Banking on Your Blogging

It seems that recent past indicates a decrease in the number of blogging sites found on the internet. Many reports infer that the increase in social media use is an indication that people are replacing their blogging efforts and visits with social media use. The are now questions being raised as to whether the blog platform is in fact being pushed aside in favor of social media sites. On the surface it seems these questions may be valid but a closer look reveals that comparisons between blogs and social media sites may not be entirely justifiable or accurate.

Current claims are that social media use is ’siphoning’ away blog traffic thereby leading to the eventual demise of blogs as we know them. The question here is how can this be true when it appears that blogs and social sites serve fundamentally different purposes? True enough these sites both are social gathering spots however comparisons end at that point.

Here are 3 fundamental differences that can be found when comparing the purpose and characteristics of the blog platform to that of online social sites.

Focus

Blogs are highly focused where social sites have little or no focus other than to exchange casual chit chat. Now this is not to belittle social media sites but their purpose is for simply socializing with no major focus towards any one theme or topic.

On the other hand blogs are created around a particular topic upon which the focus is maintained. In fact if the blog was to alter or lose its focus it would also lose its readers. People are attracted to a blog platform for what it is all about and if the information they find there is of use they will continue to return.

Purpose

The purpose of a blog is to educate and/or inform its readers. To do so a blog platform must maintain a strict adherence to the subject matter it has identified itself with. Social sites have no such constraints insofar as any subject matter.

The purpose of social sites is to make available a location for people to gather. The content found on most social media sites is not set but rather it is chosen by participants and subject to immediate change all the time.

Educational Value

Sure you can pick up helpful tidbits from social media sites but that occurs incidentally. The main intent of a blog is to share useful information with readers who in turn also contribute their own by leaving comments at the site.

Claims that online blogging sites are falling by the wayside in favor of an increase in social media use may not be entirely accurate. Although a blog platform and a social media site both function as online social gathering spots they appear to serve different purposes. The fundamental differences between these 2 sites as discussed above indicate a mutually exclusive and ongoing need for both with plenty of traffic to go around!

In learning how to blog effectively you will need to pay particular attention to the 4 pillars upon which your blog is built. These pillars will determine the direction, identity and the popularity of your blog.

Let’s look at the 4 pillars upon which you’ll need to focus in order to establish a popular blog, boost your blog traffic and become the talk of your niche.

1) Give Your Blog an Identity

Every successful blog needs an identity in order to stand out from the other crowd. And that identity is YOU! Let your personality spill over onto your blog thru the tone or style of your posts. Let it be reflected in the layout if possible and applicable. By giving your blog a personality you’ll be making it easier for you and the readers to bond. This feeling of ‘connection’ will translate into reader loyalty. Whatever identity you choose for your blog needs to remain consistent

2) Establish the Theme of Your Blog

This is why you’re blogging. It’s the subject, niche, or purpose for which you have chosen to blog. Once again the importance of remaining consistent can not be over stated here. To change or veer away from your original purpose or theme will confuse your readers. They were attracted to your site based upon the original theme you presented and or unlikely to tolerate the change.

Another argument to remain consistent in your theme is that it will better establish you in any blog search conducted for the subject upon which your blog is based

3) Post Frequently

Frequent posting, especially in the infancy stages of your blog, will give visitors reason to return. Assuming your posts are interesting to visitors they’ll naturally check back to read more. If however you don’t give them new content to read, they’ll likely grow bored and not return. As you build up a base of regular visitors you’ll then want to focus more on higher quality post to keep them satisfied. It’s at this point you can post a little more infrequently due to the higher quality of content you’re supplying them.

4) Respond to Comments

Most good blogging sites encourage comments from their readers and your blog should be no different. Now it is what you do with these comments that will boost your popularity within the community. Get active with your readers by responding to their comments. This is what makes blogs and other social sites as popular as they are online, their interactivity. Sometimes it may take a simple ‘thanks for the comments’ and other times it may take some action on your part. Let them know you are listening!

When readers suggest something, consider what they have to say or maybe even conduct a poll for opinions. Often times these suggestions lead to an improvement of your blog or blogging skills in some form or fashion. Be thankful for their help! Remember, you may be the blog owner but this is THEIR blog so listen carefully. The correct actions or responses will only deepen the loyalty of your readers.

Don’t be afraid to stick your head out of the rabbit hole and go visiting other blogging sites. By conducting a quick blog search you can easily locate several blogs within your own niche. Remember these are social sites so look around and leave comments of your own. When you leave comments with a signature file containing a link back to your site you’ve open the door of opportunity for increasing the blog traffic to your site.

Knowing how to blog effectively requires that attention must be paid to these 4 key areas we’ve discussed above. The result of your diligence in these areas will be reflected in the flow of traffic to your blog site and the loyalty of your readers.