Basic Rules for Successful Bloggers

It seems that everyone these days has a blog, but there is a set of rules successful bloggers will follow for many reasons.  These rules help guide a writer to avoid disasters that may cause them to lose their reader base, and possibly even offend some readers.  Other rules are guidelines for good content, and good content keeps readers coming back for more.

Write What You Know

This will always be the first and foremost rule of blogging.  When it comes to getting traffic to your blog, there is not a faster way of attracting good, participating readers than by having insightful, specific content.  I myself have dedicated the last ten years of my life to Web Development, Social Media Management, Blogging, and technology.  That is my passion, and that is why any article you may read on this website will be on one of those topics.  What is your passion?  Finding your expertise and sticking to it when it comes to writing is the basic rule of blogging success. Share your expertise and readers will find you.

Write Naturally

You don’t talk like a computer archive, so don’t write that way.  Accurate information is important, but the presentation is equally important as well.  Write naturally, tell the facts, and let your writing personality shine between the lines.

Don’t Force the Writing Process

Inspiration cannot be forced.  Regardless of deadlines  and agendas, requirements or responsibilities, good content stems from inspiration, which may come from the simplest things, but requires the right time and setting.  If you find that you have writer’s block, seek out the settings that normally get your creative juices flowing.

Obey Copyright Protection Laws

Using the Logo of a company your are blogging about is okay, but beware of using images or other materials from other websites.  Using Literary or Artistic Works created by other people without expressed consent is a crime.

Keep it Clean & Professional

Valuable blogs have a standard of ethics that go along with the content of their website. Refrain from using vulgarity, hateful or prejudice remarks, pornography or violent material.  These types of unprofessional mistakes will decrease the value and authority of your blog extremely fast.  It takes years to build a highly reputable blog, but only a single post to destroy it.

Moderate Comments

This goes hand-in-hand with keeping your blog clean and professional.  The average user will post something constructive, adding value to your blog.  However, there are a lot of anonymous spammers out their trying to promote some crazy stuff (I dare not mention), and keeping them out of your stream of comments is vital.  Also, your readers will not want to read them either.  Keep in mind, that you should moderate comments, not censor them.  If the commenter keeps it clean and professional then their comment should be heard, even if you do not agree.  If you censor comments, your readers will find out, and you will most likely be discredited as being “Biased”.

Make Your Own Template

There are tons of free templates out there available for use, and everybody is using them.  This is great for attracting a few viewers (friends and family most likely), but if you are serious about blogging, your blog needs an identity that is unique.  Don’t settle for less than perfection when it comes to your template.  If your blog is or becomes popular, you’ll want that brand recognition to be in place.

Avoid Self Promotion

Now, I know you are thinking: Are you crazy?  The answer is no, at least not for that reason 🙂  Self promotion happens in everyday life through television, radio, and print.  People have become desensitized to these kinds of self promotion that they will call you out on it the instance you try it.  Blogging is about gaining trust and respect by sharing your knowledge and opinions with the world.  When your viewers trust you (if you are trustworthy), then they might promote you.  A recommendation from another person is a far better way of promoting, then from yourself anyway.

These set of rules are just basic guidelines to get you well on your way to blogging success!  Hopefully, they will help you achieve the goals that you have set for your blog.

Are there any rules you would like to add?  Drop us a comment and we will consider it for addition with credit for you.   We welcome your input.