Or, do them now if you haven’t already.
I’ve noticed I’ve got some new bloggers following Sleepless Nights now (hello!) and thought that I’d repost this. Originally I posted it in the forum at Aussie Mummy Bloggers (where you don’t have to be a mummy blogger, or an Aussie to join) but thought someone out there might benefit from the info too. It’s handy info and if you enjoy it, I might occasionally post more blogging stuff here.
Seven things you should do while your blog is new.
#1 – Sign up for Technorati and add your blog. Technorati used to hold more weight, as it was the only blog ranking system, but even though less attention is paid to it, it’s invaluable to have your blog listed and gaining authority. Most blog ranking engines (Top 100 Aussie Women Bloggers for one) will still use Technorati to work out rank.
#2 Submit your blog to Google. Google is fantastic for driving search engine traffic to your blog.
#3 Sign up for Feedburner. Absolutely necessary for obsessive stat checking.
#4 Get a dedicated email address solely for blog related things and display it openly on your website. I’m not sure how many times I’ve gone to email someone, only to discover I can’t find an email for them. Very annoying. People need to be able to contact you. I’d advise NOT using hotmail, as eventually, they will impose a send/receive email limit and it will drive you batty. It’s apparently to combat spammers, but if you’re trying to email someone and can’t, spammers will be the last people you want to throw stones at.
#5 Sign up for a stat tracking service. Statcounter offers a good free service that I use and adore.
#6 Use Google Reader or Bloglines to keep track of all your bloggy friends updating. So much easier than clicking a link every single day to see if someone has updated.
#7 and finally, subscribe to someone who knows blogging like a business and can tell you how to do it better. Sometimes the advice won’t be relevant, but other times, you will wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself. I recommend Problogger for one.
What would you suggest that I’ve missed?
You missed how to satrt a blog in the first place. For a complete ignoramus like me, let’s pretend that I want to start blogging. What do I do? I notice there’s an empty “about” page linked to my comment name. Can I put information on that without having a blog?
Is there an empty About page River? I’ve never noticed that! And I don’t seem to be able to see it when I log out either, maybe it’s just for the commenter? Odd anyway.
And for anyone starting, I’d say go to http://blogger.com and follow the prompts to start a blog. Insanely simple and user friendly.
I’m floating a few ideas around in my head, but I’m not sure I’ve got it in me to keep a blog going. I don’t care at all about stat counters and such, popularity isn’t a big issue either, but the idea of spammers and trolls scares me.
I think that if you have the feeling you are going to want to have a self hosted blog with it’s own URL then the sooner you do it the better, as it’s a real pain trying to shift an estaished blog (and all it’s readers) to a new address. Feedburner does make it easier, but still.
Of course I am mega biased (since I make Blogger templates and all…*yummylolly.com*cough*ahem*) but I do like Blogger more than Wordpress for simple, regular blogs. There’s no charge, it’s highly customisable, easily plugged in via your google/gmail account and if you want to buy a URL it’s only $10/year and Blogger doesn’t try and charge the pesky fees that Wordpress do (i think it’s honestly OUTRAGEOUS that they want everyday blogging people to pay those fees). Of course Wordpress is more malleable, but 95% of people don’t need those features.
Anyway, my miniature rant aside, I agree with Dan that if you’re serious about your blog then getting your own URL sooner rather than later is important. Also, a catchy or unique title also helps people remember your site.
OK, I will shutup now.
River – the spammers aren’t an issue really – but trolls, ugh.
Dan, I agree, self hosted was the best thing I ever did and I still lost readers in the move, despite SN only being a few months old at the time.
Sharnee – You’re talking about blogger.com VS wordpress.com, right? I found wordpress.com had limited functionality, hence moving to a self hosted wordpress.org (totally different to the .com) blog. Of course, that’s more expensive!
Great list! I’d say, join a group such as Aussie Mummy Bloggers, or British Mummy Bloggers (I’m in both teehee) as it can be a great place to meet like minded people and also helps to boost your comments, which is especially nice if you’re just starting out! 🙂
I’d add that you should read and comment on lots of blogs. Great way to build community and readership.
WRITE!!!
That’s one thing you must do on a blog….lol
I have neglected mine badly lately.
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