RSS
« Advice from turkey sandwiches | Home | Wrapped around his finger »
Personal blogger’s resource
February 18, 2008
I read personal blogs. Admittedly, they’re pretty much all I read online. I glimpse at Tweets, skim through emails, and glance occasionally at tech sites. I excitedly awaited Dooce updates back when I was drag-and-dropping at Geocities, installing Greymatter in tables, and dreaming of a future with Flickr and Facebook.
For me, that was where the genius was. Anyone could detail an Apple product and keep me interested, but being able to make me care about your cat’s test results, or your road trip to Washington, that’s what I really remembered.
That being said, even with thousands of new blogs being created every day, my Google Reader is still a bit scant. Although I don’t consider myself an authority by any means, I began to wonder what it was about certain personal blogs that made them so much more entertaining than others, and why I quickly skipped over some while sincerely hoping that others would post a new entry before bedtime.
I eventually ended up with the following list of trends I’ve noticed among the most interesting, fun, and widely-read personal blogs.
1. Write in color
If there was one piece of advice I could offer, it would be this: Instead of typing five wordy paragraphs detailing your complete day from walking your dog to a chat with your mother to OMG work was boring!, think back and try to remember the most colorful thing. Think about the guy at the cafe with the obnoxiously red hat and how he was reading Cosmo, or how your daughter looked trying on her poufy, stark white communion dress, or how your sister’s arm turned purple when you landed on it with that sled.
People have imaginations that can work out their own details. Give them a chance to picture things.
2. Come out
When I first started reading mommy bloggers, years ago, I thought to myself, why would you post a picture of your baby online?
Now I wish I could have a baby so I could post pictures of him online.
There are some anonymous bloggers that I love, mainly because their writing is incredible. Truth be told, not everyone is an incredible writer.
Mix it up. Record some video. Make your sense of humor known. It takes a while to reach that comfort level, but popular opinion has assured me that people feel a greater connection to a person they can see, hear, etc. Words all look the same on a computer screen. Putting a face, and a personality, to the stories makes for a more animated read.
3. Keep it open
Unlike a novel, your readers won’t start at the beginning of your blog. If your most recent entry is, “Remember that thing that happened with Greg last week?” the answer is most likely, “No.” Keeping a running list of moments, with minimal unclear references, will lead to better understanding and less-frustrated readers.
4. Develop a “thing”
Once in a while, when I see a news story, or TV show, or hear a conversation, something will remind me of a blog I read. With Cynthia, it’s cocktails. With Pittgirl, it’s pigeons. With Rachel, it’s Chicago. You’ll be less forgettable if people can’t help but be reminded of your website.
5. Design isn’t everything, but it’s something
This goes back to the originality thing. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of blogs with the same layout. If you’re clueless when it comes to tweaking, ask for help. Google it. There are crazy amounts of resources that will guide you through changing your header.
Make sure everyone can see what you’ve written. I hope you’re not using IE, but hey, you might be at work. Or you might not care. That’s great! I still want my sidebars to line up, so you don’t see an empty column when you come to read what I’ve written.
Unless your writing has been recommended to a new reader, chances are that they wont spend more than a few seconds scrolling down your long page of words. Even if you’re brilliant: stand out, visually, somehow.
“But if I’m in their RSS reader, they won’t see my design anyway!”
You need to get into their RSS reader, first.
6. Travel the internet, and keep your name
One of the first things a fan of your blog may do upon joining a new social network, application, etc. is to see if you’re there. Have the same nickname on Flickr and Twitter that you have as your domain. Let them know you’re there by linking to your profile pages on your blog.
7. Space out the emo
Your depression is human, but there has to be a little more to your life than that. Even if you take a moment to post some pictures of your newly-designed bedroom, or recall a somewhat humorous conversation between your nieces, try to space out the deep, dark, emotional stuff. People are awkward. Readers won’t return if they think they know what you’ve already written.
8. It’s the little things
It won’t be every day that you walk into Panera and see Steve Jobs on a Blackberry. It’s understandable. But don’t use this as an excuse to hide away for two weeks. I mean, seriously, look at what your husband’s wearing right now. Are those knee socks? I have to see that.
