Today’s guest post is from Chris Garrett from chrisg.com.
When Darren asked if I would like to guest post on ProBlogger I had an attack of the nerves. You see, it was Darrens blog that was the inspiration (blame?) for me to become a pro-blogger myself. I still find inspiration from this blog now.
Then it hit me; that is what I could write about. Sometimes you can learn as much from observing what successful people do in a field as listening to what their advice.
What have I learned from Darren and his blog?
- Be first – There was a time it was easy to have first-mover-advantage was easy. Of course that was when hardly anyone had the foresight to start anything other than a personal diary blog. There are thousands of blogs now on every subject, how can you be first? Be different. Find a gap and fill it. Demonstrate the benefit of your unique take.
- Staying power – It is tempting to hear of six-figure incomes and become despondent at your own meagre Google cheque. Darren didn’t get there overnight either. One of my biggest mistakes in blogging has been quitting, chopping and changing. Don’t make my mistake, learn from Darren. Stick with it!
- Show Off Your Best Stuff – Put your popular stuff right up front where people can see it. When you visit this blog you are not lost for things to read. After people read your post, do your readers know where they can go next?
- Community Counts – Great content is important, but combined with a vibrant community, that is when your blog will really take off
- Test and Research – Blogging is a moving target. Working out what works and what doesn’t takes research, experimentation, testing and discussion. Over the years you will have seen Darren experiment with new developments from MyBlogLog to Chikita. Make sure you keep up with the times.
- Privacy – Don’t reveal too much personal information, decide what you are going to keep private and make it stay that way.
- Stay Positive – I don’t think I have ever seen Darren go off on a rant. This builds up a tremendous amount of goodwill. You will never hear a bad word said about him. Blogging success is as much about networking as it is good writing, what are people thinking and saying about you?
Look at the blogs you read every day, what can you learn from them? (Both good and bad). What have you learned from reading ProBlogger? Add your thoughts in the comments …
Read more from Chris Garret at his blog chrisg.com.
