10 Eassential Ways to Improve Your Profile as a Blogger

1.) Ping multiple search engines every time you post so that they know you've updated your blog.

If you haven't heard of pingoat where you can ping  technorati, weblogs.com, newsgator, blo.gs, feedburner, yahoo, feedster, blogdigger, pubsub, blogrolling and more with one click, I'd suggest adding it to your vocabulary - and toolbar - today.

2.) Providing links to content that others can share will make you stand out in their mind.

Create a Slide Show or youtube video. Write one of those always popular "List" posts. Take part in a Group project like Darren Rowse's popular writing projects or Benjamin Yoskovitz 's "Where Is Basil?"

People love to send emails with links saying "have you seen this?" Let your link be among those available for them to share.

 

3.) Focus on what you might be able to offer others rather than what you can get.

What knowledge or skills do you have which would be interesting and informative to another blog and their readers?  Instead of asking if another blogger will mention you or link to you, become a frequent commenter who shares generously.

Then follow up with an offer to be a 'Guest Blogger who can provide information on something you know well.

4.) Encourage participation in your blog whenever possible.

Be open to diverse ideas from all kinds of people with all kinds of experiences. Creating an atmosphere where a wide variety of readers can share information benefits everyone.

5.) It's nice to be seen in the company of important people. But more important to be nice to everyone.

When someone leaves a comment on your blog, don't ignore those whose names are not ones you recognize - even if it's for no other reason than that you don't know who's destined to be on next month's "A" List.

6.) Stay on topic when making comments on other people's blogs.

Plugging yourself with no purpose other than saying "look at me" leaves a negative impression.

Using cocomment to record your efforts can help you look back on trends of what you've said and where. Over time you hopefully will find your comments being more clear and helpful, thus attracting readers.

7.) Guard - and target - your energy.

While it's true that you build connections one person at a time, getting wrapped up in “limited participant” conversations in email or newsgroups can keep you from reaching a larger audience.

Think of all those people in the blogosphere who could genuinely benefit from what you have to share. Better to make an insightful comment on a blog that gets read by 5,000 people than are interested in what you have to say than participate in an online group of 500.

8.) Search out blogs that are written by - and read by - people who are interested in what you are interested in.

Set aside time to learn what the writers and their readers are talking about. And while copying their posts is certainly not acceptable, don't be afraid to let them have an influence on you.

9.) Don't, however, limit yourself to interacting only with other people who do what you do.

It may be comfortable to chat with fellow accountants or professional organizers all day but it's unlikely that they will be the ones who hire you, use your new widget, etc.

Reading and commenting on the blogs of writers, teachers, musicians and techies will expand your world, raise your profile, and give you ideas.

10.) Time changes everything.

Don't get caught up in how your traffic has fared today or even this week, be those trends positive or negative.

Looking back on things after a month or two, then six months and a year will tell you volumes about lasting effects while today's stats give you a Polaroid snapshot that will fade. You're in this for the long haul.

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Comments

[Ben Uy]

Very informative for beginners, thank you for sharing

[Ben Yoskovitz]

Thanks for mentioning Where Is Basil ... I hope people do take part in the project!

I'm not sure anyone has sent an email saying, "have you seen this?" just yet...but here's hoping right?

[Susan]

John, your suggestions are excellent. Thanks so much for them.

[Susan]

Mama, I also thought your list suggesting which list posts to read was a good idea. Thanks for reading ;^)

[Susan]

Eek Josh, if people read your list and believe you they will have no need for my suggestions! PS - I love the post about your kid's "hair issue" comment.

[Susan]

Shawn I find pingoat both relaible and easy - and cocomment offers lots of options, especially in their new release. You can even list your comments on other blogs in a box on your own blog. Thanks so much for reading :)

[Shadows Edge]

Great list! There are things here that I'll definitely have to follow up on. In fact, I'm bookmarking this post now. Since my blog is still in the baby stages, this will help a lot!

[Chris]

This is a good list and thanks for pointing out pingoat. I had never heard of it and will not add it to my list of things to do when I post.

[Nancy R. Callahan]

Pingoat was new to me also -- how useful! And items 7 through 10 contain some excellent advice. Thank you.

[John]

These are good suggestions. I have not used cocomment; I'll have to look into it. As sort of an 8b, I would suggest getting involved in blog carnivals that cover topics you frequently write about. Even better is hosting one, if you have the time and energy.

Here's my list:
http://dendroica.blogspot.com/2006/08/8-reasons-not-to-start-birding.html

[MamaDuck]

Very good list, I'll be keeping it around for reference! Our list is up if you’d like to look - http://lilduckduck.com/ducky-moments-in-time/240 - have a great day!

[Josh Maher]

This is a very good list with a great explanation of your points, thank you

http://joshmaher.wordpress.com/2006/08/14/top-ten-reasons-you-should-not-blog/

[Shawn]

Susan, great list! I had never heard of pingoat and HAD heard of cocomment, but didn't realize it could be so handy. I've installed and plan on using it. Thanks again!