At the same time, hug your hometown. A lot of your readers probably haven’t been to your city, or your farm, or your college, and most of them don’t have the money to travel at this time. Show them what it’s like, take them on a bus ride, or tell them why you avoid public transportation completely.
9. Don’t disregard your high school English
Your blog isn’t a newspaper, or a book, and hey, you should be able to let loose, right? Maybe. While people want to connect with a writer, they also want to be confident that the author knows what they’re doing. As a reader, becoming involved with a lovely post about your high school sweetheart, and running into an odvius misspeelling, is like hitting the wrong piano key.
10. Monitor your ego
Make fun of yourself — there are plenty of reasons to. Don’t complain to your readers that they aren’t commenting enough or mention in every other post how you’re so sorry you haven’t gotten around to answering all of these emails — it’s a turnoff. I really am not very interested in where you rank on Technorati. Actually, I’m not even sure what that implies. But that entry you wrote last week about how you met your girlfriend at the train station? You know, the one that only got two comments?
God, I loved that.
Return your comments, answer your emails, and comment (and comment, and comment) on others’ good posts. And give credit where credit is due. If you have 10 unique readers per day, and one emails you a recipe they think you’d like, and you decide to post it, don’t lead in with, “A whole bunch of people emailed me this recipe this weekend…”
No. One did. Maybe two. Get off the giant horse, you’re a blogger.
Categories: Daily
February 18th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
This is FANTASTIC.
The first one is great advice!
February 18th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I like the tips! This is a must read for all bloggers! ;)
February 18th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Ooh, my blog is a “what to do”! Thank you. Happy day to me!
February 18th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Very nice.
Something I recommend to the mix: learn a little Photoshop. Pictures that look great printed out can come off drab on a computer screen — spice up the contrast, though, and the pop. It’ll also allow you to make a unique header, and without a unique header, it’s very difficult for anyone to remember your page.
(er, says the girl with about 5 regular readers…)
February 18th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Totally. Couldn’t agree more. :)
February 18th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
excellent advice. I must now re-write my blog.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Ugh, my comment died on arrival! I’ll try again.
Thanks for writing a brilliant piece here. You explained it SO well and gave advice that I think most people could actually use. I’d love to hire you as a consultant for MY blog!
Advice I followed: changing the user name on all my stuff to “Lippy” since that’s what everyone calls me. So now it’s “Lippy” across the board!
I have to work on the “color” stuff, but I do so get it.
I think I do a good job making fun of me. I’m pretty good at it, but sometimes people don’t get it and they offer all kinds of “self-esteem” advice. My closest friends and best readers love to pile on and add to the fire, and that’s what I love the most. So feel free :)
I lost my ego in 1996, somewhere in lower Manhattan. It’s been more fun since then.
So what do you recommend for people who can’t write nice short comments?
I love your blog, by the way. One of the best I’ve found yet.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Like many of your posts, this is one of those things I wish I’d written.
And, in my opinion, you are an authority.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Robin G. - No, I agree! Even though I don’t use Photoshop, even iPhoto (and maybe Microsoft Photo Editor?) have tools to brighten photos.
I’m a big enthusiast for photography on blogs.
tiff (the second) - I don’t think that will be necessary. :)
Lippy - Thank you so much! I know what you mean — sometimes it’s difficult to portray “this is me making fun of myself” versus “this is me feeling bad for myself.”
Side note: “I lost my ego in 1996, somewhere in lower Manhattan.” HA! That was awesome!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
The 10 Habits of Highly Successful Bloggers?
I especially like point 4: ‘Develop a “thing”’, and the examples you gave. When I received a book on cocktails for Christmas this year, it made me think of Cynthia—not Cynthia in real life, who is not that much of a lush, but Cynthia the blogger and brand.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Carman - Oooh, good title.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
yes, you’re right. everytime i hear pittsburgh i think of you!
February 18th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Thank you!
This was exactly what I needed to read today. Especially #10! Is such great advice. I am not new to blogging but I AM new to having actual readers who comment. And I am still trying to figure it all out. But you’re right, replying to comments is very important. I love it when I comment and the blogger writes back. I don’t know why I don’t do it as often as I would have liked. But after reading this, I am definitely going to try a bit harder.
Great post!
February 18th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Wow this is a great list! Thanks for sharing!
