Universal Nexus

Where Knowledge Meets Exploration

How to Overcome the Challenges of Blogging Once and for All

Overcoming collective and sometimes exceptional challenges to blogging is in the back of every blogger’s mind. These disruptions are often the result of fear they will duplicate others work, not be able to break out from the blogosphere pack, and the all-encompassing need to place constructive words of wisdom on computer screen. Learning how to overcome these worries once and for all is a trait of every successful blogger.

Authority: Establishing Expertise in Blog’s Niche

With the global reach of the Internet, it is often impossible to not duplicate someone else’s work. However, everyone brings their own knowledge, beliefs, values, and expertise when creating their own view of a topic or idea. This is why fear of duplicating other’s work is a myth.

The solution is posting great content which establishes a blog as the authority within a niche. Attracting readers and enticing them to return comes from the expertise offered by the content within a blog.

Three strategies for leveraging expertise include:

  • providing how to accomplish specific tasks related to making a blog successful such as – how to monetize a blog.
  • answering questions people seek answers. Research questions related to the niche which comes from forums, reader polls, keyword searches, and researching questions found in social bookmarks.

  • providing check lists and cheat sheets. These provide step-by-step directions on how to accomplish specific tasks related to the niche.

Self Evaluation: Sit in the Front Row

Sitting in front a blog is sometimes eye opening. Begin by completing a thorough critique of a blog, remaining objective at all times. Leave no stone unturned, the purpose is to view the blog through a reader’s lens.

Use the following items as a checklist to complete the critique.

  • Ensure the overall appearance of the blog is pleasing to the eye. The blog must not be cluttered or busy.
  • Posts must be structured well and text not broken or have large gaps due to images and other items being inserted in the body of posts.
  • Use Jakob Nielsen’s F-Shaped Pattern eye-tracking study to view how typical people read information written in blog posts and take advantage of their reading habits.
  • Ensure there are no flashing ads or ads which play music or talk, these are annoying and cause most potential readers to click away fast. Many readers believe these types of ads contain viruses.
  • Links to other sources of related information should occur about every 150 – 200 words in the post. These links offer a sense of honesty to readers and are also good for search engine optimization.
  • Ensure posts are focused on one topic at a time and remain on topic. Many readers mentally wander when a post roams all over the place, then they lose interest and click off.
  • Post headlines must be related to content and are not misleading. Readers quickly pick up on deceptive or ambiguous headlines and then ignore the blog’s posts in the future.
  • Post formatting should include at least two to three sub-headings. Sub-headings allow readers to quickly determine if there is information they are searching for within the post.
  • Posts should include bullets to draw attention to important information. Caution – do not let bullets over power the text.

These check list items, along with additional blogging secrets experts do not what other bloggers to know are important when it comes to self-evaluation.

Purpose of Posts: Creating a Sense of Urgency

Blog posts must create a sense of urgency in readers to take advantage of what is being offered. This means to provide a reader with a rational reason for why they should do it now – not later! Instilling the sense of urgency must not be heavy-handed; however, it must provide something of value the reader needs.

An over-bearing offer only provides a sense of urgency to leave the blog, because it gives a sense of selfishness on the part of the blogger. Yes, many bloggers are in it to make a living. However, readers must sense they are the winner and not the blogger. This is where the sense of urgency comes into play by doing the following:

  • give a free gift for a limited time.
  • provide a free e-book related to the niche.
  • instill the need to act on a limited time offer immediately.

Successful bloggers all have two things in common – dedication and enthusiasm for hard work. Internalizing these two traits can lead each and every blogger down the path to a thriving blog, just like those who followed the same path to success.