A couple months ago, I decided to create a post on my Searching Solutions Blog that contained a giant list of blogging tips on everything from setting up an effective blog, to advanced SEO tactics. It has become a regular feature of my site, and something I update every week with new tips. There are currently over 100.
I'll be posting portions of the list on AR for reference. If you want to see more, make sure to check out the origianl list here: Ultimate Guide to Blogging
** If you plan to link to or bookmark this guide at some point, please do me a favor and link to the original at: www.searchingsolutions.com/blog Thanks for your help! **
Here are some of the categories I cover in the guide:
Contents:
- Tips For Getting Started
- Basic Blog Formatting & Structure
- Blog Design & Features
- Blog Content Tips
- Blog Participation
- Blog & Article Promotion Tips
- SEO For Blogs
- Social Media
Here is part 1 in this series on Blogging Tips:
Tips For Getting Started With Blogging:
- Track Your Analytics - I'm a huge fan of Google Analytics, but sitemeter can work for the more basic user. Tracking all this data can be huge for SEO efforts, and help to give you benchmarks on traffic, pageviews, and search traffic.
- Sign Up For Webmaster Tools - Google Webmaster Tools, Yahoo Site Explorer, and MSN Webmaster Center. All of these can give you great insight into crawl data, errors, strong pages, keyword data, and alot more. It's like looking through a window into the secret search engine world... albeit a bit cloudy.
- Register On Blog Directories - This is the classic first step when setting up a new blog or website. Get on some relevant directories. Since you have a blog, blogging directories would be appropriate here.
- Get on Dmoz, Yahoo, and BOTW - Yes, there is a small financial investment here, but it's worth it. These will all help you build trust with the search engines. When you submit to Dmoz, only do it once, and don't write about your site like you're writing an advertisement.
- Claim Your Blog on Technorati - Go to Technorati.com and register. Simple.
- Use An RSS Reader - As a blogger, you're an RSS publisher. Because of that you'll want to familiarize yourself with an RSS reader and get used to the technology. Beyond that, it's a great way to process alot of information quickly and will help you progress as a blogger.
- Naked? Put On Your Avatar - Register for the following: Gravatar.com, Mybloglog.com, Blogcatalog.com, Yahoo Avatar, Blogger.com, Wordpress.com.
- Don't Blog For Someone Else - Let me explain... there is nothing wrong with participating on industry blog sites like Activerain.com. But don't use them as your primary outlet. It may be a great way to promote your articles, and network with other people, but you need a voice of your own on... a web property that you own. When you write for a blog network site, you are giving away the rights to that content... read the fine print!
- Have a Launch Party - Email everyone you know, send out cards, tell everyone you meet... the launch should be BIG. Make sure you build up a decent amount of articles before you open the doors. Your first big push (if done properly) should be able to secure many subscribers and create a buzz in your industry for at least the first couple of months.
- Create an About Page or Mission Statement - Every blog needs a purpose. There is nothing worse than going to a blog and not being able to figure out why it exists. Make your purpose clear, and introduce yourself properly so readers understand the direction you want to take them in.
- Build Core Relationships - Find 10 experts in your industry, and do what you can do to get to know them. Comment on their blogs, participate on social media, interview them, write about them, call them, and work on building meaningful relationships. These are the people that will help to grow your blog.
- Write Your Brains Out - When you start, it is extremely important to build a base of content. Try for 5 new posts per week for the first 3 months. That will give you roughly 60 articles to work with and a good base to build from. After the first 3 months, write at a pace that is comfortable for you.
- Build Basic Directory Links - This can be a daunting task, but it's completely necessary in order to build some basic links and trust with the search engines. Here are some links to some lists of directories and tips: From: Blogger Buster, From: Search Engine Journal, From Searching Solutions: Article #1, Article #2
- Setup Google Alerts - This is a very simple way of finding out who is saying what about you or the blog. Setup alerts for your blog name, company name, blog url, and anything else you want to be notified of. Also, read this post on how to find new customers through Google Alerts.
- Read The Best "How to Blog" blogs - In my opinion, these blogs have the best information about learning how to blog effectively... in no particular order: Problogger.net, Real Estate Tomato, CopyBlogger.com, ihelpyoublog.com,
** If you plan to link to or bookmark this guide at some point, please do me a favor and link to the original at: www.searchingsolutions.com/blog Thanks for your help! **
Tons of info!!! I'll be bookmarking ...
Justin - thanks, have done a bunch of the above already (thank goodness) but everything helps. Meanwhile writing my brains out lol ~Rita
Excellent list Justin! thanks for the post
Justin, take a look at my latest slide show on the site. Do you think I can move it to the margin of my condo trends blog. Lot of activity to say the least.
I will save you blog as a check up on how I am doing. Its easy to forget the basics from time to time.
Tons of great information here- thanks for the help!
I have some work to do, but I've learned a lot and continue to grow my knowledge, even when it's overwhelming!
All good advice. Thanks for posting.... and yes we agree totally , it is best to blog on one's own space.
Thanks from a newbie blogger!
I am loving this site!
Anna
Hi Justin, This is a wonderful post and I have bookmarked the Ultimate Guide for review a bit later. Great content and great advise.