February 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hope - You’re welcome! I always feel like the lonely girl at the lunch table when someone I consider to be a “cool blogger” doesn’t acknowledge me when I ask a question, even if it’s through email.
Everyone - Thank you, thank you, thank you!
February 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
This is wonderful, Rachel. You never cease to impress me.
Actually, as you were the first personal blogger I ever read, and since now I read, I don’t know, probably 100, you are THE authority.
(lol @ your comment: “Oooh, good title.” Completely “Shakespeare in Love.”)
February 18th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Great post, really enjoyed the points you made. I read this book last Christmas and can highly recommend it for further reading around how to keep your blog interesting!
Nobody cares what you had for lunch (100 ideas for your blog).
http://tinyurl.com/yqqsvb
February 18th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Yes, that is all good advice (not advice I follow mind you!) and I’m sure if new bloggers followed all that they would soon build up a set of loyal readers and commenters.
I suppose for me, the beauty of blogging is in the variety. What appeals to me about an individual blog, and what makes me return to it, is that I can see what the person behind it is like. I often wonder why there are so many overlapping sets of readers - we all read some blogs but not the same ones. And it is not because some are better looking than others, just that a person’s particular style of writing, or style of presentation or the type of person they appear to be, appeals to us as individuals. Well, that is how it is for me anyway.
I have to confess that I write my blog for myself - because I love to write. I enjoy getting comments, and I love to know that people read and I always respond if someone comments, but I don’t write to get a big audience. I would rather have a handful of longish comments that say something meaningful about the post than lots and lots that don’t say much at all. But that is just me. Others do it for other reasons, to network or whatever and that is great.
Blogging is a wonderful thing.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Robert - HA! Yes! That’s one of my favorite ongoing jokes in that movie (also one of my favorites).
Neil - Maggie Mason (mightygirl.com) is an amazing authority on the topic. She’s given a few panels on personal blogging, and, of course, wrote that book. I think it’s a great buy for a blogger.
Reluctant Blogger - “…we all read some blogs but not the same ones.” I’ve always been somewhat fascinated by that. I don’t want to use the world “cliques,” because of the negative connotation, but there are definitely similar styles of blogs (that may be completely unrelated to one another).
February 18th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
GREAT GREAT GREAT suggestions!!
as a relatively new blogger, i’ve been trying to find that perfect balance between blog and livejournal (i had one for 10 years) so this is a great list of suggestions.
the ego one is very important, i hate reading blogs about how amazing someone’s life is and how they’ve been getting “hundreds of requests for this” etc etc. YEAH, RIGHT.
I need to print this out and put it on my desk as a guide :)
February 18th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
“Now I wish I could have a baby so I could post pictures of him online.”
I am so glad you said that, because I think that a lot and I was feeling weird about it!
Great rundown!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Great stuff Rachel! I’d add something like: Sit down and write.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
These are really great, and of course, well-written.
Thank you for mentioning the ego thing. That’s a huge pet peeve of mine.
It’s like, how sad is your real life when you’re trying to be homecoming queen of the internet?
Just sit down and write. The rest will follow.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
odvius mispeeling - hee hee:)
I love your blog, and what I appreciate most in this post is the way you follow your own advice. The fact that it’s honest makes it so much more valuable for me.
Bookmarked the post, will attempt to learn by heart, hope results show on blog.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
This was such a fantastic read, and I agree with you on all points.
“You know, the one that only got two comments?
God, I loved that.”
Thanks for renewing my faith. :)
February 18th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Excellent advice! You should teach a blogging class.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Good call on this post. I honestly should be following some of these, but I am so damn busy… Oh well, maybe when I’m unemployed I will have more time to blog. :)
K.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Ray, that homecoming quote made my day!
February 18th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Wow. Just wow. This is incredible in so many ways!!! Awesome job!!!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Nicolle - For me, it was finding a balance between a paper journal and a blog. I sort of abandoned my Moleskine when I started being more open on my website.
Nicole - Glad I’m not alone!
ollka - I’m flattered to hear that you think so.
Jasmin - There are so many amazing bloggers who don’t have the audience they deserve. It sometimes only takes a few incredible entries for a website to boom.
Eric - If only there were such a place…
Kate - What are you trying to say? :)
NYCWD - GAH! If I were thinking more clearly I would’ve used you for number 4! You’re totally my cereal authority.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
[...] Check out the resource here [...]
