1. This is your blog, you shall treat it with respect.
Run the blog like a business. That means whatever time and energy you decide to dedicate to it, find a way to keep that motivation up in the long haul. It’s a lot of work with minimal results in the beginning, but if you are persistent and are a good learner, it will pay off one day.2. Do not take your blog’s name in vain.
Have a marketing plan. And if you’re not a trained marketer, then start learning online. There are plenty of articles out there on this stuff. Also, don’t discount the importance of simple things like commenting on other similar sites and getting a logo. Oh, learn what a brand is.3. Remember your scheduled post dates and stick to them.
Create a realistic schedule of when you’re posting articles and stick to it. Early on, you may want to post every day or at least three times a week to gain some traction. Over time, you may adjust your priorities to suit your schedule and needs. Whatever you commit yourself to, stay with it for at least 90 days to track results.4. Honour your hosting provider’s terms.
Pretty obvious stuff. Violate your hosting company’s TOS, and you will get shut down. Good luck regaining any momentum you’ve built.5. You shall not kill other blogs.
Mudslinging, or negative campaigning, is really pointless when it comes trying to outdo your competition. Of course, if you want to post an article about your terrible experience with a supplier, that’s fine by me.6. You shall enjoy yourself.
OK, don’t commit “adultery” but definitely find a way to have some fun while you’re building your blog business. Take breaks regularly! BTW, does anyone even know what adultery also means today?7. You shall not steal.
I’ve been blog scraped so many times it’s almost not annoying anymore. It’s not even worth my time to combat these thieves. That said, I would never do it to someone else. Scraping doesn’t pay off in the long run anyway, especially since it’s usually being done by people looking for shortcuts to success.8. You shall support other blogs.
No one can build a blog empire along. You’ll find that often times, bloggers who have other blogger friends really can catapult themselves ahead. Look for another blogger in a similar niche and work ethic. That way you can motivate each other and grow together.9. You shall link to other useful content.
Regardless of whether or not you get a link back, providing essential outbound links for your visitors should be seen as helpful. Stop worrying about giving PR juice away or sending your visitors off. A. You probably don’t even have any sauce on most of your article pages and B. if your visitors like you, they’ll come back anyway.10. You shall aspire to be a successful blogger.
There is no need to covet your neighbour’s possessions because if you work smart (and at times, work hard), you’ll arrive at your destination soon enough. Remember to set goals and objectives and create tactics to reach them.The Ten Commandments of Blogging
To be a successful blogger, there are some fundamental rules—or "commandments"—that can guide you in building a strong, engaging, and influential blog. Here are the Ten Commandments of Blogging:
1. Thou Shalt Know Thy Audience
- Understand who you are writing for. Research your audience’s interests, problems, and desires. Create content that speaks directly to them and provides value. Always write with your audience in mind.
2. Thou Shalt Provide Valuable Content
- Every post should provide value to your readers, whether it’s educational, entertaining, or inspirational. Ensure your content is well-researched, informative, and engaging. Avoid filler content that doesn’t offer real benefits.
3. Thou Shalt Be Consistent
- Consistency is key in blogging. Whether you post daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, stick to a regular schedule. Consistent posting helps build trust with your audience and keeps them coming back for more.
4. Thou Shalt Engage with Thy Readers
- Blogging isn’t just about publishing content; it’s about building a community. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and engage with your audience on social media. Show appreciation for your readers and encourage interaction.
5. Thou Shalt Optimize for SEO
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving traffic to your blog. Use relevant keywords, write compelling meta descriptions, and ensure your blog is technically optimized. Don’t forget about internal linking and creating a sitemap.
6. Thou Shalt Be Authentic
- Authenticity is what sets you apart from other bloggers. Be yourself, share your unique perspective, and don’t be afraid to show your personality. Authenticity builds trust and fosters a deeper connection with your readers.
7. Thou Shalt Promote Thy Content
- Don’t just rely on organic traffic. Actively promote your content through social media, email newsletters, guest posting, and collaborations. The more you share, the more potential readers will discover your blog.
8. Thou Shalt Use Eye-Catching Visuals
- A picture is worth a thousand words. Use high-quality images, infographics, and videos to make your content more engaging and visually appealing. Visuals can break up text and help illustrate your points better.
9. Thou Shalt Monitor Thy Analytics
- Keep track of your blog’s performance using analytics tools. Monitor traffic, bounce rates, average time on page, and conversion rates. Use this data to understand what’s working and what needs improvement.
10. Thou Shalt Never Plagiarize
- Always create original content. Plagiarism not only damages your credibility but can also lead to legal issues and penalization by search engines. If you use someone else’s work or ideas, give proper credit and provide citations.
Conclusion
By following these Ten Commandments of Blogging, you’ll set a strong foundation for building a successful blog that attracts, engages, and retains a loyal audience. Remember, blogging is a journey, not a destination—keep learning, evolving, and refining your approach along the way!
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