Blogging Tips from my EBSQart Blogger of the Week Interview

Copyright 2010 by Maria Soto Robbins "Royal Poinciana"
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I have received a lot of positive feedback about my blogging tips from my friends over at my online group, unique women in business.  Since I didn't previously post my complete interview from the ebsqart Blogger of the Week, I'd like to share that part of it below:

First Tip:
Blog as frequently as you can. For me it's at least three times a week, usually more. I do see the benefits of blogging frequently (via google analytics) but sometimes I don't have time to craft a complete post and instead will just post a description of one of my paintings from one of my venues (Etsy or ebay), along with a picture. This is still good for the seo however it is lazy approach and I don't recommend you over do it. The point is to get something out there rather than go for days and days without posting anything on your blog!

Second Tip:
I'd like to share, a simple list I glance at each time I blog. It consists of these basic, but important reminders (adapted from http://www.dailyblogtips.com/):

1. Did I read the post after writing it? (You'd be amazed how many times, I'm in a hurry and forget to do this-lol.)
2. Is the post as complete as it could be?
3. Did I research any related keywords?
4. Did I think carefully about the title?
5. Did I link to one or more of my older posts?
6. Did I link to external resources when appropriate?
7. Did I check to make sure my links are working?
8. Did I include an interesting image?
9. Is this a good day for traffic?
10. Did I proofread and check my spelling?

Third and Most Important Tip:
Besides these things though, the most important thing is to have a certain degree of passion about that which you blog about and have those feelings shine through to the reader. It's a lot about your reader (not you necessarily) and what he hopes to find in your blog. Remember, they're reading because you inspire them somehow!

What makes a Blog good?

Yesterday I had the opportunity to submit some sample Blog articles to a company with the hopes that they would like my work well enough to consider giving me a Daily Blog on their website. Sounds simple enough, but I didn't have any samples pertaining to the subject matter that they wanted and...most of my Blog posts aren't really worthy of being considered as sample material for a query.

For me, the problem has been that I have always lacked a direction for my Blog and because of this I think my "voice" has suffered. This led me to the question - "What makes a Blog good?".

We already know that there are three "E"s that a Blog needs for it to succeed.

It must:

• Educate
• Entertain
• Engage

There is more to that though. Good Blogs make us feel like we know the person. We want to know what happens to them next. Some people prefer to keep it "all business-all the time", but how many of those Blogs do YOU personally read on a daily basis? That is one thing that I like about this Blog that you are reading now. It has a mix of information, as well as a mix of writers. You may learn something one day (Educate), and be amused (Entertain) by something you read on here the next. If you like what you see and come back to read what's new (Engage), then it would appear that we have accomplished the objective of what makes a Blog good.

And...for today...at least....I hope...I have achieved this task!

One Day Left In The 30 Day Blog Challenge

Back on May 30th I wrote a post about taking Jeanette Cates 30-day Blog Challenge. Well, tomorrow is day 30 and what a month it has been!



I took the challenge because I wanted to figure out exactly what my Sushiboofay blog should be about. In the end - I'm really not making many changes to it. It is going to remain my personal blog and will have my views about my life and things I find interesting.



I did, however, create two other blogs. Both titled The Freelance Misfit. One is on Blogger and the other Word Press. I quickly discovered that keeping up with that many blogs - is TOO MUCH WORK - so after the challenge I will rotate between the three and still continue contributing to this one -(this one - probably on a monthly or bi-weekly basis).



I decided with the Writing Blogs - the one here on Blogger will be about my adventures in freelance writing. The one at Word Press will be more of a business type blog - involving the mechanics of freelance writing. THAT blog will eventually (I hope) be used to generate more business leads.



Meanwhile, I'm thinking of listing an item a day on eBay. My childhood toys are now packed in tote boxes at my parent's new house, but the folks aren't too happy about it. I need to go through it and get it out of there. I also have a ton of stuff here that either needs to get sold or donated.



As usual, I am overwhelmed. It's all good though - at least I feel like I'm moving forward. Should I contribute all these thoughts I am having to my competing in a 30-day Blog Challenge? Probably not, but it did show me that I can complete something....or...at least it will...if I don't mess up and forget about blogging tomorrow! You'll just have to stop over to my blog to see if I remember! ;-)

Blog...Blah...Blog....

The other day, Beth, the leader of our OBS group, sent us a link to another blog that had an article about what to put on your blog when you can't think of anything to write about.

While I do confess to having that problem some of the time...I usually have the reverse - where I have a lot of stuff to talk about and can't decide on just one subject.

Lately, I have been trying to decide, "what type of blog do I want to have?"

I have one that is for my photography. That one is a no-brainer. I take photos of my daily life and they go there.... Well, when I remember to take the photo that is...

I also have a couple of other ones (mostly inactive) that are for various projects I have worked on or think I will work on.

The one that I am in a quandary about though - is my Sushiboofay blog.

Initially, it was started to promote my store on eBay. Life takes a lot of funny turns though and I have closed my store and with all of the eBay changes and the turmoil in my life right now - my heart just isn't in to online selling.

Where I was going with all of this is...that if you are going to have a blog, you have to be consistent. Your readers come to you to be educated and entertained. You have to decide what you want your blog to say about you and although there is some disagreement about this --- to me, you have to make it somewhat personal.

Don't just tell me about the product you are selling, don't just educate me all the time. I want to know about YOU as the person. If you are a Mom and Pop operation - play that up. Tell me how you started your company and roadblocks you've encountered. Give me funny stories and tell me how you are frustrated, or happy, or....something!

Otherwise...it is blog,blah,blog,blah,blog.

Some will say getting personal isn't professional or businesslike. But...the bottom line you have to ask yourself about your blog...is...

Is it memorable? Am I entertaining?

Will people come to me each day to see what I'm saying or am I that stuffy old professor that talks about a lot of stuff, but no one remember any of it after they've left the classroom?

Anyway, hopefully today I have entertained you and said something memorable...if not...please shut the door on your way out and I hope I have not put you to sleep in my classroom today!

;-)

My First Year of Blogging

April 15th marks one year since I started blogging. It's been a challenge. Writing, for me, is not an easy thing to do. But it is a wonderful format to showcase my art and anything that will help get my art out there, is worth doing! And so I blog.

A company by the name of Blog2print is always sending me promos for their service. You've probably seen them too. The thought of having all my blog posts in a book format chronicling my first year of blogging was very appealing. After all, everyone has heard of blogs disappearing or crashing and one can loose all of one's work in a moment. So, with a few simple clicks, I ordered my book from blog2print, last week, and I just received it. I'm so pleased! Although somewhat thin since it only covers the period from April, when I started, through December, 2009 it does include all of my posts and all the corresponding art I blogged about. Since I try to be organized, I'm planning on ordering a 2010 edition, next year...

I even put my picture in the back...and no, I'm not getting paid for plugging them!

Maria Soto Robbins

http://art-by-msr.com

http://artbymsr.blogspot.com

msr107@gmail.com