BlogWorld experience.
Please send me an email, and I'll email my address to you.
Respectfully, 'a new subscriber', Nicholas 'the video guy' at BlogWorld Expo 2008, Las Vegas
Thank you.
Seriously - become an expert in your niche.
I fear that many bloggers may be posting just for the sake of posting (and for the sake of self promotion). Over time, that will surely compromise the medium and the credibility of blogging in general. So, I say, think USEFUL, USEFUL, USEFUL.
Thanks, Chris. Not sure how you continue to write so much USEFUL content... but thanks.
As others have mentioned, promoting a blog can be a tricky thing, but very important. One thing we are experimenting with is adding a blog link to our email signatures. Anyone have thoughts on this tactic?
David
"Make your RSS subscription buttons very visible, and also your social bookmarking tools"
To many blogs relie upon the new ShareThis / Addthis button IMO, and sometimes too much choice leads to no choice. Look at how I end my post here...I "ask for the order" with DIRECT links to what I believe are the most important actions ...(follow me on twitter, comment on my post, DIGG this). Look at the very end of this post for the example:
http://bit.ly/4cNVbr
www.twitter.com/A_F
Not only are post ideas for generalist firms hard to maintain, but they are also usually less impactful. They tend to be similar to most other designer blogs, and the content interesting mostly to their peers rather than to clients. Blog posts from specialized, well positioned firms, on the other hand, flow freely and are often more compelling and helpful. Like yours.
Thanks!
Great article. I ran into the guys at Zemanta at BlogWorld and honestly didn't give them enough attention to really find out what they were all about. Since you mentioned them, I'll have to check them out and see what they can do for me. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks as always. Could I ask you to share some advice related to analysing blog traffic. Currently, I am getting different information from Feedburner to the info I get from MyBlogLog, for example. Could you suggest one comprehensive analytical tool that shows traffic to the site, page views, offsite clicks etc.
Kind regards
Kevin
Thanks for the great info. Could I ask you to share some advice related to analysing blog traffic. Currently, I am getting different information from Feedburner to the info I get from MyBlogLog, for example. Could you suggest one comprehensive analytical tool that shows traffic to the site, page views, offsite clicks etc.
Kind regards
Kevin
I've been surprised that the blog posts getting the most feedback are the ones I thought "should I post this?" Not that its anything controversial, just beyond the low-key/conservative approach I'd normally take.
I'm saving this post for reference. Also checking out Zemanta - what a handy tool.
One thing I do to find topics is: Since I'm active at www.etsy.com, I check the forums to find out what kinds of questions people are asking over and over with only vague answers. I do a little research, post a solid answer, then post a link to my informational blog post on the forums. I have gotten more than a few comments from readers thanking me for the information and tips.
Thanks again Chris!
One of your regulars,
Pam Hawk
You do great work. I don't go one day without reading your blog.
I have been in IT for 20 years and own my own business but I am new to internet marketing and social media. Your articles have become an essential resource for developing my business plan.
If you what to "Set Your Blog On Fire" check out www.chrisbrogan.com everyday!
Stopped at the Zemanta booth at BWE and have been meaning to check it out ever since... sounds like it's a great tool.
Thanks for the post. I've always had a notepad with me but never written any blog post idea on it. I'll start now! I think I have to make it as a habit. Usually when I got an idea, I told myself, "I'll write it later when I have my laptop in front of me", but then I never did! Tsk.
Chetz
<a href="http://chetztv.com/love-money-fitness" rel="nofollow">ChetzTV.com - Love, Money & Fitness Blog
Awesome post. I'm helping start up a new blog right now, and your tips will absolutely come in handy.
One idea that's worked for me in the past: Come up with a theme that will allow you to write a handful of related posts -- say, like a couple of chapters of the same book. Post them all at once, with prominent links between them for cross-traffic. Market them in slightly different arenas, and your traffic will be compounded.
Cheers!