One thing I wish I knew when I started blogging

Greg · 01-02-2008, 12:43 AM

The one thing I would tell my noob self is: Let the experts handle it (and be willing to pay for quality).

When I got into blogging I didn't appreciate how difficult it is to build a successful blog. Success means you have to be good at a whole slew of unrelated skills -- research, expert writing, talking to commenters as a peer and moderator (balanced moderation), selling ad space, marketing, server issues, trolls, spam, feed scrapers, hosting, privacy policies, plugins, themes, TLA, pay-per-post, let's not forget big daddy Google.... And the list goes on.

If I knew how much stuff you have to be an expert at, I would have depended on the expertise of others much sooner. It took a few missteps before we let experts handle design and ad sales (among other things).

What is the one thing you now know that you wish you knew when you started blogging?

Will · 01-05-2008, 05:01 AM

The biggest thing I learned is never wait on a story.

If you come up with a good idea, drop everything and bust out that post as quickly as possible. It is really hard to come up with original concepts. With so many talented bloggers out there, if you wait to pull the trigger someone else will come up with the same brilliant idea faster than you can say technorati.

Emily · 01-05-2008, 07:44 AM

Things I would tell my n00b self:

Set a schedule and stick with it. Publish more than you want to, but if you want a regular audience you need to have at least that scheduled post up.

Write the way you want to write. Don't worry about what others are going to think when they read what you wrote.

Comment, ESPECIALLY if you didn't understand what was written. Odds are you're not the only person confused.

Google is forever.

n_vizion · 01-09-2008, 05:09 AM

I wish I new how exactly what was involved in the whole process before I started blogging. It would not have deterred me, but I would have implemented all of the tips I am learning now from the beginning.

imagine girl · 01-11-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n_vizion

but I would have implemented all of the tips I am learning now from the beginning.

You have to share the tips!

khorrell · 01-23-2008, 09:09 AM

I would tell myself (and myself wouldn't listen

) that posts will never be perfect. Write it, clean it up, and post it, or don't. You can't spent 10 hours writing a short post or you'll make yourself insane.

Joanne · 01-23-2008, 12:52 PM

Great thread.

One thing I wish I knew when I started was just how important connecting with other bloggers was. I'm a social blogging butterfly now, but it took me a while to get there. And don't just connect with bloggers in your niche. Visit blogs that have nothing to do with what you're blogging about. I've met some really cool people by stepping outside my realm.

1littlething · 01-23-2008, 01:01 PM

Looks matter! Just as you can't go to a job interviw in cut off shorts and a dirty shirt you can't expect to be taken seriously with an ugly blog.

Oh, and stalk Darren Rowse religiously.

cheapskate · 01-25-2008, 08:26 AM

I totally agree with this line: You can't spent 10 hours writing a short post or you'll make yourself insane.

A blog is definitely not there for you to slave over a novel of a piece! Fast-turnaround balanced with accuracy seems to be the most important rule

01-02-2008, 12:43 AM	#1
Greg Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sunny Southern California Posts: 242 Thanks: 21 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post Reputation: (53)	One thing I wish I knew when I started blogging The one thing I would tell my noob self is: Let the experts handle it (and be willing to pay for quality). When I got into blogging I didn't appreciate how difficult it is to build a successful blog. Success means you have to be good at a whole slew of unrelated skills -- research, expert writing, talking to commenters as a peer and moderator (balanced moderation), selling ad space, marketing, server issues, trolls, spam, feed scrapers, hosting, privacy policies, plugins, themes, TLA, pay-per-post, let's not forget big daddy Google.... And the list goes on. If I knew how much stuff you have to be an expert at, I would have depended on the expertise of others much sooner. It took a few missteps before we let experts handle design and ad sales (among other things). What is the one thing you now know that you wish you knew when you started blogging? __________________ Admin / Tech guy Wise Bread, Parenting Squad, Healthcare Hacks

01-09-2008, 05:09 AM	#4
n_vizion Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	I wish I new how exactly what was involved in the whole process before I started blogging. It would not have deterred me, but I would have implemented all of the tips I am learning now from the beginning. __________________ http://clearlyenvizion.blogspot.com/-Develop Your Person http://www.wealthyhabitsnow.com/id2.html-Common Sense Finances

01-23-2008, 12:52 PM	#7
Joanne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Originally from New York City, now in Florida since 2002. Posts: 131 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (43)	Great thread. One thing I wish I knew when I started was just how important connecting with other bloggers was. I'm a social blogging butterfly now, but it took me a while to get there. And don't just connect with bloggers in your niche. Visit blogs that have nothing to do with what you're blogging about. I've met some really cool people by stepping outside my realm. __________________ My Myspace Page Forever Parents Adoption Shop

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01-05-2008, 05:01 AM	#2
Will Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 381 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (23)	The biggest thing I learned is never wait on a story. If you come up with a good idea, drop everything and bust out that post as quickly as possible. It is really hard to come up with original concepts. With so many talented bloggers out there, if you wait to pull the trigger someone else will come up with the same brilliant idea faster than you can say technorati.

01-05-2008, 07:44 AM	#3
Emily Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Things I would tell my n00b self: Set a schedule and stick with it. Publish more than you want to, but if you want a regular audience you need to have at least that scheduled post up. Write the way you want to write. Don't worry about what others are going to think when they read what you wrote. Comment, ESPECIALLY if you didn't understand what was written. Odds are you're not the only person confused. Google is forever.

01-23-2008, 09:09 AM	#6
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 610 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (84)	I would tell myself (and myself wouldn't listen ) that posts will never be perfect. Write it, clean it up, and post it, or don't. You can't spent 10 hours writing a short post or you'll make yourself insane.

01-23-2008, 01:01 PM	#8
1littlething Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Looks matter! Just as you can't go to a job interviw in cut off shorts and a dirty shirt you can't expect to be taken seriously with an ugly blog. Oh, and stalk Darren Rowse religiously.

01-25-2008, 08:26 AM	#9
cheapskate Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 50 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	I totally agree with this line: You can't spent 10 hours writing a short post or you'll make yourself insane. A blog is definitely not there for you to slave over a novel of a piece! Fast-turnaround balanced with accuracy seems to be the most important rule