Ok, so I’ve only been back from my whirlwind weekend in Baltimore for about 15 hours and I’m already chomping at the bit to implement all of the knowledge that I gained! I seriously have a nervous feeling in my stomach right now because I’m fully aware that I need to put this stuff in place while it is still fresh in my brain. I’m also fully aware that my total-stud of a four year old is ALSO fully aware that his mama was away for the entire weekend and he absolutely intends to cram every single minute of Lego action that I missed the past two days into these first few morning hours. I’m hoping I can squeeze this post out before he decides that he’s totally had it with me and dumps all of the contents of his Lego bin onto the floor in order to prove a point.
First and foremost, this past weekend was nothing short of incredible. All blog-related tips aside, the absolute best part of the trip for me was finally getting to meet some of the amazing women who I’ve formed such great connections with since I started blogging in October. I’m resisting the urge to go into some big long hoopla about each and every person I met and how they fully lived up to their awesomeness (and don’t even get me started on my bloggy sister). Instead, I’m applying one of the first things that I learned at boot camp. If I want people to actually read my entire post instead of giving up after the first paragraph, then I need to quit trying to write a novel with every post and use the space bar a little more often.
Since it wasn’t that long ago that I was a newbie blogger, I thought that the best way to go about this post was to highlight the key topics that I think are most beneficial to bloggers who are just starting out. I’m hoping to take some of the guess work out of blogging for those people who know that they want to move forward and dive a little deeper into the blogosphere but aren’t sure what they are supposed to do and what they are not supposed to do.
Here goes nothin’.
KNOW THE EFFECTIVE WAY TO COMMENT
This one may have taken me a few months to get the hang of when I first started blogging, and after this weekend I was so pleased to learn that I had figured it out somewhere along the way. Basically, here’s the lowdown.
- It’s a total give and take. If you want to get comments, you have to give comments. You can’t just start a blog and throw a post up and expect for people to come out of the woodwork and discover you. You have to visit other blogs, follow other blogs, and leave comments regularly on those other blogger’s posts if you want to see some love in return. Reciprocity is key in the blog world.
- When leaving a comment, make it authentic. Basically, if you’re going to take the time to leave a comment, then take the time to READ THE POST FIRST. If you say something along the lines of, “Great post!”, or “Thanks for stopping by MY blog!”, or “I’m here from such-and-such!”, without any sort of reference to the post you are commenting on, then you are pretty much giving away the fact that you have no idea what the actual post was about because you didn’t read it. You are basically saying, “I really don’t care about your post and I don’t have time to actually read your post, but I DO want you to come back to my blog and leave a meaningful comment on MY post.” Again, it’s all about reciprocity people! Honestly, I have left comments thanking people for stopping by my blog, but along with that I always include some feedback for the post in question. I think a good rule of thumb is: If you can’t manage to come up with an authentic comment, then it’s best not to leave one.
- Turn off word verification! I can’t stress this one enough. I had it for about a month on blogger, and then someone advised me to remove it. And you know what? I got WAY more comments after I took it off. Don’t question this one. Just DO IT!
KNOW YOUR BRAND
- Be clear on who you are. This is one area where I think I’m on the right track (or at least I hope I am)! One thing that was too funny at boot camp was the fact that no one had any idea who I was when I introduced myself with my first and last name. And I pretty much had no idea who anyone was when they introduced themselves with their first and last name either. When you brought blog names into the mix however, it was a whole different story. I heard a lot of, “OH YEAH! I KNOW YOU!” If people can immediately picture your blog in their head when you give them the name, then that is a good example of branding.
-Be clear on what you do. Make sure that when readers visit your blog, they easily get a sense of what exactly you write about. Taglines or phrases in your header are an easy way to do this. At the top of my blog, I have my title, The Mommyologist, and underneath I have my tagline: “Analyzing Motherhood with Laughter and Honesty, And Trying Not to Lose My Mind in the Process.” This lets my potential readers know that I write about being a mom and that I use humor as my delivery method. I think it’s pretty clear from my header that they aren’t going to find posts about gardening on my site. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Gardening is great, and I wish I had the patience to do it. But if I was going to write a gardening blog then I’d be the Flowerologist or something to that effect.
- Pick one or two Memes and stick with them. I won’t go into the whole debate over how the word Meme is actually pronounced (for the record, it rhymes with dream…Scary Mommy filled us in). If you have one or two memes that you participate in on a consistent basis, then your readers know what to expect from you. They will start to anticipate those posts and actually visit your blog without thinking about it because they are actually looking forward to your meme post. I do What the Heck? Wednesday and I try to keep up with it every week when I can. I even have a button for it now and I’m hoping more people jump on the bandwagon with me (hint, hint, wink, wink, shameless plug). I also have a new series that I’m working on that won’t be a weekly thing, but hopefully it will become something that people associate me with.