February 18th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
You’re more of an authority than you think, Rachel.
Sound, well laid out discussion points. Great stuff! I should use those to actually write…
February 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
This reminds me of a “what not to do with your blog” list that I thought of… but thought would make me sound snobby if I posted. Ironically, one of them was “don’t write in color” - as in, colored text is hard to read!
February 18th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
oh dude, i remember geocities and greymatter… way to make me feel old!
February 19th, 2008 at 12:33 am
You are very wise for your age. Enjoyed the post.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Hmmm.. food for blogging thought! It’s amazing how little I think about the actual form that my blog takes! Yikes!
February 19th, 2008 at 2:52 am
years from now people will still be refering to this “how to blog” post. very nice!
February 19th, 2008 at 4:23 am
First of all, TRUE DAT.
As for wishing you had a baby to post pictures of, I was wishing I had a puppy like Bello to post pictures of.
Would you like to see my new plant instead? Its talents include producing oxygen, but I’m still trying to figure out how to capture that on film.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:21 am
I enjoyed this post and think it offers some good advice for people looking to improve their blog. I’m far from an expert in these matters and subscribe to about 100, most of which aren’t particular interesting reads. But I still go back, but not because of the quality. I look at this blog world as an amazing record of how millions of people think and live– people who I will never meet, who live all over the planet, who have thoughts and opinion far different that my own. And yet I am in touch with them in such a unique way. It’s so interesting. I find the sheer magnitude of their collective voices very very humbling indeed. Make any sense?
February 19th, 2008 at 8:51 am
So true, so true! Not only is noticing the “colorful things” essential for good blogging, it is essential for life!
February 19th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Woy - Getting you to blog was my whole reason for writing this. :)
kilax - I don’t think you’d sound snobby. Uh oh. Do I sound snobby?
Rachel - I feel like there’s a whole generation of grassroots bloggers that’s been disregarded for the Blogger age.
Noble Pig - Thank you!
bre - I think it’s kind of like how when you look in the mirror, you see something different than what other people see. It kind of works that way with your writing too.
neill - That would be awesome!
Leah - Um, I would LOVE to see your plant!
Diane Mandy - Well said! It is very interesting. Sometimes I wish I didn’t get so irked by little things on blogs, since they really are quite revealing of the author. I’m going to try harder.
Valerie - Great point!
February 19th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Great post.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Can you read my site through google reader?
I’ve tried to make the rss feed available more times than I can think of but it never works.
Help me, all knowing one!
P.s. See you in oh… a few weeks?
February 19th, 2008 at 10:00 am
This was DELIGHTFUL (and right on the money)!
February 19th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Also,
Is there a way to see what sites you subscribe to on google reader? Bored work place minds would like to know.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Sometimes I think Rachel needs to read her own number 10 and get off her own high horse. ;)
February 19th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Aimee - Thank you! Can’t wait to see you in Austin!
Rachel - Thanks so much!
leah - Emailed you! (As you know!) :)
Mosley - What? Really? Do I do those things?
February 19th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Rachel on a high horse? Really?
Maybe it’s a pony? But hey Rachel, even if you’re on a pony, you stay on that pony! You rule that pony!
You, my dear, are the most humble person, aside from blogger, person, I know.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:45 am
[...] fellow Pittsburgh Blogger (ThatNight) wrote an amazing post about called, “Personal Blogger Resource”. I recommend that everyone in to blogging check it out, it’s well written and the tips are [...]
February 19th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Rachel - I was being facetious. I feel that that there is nothing wrong with having an ego. So what I was trying to say is that you are on a high horse and you are there rightly so. You are a good blogger and you know it and there is nothing wrong with that.
I understand what your were trying to say with number 10 and I think being humble would be better. There is nothing wrong with having a big ego also long as you have the knowledge, recognition and that talent to back it up.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Jason (Mosley) - What an intelligent comment!
Thank you for your kind words, and for your research. :)
February 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
No Problem I just wanted people to know having an ego is not evil. Ego is the second most misunderstood words, selfishness is the first. (That last statement is my opinion and is not based on facts.)
February 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Yes, I get exactly what you’re saying.
