Take out the bad parts.

According to Stephen King, novelist, is the ultimate secret to suceeding in writing.

But what does it mean? Soften the fall when reporting bad news? Not write bad points when writing reviews? Not exactly. It means choosing the right words.

How do you choose the right words? Simple. Take out the bad or unneeded parts.

Which words are Needed? Wording is Everything.

All the fun is in how you say a thing. -Robert Frost

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Blogging is fun. Especially when you’re blogging about your interests. How about spreading the love and blog on your friends’ blogs? Or maybe invite a friend to blog for you! But why?

• Comes with benefits. Most people aren’t willing to blog for nothing. They usually are offered a service or product or maybe even money!
• More exposure. Opened up a new blog and need more exposure? Guest blogging is a good way to let people know that there is a new blogger in the community.
• More friends. You have friends from your blog, and you have friends on your friends blog (where you guest blog). Isn’t that double the friends?
• Wider audience. Besides blogging for your blog, you’re also guest blogging, so your audience is twice the usual size!
• Gain experience. Experience is priceless… where else can you get an established blog with an audience who’s willing to read?

Hiring a guest blogger comes with many benefits, too, including:

• More opinion, different viewpoints. Surely, not everyone who reads your blog is objected to your opinion, but it’s nice to have different viewpoints once in a while to get their minds working on which side they want.
• More topics. Not a good accountant? No worries! Just hire an accountant blogger to guest blog for you! It gives your audience a wider range of topics to read about.
• A break. Everyone needs a break once in a while for something different.
• Less work. Relax! Have fun! Do something else for a change!
• New friend. Or improved relationship.

When choosing guest bloggers…

• See their previous work. Can’t risk having poor content! Even if they don’t offer it, remember to ask!
• Get to know them a little first. You should know the blogger at least a little, if you’re going to trust them to take your blog in their hands, even for one post.
• Have an idea of what they’re planning to write. Ask them about what they’re planning to write if they’re chosen. This way, you know for sure you get what you choose. (Or see next point.)
• Have them submit and article beforehand. This way can be a little hard, and can cause disputes if you don’t have a regular amount of readers; remember to state that once submitted, you have the right to use or not use the article, all rights given (or something similar).

Lastly, getting the word out to the world that you need guest bloggers may sound hard, but here are just a few tips.

• Announce it. You have a blog, so where else can you get free advertising?
• Tell your friends. Offline friends, online friends, friends’ friends. Tell anyone and everyone!
• Forum posting. Make a new topic on a forum announcing your news. Put it in your signature. Send it to everyone in your friends list. If you aren’t in a forum, search “Blogging Forum” on any search engine and they will come up.
• Visit others. Maybe if you offer to blog for your friend, they will do the same?
• Create a “Write for Us” page. This page should include the contact form, email, any terms and conditions you have, any benefits, extra information, etc.
• Do it on a special occasion. Sometimes, when there is a reason, people are more likely to volunteer, e.g. your birthday, because they will more likely be thinking they are doing you a favour in honour of the occasion.

Has anyone had any special guest blogging incidents? Please share!

P.S. Would you like to guest blog here? Subscribe to the RSS feed to be notified!

Timeless posts usually feature tips, techniques, thoughts, stories, whereas news posts focus on current news and a certain news event.

News posts can be used for reference in the future, and a few minutes of enjoyment when reading the post. Other than that, it’s going back to the archives.

Timeless posts are timeless; you can have as much time as you want to push it to the front page of a social networking site.

Why you would want News Posts:

1. Grab headlines. The latest news, on the latest posts.
2. Attract new readers. Even though these have an expiry date, you can use these to attract readers by using catchy headlines such as “How name Could have Saved Millions” and including your own views and tips.
3. Be “in”. You don’t want to be all focused on certain topics; a news post to let readers know you’re still connected with the rest of the world may be helpful.
4. Become a reference. Remember the phrase “Oh yes, I heard about it on so and so’s blog!”? Now you can be mentioned.

Why you would want Timeless Posts:

1.  No expiry date. These can be read whenever– in April, in May, in December, after elections– anytime.
2. More chances of making it big. A lot of people have made it big because of one extreme post, and usually those posts are timeless. They also give you a lot of time to work on advertising.
3. More time. Because there is no expirty date, you can take as long as you want to tell your friends or edit it.
4. Help others. Help your fellow bloggers. Help friends. Help, help. When others get better, you do too.

Everyone has a preference– one, both, or something else? Which one would you prefer, and why? Tell me in your comment!

Click on image to enlarge.

I stumbled upon this image, which basically explains how some projects go on:

1. Clients find someone to do their work.
2. They get misunderstood.
3. They are assured and talked into feeling good about their decision.
4. They don’t get what they want.
5. They are billed unreasonably.
6. The project was not followed up.
7. They really needed something else.