KNOW YOUR WORTH
- It’s ok to say NO. This was a big one for me. I have just started to get into the whole review and giveaway thing on my blog, and to be honest it can be a little overwhelming at times. It is so exciting when the emails from PR reps start rolling in and you start getting offers for giveaways and reviews. I was so happy to finally be getting noticed that I found myself saying yes to pretty much every inquiry that I got. And you know what? I started to get stressed out. I started to get overwhelmed. I started to get snippy with the people around me as a result of being overwhelmed and stressed. And that just isn’t good. Blogging is supposed to be fun and it is supposed to be FOR YOU. It is ok to set boundaries on what you will and won’t review and/or giveaway. It is ok to speak up and ask for more when you feel as though you aren’t getting what you need in return for the advertising you are going to provide for a product. And it is ok to say no.
KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SUPPORT
- There are plenty of people who are willing to help you. One of the very best things that I ever did as a blogger was to join SITS. Putting that adorable leopard print button on my sidebar was one of the very first things that I did when I started my blog. I didn’t even really know what it meant when I added it, but I do now. I had the pleasure of meeting Tiffany, one of the SITS founders, this past weekend and her energy is absolutely contagious. She is truly passionate about what she does, and she offers an incredible support system for women bloggers. The SITS motto is, “The Secret to Success is Support.” I don’t think that it gets much more true than that. If you aren’t a member of SITS yet, then head on over and join today. You won’t believe the amazing connections you make.
Well, there you have it folks! I didn’t touch on everything that was covered at Bloggy Boot Camp because that would’ve been virtually impossible to do if I ever intend on finishing this post. With that being said, please feel free to email me at themommyologist(at)gmail(dot)com with any other questions you may have about what went on in Baltimore. I am more than happy to share!
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Thanks for all the great tips from bloggy bootcamp. I hope I can make one someday. Visiting from SITS.
It was great to meet you Saturday morning, and it looks like you got as much great stuff out of the day as I did. Totally agree that the best part was meeting other women bloggers… Such a great group of women!
Thanks so much for sharing all of that awesome information! I was unable to attend the Bloggy Boot Camp and was bummed out about all I was missing. Now I don’t feel completely left out. I will be there next year…for sure. Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing what you learned at Bloggy Boot Camp! These are all great tips. I have been debating the whole word verification thing but I think I am going to turn it off now after reading your post.
I love all of the great info you got in Baltimore. SITS is so great and they are supposed to come to Atlanta which I hope they do. Love that you got so many great ideas and got to meet so many people. What a great weekend.
Thanks so much for these tips! I definitely want to be a better blogger.
Happy Tuessday!
Thanks Mommyologist! I so wish I could have been there! And, I have been going back and forth about word verification – I just got rid of it!
You know what? That was truly well-written, informative, and enjoyable…your weekend was worth it and you did it justice in this post. Thanks.
I’d like to start this comment off with a simple. “Great post” hehehe I hate that…I’m totally there with you. Question, when you get a comment like that, do you go to their blog and leave a comment? Just curious. Most of the time, I don’t. Is that wrong? lol
Word verification = suckiness There are some blogs that I can’t even leave comments on because it has some funky comment system. Bleh.
I’m a huge fan of saying NO. I’ve received several solicitations from PR reps asking me to do paid advertisements. I used to run an affiliate blog that was focused on bargains. I just don’t want to get into paid blogging or affiliate links anymore. Along the ‘just say no’ lines, I’ve also given myself permission to only blog 2-3 times a week. I just have too much going on and feeling like I have to blog every day just stresses me out. lol
SITS is great … I was involved with SITS when I was running my bargain blog and was even featured. I’ve been back in the blog scene for a few months now and getting back into the swing of things. I’m currently working on a blog makeover…it feels good to be back.
Absolutely LOVE your blog! I’m not always great at commenting just because I’m trying to balance a lot of things, but I do read yours regularly.
Oh and you’re fun to follow on twitter!
I really hope I can make it to one of the bloggy boot camps!
“Great post!” hehehe
~melody~
Thanks for sharing some of the tips from Bloggy Boot Camp. As I learn more about blogging and being part of the blogging community, I really appreciate these posts that give advice for better blogging.
Okay. I was there so not here for the smarty mcsmartyton stuff, as I didn’t get it the first time. I’m here to direct your attention to pBd today so that you can see what is in your future. I like to inform people when they make it onto my List of People Whose Legs I’d Like to Hump:). I heart you and you heart me back. XOXO
Printable post. Thanks! I printed it, read it, re-read, and even jotted down a few questions… As a new blogger, it was so helpful! I felt myself cringe at times, but I also got to pat my back a time or two. My biggest question is about managing other blogs. I am using google reader, so I know when blogs I follow post and that is helpful. But how many blogs do you follow and how often do you comment…I finding it hard to balance life in front of my computer and life beyond. Any tips?
