13 Basic Facts about blogging

What do you do when you want to start something, but you don't have a clue where to start and how?

Have you ever had that experience? I surely do hope so.

Now, I don't know what about you, but when I want to know more about a topic...
I read about it,
I listen to podcasts and audio books
I attend webinars and seminars
I ask people who are experts on the matter.
Eager, Excited. 
Frustrated because there is so much to learn...

So that's what I did and how I felt when I started blogging. 

And if you too, want to learn how to blog...
(why else would you be here :-))
Well, then we'd be very happy to teach you how
and share our experience.
Hope you are eager and excited :-)

So herewith - I summed up the basics of blogging 

There is more to know about blogging, that's for sure.
You are at the right address.

But let us start with the basics. 
13 basic tips:
 

​1. You need to have a business blog
It’s nice to have a personal blog, but in order to boost your business you need a business blog.
A blog that is oriented to your target audience (your (future) customers)
And where you build your reputation by writing about your expertise and the information you wish to share with your audience. 
People buy from people they know, like & trust.
So make sure you increase that "trust-factor" by sharing valuable content. 

2. Don't make it your (personal) diary
Back in the days, people used to write a blog mainly to share about their wherabouts.
Especially if they were traveling the world, or so.

But unless you are traveling the world (and even then) people are not interested in reading what you ate this morning, or how late you got out of bed.

Blogging, or at least business blogging is not like keeping a diary, and certainly not a personal diary.

3. Blogging needs to be part of your (Personal Branding) Strategy.
For many people marketing and branding are dirty words.
I understand. No I don't :-)

Whether you are looking for your next promotion or job.
Or whether you are an entrepreneur in need for more clients....
You wish to stay in business.
And marketing and personal branding are the tools!

And guess what, blogging is one of the best ways to build your Personal Brand .
So use it.

4. Blogging is a long term sustainable business building strategy.
O-oh.
I've met so many people who think that building your Personal Brand can be done in a quick and easy way.
Some Personal Branding "gururs" claim that. 
Well, not me. 
The overnight success is a big myth.
​
And same goes for blogging.
If you think that blogging will allow you to earn quick money, well then don’t start.
Blogging will help you boost your business but it takes time & effort.
Don't say we didn't tell you so :-)

5. Your content needs to be valuable and relevant to your target audience
As mentioned before, your readers do not want to know that you went to Disneyland this weekend.
Unless you have some valuable lessons learned from Mickey Mouse.
You never know.
The guy is almost 90 years old. 
He's been around :-)

Anyway, your blog is there to provide interesting information to your target audience.
You'll learn in the next posts and the training what that interesting information might be.
But keep in mind that blogging is about them, not you.
And THEY want to learn something, be insprired, want to relate.....

6. Give before taking
The bible says: "Ask and you shall receive"
Ilse and I prefer: "Give and you shall receive"

Nothing wrong with 'asking'
Better is 'giving'
I don't like the word 'taking', anyway. 

As for blogging, every blogger wants lots of readers and lots of comments.
But if you want something you also have to give.
So start by reading blogs and posting comments yourself.
And even better, by sharing

7. Look for inspiration on Google, specific press, colleagues, forums...
When I was thinking of starting a blog, I wondered, what the hell will I tell people?
How can I be unique, innovative…

Stop!

Stop the imposter syndrome. 
And read Austin Kleon's book: "Steal like an artist".

You do not need to be original.
Original does not sell.

And you are unique, no matter what.
Dr Seuss says: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

Just find your own voice.
And be authentic.

8. Inform your entire network of your blog
I know, many of us are afraid to share our message.
Because of different reasons.
Fear of what others will say.
Fear of making mistakes.
Feeling like a fraud (what gives me the right....)
Ferar of "everything has already been said".

My answer: get over it! 
Why else would you start a blog? 
Just in order to be able to tell your grandkids, dear old grandma had a blog one day?
A blog nobody read?

Don't think so.
And you don't either.
Or you wouldn't be here, I guess.

So remember, if nobody knows about your blog, then how will they be able to read it?

Spread the word.

9. Reward people who post comments on your blog
Remember how great it is to get comments on your posts? 
At least, some constructive and positive feedback...

So why not thanking the people who comment?
Didn't mom & dad tell you to say thanks when you receive something?

You can reward them with a simple “thank you”
but there might be other ways to thank them.
Be creative,
and little tip: always link it to your expertise.

10. Moderate comments
We want to keep up the quality, right?
So comments who do not belong on your blog, ban them!
That does not mean you should ban all people who do not agree with your insight.
It means you should not allow inappropriate language, etc..

That is why it is better to moderate comments.

Some people ask us - "maybe not allowing comments at all then?"
Nope.
Not a good idea.
To name a few reasons: traffic, SEO, social pressure...

11. Do not blog too often or too seldom
That's a difficult question we get asked a lot.
"How many times per month should I blog?"

As many is possible?
Well, here in Europe, we are still seeing bloggers as spammers if they post too often.

But not blogging regularly makes you someone they'll forget about easily.
And you do not want your target audience to forget about you, do you?

So our advice is: 1 to 4 times per month.

12. Do it in a consistent way
Have you ever noticed this/
Somebody writes 2 or 3 great posts and then suddenly.... nothing.

You've finally gotten over your mourning period and hey...
there he or she is again.

No good.
It’s not good to write 3 blogs in one week and then suddenly nothing for months.

Be consistent.
and even better: choose the same day of the week.

13. Be patient
There is this quote: "It is difficult to be patient. But to waste the rewards for patience is worse."
I admit, patiences is not my strongest point.

But I do know that even though I do not get a lot of comments and feedback sometimes...
I did attract a lot of clients thanks to my blog.

Now how is that for a reward? :-)


Your turn, what great basic tip are you willing to share about blogging?
Tell us!
we'de be utmost grateful :-)