Thursday, May 24, 2012

Blogging Tips Weekly - What Makes Your Blog Stand Out?



What makes an ordinary recipe taste extraordinary -- so good that one bite makes you crave for seconds? 

Aha! A secret sauce.


In Bloomberg Channel's The Mentor, successful entrepreneurs give advice to struggling business owners to help them grow. One tip internet sensation Rue La La C.E.O gave to a small E-Commerce site was to "set yourself apart from others."

Such practical and simple advice, yet so many bloggers miss it somehow.



This show gives great tips that apply to bloggers too.

 

So Many Blogs. So Little Time.



Like millions of e-commerce websites, blogs saturate the internet. But really, how many blogs do you read on a daily basis?


I have hundreds of blogs in my google reader, but have time for only handfuls each day. Therefore, blogs that are my daily reads must really catch the eye.
  


Just a few of hundreds of blogs in my google reader each day.

 

Finding Your Secret Sauce - Ideas that Make Your Blog Stand Out

 

Reach Out

 

I love comments, especially ones that tell me you've actually read my post. And I always remember to visit these commenter's blogs.


(By the way, I know many bloggers consider leaving links in comments a bad practice, but I personally LOVE it. Links make it so much easier for me to come visit your site. So if you comment here, link away!)


Just like friendships in real life, those who show me support will get my utmost support back. And those who don't are forgotten along the way.

So if you want to reel in readers, build a network by commenting and supporting other bloggers in the same niche. Their loyalty is well worth your time.


(Also by the way, I was recently contacted by the author of
Best HCG Supplier - shop4diets.com. Although I am not familiar with her site, but just because she reached out, I am displaying her link, because that's what supportive bloggers do.)
 

Catchy Graphics


Your header image and logo are the first things readers see. If you give them enough oomph, your readers will surely remember.


Girlie Blog Seattle is currently working on a new header. Cannot wait for its debut.


Get Personal



What makes blogs so popular is that they reflect authors' personal lives. Even business or tech blogs have a personality.


Have you just gone through a tragedy? What about a triumph? Adding your own stories to posts makes you approachable. 

You don't just want to be the person in pretty outfits, right? You want to be the person who talks about the outfits, because you not only wore them -- you lived in them.


Have a Special Weekly Series - And Make it Your Thing


If you don't have time to write often, then write at least once a week, but make it the same type of post (a.k.a a weekly series). Then, keep at it for a long time.


Consistency counts when you try to keep readers coming back. Having a special weekly series -- whatever it may be -- gives your blog a uniqueness that's both quirky and memorable.


Take Melissa Blake's Blog So About What I Said for example, her series "Letters to My Future Husband" is an interesting way to show her soft side -- she is a true romantic, and that's her thing.

So, if you've got a thing, then write it in a weekly post, and continue to entertain your readers with that.


Well, I'm sure I have missed a few.

 

If you can think of anything else that makes your blog stand out, do share!



37 comments:

  1. Great post hun. I am not sure why so many people have an issue with bloggers leaving their links. I love when people leave their links I have discovered so many great blogs because of that.
    xoxo

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  2. Good tips! Thanks for sharing this with your fellow bloggers:)

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  3. really great advice! i love it when people comment about the things I write, cause they actually took the time to read it. And getting personal is definitely important to meeting new bloggers =)

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  4. Thanks for this, i kind of agree that leaving a link on the comment is ok, but I can't stand people who comment saying "follow my blog and I will follow yours"... I thought the point of blogging was that you have the choice to follow blogs you actually enjoy reading, not to gather as many followers as possible... Thanks for the tips though :)

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  5. You always have well thought out posts.
    Great advice!
    Can't wait to see the new header, I've been thinking about changing mine too but I'm not very good at that type of thing!

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  6. A very helpful post. I agree with you about commenting on other girls' blog. Building a community is incredibly important. I love knowing the fact that I have 2 to 3 girls who regularly read my posts because I do the same. The support you give to other bloggers is definitely worth your time.

    I'm just struggling with the be personal part. For a start I don't think I'll be comfortable in the idea plus I always think to myself ''Who on earth would be interested in my life? O'' But I personally love it when bloggers post pictures of their holidays or when they just update their readers on what's happening in their lives. :)

    Speaking of personal life- I hope your pregnancy is going well and that your baby will be healthy when she/he comes out :) I hope you have a safe delivery.

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  7. Great really useful tips :) Thanks for the post x

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  8. I see leaving links in comments as similar to if I went over to someone's house for a party and put a sign in their front lawn advertising my business without asking first. I think it's a bit rude. If someone leaves a comment that shows they read my entry, I'm going to click on their name and go visit their site if they've linked it to their profile. Back to the party analogy: if someone strikes up a conversation with me and I find them interesting, I'm going to ask for their number or e-mail or business card so I can keep in touch. If someone breaks into an existing conversation to hand out business cards, that doesn't make me want to get to know that person.

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  9. great tips, girlie! love the post it photo. :)

    you have a lovely wknd! :)

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  10. I dont know a recipe to a successful blog but visiting and leaving a comment on other blogs is a must for me. I usually make attempt to visit thise who take the time to write something or share their thoughts/experience. I discover many new awesome blogs that way. I really hate those who leave a one word, thoughtless kind of comment without reading the content.

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  11. I agree about the whole leaving links things, I don't mind it at all and make it so much easier to head over to that persons blog. Lately I've been not leaving links because too many bloggers vary on the subject. However I don't like it when I get comments that are one word and then a bunch of links to their blog/something their selling/giveaway they are having. I think it's important to actually read the post and say something constructive if the intention was to leave links like that.

