You want some more BlogHer?

August 2, 2008.

It is a new month and a new post, I am on a roll.  Thanks for the comments and emails - I promise to share all that I learned (or just assumed) from BlogHer'08.  I got to fill out a nifty questionnaire today on line about my experience....I sure hope they let me come back!* 

*Please note these "rules" are really just suggestions, or what has worked for some.  I am not an expert, so please don't call me one.  I am sure there are 240 successful blogs that do not pay attention to ANY of this....but if you care, here goes:

Give A Little Bit

I think I have mentioned this in the past, and I try really I do to adhere by it.  Give your readers something, some bit of information, some nugget of inspiration, a dash of something forbidden (not to get dirty, but something you may not say to your mother).  One of the break out sessions had a speaker say, "If you are ready to push the publish button and you are not a little bit nervous, then don't push it".  In other words, give them a little - something for the reader to go, "wow, I never thought of that" or "gee, she sure bared her soul".  The most successful blogs give a lot, I mean a lot with a capital A and their blogs are fabulous, wonderful, engaging reads. 

Look Over Here

Without using all of the fancy-schmancy jargon I hope you know that blogs are ranked and the more  blogs that link to your blog the better you are ranked.  One thing I did not know is that when you write: If you are looking for a great place to get great advice on starting a business you should go here, is not as good as saying, Go to Jamie's Blog JPD Mom to learn about starting a business.  Take the time to write the blog out, the linky love God's like it better, since the blog titled, here does um, not exist so much.

And, while we are on the subject, if you like (or love) a blog, go rate it.  You can give the blog a thumbs up, you can kirtsy it, you can stumble it - you can tell people that this blog is great or this post is great.

Commenting on Other Blogs

1. You do not need to list your URL, your name, your website, your nick name and your phone number when you comment on someone's blog.  It is in the comment already, you are sort of spamming people if you repeat your name over and over.
2. Don't comment Anonymously, your post will most likely be deleted
3. Be nice, or if you can't be nice, then try and be witty.
4. Well thought out comments will make people start to notice you AND think you are an expert.
5. If you write a comment on a blog and all you write is "Great Post!" you will probably not get an email back.
6. If you visit a blog and ask in the comment to please list you in their blog roll, read your blog or comment on your blog - they won't .  Bloggers (the successful ones) know when they are being stalked, or when someone is begging for readers.  Again, most likely your comment will be deleted.
7. Comment on blogs that are "like" your blog.  You want to create a community, you want to become an expert in your "group".
8. Recognize your "commenters", at least before you are famous.  They are your biggest fans and treat them well....or they will leave.

If You Build it, They Will Come

A great break-out session was about writing better blog posts and it gave some fabulous tips on how to make your blog great.  The basis was from Field of Dreams, "If you write good posts, then they will come." - write good posts and you will get readers.  You have to spend some time on other blogs though, you need to leave comments and you need to develop a "community".  If your blog is about collecting antique ceramic pigs, well by golly go out there and find some other "pig peeps"!

Blogging Etiquette

The big rules that we should all follow (and I know, I know I should go delete a few posts) are listed below.  We were told that your blog has to have at LEAST one of these, if not more, to make it a successful blog:

1. Write posts that are useful, not just an advertisement.  Readers know when you are yanking their chains so to speak, they are not dumb and they are fickle.  If you write dumb stuff, your readers will not appreciate it.
2. Write GOOD amusing posts.  Your posts have to be well-written, have to be something people are interested in.
3. Your posts should be timely.  This is especially important if you write about news, sports or politics...for me not so much.  Though I should (so they say) blog more often.
4. Get a good camera (top of my to-do list for the week).  You need to have pictures with your posts and they do need to be good.
5. Don't ask or beg for comments and never call out readers.  This a big no-no and a turn off,  no one wants to think Big Brother is watching them as they lurk around reading blogs. 
6. Don't tell your readers you know they are reading and DEMAND they comment....come on, no one wants to be told that we know you are watching them.  It took me almost two years before I felt comfortable to comment on other blogs, give your readers a break.
7. Do not steal content (Splogging), art or photos from other blogs.  This is a no-brainer, but people still seemed confused by it.  I don't need to get all copyright on ya do I?
8. If you want people to comment on your blog, then comment on others.  Even if you think your blog is not for bloggers (psst....it is) that does not matter.  Make sure and comment, it gets your name out there and it brings people to your blog.  Almost three years in blogs are popping up from my industry, people that never blogged are NOW blogging.  Never say never - okay?

Cutting Off In Traffic

Elise Bauer of Simply Recipes gave a great analogy about reading blogs, commenting on blogs and making us all realize where that comfort zone was.  It is easy to forget that this "person" writing a blog is real, and that there are rules of engagement for us to follow.

When you are driving on the freeway and some uh, jerk cuts you off you may yell obscenities, (you, not me, I would never do that), scream and shake your fist at the driver.  Now, when someone cuts you off at the grocery store with their cart, you may think "some swear words" in your head, but you will most likely say nothing.  Think of blogs like the person in the grocery store - they have feelings, they do not know you, you do not know them - be polite.  Remember there is a bubble around each of you though.

If this was not enough information about BlogHer, you can go to SV Moms and read another post about the event, or you can read more at Miss 604, she gives a great summaryabout some other sessions, and DrBethSnow has a funny post.  For the BESTEST information and tips go to Blogging Basics 101.  Please, talk amongst yourselves, as I am on vac-a-tion for a week....ta-ta!

Comments

[Anne Glamore]

Aw, Jamie, thanks for the sweet words about my blog. You can come say nice things at My Tiny Kingdom ANYTIME!

Luv ya--

AG

[Michelle]

wow! this is great advice! you're so good at writing and expressing what you have to say. i have such a hard time communicating even if i have something i want to say. sooooo... good job! thanks for sharing and I'm gonna try to "give" more : )

[Debra]

Thanks Jamie, wow the info is so helpful. I have so much to learn. I have to go back and read and re-read the information. I also will be visiting the other links so that I can polish up my blogging.

[Jo Dee Foster]

Hi, Jamie! I'm GREEN, as in novice to the blog. Thankfully, I'm being encouraged by my friend, Michelle Allen, who forwarded me your HELPFUL link! I've only 1 post & commented on 1 (now 2) blogs. (And, I see I've already made a blog faux paux... eek!). I've created a fancy new header & have tons of pics and ideas ready to flow, but my start is slow due to need for knowledge. So, thank you so much for sharing your info!!! I'm enjoying reading your entries & am grateful for people, like you, helping make the learning easier. While reading your entry, the word "stress" caught my eye as an entry on your posts & my artistic A.D.D. took me to the ADORABLE pic of the sad baby cowboy! Back to reading. Just HAD to stop & say 'thanks'!

[Whitney Hill]

Hi Jamie! Great information - I found your site a few months ago - and even referenced it in my blog - when you featured an interview with Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. I really appreciate you taking the time to recap what you learned from BlogHer - helpful because I didn't have the opportunity to go. Thanks again!