How to create a successful blog: Tips from standout bloggers

culled from:http://www.thesocial.ca
Our viewers wanted to know how to become successful bloggers, so we put together a panel to answer your questions and share their tips

 

Too often, people treat blogging like it's a hobby. If you're serious about blogging, you have to think of it as a career and put the same care and effort into it as you would your profession, your job. That means consistency and dedication. You can't just get to it when you have the time, or when you feel like it, or after you go on holiday, or after you sleep off this weekend's party. It must be a priority. Because your readers, your blog visitors, will come to depend on you. And if you lose their attention, you may never get them back.

  

 

When I told my dad, a school teacher, that I thought maybe I'd like to write about things, he gave me two words of advice: Read The New Yorker to see what good writing looks like—and to see how to make a topic that you might not think is interesting really engaging—and write. Write as much as you can. Both proved to be useful. Also, readers of Foodie and the Beast say they come back for more because of how sincere, personal (even embarrassing) and honest the writing is. There's no artiface, filler or repetition. I think this is partly on account of its focus. I can write about a range of things—from movies, books, fashion and contemporary culture—because every post is framed within the context of a meal. So look for a framework that will allow you to talk about the thing you want to talk about while still maintaining a structure. In other words, find a lens through which your blog can view the world and then you can write about anything. Finally, keep at it. You never know who will stumble upon your words (and images: remember, the Internet is an intensely visual thing) and what sort of repercussions their viewing of your blog will have

 

 

Find your niche and if it’s something you want to monetize, figure out a related product or service that you can sell to that niche market. Also, give yourself permission to put something out there. People sit around and wait permission – don’t! Write a book, release it as a download and start monetizing. 

 

 

• Choose something you have a true passion for
• Start simply and ask other bloggers for advice
• Go to a conference - it will blow your mind but worth it
• Start writing for other blogs - likely for free
• Build your social media audience and find others interested in the same thing and share their content. They will (hopefully) check your content out as well and hopefully share your best work, then you can start to see what interests people
• Traffic isn't everything. It's hard to sell quality over quantity but awesome content is always better in the long run

 

 

First and foremost, choose a topic that you LOVE and is timeless. Read other blogs, watch other videos, leave comments, get involved.  The great thing about both the blogging and YouTube community is the support we have for one another. By showing an interest in the field, you become more recognizable as an expert. You also learn a lot from other bloggers that will keep making you a better blogger. Also, don’t expect to quit your day job right away. Building a reputation in the blogging community and in your niche takes time.