Over in the question widget on my sidebar I was asked to comment on the future of blogging and where I see it heading.
In this video post I explore 5 trends that have been emerging (and that I think we’ll see continue to grow) including:
- Multiple Author Blogs
- Multi-Topic Blogs
- Blogs Converging with Other Types of Sites
- Portal-Like Design
- Indirect Monetization
I should say though that I’m NOT saying that a blog can’t work when a blog doesn’t have these things. Blogs of all shapes and sizes will continue to have success.
You can watch a full size version of this video here.
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@Popular Wealth – I can tell why you aren’t having much luck with search engine traffic.
First, you don’t have enough links. You need to build more if you want Google to notice you. Use articles, directory submissions, social bookmarking and other methods to build up your backlinks.
Secondly, there are SEO problems with your WordPress theme and the plugins you’re using. If you take care of these problems you should see your search engine traffic greatly increase.
While it is true that a multi-topic blog is unlikely to dominate search engine results on a specific niche topic, it is quite easy to make this up with long tail searches, blog searches and other non-standard methods to more than make up for this.
I have to disagree with you Popular. Multi-topic blogs an rank equally well. It all depends on your ability to optimize and market. You can achieve anything. I agree with Frank about interlinking.
Darren as usual I think you are spot on. I’ve definitely seen these trends emerging and have even been thinking about using some on my sites.
Hearing you talk about them has confirmed that I am on the right track.
Thanks
Contest-related themes are being incorporated in a lot of Blogs I am visiting lately. Underlying, I know it is a traffic building tactic (and a very good one) but an example of the newest battle is learning how to build a blog from scratch and evolve it into a source of income. The two Bloggers in question are building a tremendous list of readers to stay tuned for the step by step posts but also exposing their products at the same time. It’s just like a magnet attracting Bloggers and those who want to start Blogging.
One trend is how assholes like Darren are shilling for Linkshare on the job board. Theyre ripping writers off and this bald-headed freak is helping them.
Bill Jones – I’m a little confused.
For starters where are Linkshare advertising on my job board?
Secondly – how are they ripping off writers? My understanding of LinkShare is that they are affiliate service.
Thirdly – I don’t endorse those that advertise on my job board. I allow readers who apply for jobs to decide for themselves if they wish to take on the jobs advertised there. I have on two occasions pulled ads and refunded money where I felt jobs advertized were potentially phishing sites – but that’s the only ‘censorship’ I bring to the job board.
If you’d like to raise any specific concerns rather than just leave angry and vague statements then i’d be happy to look at them and give a response. Feel free to email me via my contact board if that’d help.
I find I’m reading more and more multi topic blogs. While I subscribe to some portal style blogs and so read their content blog style. I think the amount i would read if i come to a portal page is far less than if i hit a blog style one.
I’m getting a lot usefull information from here. I think even i can built a multi topic blog. I was just resticted myself to post only about one topic.
It’s funny. I agree with what was said in terms of what trends are coming out in blogging, but I would like to point out that multi-topic, multi-writer blogs tend to go hand in hand.
Also, certain topics and blogging styles tend to do better with a single voice. Some of my favorite blogs are the ones in which the blogger’s personality shines through.
In terms of longevity, all of the blogs I’ve been following for several years have that distinct voice and atmosphere brought about by the blogger’s own personality. I look forward to checking in on those blogs in which the blogger seems to have established a comraderie with readers.
Great post as usual. Regarding advertising, I found out that (via a questionaire to my readers) that the ads I use to place on my blog use to disturb the readers …… at one point I had all bunch of ads from Commission Junction, thinking of course that I will soon become a millionaire :)
Anyways, I actually did listen to my readers, and removed them all except Adwords (where I used colours that do not disturb the readers). Conclusion ; more traffic, and more readers asking for direct advice.
Wasn’t a blog just a personal thing where people could express them self? These Multiple Author Blogs are not really blogs any more and are becoming more like magazine websites.
Blogs now days are very useful, it tells a person story & share to the world.
it is good to see changes, without changes blogs will just looks plain & bored.
good luck~
In going over the comments left by many here, I was surprised to see that there are those who feel so overwhelmed they’re considering quitting their blogs. I’m sure most of you are further along in this process than I am and have probably built a readership beyond your circle of friends and a few of the people your friends and family know (that’s about where I am – my blog is a month old). I think this is a time to be excited about the expanding readership and opportunities out there for bloggers. As someone who has freelanced as a writer for print publications for the last ten years I am completely relieved to find that as readership trickles away from newspapers and magazines it is absolutely going somewhere. I’m thrilled that you see people still value information which helps create value in their lives and fellowship in a community. It’s all good.
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great tips.
I think having multiple blog authors really helps to keep the content fresh and wards away the exhaustion most lone bloggers have to deal with.