Secrets of the killer blog from Maryam and Robert Scoble

The straight dope from a couple of people who might have heard of in the blogosphere Maryam and Robert Scoble (I only wish Maryam blogged more).  The tips and ideas here are real, tried-and-true techniques that will make your blog and blogging.

  • Don't bog if you don't want to -- If you aren't passionate (or interested in) what you're writing about ... don't
  • Read other blogs
  • Pick a niche you can own ... which is getting tougher and tougher to do.  For many people, the search box is the address bar.  People use one-three word search terms.  So ... people are always looking for something, if you content isn't focused, then people will probably miss you.  It's like a person searching on a particular day might be looking for info on RSS on the day you're writing about your dog.  Okay maybe not that bad, if you've written a lot on the topic they will probably still find you.
  • Linking to other blogs is the lifeblood of blogging.  If you don't link, it just won't work.  Like getting a link from Scoble yesterday (heck getting a link from Scoble anytime) is great.  Beyond the traffic a link is an affirmation of your content.

Oooh the A-lister question (I don't think I'm an A-lister.  I'd like to be an A-lister, but I don't think I'm there, and might not ever be).  Robert says that you can become an A-lister in 20 mins.  Dave and I disagreed a bit ... if you get the exclusive, blogable Steve Jobs interview sure you're going to have massive traffic, but you might wind up being a one-hit-wonder.  There is a valid point, however, you can be an A-lister in the various niches (btw the word is pronounced neesh not nitch!).

  • Thick skin
  • Write good headlines ... yeah pithy is cute, but you do need to write descriptive headlines that people will find your post in search engines.
  • Use other media ... pictures in posts rock!  They catch people's eye.  Video?  Podcast?  Yeah, but humans are pretty visual, so pictures are easiest.  Halley recommends Tony Pierce's BusBlog  for the pictures of hot women ... usually that don't match the content, but draw you in to read all of the content.
  • Have a voice ... write like you talk might be talking with them.  I do this ... I am writing this thinking I'm trying to tell you (quickly) about this talk.  My better posts when I'm not trying to type at top speed, of course.
  • Get outside of the blogosphere.  Meaning, have a life and friends who blog in real life.  Yes, Lorraine and I are friends with Maryam and Robert and Chris and Ponzi.  Really.  And the friends I've made blogging are some of my best friends even though I might only see them face to face with them once or twice a year.  Go to conferences.  Hang out with us.  Chat.  Sit with us at lunch.  Really we won't bite
  • Market yourself.  Well, yeah.  We all love to do this, please read us, please link to us, please subscribe to our feeds.  Robert makes the key point ... put your blog on your business card!
  • Write well.   Grammar, spelling, tone, and your state of mind.  Blogging mad or down, etc is a bad idea.  Trust me on this.  Experiment with different creative writing styles.  Make sure your first paragraph makes your point, or is catchy.  Even if you have to re-write it when you're "done" with the post.
  • Expose yourself.  In terms of being vulnerable, be open, let people get into your head.  Sometimes, no often, taking a risk once and a while will make your blog much more interesting.  Maybe a post once and a while about your life or hobbies
  • Help other people blog.  Mentor, help, teach just be the kind of person who makes helping part of your blogging
  • Engage with commenters.  Visit your commenters' blogs, subscribe to them, and leave a comment on their posts.  You know that's how you meet great people and learn about a whole new perspective.
  • Keep your integrity.  If you get it for free, disclose.  If you have a vested interest in something tell us.  Hey we're human we can handle it.  Be true, authentic, be you.

Yeah ... these are the good tips.  Do these and yes, you will be on the road to success.

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