Ed

It’s been a while since I visited but yet again a quality post to enjoy when I finally return. I agree with you 100% on blogging but when I suggested this to my other half, who is starting up an online venture, she scoffed at the idea.

Why? Because 99.99% of blogs on blogger,typepad, wordpress etc. are five minute wonders from people who have overestimated the amount of oppinions they have on a variety of matters. Differentiating from them is key to being successful I think.

Thanks for sharing those extra pointers. I’m so happy to reading from people who stress the value of having a blog strategy.

I really like your idea of having a list of topics ahead of time, like an editorial calendar. And we can list stories that are not only relevant but also help support our vision and our brand.

Ahh, I feel a to-do list coming on.

Judy

Thanks for the tips on how you schedule your time, and great tip on the photo. Great help!

I can relate to you on the “no comments” comment. There are so many posts I read, rich in insight and material. When I don’t comment, it’s generally because the blogs cover topics I know very little, if anything, about. These bloggers have earned my loyalty for the simple reason I’m always learning from them.

On the PayPal button … The user is supposed to type in an invoice number after I’ve sent it to him or her. Of course it doesn’t say that (smiley face emoticon). I put it there originally for former clients who preferred to pay online.

Thanks for your kind words on my site! I’m grateful to be getting a lot of positive feedback on it. I’m glad people like the content.

Judy

One more step…call it 1a: start a list of topics and categories, and draft about 6 or 7 posts before you even create the blog. Sometimes, new bloggers – I was one of them – use up all their ideas in the first few weeks. This “ticker file” can be a blessing when you go dry, and a repository for storing the ideas when they come in a flood.

-Mark

I probably devote about an hour or so a night, replying and reading and commenting on my favorite blogs. Sunday nights I try and get my articles written. I have a heck of a time coming up with ideas for articles.

And then of course I also prefer to have accompanying pidtures with my articles. The reason for that is a bit of research I found somewhere that said it increases readership. I figured it couldn’t hurt. I see my blog exposure as long-term marketing, but you are right about the enormous effort.

Your kind words are my best incentive to keep up the effort. When some of my posts have multiple comments, I often wonder what set ‘em off? It bugs me to get “0″ comments – it shouldn’t – but it does. I read more articles than comment on them. My readers are no doubt any different, it just takes hitting a cord with the reader. Lucky timing really, like your research on blogs and my article on just that.

On an aside: How does that paypal button on your website work? I hit it and you are supposed to fill in the item. What item or items are you referring to?
I like the commercial aspect of your site. Nice job.

I would also like to ask: How much time do you think you spend each day or week on your blogs?

From experience, I know it’s a deep process, between researching topics, crafting the blogs, searching for and including relevant links, and responding to reader comments.

Time consuming, yes. But worthwhile. The challenge for me is keeping the momentum going. Any tips around time management so to maintain a high-quality and engaging blog?

Judy

You said:
“Since I have started blogging I believe that I have increased my corporate and personal brand quite a bit …”

I wanted to concur. From this site alone, I have become a fan of yours and check back often just to read your latest posts.

I’ve been researching various ways to give my blogs some mojo, and lo and behold, there was your post top fold today.

Yaro Starak, I might add is a tremendous resource. I encourage readers to sign up for his free newsletter where he generously shares free tips related to blogging.

Are you saying a lot of “opinionators” aren’t sincere in their articles?
I find it very hard to not repeat myself, although some have given me advice to write the same over and over with a different slant.

Same with you, i am also not a writer, but is into blogging.

And if we will analyze the situations, most if not all bloggers are merely opinionator. You know why? Because they do post articles on their blogs based from what they saw when they are browsing the net.

They just create articles based for their opinions, whether they agree or not on certain issues..

What a great post!