With the latest word from Google, that they MIGHT consider to include loading speed into their algorithm, I decided to have a look what I could do to improve the performance of my WordPress blog.
It turned out that there is a lot you can do, without involving your host’s tech department, to speed up your blog, considerably.
However, before you start fine tuning your blog, you must first know how it performs right now, in its current state. It might just happen that you’re so fortunate that your blog loads at the speed of lightning, but how would you know, if you not test it first?
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Today has been a very slow day, and my throat is burning, so I have probably caught a cold or something. Well, hopefully it will just go away, if I can get a good night sleep and something warm to drink, so that I’ll be back to my normal phase tomorrow.
Anyway, today I found an interesting video post by Darren Rowse at ProBlogger; How to Use Google’s Wonder Wheel to Find Topics to Write about, which I think you ought to see.
The video explains, in a straightforward way, how you can use Wonder Wheel as a powerful research tool for new post ideas. Just search for your preferred keyword and you’ll get a wheel, with your keyword in the center, surrounded by in-depth topics about that particular keyword.
So, sit back and enjoy this nice video by Darren Rowse, and grab a mouthful of creativity, to use for your upcoming blog posts.
Have you noticed that a day only has 24 hours and sometimes the hours don’t quite let you do all the things you want?
I have.
Such days can be truly frustrating, especially if you have a blog that you want to update. Luckily, there are a few tricks to get you by such days and still be able to squeeze in a blog post, without devoting that much time.
- Post a video. Search one of the big video sites for a video, somehow related to your niche, and post it on your blog, together with a brief comment about it.
- Write about another blog. Visit a blog in your niche; choose a post you think is relevant to your own, write why you think it’s worth reading and include a link to it.
- Post a thoughtful quote. Look up a quote that you like and tell your readers why you like it and ask them what they think about it.
- Milk an old post. Write a short intro about an old post of yours, and link to it.
- Create a list post. It can be, x ways to…, my x favorite…, things I dislike with…, etc.
I hope that these tips will come in handy for you, one of these days when you find yourself short of time, but you still have the urge to blog.
Also, feel free to share your own tips, on how to write a blog post in a hurry, in the comments below.
One of the biggest issues I have with my writing style, and that I constantly need to work on, is to keep things brief and to the point. I constantly overdo my posts, so that they more often look like a college thesis, rather than a post.
I believe that a good blog post is short, between 250-500 words and brief, written in a casual tone. For me, a casual style is the same way you talk to your co-workers on your lunch break, about that great movie or TV-show you saw, last night.
If you write as you speak, with your favorite slang and personality characteristics included, you will give your blog a unique style and a personal touch.
When you write your posts remember this, if your visitors would like to read a novel, they would do just that and not your blog. If your word count steps over 700, it’s probably too vast and you should write an additional post to sum up your post.
Spelling and Grammar
No one likes to read a post filled with spelling mistakes. That makes your blog look unprofessional and your readers may not take you seriously. Therefore, always use a spellchecker, for your readers’ sake, if not yours. As a ground rule, always obey the grammar rules, but not to the extent, that it makes your text boring.
There you have my three rules, that I will try to follow, use a casual tone, don’t overdo it and be brief and to the point.
Also, feel free to leave your thoughts about what you believe is a good blog post, in the comments below.
As a blogger, you should always create fresh posts, to keep your readers coming back for more, which will also increase the chances that the advertisers spot your blog. If you fail in seizing the attention of your readers, your blog lose its readers and slowly fade away.
Therefore, in this post I will share some thoughts about blogging, with you.
Some bloggers see their blogging as a fun extracurricular activity, like a hobby, which they do because it’s fun. Others, creates their blogs for one reason only, making money out of it.
There is no secret that a blog can be generate a substantial amount of money, however that requires dedication and tons of hard work. For example, sometimes you just don’t feel like writing a post, but if your goal is to make money, you must post regularly, no matter what. This requires some great deal of self-discipline and training, but it’s not impossible!
One way to improve your blogging is to create and stick to a schedule, which you know you can handle. Write down all your daily tasks, which revolve around your blog. Make sure to include time for visiting and commenting other blogs and research for new ideas and posts, as well.
If you read my last post about planning, you’ll know that a great idea can come to you at any moment, therefore make sure that you always carry a pen and a notebook, so that you can write them down.
Try to stay in touch with what happens in world and in your niche, by reading newspapers, magazines, and other publications, such as other blogs in your niche. That way you will always stay current with the latest buzz and exercise your mind, as well, and you’ll notice how great ideas starts popping up like mushrooms, in your head.
One big important note about research though. Never, ever copy another blogger. Instead, use other bloggers as inspiration and if an idea as sprung into your head, from another blog, remember to include a link back to it. This will make your blog look trustworthy, and you might even get a quality link back to your own blog, as well.
From time to time, you could also write about yourself, your personal life and your pets, in addition to your regular posts. Most people are curious and love to read about other people’s lives, so this will make your blog interesting and give it a personal and unique touch.
Nevertheless, the most important thing to remember about blogging is that there isn’t any right or wrong, which is the true beauty about blogging; you can blog about whatever you want, however you want it. Also, don’t forget to have fun, while your blogging!
Feel free to leave your thoughts about blogging, in the comments below.
Be a Lean, Mean Comment Machine
by Ken on September 6, 2009
in Blogging
It can also lead to both productive and profitable relationships with other blogger as well. However, for it to be a success, you must do it right and systematically.
The most important key, to succeed with blog commenting, is relevance.
I’m sure that you can see why leaving a comment on Aunt Annie’s gardening blog, with a link to your death metal blog, wouldn’t do you or your ads for T-shirt hell, much good, compared with a link to your bonsai tree blog.
The second key is to get your comments to stand out from the rest.
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