5 Steps To Make Blogging Works For You

I have to admit - I’m not (yet) a good blogger. I blogged here since June 2006 though I maintained a few other blogs since 2004. There are far more bloggers in Malaysia doing it earlier and better than I do.

But beside blogging myself, I have given a couple of seminars on blogging. And I have helped many individuals to blog better - technically (setting up a domain name, custom theme, SEO, marketing for them) and fundamentally ( coaching on the correct mindset of blogging, do/not do, how to promote..etc). Hence, I’m compiling my own guide to successful blogging, hoping to help others fellow Malaysians to blog better.

1. Don’t Make Logical Decision On What You Should Blog
This is my personal favorite (which is why I put it at first). If you think logically when choosing a topic to blog about, you usually have three choices:

- Blog about the most profitable topics - celebrity, make money online..etc
- or, blog about your skill/something to teach the audience.
- or, blog about a very niche topic that makes you unique/expert in the field.

I’m not saying either of one are wrong. All I’m saying is: you should blog for your passion. Ignore all the logical choices - think of something that excites you the most, giving you the adrenaline rush, makes you think about it day and night. That way, you would not only able to haul in the long run (did I mention you need to blog ‘looooong’ enough to be able to prosper?), it also give you an edge over the others.

2. Work Harder Than The Rest
No matter what you are blogging about, there are probably hundreds other blogger blog the same thing with you. And chances are: they are better writer than you and has being blogging for a long time.

So how can you do to overtake them? Easy, work harder than them. Blog more often than the rest. Spend more time and effort on doing your research, on crafting your best post, on promoting your blog. If you follow step one, this should come naturally.

3. Build Lasting Relationship
No, I did not just sound like any networking guru. Think about it, bloggers are probably the largest community on the internet. If you blog, you probably speak the same language with other bloggers. Furthermore, bloggers of the same niche are not competitor. They are more like circle of friends with the ability to help each other by linking to each other, share traffic, compliment each other, inspire opinions and more.

The bottom line is, build relationship with your fellow bloggers and visitors as if in the real world (the digital world is the real world anyway). Try to response all your comments in your blog; write personal emails to them; and ask questions to your readers instead of just writing your stuff. The key to lasting relationship is be thoughtful and personal.

4. Never Ever Blog For Money
This would probably draw some controversy. To me, the biggest poison of blogging, is blogging for money. You’ll not only soon lose your passion and direction on your blog, you’ll also be losing some of your readership - like me. I personally hate to see blogs that stuffed with advertisement even though some good content might help. But if I saw the blog is frequented with sponsored post (like PayPerPost), well that would be the last time I’m reading there. Why would I spend my precious time online reading mindless advertisement?

There are thousands other better way to make money on the internet, but not blogging. Blog is a platform for communication. But if you blog right (as in following what’s written in this post), money will soon come along.

5. Try To Write Better
Not everyone is a prolific writer, but at least try. I have seen many Malaysian blogs would never invest effort on ‘trying’ to write better. This often makes their writing looked like 5 years old and a struggle to read.

Don’t make your reader suffer. Writing better is simple. You can read more books, write more, read more blogs by better writers, or you can ask Dilbert.

That complete my 5 steps to help you to blog better. What’s yours?

Side Note: Thanks for reading this lengthy post. I would like to take this opportunity to expand my “Fellow Malaysians” blogroll. The only criteria is you are a Malaysian and you blog for passion. So if you fulfill this criteria, why don’t you leave a link to your blog in the comment area and I’ll add them to my blogroll (and I’ll be grateful if you do the same). Thanks!