Again…THANKS
okay..i so wanted to go to this bloggy bootcamp considering it is practically in my backyard! maybe next year.
you are so right about the word verification. i had that on there too and its kind of annoying. i definitely think it stops people from commenting.
sounds like you had a great time though…going to visit your bloggy sister’s blog now!
Thanks for the info! I always love to read your blog! I am hoping to make it to a boot camp. The next one close to me is the same day as a wedding we are invited to! Ugh!
Thanks so much for writing this! I found your blog from Shell @ Things I Can’t Say.
I really wish I could go to some of these conferences but w/ everything going on there’s just no way. But I love the way you wrote your post. So many times others just say ‘great time’, ‘so much info’, etc. It’s awesome to see some tips & tricks & hopefully one day I’ll make it to one too
Definitely going to be a new follower & probably going to email you with some questions
Sitting across from you at dinner on Saturday was one of the highlights for me. You are too funny, I don’t even think I could express how much you made me laugh. I’m so glad we met, since I stalked your blog for months before I actually met you in person. And I’m hoping to get to see you again soon, if only so you can crack me up again. You’re one fabulous mama. Absolutely awesome recap, by the way!
I’m jealous that Angie got to sit next to you at dinner, and I didn’t get to talk to you that much!! Hope to run into you again sometime!
I could not agree more that if you can’t come up with something meaningful or at least thoughtful to say in a comment it is better come back and comment another time when you can think of something thoughtful to say. People work so hard on their post they deserve a little bit of thoughtfulness.
Bloggy Bootcamp was great, I am so glad that I went and experienced such a fun, energizing and positive event.
Hmmmm. I’m good with the spacing and reciprocity but not so much with some of the other things. I’m not even a SITS member.
What a great recap on bloggy boot camp. I’ve been enjoying reading what everybody learned because some of the things I must slept through! I can’t believe our paths didn’t cross while we were there. Hopefully we will be able to meet soon!! Happy TGIF!
Thanks for posting a recap of the bloggy boot camp. Very helpful advice for newbies!
Very valuable information in here. Being new to the blogging world myself I am always looking for advice, tips and support.
I came over here to participate in the Lady Bloggers tea party and am glad I did. Found myself a new blog to enjoy.
I’m glad you had fun in Baltimore! I’ve been thinking about you ever since I saw you mentioned in (oh no! I forgot the name of the journal!) Slate? The New York Times? The Washington Post? Shoot! I know it was something big, too.) Anyway, I’ve been thinking about you and I’m glad you’re back to blogging.
Did you finish this post before the Legos went on the floor?
(How was that for an effective comment?)
First I just want to say, that I absolutely love the design of your blog! I love the color combinations you use, and I love the clean look of it.
Thank you so much for this post! I’m relatively new to blogging, so I love soaking up all the tips I can! I didn’t even realize that I had word verification turned on, I checked and now turned it off!
I’m still getting the hang of leaving comments. I’m new and trying to get my name out there, and I keep hearing that comments are a great way to do that. But I have never felt right about leaving ‘unathentic’ comments. So thank you for the reassurance that that is a good thing!
I posted my first blog yesterday. Is that new enough for you?
I so appreciated all of the info in your post. I will be reading it many times I’m sure.
The recap was great! I only wish I could tranfer ALL that you learned directly into my brain.
I’m glad I found you. Karla
I think this is great. Really good tool to help us new bloggers out.
I couldn’t agree more with the taking the word verification thing off as well. So annoying whilst trying to comment – exp if you get it wrong!
Thanks for the tips
Amba
Since I just started blogging less than a month ago, I take all the tips I can get. If I still lived in Phoenix, I definitely would have gone to the Boot Camp they do out there, but there isn’t really one close to me now unfortunately. So thanks for sharing – I appreciate it!
These are such good tips! You’re making me question my choice of blog names because I’m not so sure I always write about becoming the “Wonderful Whitney” God has made me to be! Now I’m pondering a blog name change… ha! Thanks for these tips!
thank you so much for sharing this. I’m excited to apply a lot of what you said. <3
What great advice. As a new blogger myself, I thank you!! I really appreciate this post a lot!
I’ve been blogging for about 3 months and proving I have no idea what I’m doing in so many ways. For one — just putting it out there and hoping people see it You’ve opened my eyes a lot with this article. Thank you so much for sharing.
when do you all have time to blog? I’m already under pressure about giving my toddlers one-on-one quality time (teaching, training, loving, etc.). How much time does a “typical” Blog takes? I feel it would take me away even more from giving my little ones the attention they deserve and require. There is already so much time spent on emails, and other online stuff….where can one find the time to blog?