Howdy howdy all, I know I promised a few posts this weekend but I have been snowed under with uni work. I am in the process of writing a few posts so should be able to release one or two over the next couple of days. However in the mean time I wanted to give a plug to my lovely girlfriend who has just recently started blogging. Me being the geek that I am managed to help her get a blog started and hence Fungabbie.com was born.
She has been blogging for a few weeks now and I am slowly but surely teaching her the things she needs to know. But this does beckon an interesting question. What sort of things would you recommend to a new starting blogger. I have been blogging for almost a year now and have learned some valuable lessons including things like readers do not appreciate you shamelessly attempting to monetise a blog, and some basic lessons like that.
So what have you learned in your time blogging, what are some of the valuable lessons you would pass on to a new blogger?
Stuart 
7 Comments
Good luck Erin on your blogging venture.
The first suggestion I have is to respond to all of your comments, within your comment box. Once your readers see that you are responding to their comments, you will have repeat visitors, because they want to see what you have to say back to them.
Second, it’s been said over and over again because it’s true: to get comments, you have to *leave* comments at other people’s blogs. And not just two lines saying, “Great blog!”
You need to read the post and add to the discussion. Once you start responding to certain blogs you will build a relationship and that person will probably come over to your blog to leave a return comment.
Lastly, EntreCard is a good way to get traffic and to get a few readers. It certainly gives you tons of blogs to read and to leave comments on. However, I would say 85% of the EntreCard droppers to my site do not leave comments and do not read any of my posts. They are just there to drop a card.
Those are all the suggestions I have. Happy blogging!
cardiogirls last blog post..The book of questions, Volume VI
There is so much I would want to say, but the number one thing I would probably want to say is… Time management is the most important thing to get a handle of (apart from researching good content of course). Hope you’re keeping well Stuart!
Heya Cardiogirl,
In regards to commenting, I have to agree, I have seen a few bloggers that respond to comments via email and I think it gets confusing (and looks quite bad) as the comments on their blog look like they are never answered.
In regards to leaving comments to get comments this is one that I only learned just recently. I am personally not one who goes to a blog and leaves “Great Post!” or “Great blog!” comments as that would be just spamming it up LOL. I generally don’t like to comment unless I have something valid or insightful to say.
And I agree with you on Entrecard it does bring a lot of traffic, not all of it will be readers but at least a percentage of it will be. Thanks so much for the visit and your insights into blogging.
And fragileheart, this is a big one too (one that to be honest after a year I am still struggling with), finding the time to research and write good content, and then in between visit and read other peoples blogs (and somewhere in between visit new blogs too).
As for me keeping well, I am off sick *again* today /cries. I am heading off to the doctors in a couple of hours to find out why this cough is just getting worse and worse:(.
Thank you both for visiting ;).
Stuart
Thanks for the plug Stu, hehe. I have been enjoying blogging so far. This was the first blog I ever really read, so I am still learning and trying to pick up things as I go.
Thanks for the advice cardiogirl and fragileheart. I definitely am trying to leave more comments rather than just dropping, and was very excited the other day my first comment from someone whose site I had visited! Time management is something I know I should think about too.
Thanks all!
Erins last blog post..On writing
Hehe you are most welcome my darling *winks*.
Stuart
I took a peek at Erin’s blog and liked it!
My biggest advice would be to figure out how to schedule posts. The writing bug hits me in spurts and I write 3-4 at a time. Scheduling them out over several days means I don’t overwhelm visitors & then change nothing for days.
The other thing is, I carry a tiny little notebook in my purse & write down notes when I think of something I should blog about. I know it sounds dumb, but later I look at my notebook & say, “oh, yeah!” Otherwise I just feel irritated that I never remember what I was planning to post about once all the kids are in bed & I can finally write a little….
Wendys last blog post..No, I’m Not Crazy
Hi Wendy,
Thank you so much for dropping over there for a visit.
Scheduling posts is something that I really need to do, as many of my readers know I suffer from that. A week of really good posts then a dry spot for another week.
And *hehe* I think Erin will like that idea of taking notes ;).
Stuart