Although, rather than following this definition:
I was using it more in this context:
February 19th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Words and there many definitions… it’s a breeding ground for debates, arguments, and lawsuits.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Thanks for this — it’s definitely something that I’ll try to keep in mind while on my own adventures around the internet. :)
February 19th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Anyone have any recs for good blogs that adhere to these guidelines…and maybe aren’t about moms and/or people living together in love…? In other words, I’m looking for the good blogs by people who are alone (but maybe not because they are jerky).
:)
February 19th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Great tips from a veteran blogger. Thanks!
February 19th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hey, thanks for the advice. I’m kinda new to the blogging world, and all these things definitely make sense. I’ll keep these in mind while blogging.
Nice work and advice!
February 19th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Great post! Wanted to say that I, too, love dooce. Love your blog as well.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Um, I just wanted to be the 60th comment.
And I really like the photo at the top. I like how the four blocks in the pavement fit the frame perfectly, and how the sleeves go over the person’s hands. And I like the colors. And everything.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
I linked through to your blog a few weeks ago. I think it was from dasbecca.com? But after reading this entry I think you might find my blog interesting too. Check it out!
Adrienne :)
February 19th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
This is definitely very interesting and informative. Thanks! As a baby blogger, I am still figuring out these slippery ropes… It seems a delicate balance between writing for self/documenting own life, and entertainment/community. I come from years and years of journaling through http://www.opendiary.com and http://www.afrodiary.com (similar to livejournal) which a) provided an instant audience, and b) offered limited design options. So this whole independent world of blogging is new to me! But I am staying optimistic and excited about the possibilities. :)
Also, I’m still slightly apprehensive about how much info to reveal - photos? first name AND last name? I recently freaked out when I googled my own name after applying to grad schools and came up with a site of stupid shit I wrote. Since then, I’ve tried not to use my whole name… But I guess that is just the risk of being on the internet. I’m willing to try it though and see what happens.
(and sorry this is such a novel..)
February 19th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I could do all of that and I still won’t get 67 comments. You go girl.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Thanks for the helpful hints…though my little space on the web is still undiscovered…lol…I must say I enjoy logging on to find that you’ve updated.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Great advice, Rachel. Thanks for saying that baby photos aren’t a bad thing, too. I go back and forth on the issue, but at the end of the day, THAT is the point of my blog. To share stories and photos with family members. If others want to follow us, great. If not, oh well.
That’s my little piece of advice. Bloggers need to know why they write and stick to it. I know my blog sucks when I veer off course.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Very helpful, Rachel! Number three is great advice.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Very good observations. For me, personal blogs are so much more fun to read because they offer a glimpse into someone’s life. I’ve always preferred non-fiction to fiction when it comes to reading. I love the research you conducted. Well done and nice blog too!
February 20th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I cannot read through the mass of comments, but I agree with most of the bullets on this list.
February 21st, 2008 at 12:16 am
I think what you’ve said is so true. I despise blogs that are just, “I did this. Then that. LOL. I love my friends/dog/mom/nail polish/whatever.” So boring.
Some guy named Mike Harmon, who has a blog about basic accounting, found my blog on Technorati and added me to his RSS feed. I find that creepy.
February 21st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Love #10. That’s that one I struggle with most. WHY AREN’T I FAMOUS YET?
February 21st, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Um. This isn’t a comment so much as a marriage proposal. LOVE.
I so wish I were going to Austin with you and Aimee. It’ll be exciting to watch one of you win on the internet, at least. ;-)
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:43 am
OMG this was brilliant. I wish I had read this when I first started blogging!
Two years later, it’s still a useful guide.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
GREEAAAAT post! Really super!
February 27th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
[...] Thatnight writes so many perfect posts (look) that she hardly needs any publicity, yet her recent list of advice for bloggers is something worth rereading every [...]
March 16th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I just started reading your blog tonight, I found you from a link over on Aimee’s blog… anyways, I love this post. :) I had to laugh at your very first tip about writing in color because I just finished writing a story about my 2 year old vomiting all over himself and his Dad when we went out to eat this afternoon. Take care!
April 8th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
[...] all how-to posts are the same. Rachel wrote a great “how to blog” post a while back on That Night. She focused more on what makes for an entertaining personal blog and the techniques for developing [...]
April 10th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Rachel, this is a great blog post about great blogging. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.