I always look forward to your posts, I am going to spend some serious time going through all of our tips and appreciate your advice and expertise.
You are THE bomb Justin. Love seeing your red face in my blogs in the morning!
I am such a novice at this whole SEO, Blogging, etc. Talk about being dumb about this, I'm it.
Justin - Wow ! Holy moly ! A lot of information here and some great tips and this is just tips for getting started ! We have some work to do ! Excellent post.
Thats a pretty big "basic" list lol. Looks good!
Justin, thanks so much for the list. I am definitely bookmarking -- I'll make sure it is the orginal too. Can't wait to begin using some of the tips I didn't know about.
Wow - this is great - so much info - will keep coming back for more.
So much to learn. thanks for the instruction. The tips are great!
Thanks for the psot I have bookmarked for later! thanks
I am new to blogging and this is great for a dummy like me. Thanks for the post and I will check back often.
T
Thanks for all of this information....am doing some now, but there is more to do!
Soooo much information. I need time to absorb.I will bookmark for later. Thanks.
Justin, thanks for the great information. I am new to blogging and will definately use your tips.
Thanks Justin. I plan on visiting the site again. I've learned quite a bit about blogging already and can only implement things little by little.
That assignment list looks like about a 4 week project for me. I'll bookmark it and thank you for your valuable tips.
Justin, I need to go down the list and see which thing I've done and what I need to work on. Great info! Thanks.
I've bookmarked this to look at it in more detail later. Regarding having your own blog site. I started with WordPress but then started doing so much more on AR. Also, I thought duplicate material was a no no with the search engines. If I only have time to do one properly, what do you recommend?
Thank you.
This is a great post - I'll definitely keep it around for reference in the future.
Best, Dan
Another helpful post I keep taking a look at your stuff and I have been impressed with your knowledge.
Hi Justin, I went to the recommended site and bookmarked from there. I have been blogging on my own site for about six months now and just about ready to figure out SEO a bit more so glad I found your article. I registered on SEOmoz but not able to gleen a lot of info from there yet so will work on that. When I enter my URL or my competitors in the SEO Toolbox for determining links, it doesn't return any data. I tried to rate my strength on the Trifecta page, but got the dreaded bees.
I do have a blog ready to go on the blog carnival tomorrow on market reports. And will continue to read your updates.
Congratulations to you; knowing SEO to the extent you do is quite an accomplishment from my perspective.
That was a lot of info to digest, I think I will have to re read that again tomorrow. Thanks for the tips.
WoW.. Lots of great information here.. How will I ever keep up with all the great tools ?
This is probably the most useful post I have seen so far!
Great Blog and good information. Look forward to reading your future blogs.
Great tips Justin. Glad to be playing in the same field as you. Keep up the good work associate.
Terrific stuff. And more to add on to the "To Do" list!
Oh my gosh, I am glad I can bookmark this, there is so much great information. Thank you!
Hi Justin,
Great post - I especially like this as I had no idea about it, "Register On Blog Directories - This is the classic first step when setting up a new blog or website. Get on some relevant directories. Since you have a blog, blogging directories would be appropriate here."
Morning Justin, I really appreciate it when someone knowledgeable help the rest of us get a grip on this whole tech thing !
Me too..I had no idea about "Register on Blog Directories." Will be doing this today.
Thanks for sharing you info. Will do! dar
Justin:
I never thought of Google Alerts, thanks.
Richard
Wow! Great list of very helpful tasks for me to do. You guys are the best...I wish would hold some webinars!!!!
You are a wealth of knowledge. Many thank yous and thank you for the added effort....
As always, awesome stuff!
Justin. This is just plain excellent.
Good job.
Stefan
PS: Posted TOP 10 EVENTS impacting real estate in 2008 - see the post - your thoughts?
A launch party and google alerts are now on the list for the New Year.
Your insight is priceless.
Thank you ..great list..I appreciate you sharing.
Great resource for new bloggers. I will recommend to all those that ask me, "how do I get started?"
This is very helpful. I should have a lot to do over the holidays.
marcy Moyer Intero Real Estate Menlo Park Ca.
Justin, Thank you for your great advice again. Now I am at the point where this is starting to make sense. Before I did not understand. So thank you again.
thanks
Justin thanks for the fabulous "how to" post - it's been bookmarked so I can revisit a few many more times. Wishing the Best for You and Yours in the New Year! Cheers!
I just reread this post. This is great and thanks for all your tips!! best wishes for a prosperous 2009!
Great info Justin! Thanks, I see we still have some work to do. Have a great 2009 and thanks for all your helpful suggestions as usual.
Justin,
very good post. I look forward to reading more of them. SEO is sucha tricky thing withe a moving target. keep the post coming. Thanks again
Bret
I have learned SO much from your posts! Thank you - Thank you - Thank you!
I never thought about half of these wonderful tips...thanks Justin. Your posts are so helpful.
"Build Core Relationships - Find 10...get to know them." This has got to be the heart of social networking. I think we spend too much time just adding bodies to our network tree but never get to really know anyone very well. Deepening our relationships is key to the process. Thanks for the post
Thanks for the good information.