belhoste

After a few years of me going around the block with this little web log, I am guessing that I might have learned a thing or two. Although, the things I learn I tend to forget and have to learn all over again. Since I never can seem to follow-through to the liking of the voices in my head, I thought I would let those voices speak out and someone else can start following them (I take no responsibility if the voices start to follow you after you start to follow them…). Seriously though, here is my list:

1. It takes less time to write a unique post (one you created from your own ideas), than it does to find something cute/weird/funny to write about. Don’t get me wrong, there is an enormous amount of weirdness out there on that new thing they call the Internet, but it just won’t compare to randomness that sits within your own head. I spend most of my down time scanning the web for something to write about when it only takes me an hour or so to come up with something all my own. It also means that someone may end up thinking you are an expert on something or other - which you probably are considering you have read everything you can possibly read out there on the web.
2. Commenting outside your own website is one of the best and worst possible ways to bring you traffic. Posting interesting and useful comments on other people’s websites is very helpful. But posting lame comments that say “Cool!” or something like it won’t bring you jack. Commenting will also help you to make those friends that you need and who need you. Commenting can also bring you marriage proposals if you are looking for that sort of thing (I wasn’t and still isn’t) [I'm pretty sure that some grammar junkie is readying their response to that last little tidbit].
3. Write about whatever you want. If you enjoy writing about it someone out there will probably enjoy reading it and keep coming back to read some more. I know that I don’t fill any particular niche in the web world, but I like having a place where I can tell others what I thought about a particular topic. I also like having a place to keep links to stuff that I may want to read again someday.
4. Write and post as much as you possibly can. The more posts you are able to put out in a week, the higher the number of visitors are to your site in that same week. I have seen the stats for my site drop off significantly when I am not able to post anything, so I know this is true. You still have to come up with at least something marginally interesting to post about, but that can usually be done fairly quickly (as long as you aren’t too picky).
5. Get sidetracked (just not all the time). There is so much information out there on the web that it is very easy to forget where you were headed in just a manner of minutes. During these momentary sidetracks, I write down any topics I might want to explore later (usually on sticky notes). When I don’t have a paper or pen, I email the links to myself of websites that I need to go to again to either do more research or write about the topic. I use stumble upon to wander around the Internet without ever getting anywhere. I get sidetracked all the time. Most sidetracks end up leading you down more paths of nonsense until there is nothing left to do but scream, but occasionally it has led me to something very worthwhile.
6. Make backups of everything. I have been lucky enough that everything on this blog has run very smoothly and without any hiccups. But I have seen what can happen when everything is lost with one single lightning strike. I never thought that I would be spending a week without power at my house, but I was wrong. I don’t want to be on the wrong side of an opinion about backups if I ever need one.
7. Be yourself - no matter what. It is much more entertaining to read a website that has personality than it is to just read the news. There are plenty of websites out there devoted to delivering the facts. Don’t get me wrong, I read the fact sites almost daily. But I enjoy reading sites that have something of the author still intact in the post. It makes the information more meaningful to see how it impacted someone else and knowing that it impacted me the same way or differently. Putting something of you into your posts bonds you to your readers. It gives them a reason to come back and see you.
8. Treat them right! Make sure to let your readers know how much you appreciate them from time to time. Even better - let them know it all the time (just don’t get mushy - no one like that). Respond to emails and comments as soon as you can. Visit their websites and make a comment or two. Who knows you may find out that people even appreciate you too.