Author:
Michael Hastings
I was reading a blog post last week in which the writer stated a list of 101 things that he learned from blogging in last year. Even though this list may be somewhat dated, I find the message still painfully clear. No one is an expert at this. The changes in the marketplace are moving so fast that we are all competing for the same eyeballs, and there are not many people who know the exact combination of content, site colors or ad placement to hit a home run every time.
In any case, as many people are beginning their first forte into blogging this year, I have prepared a list which I believe to be the 10 most important things that a Beginning Business Blogger should be mindful of.
1. Get started. To be a successful blogger you have to blog about something. Make it something you are interested in, and your writing style will come through.
2. Learn how to read basic .xml and HTML. You will have to modified the original blog template you will be using to avoid redundancy, and without some knowledge in reading basic .xml or HTML code you will quickly give up. Get a "for dummies" book or scour the internet for free manuals or pamphlets you can use to help yourself out.
3. Don't spend a dime when getting started. Many bloggers will say this is not true, as you may be crippling your opportunities to get professional help with advertising, site creation and software to automate the process, but I say, on earth will you know what you are gonna need, when you have not even tried blogging yet? Get a free tool, like wordpress.com or blogger.com and just start poking around. It is less destructive, will not cause as much financial strife if the blogging thing does not work out, and you wont lose your wife, your dignity or your shirt.
4. Focus everyday to accomplish your goals. I have written several articles on time management that have been published over at http://www.cheapwads.blogspot.com and the number one time killer I recognize in my profession is procrastination. Everyone must have a basic list of tasks you want to accomplish each day, and must diligently stick to the list until all items are completed each day. Get a freeware application to track your progress and blog about it.
5. Google is your friend. I would advise anyone to take full use of the tools that this company has available. They are huge and they own so many web properties that the integration of their tools can make your life quite easy.
6. Don't become obsessive about posting. You will lose sleep and bags under one's eyes are not becoming.
7. Set a plan to be in this for the long haul. Although there are people who are make a ton of cash blogging, it probably will not be you, right away at least. I read somewhere that the majority of the real estate agents in the United States earn an average of $12,000 dollars per year. Yet, we only hear about the Donald Trumps of the world. Not everyone can be a star, but with hard work and dedication to a plan, who know what can occur.
8. Plan to put in at least 3 - 4 hours everyday when you start blogging. I put in more, but that is because I am crazy.
9. Don't read too many blogs when starting. You begin to compare yours to others and come to the assumption that your design skills are poor. But, remember that everyone has to start somewhere.
10. Last but not least, tell your wife, mother, dog, teacher, landlord, someone, anyone that you love them everyday. To be a successful blogger it will take patience and time. Not just yours, but your loved ones as well. Be sure to remind them how important they are to your business plan and let them know daily how much you appreciate their assistance.
Stay tuned for more advice for Beginning Bloggers
About the Author
Michael Hastings is the principle of (dot)free media, a Business Consulting Group, and is currently building the largest repository of free articles, product information, podcasts and newsletters. See him at http://www.cheapwads.blogspot.com.
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