The way it happens with professionals:

1. Clients find them.
2. They listen and suggest.
3. They talk the client into choosing them.
4. Work is planned out.
5. Work is done.
6. Clients are billed a reasonable amount.
7. Project is supported.
8. Clients leave happy.
9. Clients come back with more work.

The same should happen with blogging:

1. Readers come to a blog they are interested with.
2. They read and contribute.
3. Bloggers make new friends.
4. The content tempts the reader back next time.

People who purchase ads on your website are also clients, and should also be treated the same way; you can offer to make a plan which works for them– weekly ads, monthly ads, or even yearly ads. But if you do not like the client’s suggestion, do not be afraid to say NO. No matter what threats the to-be client makes, if you don’t like it, no, and make another suggestion. Saying NO doesn’t have to involve the word ‘NO’. You can politely drive around it by making a suggestion that’s more suitable, and give reasons.

To sell your service:

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“A form of expression (not using `like’ or `as’) in which a quality or characteristic is given to a person or thing by using a name, image, adjective etc normally used of something else which has similar qualities, etc.” -Dictionary.com

Or Wikipedia, for those who prefer…

“In language, a metaphor is a rhetorical trope where a comparison is made between two seemingly unrelated subjects.” -Wikipedia

1. Connect with readers.
   You can compare your topic with a common everyday issue, and if your readers are familiar with that issue (you have to be familiar with it too), you and your reader can chat about it or even become friends!
2. Learn something new.
   If you’re not familiar with your comparison, a reader can give you a comment on it, or if they don’t, you at least will leave an impression.
   For example, “Blogging is like climbing up the corporate ladder. You go step by step. And if you slip up, you end up at square one again.” You might not know a lot about the infamous corporate ladder, but maybe it will leave an impression on your readers, and they’ll remember to come back again.
3. Show off, share.
   Most bloggers like this part, unless, of course, you’re shy. If you know a little more about your comparison, you can let everyone know a bit more about it (if the topic comes up) in your comments area.
   *Be careful not to go too off-topic in your post. Readers are reading about your post because of your title; not neccesarily your experience, whether it be good or bad; reserve it for the comments area!

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Sometimes we change things too much with our blogs, and lose sight of what made us successful to begin with. Depending on what we do, we could lose money, rank in search engines, or the worst thing, readers.

So, if you are fearing there has been a change in your blog, here’s a three step plan for how to return to your more creative self.

1. Do Nothing

Are you just being paranoid? Surprising as it may seem Blogging is not the most important thing in the whole wide world. People are able to disconnect from the internet and do other things, often for days on end. So if one or two regulars haven’t posted for a few days, don’t worry. They may have better things to do.

2. Read Previous Posts.

Usually however, your regulars would suggest that they don’t like what you are writing (mine do, in the nicest possible way, the sods). Depending on the vocal nature of the readers, and the amount of them there are, it may be worthwhile to check previous posts and see how they differ from now. Is there a definite niche change? If so, that could explain it. How about if there has been a monetization? Have you started sponsored posts? If so, maybe that doesn’t sit well with your current readership.

3, Don’t Beg Your Readers Back

If people do disappear, and never visit your blog again, forget about them. You can calmly say that what you previously talked about no longer interests me or you have evolved or you have decided to monetize your site to pay some bills, but nothing more than that. They’re gone, probably forever. Just move on and carry on blogging. You did something for a reason, even if it’s a complete change of niche.

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Rhys Wynne is a 5 year blogger who has had thousands of different blogs, most of them rubbish. His current one The Gospel According To Rhys isn’t, as is his project to help you get more traffic at your blog with Fair Review.

Most website owners struggle with the issue of getting their most valuable pages and content in front of their visitors. At the same time, many of these website owners are neglecting a few areas where they could easily add more information or links to specific, targeted pages.

Here are 5 places many website owners can improve:

1 – 404 Error Pages

If another website links to one of your pages but makes a typo in the link, what does the visitor see? If your site contains a broken link, what does the visitor see? The answer to both of these questions is that the visitor sees an unfriendly, default error page that tells the visitor “what you are looking for cannot be found.” It is possible to provide visitors with a more useful and professional-looking page that can help them find what they are seeking.

By creating a custom 404 error page your visitors will not see the generic error page that shows up everywhere when a site can’t be found. To create a quality custom error page, see information provided by your web host, or ask them how you can create a custom 404 error page. (WordPress users should see the Marketing Technology Blog for a possible solution).

Use your website’s template, or at least the basic design, colors, and images so the visitors know they are still on your site. You can include a standard message, something like “We’re sorry, but the page you are looking for has been moved or does not exist.”

The key though to the custom error page is not just the appearance, but rather the ability to help the visitor find what he or she is trying to find. If possible, include a search box on the page. With the search function the user may be able to find the specific page very quickly. The error page should also include links to your homepage and sitemap as they may also be helpful to a visitor that is lost.

