Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Being a Better Blogger Pt. 2

There are a lot of articles out there about how to be a better blogger, and they'll give you some useful tips like "write some posts ahead of time and save them" and some not-so-helpful tips like "write good posts." But in this article I'm going to tell you what I think makes for being a successful blogger.

As promised, I need to qualify that. By successful, I don't just mean "has a big readership" or "makes money off of ads." Successful means different things to different people. But for our purposes here, I'm defining "successful" as well-trafficked and well-respected in the (blogging) community.

1. Give and take

Read other blogs and websites, and reference or link them when you can. Not only does this give you more credibility as someone who is well-read and involved in what you're talking about, but it gives you the chance to possibly build a relationship with fellow bloggers. Not only is it ok, but sometimes it's a great idea to link to an interesting post on another blog and give your readers some of your thoughts on it. Your readers will be grateful to find another good website and your colleague may be glad, as well. I know I always am!

Just as we all love to see our own names in writing and hear our names spoken (don't try to deny it), bloggers love to see their posts mentioned. Most likely they will remember that you tried to give them a boost.

2. Participate!

Bolded and with an exclamation point. Not only should you be participating (commenting) at other websites, but you should especially be involved in the dialogue going on at your own blog. If you have comments enabled, you should be replying to comments, end of story. It feels good to receive a comment, but it also feels good to receive a reply. If you're not going to engage your readers, how can you expect them to engage you?

Personally if I comment at another blog two or three times in a row without receiving a reply, I quit commenting (and sometimes reading).

3. Post often

This one is probably pretty self explanatory. I think most bloggers who stop posting for weeks or months do so because they have either given up or don't have time to write. But just realize that if you stop posting for weeks or months, you will lose readers, and you will have to work to get them back. Last year when I went home to America in November my posting rate fell off significantly. As you'd expect, I lost readers.

4. Build and maintain your site

I've become convinced that in some ways blogging is like high school. For one thing, looks matter. Sure, there are some good blogs that look kind of plain, but they have the personality to make up for it. Conversely I've seen a lot of nice-looking blogs with content that is plain uninteresting. Some of those same blogs don't even update very often. And yet they get a lot of views. The good-looking blogs can get away with a lot. Now if only I had the cash for a professional makeover...

Along the same vein, I've seen way too many websites with unattended sidebars and blogrolls. I do check out the blogroll links of websites I like. It's disappointing and lowers my opinion of said websites just a tad when only half the blogs are still up and running. Sometimes I'll click on a link only to find it broken or to be taken to a blog that hasn't been updated in two years. Personally, with few exceptions I'll delete a blog from my list if it hasn't been updated in more than a couple months. They can get back on, but they have to be active!

Your links and sidebars are part of your blog. If you have pride in your website, you should maintain it.

5. Focus on quality

When your post is an article, make sure it's neat and well-presented. Spread out your content and make it easy to read. Try to avoid huge blocks of text, and be careful about rushing your writing. Avoid grammatical and spelling mistakes (I'm guilty of often pushing the "publish" button too quickly, myself)!

6. Be visual
See? Don't you feel relieved by this picture?

Along with #5, it always helps to have at least one picture to break up the monotony. It can be kind of a put-off to see nothing but a sea of words! Use pictures you've taken yourself or something online. Just be sure not to steal someone else's property. Wikimedia Commons is a nice resource for pictures of all sorts of things.

7. Develop "your thing"

Every good blog needs a distinguishing characteristic. This could be exceptional quality, a unique voice, a theme of some kind, or just a special atmosphere that you create. Your blog's personality, if you will. To take a couple of examples:

Chris, at his blog, Confessions of a Badboy in Japan uses an almost in-your-face blend of unapologetically telling things how he sees them, and exploring some of the more mature themes about experience in Japan that most blogs avoid.

For a different flavor, there's Kirk's Jamaipanese - a blog that explores both life in Jamaica and a burning interest in Japanese culture.

Both of these blogs have found "their thing." They have distinct personalities, and I gather that's one reason why their readers like them.

8. Pay it forward

I don't believe in karma, but I do believe that ultimately what goes around comes around. I've talked a lot about plugging fellow bloggers and being a part of the community. Let me stress that I don't mean you should ingratiate yourself to others so that they will help you get more readers.  But what I'm saying does include cooperation and empathy.

I've been on both sides of the fence. Not too long ago I emailed both Kirk and Loco, asking for some blogging advice. I received thoughtful replies from both, and Loco tried to plug me, as well. I've also gotten much-appreciated support and feedback from Orchid.

We've also been referenced by other websites on occasion. Let me tell you, I never forget when someone has plugged or promoted JADJ, and I look for chances to get them back in the future. People remember this kind of thing, so don't be stingy!

For those of us who have been around a little while, it can be hard to remember exactly what it was like starting up. I can imagine it must be even harder for the "A-Listers." But just imagine, when you were just a fledgling startup, how much would it have meant to you to get a link from one of the "big guys," and maybe gain a few extra views. A lot.

