Ten Ways to a Killer Blog by the Scobles
The Scobles (Robert and Maryam) led a fun presentation which began as 10 ways to killer blog, but ended as a way to 15 fun (and potentially valuable) tips.
It was a fun talk and Maryam’s giddy attitude was infectious with the crowd playing along with fun questions.
- Blog because you want to.
- “A story without love is not worth telling.”
- Read other blogs:
- Blogging metaphor: linking and conversations.
- Pick a niche you can own (be different).
- 2 kinds of bloggers: (1) People who blog to change things. (2) People who just want to talk to their friends.
- It’s a google world. They would show me how they use the computer. They enter the world through the google interface.
- TechCrunch came in late to the game, but he managed to go straight to #1. He was very focused on a specific niche of the market.
- Link to other blogs
- Is there an A-list? Robert says “no”, but then admits that it would be hard for any blogger to quickly reach the level of the top 20 bloggers.
- Admit mistakes
- Best way to gain credibility
- Write Good Headlines
- A form of search engine optimization
- Use other media
- TechCrunch uses a graphic with every post.
- The media bar keeps rising.
- In the real estate space, the Future of Real Estate Marketing and the Real Estate Tomato has done along these lines.
- Have your own voice
- Doesn’t look at his writing as a craft… Just talking to individuals.
- Get outside the blogoshere.
- Go meet up with people!
- Market yourself
- Write well
- Expose yourself
- If corporate types enter it very reserved, it doesn’t work. Press releases don’t work. It takes more than that to get people engaged. Some photos of kids or cats can expose the blogger as a real human.
- Help other people blog
- Think of Dave Winer’s example where he showed others how to blog better.
- Engage with commenters
- Don’t be skiddish on participating on other blogs.
- Keep your integrity
- “You are what you appear to be!”
- If you are taking advertising or accepting gifts, disclose that.
One of the interesting things to note is that Robert gave RCG our first link yesterday. In talking with Robert last night he asked how much traffic his link had sent, and I said I hadn’t noticed a spike (i.e. I hadn’t been “scoblized“). I just checked my stats and he’s sent 5 hits (one of them being me!). I think this low number speaks to the importance of “quality” links where the blogger (no matter who it is) actively encourages their users to check out a post! (Don’t get me wrong, I loved getting the link from Robert, I was just surprised to find out how little traffic it sent!)
Also, I noticed that Randy of Stewtopia (sitting next to me) has already hit post on his commentary from this session!.
About the Author: Dustin Luther
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Wow, what great information you provided. I really appreciate your knowledge. This is going to help me a lot in my businesses. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, this post is powerful.
Sincerely,
Fernando Spindola
Direct: 323.456.6110
[...] [Dustin from Rain City Guide just posted his thoughts on the Scoble’s presentation] [...]
I’m glad you enjoyed it Fernando!
That’s one hell of a URL you own. I think it is the longest one I’ve ever seen that doesn’t appear to be spam!
-Dustin
Dustin,
Thanks for keeping us updated on the Blog Business Summitt. It’s like being there with out having to actually being present. I’ve picked up some great tips. This blogging has been fun. I was really surprised to find very few Realtors up in my market place of Bellingham, WA actually blog about real estate. I think I’m upto about 7 or 8 posts on my site already. I’ts all your fault Justin…..lol
Thanks again
Very true on all these points as we are trying to build up an audience for our blog as well.
Our tips for business to bring in repeat business blog can be found at http://www.globalintegra.com/blog
[...] Paul Cheney. Janet Lee Johnson. Andru Edwards. Denise Wakeman. Barry Hurd. Dustin Luther. [...]
Very useful.
Well, add me to the list of people who came to look from Robert’s blog.
I’m trying to learn how to have a good blog that is read by someone other than myself
These are all great tips and from the way you describe the live presentation, I wish I could have been there, too.
I also liked the cartoons he pointed to — those were a hoot!
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Shirazi and MSN,
Thanks for the visit!
[...] Robert and Maryam Scoble from Podtech presented at the Blog Business Summit about 10 ways to a better blog. Pdf of the slides can be found here – complete with cartoons by Hugh. (there are 15 ways according to the Scobles but who’s counting!) Blogs about the presentation can be found here, here and here. And no doubt there will be video of it somewhere else too soon enough. [...]
[...] Robert and Maryam Scoble from Podtech presented at the Blog Business Summit about 10 ways to a better blog. Pdf of the slides can be found here – complete with cartoons by Hugh. (there are 15 ways according to the Scobles but who’s counting!) Blogs about the presentation can be found here, here and here. And no doubt there will be video of it somewhere else too soon enough. [...]