Blog better every day: My daily blog tips from November 2011

December 5, 2011

tags: #DailyBlogTip, advice, blogging, Daily Blog Tip, tips, Twitter

by Wade Kwon

Throughout 2011, I share a daily blog tip via my Twitter account, @WadeOnTweets, at 7 a.m. CST.

You can …

Ask follow-up questions in the comments.
Tweet out your favorites.
Follow #DailyBlogTip on Twitter.
And follow me on Twitter at @WadeOnTweets.

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The tips for November …

Take strategy out of your head and put it on paper/computer. Review it periodically to refresh and adjust.
Test your mobile theme regularly. And borrow others’ phones to see display, interface, navigation.
Frequency of posts: Start out with quantity, improve with practice, then hold out for high quality.
Beware the plugin that looks fine in your browser but unexpectedly wrecks the site in other browsers.
Basic security includes strong password, up-to-date software, check for plugins/themes with malicious code.
Bound by no-comment policy? Get feedback through email, form, survey, social media and analytics.
Your blog community isn’t the same as the communities around related social media channels or email.
Marketing has to be a factor in your blog content, but it doesn’t have to be a hard sell approach.
Spice up your blog carnival: all guest posts; take opposite position; all photos or videos; under 50 words.
What is the one problem your blog could solve for users outside the home? Make that a goal for mobile.
Post images not only provide visual element, but help with thumbnails, visual reference, search, navigation.
Sometimes, HTML or simple coding can take the place of a sidebar plugin or widget.
Most users don’t pay attention to copyright and licensing. It’s up to you to write and enforce policy.
Too many seek out help for “better SEO” without knowing what it is, its value or its cost. Study up first.
80-20 rule for blog communities: 20 percent of members do 80 percent of commenting or bringing traffic.
Solving customer problems is a great approach in marketing your blog. Focus externally, not internally.
For your next series, include teaser or hook to next part at end of each post. Build that anticipation.
Idea for mobile: audio tour of retail space, display, property or neighborhood. Show off your world.
Keep short intro/outro videos on YouTube. Upload new videos, mash together in editor for branded content.
Consider platforms carefully, but realize that most readers won’t know or care.
Create a low-level user profile for guests to post, but not allow access to other areas of the site.
Use custom permalinks not only to extend SEO value but also to keep headlines shorter.
Give tools to your community: comment rating/flags and threads, profiles, reminders, customization.
One thing that can make your blog stand out? Gratitude. Be thankful for your readers and customers.
Marketing plans require discipline, consistency. Flitting among tactics wastes time, accomplishes little.
The power of guest posts is reaching an audience you don’t normally see on your site. Do your homework.
Allow users to toggle between mobile and desktop version of your site theme on phones.
Little touches make for professional videos: tripod for steady shots, music for mood, mics for good audio.
A small investment in learning how to use your platform pays off again and again in the long run.
Free speech is an important right. Use your blog to the fullest to exercise it regularly.