Bloggers Bliss If you have a website let’s say like Shoplet an office supplies company then you must have a blog! Not only to generate new content to optimize your SEo but also to connect better with your audience. If you dotn have a website but love what blogging is all about, the this post is also dedicated to you. So, what is a blog? /blôg/ Noun A Website on which an individual or group of users record opinions, information, etc. on a regular basis. There are different platforms where you can “host” your blog, here are the most popular ones: •
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Tumblr o
Users focus on sharing short quotes, paragraphs, captions, visually appealing and interesting images
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It is designed to take most of the effort out of ablogging
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Tumblr is capable of sustaining a long-rom rich blog, but it is not popularly used for that purpose
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Essentially, Tumblr functions as a social network built into your blog
You can more readily share the content you post with users who follow your Tumblr, as your posts appear in their feed
You can also view the content that the users you follow post, as their posts appear in your feed
Posterous Spaces o
Very simple!
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The user posts whatever content he/she would like and then posterous spaces interprets that content
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Will turn photos into galleries and convert videos into palyers
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Perfect for
If you want simplicity
Don’t desire too much control
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Want to post short or long form content alike
WordPress o
Can be hosted by your own server of WordPress
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It is the most popular forum for hosting blogs because of its easy funcionality and versatility
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WordPress is great for long form blogging
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Offers you 3GB of storage space for your posts and media
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Free statistics for tracking visitosrs
Blogger o
Owned by google and requires a google account to get started
It does give interested users in signing up, an ovious push to create a google + profile
The option to created a limited profile is available, allowing users to create their own fake names, so that they can keep their personal information protected
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Can post media and long form content to your blog, with no limitations on storage space (unlike WordPress)
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Option of using a custom domain available on Blogger/Blogspot
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Template designer for customizing your blog’s appearance
What makes a blog succesful? Behind every successful blog is a passionate blogger. Bloggers don’t just write for the sake of writing. Bloggers write because they have opinions, thoughts, considerations, concerns, bits of personal or impersonal news, etc. to share with the online world. Successful bloggers don’t just anticipate for their blogs to achieve hits and grow organically through word-of-mouth communication. The world of blogs is nestled in the jungle that is the world wide web, where only the best, more competitive blogs survive! All successful bloggers hone in on their SEO, marketing, and social media skills. Networking online is key to generating traffic on blogs. Five Necessary Items That Your Blog Must Feature 1. Social Sharing Buttons
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As a blogger, you should be connected to any and all social media platforms. Linking up you social media presence to your blog will generate more hit on your blog and traffic on your social media profiles.
2. Buttons that link back to your social page Rich Simple Sites (RSS) Feed •
You don’t want to readers to get lost in your blog! Make sure that there are buttons available to lead people back to your RSS Feed
3. Moderated Comments •
Readers of your blog might want to comment on some of the items you post on your blog. A comment section allows opinionated readers to share their thoughts. It also keeps browsers on your site for longer, generating more traffic and intrigue in what your blog is all about. Of course, it’s important to make sure that all comments left are clean, so keep a keen eye over what you allow to be published on blog.
4. Contact info •
Readers of your blog might develop and affection for your writing style. What’s wonderful about blogs is that they encourage users from all across the globe to connect. Posting your contact information on your blog allows for fellow bloggers to communicate, connect, and spread the word about your writing to the rest of the blogloving community.
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Once your blog becomes popular, posting your contact information also allows for PR and Advertising representatives to contact you about writing up reviews about their products, or promoting their products on services on your blog.
5. Email list •
Even if you’re not selling anything, by building an email list, you can insure that your audience will be updated about what’s being posted on your blog, retaining their interest in what you have to say or post!
Must-Haves for Bloggers •
A portable computer (is key!): And a creative model is always a bonus. You never know when you’re going to get a sudden rush of blogging-inspiration. Keeping a portable computer handy to publish your thoughts of the moment in the moment can be a wonderful feature of your blog.
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Note taking devices: We recommend keeping small notebooks and ball point pens handy to jot down all of the brilliant ideas that skip across your brain before your forget them! This will help you keep your posts organized, but, most importantly, a good idea will never go to waste!
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A quality camera to snap those shots
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A back-up system. Some writing pieces and art projects, which take time to perfect, are meaningful! To lose your work because you accidentally spilled coffee all over your laptop, or a power outage zapped your computer to smithereens is DEVASTATING! o
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A Flash Drive or external hard drive are essential to saving your work– Both types of devices assure your conscious that everything is saves, in tact, and just as you safely and securely saved it.
A comfortable writing station. Sitting in front of a computer can be rough on your body, A Lumbar back cushion can save your back from the strain on slumping, or bending forward and A laptop lift can ease the strain on your eyes from staring up at a compute screen.
Lastly, you will need mental motivation to write! Enjoy nature, solitude, and the gorgeous imagination your mind affords you. Spend time appreciating and pondering everything that inspires you -from your grandest technological breakthroughs to the affection a silk worm gives you on a cheerful day. Don’t be embarrassed by anything that you write or think about. People prefer raw and honest material to cookie-cutter, calculated posts. The weirder your thoughts are- trust us- the more relatable and human you seem to people who don’t know you at all. Write for yourself first and foremost! Some Final Tips •
Be consistent •
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Love your followers •
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People love giveaways. If your blog hosts giveaways, people will love your blog. End of story.
Write catchy, simple headlines •
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It might be tempting to try to lure in as many readers as possible, but respect and love the fact that you have a following at all! You should always keep your blog fresh and grateful to the dedicated followers of your blog
Manage and promote giveaways •
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Readers of your blog love your blog because it has a unique voice, or personality that captures their interest. Shaking things up on your blog too much is frustrating for readers– people
People are more likely to read your blog if it’s easy to understand. People don’t want to “work” to understand your blog. Your blog content should use everyday, colloquial language to get your message across
Don’t hog your knowledge
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Shoplet Blog
People love to learn as they read. Have some useful insight? Don’t‘ hog it all to yourself! Share the love with your followers! (They will love your blog back in return!).