I'm not saying you should be linking willy-nilly or to websites with little or not good content. But just try to be aware that you could make a big difference for someone with great ability or ideas who just can't attract many readers on his or her own.

9. Use the tools available to you

I resisted for as long as I could, but after a while I realized that by not using resources like Twitter and Facebook, I was depriving myself of valuable ways not only to get JADJ out there, but to consume more media about Japan and discover other worthwhile websites and blogs about Japan. Twitter is a great tool for finding information and learning about any topic, provided you're following the right people.

As for how to effectively promote, I'll have to get back to you on that. I still haven't discovered the secret of how to get people to retweet my posts. But I've seen other bloggers' posts retweeted to hell - that means those links are circulated to hundreds of readers.

While this is by no means a comprehensive article on "how to be a successful blogger," I hope you'll consider my advice. There is no secret or straight and clear path to becoming successful, but there are certainly things you can do to help yourself and others on the way.

What do you think is most important? Is there anything you would add?


  1. Thanks 4 tha mention bro and THIS is an outstanding read that many need to keep in mind unless their blog is just an open diary and participation is unnecessary.

    I love the interaction myself.

    I totally borked a previous comment mentioning Carolinejosephine. She was not the person I was trying to mention. My bad

    Again...EXCELLENT!! series that MANY should read.

  2. Thanks, Chris - I really appreciate it! I think for anyone who cares to really be a part of the larger J-blog community and not JUST have a bunch of readers (there are some who obviously don't), there's a certain etiquette that should be followed. But we all have our own ideas about success and what's the right thing to do. Plus there's no blog police, so...c'est la vie.

    Roger, I'll keep in mind not to shun Carolinejosephine. ;)

    Thanks again for commenting!

  3. Great couple of posts. When I've got time at home, I'd like to reference these posts, and take some advice for myself. It's always a good idea to take advice, and I'm always looking to improve my blog. As for Twitter and Facebook, I'm going to get that set up for my blog this weekend. I only started using Twitter on the weekend after the earthquake just to get information about what's going on, but I'm seeing it's a very useful tool. Thanks for these posts!

  4. Thanks for the comment, Jay Dee. If I was any help, I'm glad. I agree - no one is perfect; even, and often especially, the A-List crew. We all need to keep learning and trying to improve.

    Not sure if I'm following you on Twitter, but if you post that info on your blog when you get it up I'll add you to my lists.

  5. I think this is all very good advice, though I have to say I'm guilty of not getting around to replying to all comments on occasion. I try, but sometimes things slip through the cracks. Doing 10 posts a week is the first priority for me. I appreciate my readers, but have to choose content creation over commenting. That may sound lame, but it's the truth.

    The only other thing I'd add is determine who your audience is and write with them in mind. For me, most of my audience does not reside in Japan and likely never will. This is why I try to avoid too much Japanese, translate all prices into U.S. dollars and metric weights into ounces, and try to translate even common Japanese jargon (like sembei). I don't want my readers to feel talked down to or to be confused. It's important that I don't come across as "showing off" my knowledge (as it isn't all that impressive anyway... ;-) ). My goal is communication to people who have a vastly different perspective than those of us here.

    Knowing your audience also helps you focus the topics. Since you do posts about learning Japanese, your audience is more likely to be people living in Japan and studying Japanese. You can also target which blogs to comment on (like-minded folks in your circumstances who may find the resources you discuss more of value and therefore are more likely to follow your blog).

    Of course, we can all write "for ourselves", but if we want to be widely read, we have to also write to the audience. You can have your cake and eat it too in this way, but it does take a little extra care and effort.

  6. Thanks, Orchid!

    I know it can be tough to reply to all your comments if you're getting a lot of them and aren't glued to your computer all day like I am sometimes. Especially if you want to give thoughtful replies.

    That's a great point - knowing your audience is really important. Sometimes it can be difficult, though, because oftentimes your core audience will develop around what kind of material you write...but then if you change your content too much to attract new readers, you may lose some. In that respect I think writing to your audience can be tricky. But I agree with your point big time. Personally I try to write to for my readers...just not always sure who my readers are, since the majority of them don't comment or have blogs of their own (that I know of).

    Gotta study Analytics, I suppose.

  7. @Orchid64
    I have 2 Schools 3 girlfriends and am always out during my free time and I have never been so busy I couldn't type:

    Thanks for the comment.

    It does sound lame. It's an excuse and it's yours but some peeps can do much more than you and they probably have less time than you.

    That's my opinion.

    Study your blogroll..who visits,responds and comments. If it isn't up to your ideal than drop them. They are your community. I have some great commenters and they are mostly women and are nothing like me. It's a character type/way of thinking.

    I'm still not done editing my blogroll....probably never will be. I always pay attention to it though.

  8. I agree, but don't really think it's worth beating Orchid up since she does reply to a good deal of her comments, from what I've seen.