Even with all of the items we’ve just mentioned, your custom 404 error page will have a lot of unused space. This is an opportunity to promote the pages on your site that are the most important to you. Provide links and invite visitors to go to your sales pages, email list or RSS signup pages, etc. With this method you may be able to get some value out of error pages.

2 – Thank You Pages

Most websites have a form that allows visitors to send their questions or feedback. After the form has been filled out and the user clicks on the button to send the form, the thank you page will be loaded. Most thank you pages have a simple message like, “Thank you for contacting us. We will respond to you as soon as possible.”

Much like the 404 error pages, thank you pages typically leave a lot of unused space. Take the same approach mentioned above providing links to your most valuable pages.

When you are working on enhancing your thank you pages, keep in mind that the visitors are on this page because they have already contacted you. They have taken the time and effort to complete the form and they have some reason for contacting you. In most cases this means that they’ll be a warm prospect. You will typically have better results asking them to take some further action (like buying a product or signing up for your mailing list) than you will with visitors on your error pages.

3 – Signature File on Emails

Some of you already use signature files, but many do not. Just about every email program allows you to set up a signature file, which is a few standard lines of text that will go at the end of each of your emails.

Typically a signature file may include your name, position, and business name. If your website isn’t already included in your signature file make sure you add it. Also, remember that you can add links to other pages besides just your homepage.

4 – Automated Response to Your Contact Form

Sometimes when visitors fill out a contact form on a website it is several days before they get a response. By setting up an automated email response you can let them know that they will be contacted shortly, and you can also include links to pages on your site that might be useful to them in the meantime. The automated email is just one more opportunity to keep your name in front of your visitor and one more opportunity to encourage a repeat visit to your website.

5 – The Bottom of Your RSS Feed

If you are using WordPress the PostPost plugin is a must-have. With PostPost you can add content to your RSS feed that you do not want to appear on your blog. Your RSS subscribers and email subscribers will be able to see special messages or offers that you don’t want your website visitors to see. You can use PostPost to monetize your feed by placing advertisements at the end of the feed (or at the beginning).

Another possibility with PostPost is to add a link to a special bonus or giveaway that you only want your subscribers to be able to access. Special subscriber bonuses like this are a proven way to grow your subscriber base.

Try adding to these areas of your website if you haven’t already. They’re small changes, but they have big potential to help your visitors and encourage them to come back to your site.

This was a guest post by Steven Snell at Vandelaydesign.com.

This was guest posted by Rob O at 2 Dolphins. 

Character.  It is the standards, principles, and distinctive qualities that distinguishes one’s effort from those of others.   Certainly few goals are more worthwhile as to blog in a manner that demonstrates those attributes.   Indeed, character is very likely the thing that keeps readers coming back to your blog.

But as worthy and productive a topic as that is, I’m actually here to talk about a different kind of character.   ASCII characters.  Y’know, the symbols, letters or punctuation marks that make up the set of computer characters that most of us are at least somewhat familiar with.

Whether you’re crafting a blog post about Älmhult (the Swedish birthplace of global furnishings icon, Ikea), waxing nostalgic about when soda pops were only 25¢, or trying to inject a little international flavor (¡Hola!) into an article, there’ll probably come a time when you need to use special characters in your blog.   Even with a fairly basic blog, there may be instances where you need to nest a double quote within a TITLE or ALT tag, for example, and this can cause all sorts of unintended effects.

Fortunately, once you know the trick, using ASCII characters in your blog posts is easy to do!

ASCII character charts are abundant on the Internet, but none so straight-forward and readily usable as Vincent Heemskerk’s HTML Codes - Characters and Symbols.  Referring to Vincent’s chart, you can see that the ASCII decimal number for the copyright symbol is 169, which translates to  &# 169 ;  for the HTML code for that same symbol.   So, to insert a copyright sign in a blog post, you’d use:

&# 169 ;  2007 MyCompanyName

…to get:

© 2007 MyCompanyName

And as the chart linked above shows, there are ‘friendly’ HTML names for some special characters.   So you could also use:

& copy ;  2007 MyCompanyName

…to get the same results.

The same technique can be used to place other special characters, such as the greater than (>), ampersand (&), or even common fractions (½) into your HTML code.

So, now that you know how to insert special letters & symbols into posts, the possibilities are endless.   Go give your blog some character!

Be yourself! Be honest! Be real! Be opinionated! It’s your blog afterall. And be anonymous (safety first)! Don’t try to imitate another “popular” blogger’s style and don’t look at sitemeter all the time or try to cater to the “masses” in order to get “popular” or gain a readership. If you do, you’ll become a slave to other’s whims and you won’t be yourself anymore.
-Spit Out the Cat

This again, builds your character; how much do you want your character to be built or revealed? Do you want readers to know the real “you”?

This post is part of the Blogging Tips meme.

Networking isn’t just for Fishermen.
-Bookie Monster

You will need to network even if you don’t like to fish! (And remember to throw in a little humor like a fisherman!)

This post is part of the Blogging Tips meme.