Things I would do differently if I started my blog again

July 25, 2006 – 10:44 am

Darren at Problogger (the other Darren), has posed one of his inimitable rhetorical questions. This time the question is “what would I do different if I started my blog today“. I think this should be easy enough to answer. When I first started I think I did a number of things well, but there’s a couple glaring weaknesses that stand out:

1) I’d spend time from day one leveraging the social networking aspects of blogging. Instead, I concentrated on putting up a ton of content before I did much socializing. I’d probably run both efforts in parallel in the future.

2) I would increase my posting frequency and place a great interest on editorial quality. If you can actually make multiple posts daily and keep them interesting and on-topic, you stand a great chance of attracting readers.

The benefit of both of these activities became apparent to me as time progressed. As a new blogger, try to do as much posting and socializing as you can. Participate in group writing projects like this, make sure to comment in related blogs, and correspond with as many people in your chosen field of blogging and you just can’t fail.

6 Responses to “Things I would do differently if I started my blog again”
Wonderful advice!

My blog is still in it’s younger days (still wearing diapers but at least it lets me know when it’s soiled them) and I’m happy to state I’ve been doing the first thing on your list from the get-go.

Part of my whole thing is a daily posting. Since my blog is on the creative side it’s really difficult to come up with more than one post a day. Heck, some days it’s hart to come up with one.

If my blog continues to grow at the rate it’s going maybe I’ll have to find a friend who wants to write a daily article too. And I can keep doing that as it grows to grow along with the popularity. Also it would make it really easy to take a vacation.

By Eitan on Jul 25, 2006
Eitan,

I do believe the posting frequency is key. I know what you mean about certain subjects being tough to come up with material for.

I guess then it becomes an exercize in creativity. That’s why I’m getting more into doing interviews and the like Letting someone else talk is a big help and help prevent you from boring your readers.

By Darren on Jul 25, 2006
I think posting frequency is a big thing also - days when I actually post more than once, traffic is crazy. Of course my life is also crazy….. ah well. We can only try, right?? We did this project as well - http://lilduckduck.com/archive/187

By MamaDuck on Jul 27, 2006
I would find a more solid focus in my blog(s) instead of it being a simple outlet for narcism and opinion.

I do wish I knew the secrets of bloggers like Dooce, Blurbomat, and Maggie Mason. They seem to have a HUGE following.

By Gina on Oct 17, 2006