For every topic, there is a blog. Bloggers write about what they’re eating, what they’re wearing, who they’re dating and where they are going. And when they’re not writing about themselves, they’re writing about what their pets are eating and wearing. However, it’s not really what you write about that makes your blog a success as much as your personal commitment to writing (number of posts and a relative organized theme.) According to a recent study from the Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth:
- Blogs take time and committment
- Blogs must have focus
- Blogs must be authentic and transparent
In his post on the study in Micro Persuasion, Steve Rubel (Micro Persuasion is in the BlogBurst network) uses a graph from the study’s report to demonstrate the number of bloggers who spend more than 4 hours daily on their blogs - which hovers around four percent of total bloggers.
However, no real correlation between hours spent and success of a blog were made. When it comes to success for a blog, it might not be the amount of hours you spend that helps, but the frequency in which you post and the ability of your blog to stay focused that makes the difference.
We hear frequently from publishers that they are looking for well-written (including non-offensive or derogatory), topically focused blogs. Publishers, right now, are looking for blogs covering mainly mainstream topics, including travel, gadgets, sports and fashion. As blogging continues to become more mainstream, topics will continue to expand for publishers and our future BlogBurst users.
But, we’d like to hear from you on what has made your blog successful? What works for you?
I’m told the following about my blog. It’s smart, funny and refreshing. I figure since one third of the worlds population is entering some phase of menopause, including myself, my positive take on this rather whacky experience is something that I believe will resonate with women. Here’s hoping. I’m focused on making blogging a cornerstone of my career.
Sue Richards
The reason so few people read books is that they’re all busy writing their own. Given the number of people trying to self-publish who haven’t a clue how to go about it professionally, I figure there’s an audience for my blog, once people discover it. So my approach is to give good, free information and guidance and count on that to attract paying clients. Meanwhile, all aspects of publishing are clearly of interest to a growing part of the population; so the field should be of interest as content for BlogBurst’s clientele.
Blasted mainstream bores get everything
My readers say they come back because I offer an entertaining approach to the often intimidating topic of money, particularly the area of taxes. I’ve found that my most popular entries that are those that are the most personal. Naturally, people want to know that you know what you’re talking about on a subject like this, but they also want to know that you’re living the same money/tax problems that they are!
I find the posts on my blog that get the big traffic are the ones that hit home for people either owning a small business or wishing to start one, and provide solutions rather than just writing about the problem. I haven’t found much interest in news-like posts, so I aim to write posts that address a problem, provide helpful advice, and whenever possible reference web or book resources that have helped me in similiar situations.
I’m new to BlogBurst though and haven’t had anything picked up on this network, so can’t really discuss what works specifically here.
Some of the most successful blogs are based around the blogger’s personality. The blogger is focused on being true to herself or himself, and not on any single topic. Such bloggers can write about several different topics, like current technologies, pop culture, future trends, blog design, and marketing. Hey, that sounds like me! Imagine that!
Very interesting discussion! My blog has changed over the two years I have authored - moving from a strict craft-related blog to include more details about regional events, travel, health/wellness, fashion, and social and environmental concerns, etc. However, each post has a distinct “crafty” focus, as most of my readers are from that community. I also visit many other blogs, leaving comments and feedback, in turn hoping that they will visit my blog. This method has worked quite well in the past, so I will continue to do it.
I like to keep a positive focus in my posts - there is enough bad news around! - and many of my readers have commented to say that they find my posts inspirational and a breath of fresh air for this reason.
I haven’t got a lot of readers as yet, still finding my way. I blog on personal things, share ideas on job hunting, but my most interesting i think are my own product and service ideas that i call “Open Source Ideas”. Anyhow, I will continue creating content and enjoy it, maybe someone else will enjoy it as well. Thanks for the information.
I have a mulitple authored blog automotive advice for women blog and this seems to be working well as each has a style with its own appeal.
Try posting one of your articles to a Blog Carnival doing this regularly has increased my readership.
Jody DeVere
Ask Patty
Automotive Advice for Women
http://www.askpatty.com
I just want to say a BIG thank you to the guys at Blogburst. Yes, I was sceptical after the first month from the launch, because none of my blog entries had been picked up by the publishers, but finally, I have a publisher who has chosen my blog and is driving traffic to the blog.
It makes the research and time I put into my blog entries worthwhile.
Thanks!
We syndicate blogs from a variety of bloggers both liberal and conservative. We are always sorry when good blogs have not yet been syndicated, but, as it concerns political blogs in particular, a limited number of publishers who are using the service now are tapping into this topic area. Currently, only the Austin American-Statesman and Houston Chronicle are displaying political blogs, but we do hope to add more political blogs of varying political persuasions to more publisher sites.
I am, sadly, not a member of Blogburst, but much to my surprise I find I am able to comment, anyway. So that is rather nice! My blog is popular because people are amazed that a 75-year old woman can actually write coherently and amusingly about a life full of a variety of experiences.
Other than writing about “the olden days”, I served with the U.S. Air Force which gave me few unusual experiences in a foreign country, had a stab at politics by running for office in my hometown, owned my own business (pet shop), but mostly, after many years of political, animal welfare and other good-deeds activism, I think I may have hugged more trees than many “senior” females?
My blog? — Eclectic.