    I have noticed since I started doing more structured posts and two weekly sort of outfit posts that my readers have been more engaging. There are a lot of lovely blogging ladies out there!

    Can't wait to see your new header. :) Have a good long weekend.

    -Ash
    Beauty Flawed

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  12. these are great tips love! i definitely think all of those points are so important- especially about just being yourself :)

    x Jordan
    - Boho Vanity -

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  13. These are all great tips, thanks for sharing them! I like the idea of having a weekly theme post for readers to look forward to. Maybe I'll do some brainstorming this weekend. :)

    Beth
    Stylish Confessions

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  14. Oh great tips! I love reading other bloggers formulas for success! Happy weekend xo

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  15. Love your tips an tricks of the trade!
    Badbarbara.com

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  16. I really enjoyed this post. I don't have a problem with people leaving their links in comments. I'm not likely to check it out if it's clear the reader hasn't read the post at all yet posts their url three times, but if it's a well thought out comment and a small link at the bottom I'm absolutely going to return the kindness. I agree about nice logos and blog layout making your blog stand out as well. Lastly, big clear photos are a must. When I choose what posts I read in my google reader I always go for the ones with the best photos. xx

    www.almostdelightful.com

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  17. Great post- I agree with how important it is to find your "niche".

    On the subject of linking back to your blog in the comments section, I'm a little torn. I don't mind when people do it as long as they leave comments that show they've actually read my post (as opposed to the "nice colour, come check out my blog" comments I've received in the past).

    And I suppose on that note, if anyone is interested in checking out my blog, please feel free to stop by and have a look: http://lacquertracker.blogspot.ca/

    Thanks for sharing an informative post!

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  18. This posts reminds me of another post you did awhile back that gave me the idea for my "Weekly Wants." I love it that you share these tips with all of us because it really is satisfying knowing that people like reading whatever I have to offer. I do agree with you about the whole link thing, I think its an easy and practical way of getting to people's pages easier. Lastly, thank you for always visiting my page! I always love and enjoy reading your comments!

    -Lisa
    The Lovely Memoir

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  19. So true - it is about great content and useful content! I love the pretty blogs, but get bored of pictures all the time so love posts like these which ask questions or inform us!

    It is great to be personal too but I struggle with that. There may be more personal posts coming soon!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  20. These are great tips! I always leave a link because I like when people leave a link with their comment on my blog. When I look at my blog's dashboard I may have several girls with the same name so I am not sure who is who until I click on the name unless they have left their blog site.

    Amy

    (here ya go: fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com)

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  21. Thanks for this! I have just found your blog and really enjoyed this post. I've been working on my 'secret sauce', changing my blog direction quite a bit, and came back to keeping it personal.

    See you around soon
    Ididtellyou.blogspot.com

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  22. Great tips!

    http://fashionroll.net

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  23. Great tips! I'm sure I can use some of them =P Thanks for sharing! How do you attach a link to your blog whenever you comment?

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  24. it's crazy how polarizing people are with leaving links in the comments!! i'm ok with it so long as they are leaving a thoughtful comment. sometimes, i read a blog post and i don't have anything to say. it doesn't mean i didn't enjoy it i just don't have anything to type. lol!

    thanks for the great tips as always. much happiness and health to you and your family! xx

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  25. oh my gosh, those tips are amazing! thank you for posting them!
    X

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  26. Thanks for sharing these amazing tips! :)
    It turns out I do use some of them on a daily basis (clever me! HA!) but I certainly have to work on some. I love the idea of the weekly posts. You got me inspired there Girl! :D
    Thanks! :)

    xoxo
    Karola
    www.karolasway.blogspot.com

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  27. This is such a great post! Thanks for taking the time to write this and share it with us. I have to agree strongly with you on the make it personal thing. I recently started doing a series of "diary entry" posts that reflect on current events in my life and got an overwhelmingly positive response back from my readers. When I first posted it, I didn't think anyone would even bother reading it since people usually like to see pretty pictures, not wordy posts. I think it's important to connect to your readers on a personal level so they see you almost as a friend, and not just another face on the internet.

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  28. I'm completely with you on comments that tell the blogger you've actually read their post. If I have a detailed comment I'm sure to check out the blog! Also with you on the personal aspect too, "here's what I wore today" is no where near as exciting as "here's what I wore today after ripping my first choice and spilling beans all over my second..."

    xx

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  29. these are nice tips! I personally love it when people include their links in their comments too! And I love reading comments especially from those who you KNOW read your blogpost!
    Have a good weekend!

    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights
    the shop of worldly delights

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  30. Great tips! thank you for sharing!
    Amazing blog:-) Check mine and let me know if you would like to follow each other:-)
    Kisses
    Aga

    Worlwide GIVEAWAY WITH SHEINSIDE!
    Worlwide GIVEAWAY WITH SHEINSIDE!
    Come and win!
    www.agasuitcase.com

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  31. What a great post. I definitely think this is stuff that I need to think about so that I can set my blog apart from all the other wonderful ones out there.

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  32. You are such a good writer, always give good tips! Im terrible on marketing or strategies.. I just have fun ..haha

    amintasfashion

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  33. thank you so much for these tips!

    xo,

    http://www.getglam.blogspot.com

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  34. Aww I agree! Definitely being consistent and getting personal. There are so, so, sooooo many blogs out there now, I just don't have time to read them all unless they stand out or I feel a connection with the blogger. It makes me sad sometimes when I see some really great bloggers don't blog anymore but I suppose that's where being consistent comes in! :)

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