    I think we all have some things that we could be better at, but as long as we're aware of them and working on it, it's not a big deal.

    And yeah, I hear you with the blogroll thing. Actually I've been working on it a bit lately. I find myself conflicted, though. On one hand, I want to link good content. On the other hand, I want to support the sites and blogs of people I like and/or who have been supportive of me. Yet if their content isn't up to snuff or if I don't particularly like their blog, I feel like I'm selling out and potentially doing a disservice to my readers.

    Trying to strike a balance by just applying a few standards, like how often they update or how long it's been since their last update, how long their blog has existed (I tend not to add anyone to the blogroll who hasn't been around a good half year and gotten themselves established with a bit of good content).

    But it's still difficult to decide. Not everyone on my blogroll reciprocates the link, as I guess they either don't read this site, don't care for it, or are lazy with updating their links. Though that bothers me a little, I don't want that to become a single determining factor for me, as I'm not doing this just to be popular and get a ton of readers.

  9. Oh I hope Orchid doesn't take it that way. I've seen her many times at Loco's but if she was offended in anyway I apologize Orchid. I know your a big girl with your own view. ;)

    Sorry bro, I'll make sure not to address another commenter unless first addressed that way I can stay on the right side of things...usually!

    Again...LOVE this series. Gonna tweet it!

  10. Chris,

    Didn't mean to scold you or anything. I don't mean to censor you - just don't want bad blood between commentors unless someone deserves it. =)

  11. Forgot...

    Yeah, I use my blogroll is basically my Twitter so I lean on it harder than most. Twitter and Facebook are unreadable for me recently as they increase my stress and have some effect but not as much as I imagined. Let me know if you come up with any ideas. I'm always open to new ways of looking at things!!

  12. Just poked through my blogroll, thanks to your post, and noticed how many people I'm linking to that don't link to me - or just don't have links to outside pages, at all.

    I'll admit I'm not the most community-oriented blogger, but I really think it's important for readers to have other sources of information. Links are content!

    Also - Who do you consider the "A-list" Japan bloggers? :)

  13. Hey Eryk, thanks for the comment and the link!

    You're right. I think many bloggers see readers as some finite resource like currency that must be gathered and hoarded, but I think most readers are appreciative of sources that provide them with the means to find more good content. Personally I value a website/blog/twitter feed that keeps me abreast of cool websites and articles from outside sources.

    As far as the A-Listers...I think at this point I'm not ready to publically call anyone out, but I think it's pretty clear that there are a handful of websites in this niche that are bringing in tons of readers and doing their best to keep them focused mainly on their own content. While I personally find this selfish and short-sighted, for them it's business, as I think for most if not all of them their websites are their primary or secondary sources of income.

    If you really want to know what I think more specifically, drop me an email. =)

  14. Interesting. I've had thoughts about starting a blog recently, but realistically I'm not sure if I'm willing to take time away from studying Japanese and reading about Japan.

    I guess the writing sounds fun, but the promotion and everything that goes with it not so much so.

    Still thinking it over.

  15. This post is very helpful advice.

    I think that "7. Develop "your thing" "is most important thing.
    Because even if bad layout and and not visual website, I read the blog written about unique experience and thought.

    That is why I write my blog in English although I'm Japanese.

    By the way "Jamaipanese" is very intersting.
    thanks for sharing.

  16. As a new blogger, it's nice to see some practical advice! Thanks!

  17. Kick ass post pal! Not because I am mentioned (I am flattered, honestly) but because as an experienced blogger there is so much I have learned from this post as well as being reminded about some of the things I have been falling behind with or not doing enough.

    Thank you for the inspiration.

  18. Blue Shoe, you are following me on Twitter. When I first signed up to Twitter, I followed you and you followed me quite quickly. I've added a couple things on my blog for Twitter and Facebook. I'm keeping it simple, since I don't want to add lots of icons. I don't like clutter. I've got some blogging to do later today, and I'll refer back to these two posts about blogging. Also, I've got to get reading blogs and commenting!

  19. Sorry for the delay, was away this weekend! Thanks for the comments!

    Richard - I definitely think it's worth it. Even if you don't plan to promote, you'll gain readers if you just consistently write interesting stuff. Promoting helps you gain readers quicker, but I wouldn't say it's necessary. Besides, if you're just looking to have fun and find a creative outlet, blogging can be a rewarding experience even without a lot of readers.

    Cocomino - Yes, I noticed that and it's one reason I was interested in reading your site. I'm glad if I could be of any help!

    Delenir - Any time, man! Feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions about Blogger or anything else.

    Kirk - Thanks, dude. That's the kind of comment that really makes a blogger feel good. =)

    Jay Dee - Sounds like you've got the right ideas! Yes, having a clean, clutter-free layout can be quite appealing. Honestly that's something I've struggled with a bit, because some features are pretty unnecessary but some can help people connect to you in other media or find the good stuff on your blog. Personally when I find a blog or website I really like, I always look around to see if they have a link to their Twitter account so I can follow them.