Becoming a successful blogger by Peter Okolie

There is no doubt that we are in the information age, an age where everything is influenced by the correct use of appropriate information.  It is no surprise that the currency of this age is information. As expected, the individual that has the correct quantity of information at the right time has the potential to increase popularity and create wealth.

Blogging has taken centrestage with more and more individuals making an effort to drift a blog as one of the ways to establish a digital presence. Most blogs on the Internet are not optimally utilised. However, the few that have been able to stand out have become a resource centre and an avenue for wealth for their respective owners.

In this article, I would highlight on those things that would make your blogging experience both interesting and profitable.

Blogging requires some knowledge of the Internet. If you are afraid of your computer, then blogging may not be for you. Alternatively, if you are willing to learn, you can blog. It is important to note that successful blogging requires a large time commitment and a great deal of sweat.

In a couple of minutes, you can create a blog on a free service like blogger.com or invest some money in developers and have them create a bespoke blog. Whatever method you choose, blogging doesn’t stop after you create a blog, write and publish a blog post; there is more.

Gaining exposure is important, but it is futile to attract people to your blog when it is filled with mediocre content. You have to attract them, but it is very important to make sure they stay, and you do that only by consistently being good at something and being recognised for it.

Blogging is like starting a new business, you need to learn all the concepts, theories and also get some help from others.

And trust me; it’s not as easy as it sounds.

I have had to build a few blogs for individuals as well as consult for bloggers. Here are a few of the recommendations I have offered:

Find your niche: It is important that you find a niche and be known for it. You could decide to blog about vehicle, health, current happenings etc. It is important to keep your information fresh and relevant.

Keep it short:  In my opinion, you should endeavour to keep each post less than 600 words.  Most readers would prefer a brief post to a lengthy one.

Define your ideal readers: Once you’ve found your niche, you need to know who your readers are. For example, if you write about child care; the ideal readers are child care givers. Tailor your writing to your readers and it would be more meaningful.

Be original: The amount of originality you put into your blog would help establish your blog and make it standout from the numerous others on the Internet.

Be interesting: Find a place for humour on your blog; make your blog interesting enough; give your readers something to look forward to on every paragraph.

Be honest: Your blog needs to be real—it needs to feel real—if you want people to read it  and keep coming back. The information  you provide must be trustworthy.

Time:  Be prepared to commit an amount of your time to adding content to the blog. You can’t afford to update your blog only when you feel like it. Devote some time to running it.

Feedback: Create a system that allows you to receive comments and feedbacks from readers on your blog. It is important that you provide your audience with an opportunity to participate. Their input would also inspire the kind of content you provide.

Negative criticism:  It is important that you prepare your mind because it is very certain that you would receive some negative criticism. Some individuals will question your motive, your source etc. Learn what you can from them and move on.

Research: Spend your time researching what you’re writing about. Keep getting better and be a step ahead, increase the amount of information at your disposal.

Keep it simple:  There is really no need to flood your blog post with high-sounding vocabulary, keep it as simple as possible. You would make more impact to your reader if they can comprehend your information easily.

Use pictures: It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Using the appropriate pictures on your blog will make it more relevant. More of your readers will be able to relate better with the information that you are providing.

Be consistent:  When you are blogging, it is important that you endeavour to be consistent. It is better to provide small amounts of information at small intervals than provide lengthy information that isn’t consistent.

In conclusion, to be a successful blogger, you must enjoy reading, researching, spending time on your computer and surfing the web. Successful blogging is a commitment in terms of time and effort and requires a great deal of self-discipline and self-motivation. I look forward to reading your questions, comments and suggestions.